Gift Ideas For Serger and Overlocker Users
Tailor’s Chalk
Lohas Professional Tailors Chalk Fabric Marker Chalk
No of pieces: 10
Recommended for use on: Fabric, Plastics
Made from: pressed plaster, lime free and grit free,
Colour: 4 brilliant colours: white, pink, blue, yellow.
Comes in little plastic storage boxes
If you are a fan of overlocking or serging and making clothing or other fabric items then tailor’s chalk is an essential accessory.
Tailor's chalk is a versatile marking tool traditionally used in sewing and garment construction. It offers many advantages over other marking methods, analysed for you, below.
These Lohas chalks are quite thin, the advantage of that is so you can draw very fine lines to follow when you are overlocking / serging. However, you have to treat these chalks carefuly, they’re not designed to be very robust. Store them in the box they come with to protect them.
Any self respecting fan of Overlocking or Serging really should have tailor’s chalk! Never use an ink pen or pencil to mark up your fabric again!
We’re an affiliate with Amazon. We hope you love this tailor's chalk but just so you know, we may collect a small share of sales from links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it.
This is an affordable accessory gift idea for the Serger or Overlocker user in your life.
Or treat yourself to complement your overlocking / serging kit.
So, what are the advantages of using tailor's chalk? We've listed some below:
Good Visibility
Tailor's chalk is highly visible on most fabrics, making it easy to mark the desired lines or points accurately. It creates clear, contrasting marks that are visible even on dark or patterned fabrics. As overlocking / serging is fast clear visibilty of your stitching line is important.
Temporary Marking
The advantage of using tailor’s chalk rather than permanent markers, pens or pencils is that tailor's chalk provides only temporary markings. The chalk marks can be easily removed or brushed off once your overlocking / serging is done and the lineas are no longer needed, and they don't leave permanent stains or marks on the fabric.
Non-Damaging
Tailor's chalk is non-permanent and does not penetrate into the fabric’s fibres. It can be applied very lightly without damaging delicate or sensitive fabrics, and so it is suitable for use on a very wide range of materials. It won't damage the needles of your overlocker / serger either.
Versatility
Tailor's chalk is actually available in various forms, including solid chalk, pencil-shaped chalk, or chalk powder. This versatility allows you to choose the most suitable type for your specific marking needs and the fabric you are overlocking / serging with. We have chosen here traditional chalk style so you use them to draw the stitch lines on your fabric.
Precision
Tailor's chalk enables you to mark your fabric very precisely. It allows you to draw accurate lines, dots, or symbols on the fabric, helping you maintain precision during cutting, sewing, or pattern alterations and overlocking / serging.
If you are trying on a part finished garment you can mark on the precise adjustments you need to make such as turn-up lengths, darts, fastening positioning etc
Erasability
Tailor's chalk markings can be easily erased or removed from the fabric you are working on. You can simply brush it off with a soft brush, wipe it away with a lightly damp cloth, or even iron over the marks to make them disappear. It won’t leave stains or damage to the fabric nor will it mark or damage your overlocker / serger.
Compatibility with Different Fabrics
Tailor's chalk will work well on a wide variety of fabrics, including woven fabrics, knits, and even slippery or stretchy materials or anything you would want to overlocke / serge on. It adheres to the fabric surface without causing distortion or stretching.
Multiple Colour Options
Tailor's chalk is available in different colours, such as white, blue, pink or yellow. This variety allows you to choose the colour that contrasts well with your fabric, ensuring optimal visibility while overlocking / serging and easy removal.
Safe and Non-Toxic
Most tailor's chalks are made from non-toxic materials, making them safe to use. They don't emit harmful fumes or chemicals, providing a healthier marking option compared to some other marking tools. Never-the-less, we recommend you do not eat these chalks.
Cost-Effective
Tailor's chalk is relatively inexpensive and long-lasting. A single piece of chalk or a chalk pencil can be used for multiple projects, making it a cost-effective marking solution for sewists and tailors. Also it doesn’t have anything like a short shelf life
Overall, tailor's chalk offers accuracy, ease of use, and temporary marking capabilities, making it an essential tool for marking fabric during sewing, overlocking or serging and garment construction. It provides clear visibility, versatility, and easy erasability, helping you achieve precise and professional results in your sewing project.
And here’s some background Overlocking or Serging sewing geeks
A Brief History of Tailor’s Chalk
If you can take a few minutes away from Overlocking / Serging, here’s a little bit of background of tailors chalk.
Tailor's chalk has been used as a marking tool in the field of sewing and tailoring for centuries. While the exact origins of tailor's chalk are unclear, its use can be traced back to ancient civilizations.
The use of chalk as a marking tool predates written records, but evidence of its usage has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to around 1300 BCE. Archaeological findings indicate that Egyptians used chalk-like substances to mark fabric for garment construction.
Throughout history, tailors and sewists have relied on various materials for marking fabric, including chalk, clay, and even soapstone. These materials were chosen for their ease of application, visibility, and temporary nature.
In the 19th century, as the textile industry and garment production became more widespread, tailor's chalk started to take on a more recognizable form. Solid blocks or sticks of chalk, typically in white or pale colours, were commonly used. The chalk was applied directly to the fabric, leaving visible marks that could be easily removed or brushed away when no longer needed.
As the sewing industry continued to evolve, tailor's chalk also underwent some changes. Chalk pencils with a cylindrical shape and a chalk-filled core were developed, providing a more precise and controlled marking tool. These chalk pencils allowed for finer lines and markings, enhancing the accuracy of garment construction and pattern alterations.
Over time, tailor's chalk became available in different colours, such as blue, yellow, or red, to accommodate various fabric types and colours. The choice of colour depended on the contrast with the fabric being marked, ensuring clear visibility while sewing.
Tailor's chalk remains a popular and reliable marking tool in the sewing and tailoring community. Its simplicity, affordability, and effectiveness in marking a wide range of fabrics have contributed to its enduring presence in the field.
However, with the increase of on-line shopping and a gradual disappearance of high street haberdasheries little extras and niceties like tailor’s chalk have started to slip out of fashion. We’re doing out bit to bring it back again!
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