As someone who often uses Japanese pattern and draft my own pattern, the last step after drafting and tracing is something that I like the least: adding seam allowances. Sometimes I forget to add spaces between pattern pieces, so I had to tape new piece of paper or trace the whole pattern piece altogether, which taking so much of oh my precioussss sewing time.
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about as only fellow seamstresses share the same thing, and I wonder why I never came across any tool that address this problem. Until one day Hollie offered me to try her new sewing tool invention, which is simply called ‘Seam Allowance Guide’, of course I immediately agreed!
The tool looks very simple, it is shaped somewhat like a thick, blunt, screw, made from plastic with a black rubber rubber band on it and a strong magnet on one side. There are two tools included in the package, green for scissors with no slope and yellow for scissors with slope. It is attached to the side of scissor on the magnet side and the black rubber band can be moved around to the desirable width of seam allowance. So simple and so neat, isn’t it?
I made a simple black shorts today and used the seam allowance guide for the first time. Instead of cutting my pattern pieces on the lines, I just give some room around the pattern pieces and put them over the fabric. Since I was using pattern paper, I can use my fabric scissor to cut the pattern and the fabric at the same time. At the end, I have my pattern pieces with seam allowance already added and ready to be re-used! Saved so much time! Thank you, Hollie!
You can go to the Seam Allowance Guide site to check out this neat tool. Hollie also generously sent me some extras, which I put up here for a giveaway so you can also have a try! If you’d like to have the seam allowance guide, please leave a comment on this post and I will send it to anywhere you are. I will draw the winners randomly if there are more than four people who are interested. The winners will be announced this Friday, May 6, 2011. Happy sewing!
190 Comments
Such a simple but clever invention!
At college, we are recommended to draw out the seam allowance using a pattern master ruler set, but this looks even easier and definitely quicker.
I would love to have one!
Please consider me for this give-away! Thanks,
Ah, I’d love to win this little contraption!
I always get my allowances wonky, sounds like a great tool : )
Oh, this looks like a really handy and useful invention. I did not even know something like this existed! I am so tired of using a ruler while cutting, thus I would love to try one, too! :)
I would definitely love to have one of those. I’ll cross my fingers!! Thanks Novita
Genius! I would love one!
I always have problems with neat and equal seam allowances so it looks really useful!
That looks a great idea, since you have to add seam allowance to almost every pattern these days. I would love a chance to win! Thanks.
A very clever idea! At the momement I’m using a parallel tracing tool with powder chalk, but it is not very convinient. So I’m always looking for something more practicable, maybe this is it…
But I wondered: Can you cut the pattern paper without blunting your scissors? I’m always very careful with my shears and don’t dare to cut anything but fabric.
ooh! what a great idea! i would love to win one of these!!
Definately need that, it’s so useful, especially when I make patterns from my old clothes! :)
Are you kidding me? This is amazingly clever! I would love to have one. It would save me loads of time re-pinning my patterns on my fabrics..
Fantastic tool !
How clever!
What a clever idea! I would love to win one. Thnx!
Oh my word, I had no idea such a grommet existed, this is simply AMAZING! Thanks for the giveaway, fingers crosses ;)
I use burda patterns a lot, and this would be so helpful.
This looks fantastic, I’d love to try it!
hi there..this is awesome.I am a 52 yr old student.learning to sew.I find it hard making yr own patterns,this tool will surely be a great help.
I would love to try that little thingamagig!
This is brilliant! I was just drafting a pattern tonight and had to tape paper together since I didn’t leave enough room to draw the seam allowances. I thought I was the only one! Would love to win a set.
Amazing! It looks so simple but it makes so much sense!
Wow that’s amazing!
What an ingenious little invention! I would never have thought of such a neat solution to the dreaded seam allowance conundrum I face every time I use a Burda magazine pattern! Just goes to show, the simplest ideas are often the most useful.