Although it is one of the oldest textile arts, sewing is still one of the most loved pastimes there is and continues to grow in popularity from generation to generation. Whether you are a professional seamstress or somebody who enjoys sewing for purposes of rest and relaxation, every sewer needs a kit bursting with accessories to help you make the most of your sewing projects. With sewing being one of the most skilled and useful pastimes there is, there is no better time to start your collection or refresh your kit with our range of essential sewing accessories. With so many different accessories available it can be difficult to decide what item best suits your project so today, we will introduce you to the items we feel are the most important ones to have to hand when embarking upon a new sewing task. Hand Sewing Needles - for any hand sewing project you will of course need to ensure that you choose the most appropriate needle. To ensure that you choose the needle most suited to your requirements there are a number of factors to consider. Hand sewing needles are available in a variety of sizes and shapes - it is important to select the correct type of needle for your project and the correct size of needle for the weight of thread and fabric you are using. Chenille needles are a sharp needle with a large eye making them the ideal needle for ribbon and heavy embroidery projects. Bodkins sewing needles are also useful for sewing and threading larger items such as ribbon, thread and elastic however, the end of this needle is blunter than that of the chenille needles. Tapestry needles have a large which allows you to thread tapestry wool or six-stranded cotton, whilst the blunt end enables the needle to pass through canvas without tearing it. Leather Needles have triangular points and as the name suggests, are suitable for use with leather, leatherette and other types of plastic fabrics. Darner needles from Milward are strong hand sewing needles with sharp points, also known as cotton darners these needles are most commonly used for mending and darning. Luckily, hand sewing needles are inexpensive so it is possible to a beginner sewer to purchase a number of different types of needles to begin their collection, or even a variety pack. These are just a few of a vast range of hand sewing needles available and the choice can sometimes be overwhelming so if you are struggling to decide which needle is best for your requirements please do not hesitate to give us a call for some expert advice. Dressmaking Pins - pins are used by dressmaker for a number of reasons and will always be one of the most important items in your kit. Dressmaking pins are often used to hold a pattern in place whilst you sew or to pin embellishments and trims to your item for an idea of how your finished item will look. We stock a variety of dressmaking pins including sequin and bead pins, bridal and lace pins and ball point pins. Tape Measures - tape measures are an important piece of equipment for any dressmaker or tailor and are used to take measurements including arm and leg measurements and circumference measurements. We stock a variety of Dressmaking Tape Measures including the Prym Professional Tape Measure, Prym Retractable Tape Measure and the Press Stud Tape Measure. Pin Cushions - the pin cushion is an essential item of haberdashery used to keep your pins in a safe place whilst you work. Thimbles - no sewing kit is complete without a thimble. A thimble is used by dressmakers and seamstresses to protect their fingers from sharps and to provide comfort when working. Sewing accessories are the perfect gift whether you are treating yourself or a loved one, our full range is available to view online. If you do require any advice when selecting your sewing accessories please do not hesitate to give us a call. Until next time Calico Laine