Yubinuki - Tools And Supplies

Before you can make a yubinuki, one must have some tools and supplies. I will cover the materials for making a yubinuki in another post. I use the term supplies as those items that are used again and again to make a yubinuki where as materials are those items required to make a specific yubinuki, yet they can be generally detailed.

Here is a list and a description of what/why you need them. Again, this is a list based upon what I have found to be readily available here in the USA. 

NOTE: All of these will make sense as you work through the various tutorials.

Tools:

• Small Scissors with a fine point - this is for cutting threads especially when working on a yubinuki
• Measuring Tape, flexible, with millimeter markings - for measuring a finger, to determine the inside diameter of the yubinuki.
• Metal Ruler or Plastic Cutting Ruler - 6" or more in length for cutting paper and the cloth lining for the yubinuki core.
• Large Scissors or Rotary Cutter - for cutting paper and the cloth lining for the core.
• Cutting Mat - if you use a rotary cutter.
• Embroidery Needles in various sizes. Depending on the thread size you are sewing with the eye of the needle will have to be large enough to accommodate that thread. Get a pack of these since having a sharp needle is important.
• Threader - So you can easily thread your needle. Some threads are very small in diameter and this will make your life easier.
• Pins - preferably "silk" pins as they are sharper and smaller than LARGE glass head pins.
• Pin Cushion - for holding needles and pins.
• Magnet - this is optional but I use it for finding pins that have been dropped on me or the floor.
• Calculator - for doing some math. This is optional, I will show in a tutorial how to make a master division sheet so you don't have to do math.

Supplies:

• Fine Tip Marking Pen - For marking the divisions of your pattern, on the core. I use a permanent ink.
• Card Stock or Heavy Paper - This is the foundation of the core, this will be discussed in detail in the core tutorial
• Tyvek, Plain Paper or Interfacing - For marking the pattern divisions and it should be thin! I like tyvek as it holds up better. Again this will be covered in the core tutorial.
• Regular Sewing Thread - This is to sew part of the core and 100% cotton is the best! Color is not as important but you may want it to match the lining of the core.
• Padding/Wadding - this is used to pad the yubinuki. This can be cotton from a cotton ball or cotton embroidery thread or wool or silk "top" used for spinning (this is raw fiber). 
• Double and/or Single Sided Adhesive Tape - used for securing various parts of the core during assembly.
• Bias Cut Cloth - this is for the inside surface of the yubinuki which is what is against the skin of the finger. It also is what covers the core.  

The pictures below will help you visualize some of the tools you will need. Next time I will discuss the materials  that are used to actually make a yubinuki.