The sewing accessory market is full of gadgets that promise to change your life but end up gathering dust in a drawer. This guide cuts through the noise. Whether you are setting up your first sewing kit or filling the gaps in an existing one, these are the tools that genuinely earn their place — and the Bell products that deliver on each one.
1. Sewing pins — the foundation of any kit
Pins hold fabric layers together while you sew, baste, or fit a garment. Not all pins are created equal, and the difference matters more than most beginners expect.
Bell Pearl Head Pins are the go-to choice for general sewing. At 38mm × 0.60mm (nickel-plated steel), they are long enough to pin through multiple layers, slender enough not to distort the fabric, and the brightly coloured heads make them easy to spot and remove quickly. The polished surface and thin point mean they pass through fabric without snagging or leaving visible holes.
Key features of Bell Pearl Head Pins:
- Smooth, snap-free heads
- Rust-protection coating
- Slender, sharp tip for easy penetration without fabric damage
- Available in packs of 40 pins per pouch
If you only buy one pin product, make it a good one. Cheap pins with rough surfaces drag threads and distort fine fabrics — a small upgrade here makes a noticeable difference in your results.
2. Pin cushion — keeping your workspace safe and organised
A pin cushion is not an optional extra. Loose pins on a sewing table are a safety hazard, and searching for dropped pins on the floor is frustrating. A proper pin cushion keeps your pins visible, accessible, and safely stored between uses.
The Bell Pin Cushion comes loaded with 200 nickel-plated steel pins (0.60mm × 34mm) in a compact, stable base. It sits flat on your sewing table and holds pins upright so you can grab one quickly without fumbling. It is a simple tool, but one you will reach for every single time you sew.
3. Seam ripper — the most underrated tool in sewing
Every sewist makes mistakes. A seam ripper is how you fix them without damaging your fabric. The tool has a small hook with a sharp inner edge that slides under stitches and cuts them cleanly, one at a time or in a continuous stroke along a seam.
The Bell Seam Ripper Easyfold stands out from basic seam rippers in two ways: it has a protective cover that folds over the blade when not in use (preventing accidental cuts and protecting the tip), and a comfortable plastic handle designed for extended use. Key features include a safety ball on the tip, sharp point, and rust-resistant blade.
A seam ripper is also useful beyond mistakes — it is the right tool for removing labels from garments, opening buttonholes, and unpicking basting stitches after a fitting.
4. Tracing wheel — pattern transfer made accurate
When you are working from a paper pattern, you need to transfer the cutting lines and markings onto your fabric. A tracing wheel rolled along the pattern lines leaves a trace on dressmaker's carbon paper placed beneath, transferring the marks cleanly without cutting, drawing, or guessing.
The Bell Tracing Wheel is a nickel-plated steel serrated wheel with a firm handle. The serrated edge leaves a dotted line — precise, consistent, and easy to follow. It works on most light to medium-weight fabrics. For very delicate fabrics, use a smooth-wheel tracing tool and light pressure.
Always place a cutting mat beneath your fabric when using a tracing wheel to protect your table surface.
5. Loop turner — the tool for spaghetti straps and fabric tubes
If you have ever tried to turn a narrow sewn fabric tube right-side out using a pencil or a pin, you know how frustrating it is. A loop turner makes it effortless.
The Bell Loop Turner is a 10.5" nickel-plated steel rod with a latch hook at one end. You feed it into the tube, hook it onto the seam allowance at the far end, and pull — the tube turns right-side out in seconds, perfectly smooth. It is essential for making spaghetti straps, drawstring casings, belt loops, and fabric-covered buttons.
6. Press buttons — snap fasteners for garments and accessories
Press buttons (also called snap fasteners) are two-part metal closures that press together to fasten and pull apart to open. They are widely used on children's clothing, shirts, bags, cushion covers, and any item where a zip or button would be too bulky or slow.
Bell offers two variants:
- Bell Press Button Steel — nickel-plated iron, size 1 (9mm). Lightweight and economical, suitable for everyday garments, uniforms, and general use.
- Bell Press Button Brass — nickel-plated brass with a superior guide hole for easier alignment during attachment. Heavier, more durable, and more corrosion-resistant than steel. Suited to premium garments and accessories.
The guide hole on the brass version makes a practical difference — aligning the two halves correctly is the most common difficulty with press buttons, and the guide hole solves it.
7. Needle threader — small tool, big quality of life improvement
Threading a needle by hand — especially a fine embroidery or beading needle — can be genuinely difficult, particularly in low light or for anyone with reduced eyesight. A needle threader makes it instant.
Bell offers two types:
- Bell Needle Threader Aluminium (BNT) — a high-grade aluminium body with a fine wire loop. Durable, long-lasting, and comfortable to hold.
- Bell Plastic Needle Threader (BNPT) — a plastic-bodied threader with a steel wire and a built-in blade for cutting thread. Compact and affordable.
Both work on the same principle: push the wire loop through the needle eye, pass your thread through the loop, and pull back — the thread comes through the eye perfectly. If you regularly sew with fine needles, keep one of these in your kit.
Building your starter kit: suggested combinations
| Sewing type | Essential Bell accessories |
|---|---|
| General home sewing / repairs | Bell Compact Needle Set + Pearl Head Pins + Pin Cushion + Seam Ripper Easyfold + Aluminium Needle Threader |
| Garment making / dressmaking | Pearl Head Pins + Pin Cushion + Seam Ripper + Tracing Wheel + Loop Turner + Press Buttons (Steel) |
| Embroidery / crafts | Pearl Head Pins + Pin Cushion + Aluminium Needle Threader + Seam Ripper |
| Tailoring / professional use | Pearl Head Pins + Pin Cushion + Tracing Wheel + Loop Turner + Press Buttons (Brass) + Seam Ripper |
Frequently asked questions
What tools do I need to start sewing?
The absolute essentials are: fabric scissors, sewing pins, a pin cushion, a seam ripper, needles (hand or machine), and a needle threader. A tracing wheel becomes useful once you are working from patterns. Everything listed in this guide can be sourced from Bell's accessories catalogue.
What are pearl head pins used for?
Pearl head pins are used to temporarily hold fabric layers together before and during sewing. The brightly coloured rounded heads make them easy to see against fabric and easy to remove quickly. The slender point on Bell's version minimises fabric damage compared to standard dressmaking pins.
What is a seam ripper used for?
A seam ripper is used to remove stitches — whether to fix a sewing mistake, adjust a seam, open a buttonhole, or remove a basting stitch. The Bell Easyfold version has a folding protective cover that keeps the blade safe when not in use.
What is a loop turner?
A loop turner is a long metal rod with a latch hook at one end used to turn narrow sewn fabric tubes right-side out. It is the standard tool for making spaghetti straps, drawstring casings, and other narrow fabric tubes quickly and neatly.
What is the difference between steel and brass press buttons?
Steel press buttons are lighter and more economical — ideal for everyday garments. Brass press buttons are more durable and corrosion-resistant, with a superior guide hole that makes alignment and attachment easier. Bell offers both at size 1 (9mm), the most widely used snap size.
Do I really need a needle threader?
For most hand sewing, a needle threader is a convenience. For fine beading or tapestry needles with very small eyes, it is almost a necessity. It is also highly recommended for anyone who finds hand-threading difficult — one of the most cost-effective additions to any sewing kit.
Bell sewing accessories are part of the Bell product range by Swastik Needles (ISO 9001:2015 Certified), Chennai, India. Available in 27+ countries.