[ trying out a "new" vintage sewing tool! ]
Coming across vintage sewing tools can cause one of two reactions: the head-scratching “what the heck is this?!” moment, or the complete epiphany as to the genius of earlier generations of sewing tool manufacturers. (And subsequent wondering why they don’t make such handy tools any more!) I recently have come across a couple sewing tools of the vintage variety that I thought I’d share one with you!
A recent acquisition: the “Tack-It”! A friend of mine mentioned this odd-looking tool, but I realized it’s genius when I thought of all the times I could have used an easier method to mark fabric than my usual pin or tailors tacks (which, I have a nasty habit of accidentally pulling out halfway through the project, voiding all my hard work). I found one on Ebay recently for quite a deal and have had fun playing with it and trying it out since.
[ preparing to mark the fabric. ]
It’s easy to use, although I think I need to replace the transfer paper it came with in it’s original packaging, as it’s a bit old. But basically you cut out the pattern piece leaving most of it still pinned to the fabric, and slip the transfer sheet between the pattern and top layer of fabric, and under the bottom layer (creating a “sandwich” of the fabric in the middle, transfer paper around, and pattern on top) if you’re cutting out two layers. Slip the Tack-It over top a marking, and press down firmly–and it’s marked! No more worrying about loosing my thread tacks anymore… lol.
[ final marks. the dots were a bit hard to capture--so be sure to enlarge the image a bit! ]
Lately, sewing has been a bit touch and go for me. I think I’m just hitting the end-of-summer-blues and needing a bit of a breather after the amount of sewing I’ve done this year. I’ve been getting a huge amount of knitting done and the millinery supplies I ordered from Judith M arrived yesterday–so something fun to start playing with! Though I did cut out the bra top portion of my 40s swimsuit over the weekend (the shorts are still giving me some fitting issues and I ran out of muslin, so they’re on hold until I procure more!), so hopefully I’ll actually sew instead of talking about it and posting vintage sewing tools… lol!
So tell me: what’s your favorite sewing tool? Or what creative things have been filling your imagination so far this month?
I had a similar experience with a pin-pointed tracing wheel recently. I bought it in a bag of assorted vintage sewing supplies at the Goodwill, specifically because I wanted to play with that wheel! It worked beautifully for copying pattern pieces. I just placed the blank paper on the bottom, the original pattern on the top, and traced away! Then all I had to do was “connect the dots” with a pencil. Genius!
Your Tack-It looks really handy. I’m really bad about either skipping those markings, or doing them in chalk, which immediately rubs of.
If my sewing room were to catch fire, one of the tools I’d grab would be my tack it. I hate doing tailor’s tacks. The only thing I’d caution is to use the lightest pressure that leaves a mark, and never to use red marking paper. You’ve got a winner there. Good luck!
Wow, what an ingenious tool! Thanks for sharing
Think I’ve got something similar to Rose’s item – a tracing wheel (at least, I think it’s called that). Sooo handy…
wow, i had one of these buried in my sewing trunk that used to belong to my grandma. now i know what it is! thanks.
I’ve always used pins or a pen that washes in water and it’s always such a hassle to lift the pattern and get it right. Even if I never find one of these, I will use my tracing paper from now on. I just had never thought to do that. What a great tool.
I felt the same blah after my vacation but now I am back in love with sewing. It will come!
I LOVE my hemming tool with the small vial of chalk. I also have the one that is just the ruler and guide and its so easy my husband can help me hem.
Oooh. I didn’t realize this existed…why don’t they make these still? Genius.
Marking is my least favorite thing to do. Some fabrics must have tailor’s tacks and I also tend to accidentally pull them out right before the point that I need them…I tried a tracing wheel, but the quality is so bad that it wobbles; I just figured it wasn’t the tool for me; any tool that makes me actually angry is not the tool for me! I love my chalk, but I can’t always get the point fine enough and keep dropping and chipping it. I usually end up using my reliable disappearing ink, but it’s a pain to mark both layers…think I’ll be trolling eBay for one of these…
Yay! Just scored one on eBay! There is another one on eBay and one one Etsy from the seller memorimakers if anybody wants to snatch these up. Thanks Casey!
I cannot live without my buttonholer! Yes, I know of and have done the sewing machine worked buttonholes; but they look homemade IMHO. The buttonholer works on any machine as long as you get the one that is compatible with the shank of your machine. Such beautiful and perfect button holes, easy to align!
I just learned that the buttons should be spaced the width of the button used plus 1/2 inch. Thought that was interesting.
I do not really have a favourite sewing tool as I haven’t been sewing long enough! However, it is heaps of fun reading about the vintage sewing notions, so thanks Casey for sharing!
xox,
b. of Depict This!
LOL I have a tack-it and have had it for years. Guess I’m vintage, too.
Hope you are able to fix your fitting problems, that’s just annoying.
Thanks for the discussion of vintage sewing tools, as I enjoy vintage anything. In fact, yesterday I got a high school home economics textbook with chapters about altering patterns/drafting patterns – circa 1913. Looks like the high school home ec dept. took this stuf seriously …
If you don’t hurry up on that swim suit, summer will be over!
Rena
After reading your article, I went out and got a tack-it. Best. Invention. Ever. Thank you so very much for bringing it to my attention!