When doing any form of dressmaking it is important to be accurate to ensure that your garment is the right size and shape to fit. Whether you use a commercial pattern or make your own pattern it is vital that you have the correct Haberdashery items to help you carry out your project. Here is a quick rundown of items that can be particularly useful when working with a pattern : Tailors Chalk and Dressmaking Markers : These items are an essential Haberdashery item when it comes to pattern work as they allow you to draw out and mark patterns prior to cutting fabric. The traditional method to use for marking out your pattern is to use tailors chalk which many of us will remember using at school. This comes in a solid block of chalk in a triangular shape and in a few different colours to mark different colours of fabric. Recently, Haberdashery manufacturers have started to create tailors chalk in pencil form however the original triangle version is still very popular. As well as the standard tailors chalk, there are also a number of dressmaking markers on the market manufactured by Prym. These include self erasing pens, mark and erase pens and water soluble pens so that the drawing can be erased from your fabric after your pattern has been cut out. Dressmaking Pins : To ensure that you pattern stays in position when you are cutting your fabric out, dressmaking pins are another Haberdashery must have. These are also useful when you are sewing on the machine to keep you fabric pieces in the right position when being sewn. Dressmaking pins come in a variety of sizes with different types for different material and use. Some professional dressmakers prefer to use smaller pins with a small metal head to them whereas other sewers may like to use larger pins with a coloured head to them so that they can be easily seen when it is time to remove them from your fabric. Scissors and Rotary Cutters : When cutting out your fabric, it is important to have a good quality pair of scissors to give you a sharp and accurate cut. At Calico Laine, we prefer to use Fiskars 25cm dressmaking shears when cutting out any fabric however there are also a number of good quality scissors from both Prym and Janome on the market. Recently, customers have begun to ask about using rotary cutters to cut out their fabric as they have seen the contestants from The Great British Sewing Bee using them. Rotary cutters have a very sharp blade and with practice can give a very accurate finish. We would suggest however that if you are using a rotary blade that you also purchase a self healing cutting mat to protect your table from being damaged.