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
wow, that sounds great! I love Japanese patterns too, but hate drawing on seam allowances.
oh my gosh, that is genius! I’ll have to get one, if I don;t win it here. but please please pick me, I have tons of Japanese pattern books that I don’t use because I hate adding seam allowances :)
How had I not heard of this little tool before?! Its so simple yet effective (from your demonstration). Please enter me in the giveaway.
Indeed that is total genius! I thought it would be some kind of chalk/pencil tool but turns out you just cut as you go! =O
Awesome little gadget! This would come in so handy.
What an amazing idea. So simple but so smart
I almost always forget to leave spAces between pieces when tracing. Can’t understand why its so difficult for pattern makers to add seam allowances.
Genius. Very cool and so simple. Love
What a timesaver! I would love one!!
Wow, these little things would save me so many headaches. I want! :D
I would really like to win this one. It is amazing thing cause sometimes i forget to add seam allowance too :)
such a simple but great idea!
This would completely help me with all the maternity sewing I’m doing recently
wow!
i really want it since im still a beginner!
and ur blog is the one that inspired me to sew. :)
from malaysia :)
This is fantastic!
And certainly a must have for a seamstress!
Oh I have had my eyes on this one and was wondering whether it works well. Looks like it does and I would love to add it to my sewing tool box. Very handy for all those Burda Magazin pattern, bye bye to those two sticky taped together pens.
J’adore
Beautiful discovery! Simple, fast and efficient.
Me too I use Japanese bosses … I am very crazy! Thank you for this post very interesting !
Anne-Lise ( from south of France ;-)
So handy! I’m all for eliminating steps where possible!
Genius! I’d love one, but my craft budget is a little tight at the moment.
Wow!
Like you I always forget, and its so time consuming adding more paper on, or even cutting out the new piece!
It is such a simple yet amazing little tool.
I would love to try it out
Sophy x
They look interesting – would love to try it!
How clever! I´d love to try this…
Wow, this is really great!
I would love to get this little helper.
Best wishes from europe.
What a great invention! I use Japanese and burdastyle pattern often and the lazy part are to draw another line for the seams. As I only have little time to draft and cutting the fabrics everytime my baby asleep during the day, this tool will definitely help me within the limited time I have :)
Please include me in your giveaway and thank you!
Great tool! I would love to try it myself. Count me in for the giveaway!