5 More : Beautiful Sewing Tools

A few weeks ago I patiently picked the serger seam out of an old Linden Sweatshirt. If I'm gonna go to that kind of trouble, I need the moral support of instagram sewists. When I posted the photo all I could think was, "Boy, that seam ripper is ugly." In an age of japanese double gauze, imported linen, and Liberty prints, there is no reason to own an ugly tool. I went on a coffee fueled internet quest to find a pretty seam ripper. To make the time spent down that internet rabbit hole worth it, here's what else I found.

Wood or Horn Seam Ripper - Let's start with my new toy. Those fussy little plastic seam rippers are for the birds, I break half dozen a year, and yet I keep buying them. No more! This beautiful seam ripper with hand turned wooden handle from Aspin Wilkey on Etsy is wonderfully sturdy and sized to fit your hand. The sharp end flips for storage, and is replaceable! I got the one shown above (similar) in silver to match my scissors, but now I'm thinking I should just get some gold tone scissors to match the beautiful antler seam ripper I found on Etsy made by Eric Helland Creations!

Measuring Tape - There are few real substitutes for the functionality of the standard plastic measuring tape. When I'm measuring anything that isn't a body, I like to use something a little nicer. I found this lovely vintage inspired tape from MacKenzie-Childs of all places. We have evidently missed the golden age of measuring because there are plenty of flat lay photo worthy measuring tapes on eBay. When sewing was a more common domestic pursuit measuring tapes were hidden in everything from piggies to sea shells. I'm afraid I feel a new vintage collection obsession coming on!

Scissors - Scissors are probably the easiest place to begin upgrading your sewing tools. Last year I ditched my plastic handled Fiskars for a beautiful pair of Ginghers, and it has transformed the experience of cutting fabric. Whether you're snipping a few threads (do that with Stork Scissors from Loop Yarn please!) or cutting out a wedding gown ( very fittingly done with White Handled Wendy Ward Scissors). Even the formidable Ernest Wright and Sons offers shears in 9 colors for big projects, or get some industrial chic Kuroha thread Snips to keep by the sewing machine.

Thimble - Lots of thimble chatter on the inter webs these days. There are so many gorgeous vintage thimbles rattling around out there it seems a shame to buy a plain new one. Once you've chosen between art deco and victorian thimbles, this adorable thimble case from Thread Theory is a no brainer.

Glass head pins. I don't own glass headed pins. I also don't own a single pin that isn't flat on one side from the iron. Leave it to Merchant and Mills to offer the simple workhorse of glass headed pins, but if you're looking for something more decorative there are plenty of options out there with hearts, stars, or flowers are more your thing.

I'm still in hot pursuit of an attractive measuring gauge but my wish list is getting long. What would you add?

More pretty tool suggestions on Pinterest.

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What's up with 5 More? 

I suspect that if I'm up into the wee hours of the night searching for a certain style of knitting or sewing pattern, others are probably shopping for it, too. With the 5 More series I try to sift through the mountains of patterns, and possibilities in search of 5 safe bets, for good results.