Medical Forceps, A Surprising Game-Changer
Sewing tools come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes the most unexpected ones turn out to be the most useful especially for turning small fabric pieces. For Suzie, an avid sewist, one tool has become an essential part of her sewing kit, even though it wasn’t originally designed for fabric work. That tool is medical forceps, and ever since she was introduced to them in a doll-making workshop, she hasn’t looked back.
At first, she was sceptical. Medical forceps are usually associated with surgical procedures, not fabric and thread. But once she saw the instructor using them for intricate doll-making work, she realised just how invaluable they could be. Now, she uses them all the time in her sewing projects and wouldn’t be without them, especially when turning small fabric pieces that would otherwise be difficult to manage.
Why Medical Forceps Are So Useful for Turning Small Fabric Pieces
One of the biggest challenges in sewing, especially with detailed projects like doll-making, soft toys or bag-making, is turning small fabric pieces inside out. This is where forceps really shine. Unlike regular tweezers, they grip the fabric firmly and securely, making the turning process effortless.
Suzie finds that the fine, narrow tip of the forceps allows her to reach into tight spaces that would be impossible with fingers alone. Plus, the locking mechanism gives her extra control, meaning she can hold onto tiny pieces of fabric without them slipping out of her grip.
What I love about it it’s incredibly helpful with fine work, especially turning something inside out. The grippers on the end take it to the next level! I use if for all kinds of things, pretty sturdy and endlessly useful!
Suzie
How Suzie Uses Medical Forceps for Turning Small Fabric Pieces
Since adding forceps to her sewing kit, Suzie has found countless ways to use them, especially for turning small fabric pieces and handling delicate materials. Some of her favourite uses include:
- Turning small fabric tubes and fiddly pieces, perfect for doll arms, soft toy legs, button loops and bag straps
- Threading elastic or drawstrings, no more struggling to feed elastic through a narrow casing
- Pulling out stray threads and fabric bits, ideal for seam ripping or grabbing tiny fabric scraps stuck in a tricky spot
- Helping with precision pressing, holding small pieces of fabric in place while pressing seams open
- Gripping and guiding fabric under the sewing machine, particularly useful for thick fabrics or layers that need careful feeding
A Tool That Lasts
Another reason Suzie loves medical forceps is their durability. Unlike plastic sewing gadgets that can bend or break, these are solid stainless steel, meaning they’ll last for years. They’re sturdy yet lightweight, making them comfortable to hold and easy to control. For someone who works a lot with turning small fabric, having a tool that is both precise and long-lasting is invaluable.
Final Thoughts
Suzie never expected a medical tool to become one of her most-used sewing accessories, but now she reaches for her forceps almost every time she sews. They’re incredibly versatile, precise and reliable, making so many sewing tasks easier. Whether you’re a doll maker, a quilter or just someone who loves sewing small, detailed projects, she highly recommends them.
If you’ve never used medical forceps in your sewing before, especially for turning small fabric, give them a try. You might be as surprised as Suzie was.
About Suzie
Suzie has a BFA in Fashion Design, although she didn’t learn to sew until her first year of college. As a highly creative person with a background in fine art, she sees sewing as a way to bring more of her ideas to life. She has a deep appreciation for fabric and the drama of design, which fuels her passion for both professional and personal projects.
With many years of experience in the apparel industry, Suzie has worked across various roles, including design, technical design, graphic arts, product development and project management. In her professional work, she focuses on creating great products, while in her own time, she enjoys pursuing more whimsical and artistic sewing projects.
Her broad skill set and industry experience have given her a keen eye for practical, high-quality tools, such as medical forceps, which she finds invaluable for turning small fabric pieces with precision.
To see more of Suzie’s designs.