Sewing Tips
Helpful Project Formulas
Before beginning projects
- Read through directions BEFORE starting any project.
- Unless otherwise noted, prewash fabric BEFORE cutting/sewing to allow for shrinkage (we typically prewash 100% cotton and soak fleece in water and dry flat).
- Be careful with your iron. Nylon melts quite easily. With heat-sensitive fabrics, simply finger press the seams before stitching.
Additional tips
1-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51-60
- Quick Needle Threading: Trim the end of the thread at an angle before pulling it through the needle eye. This works for both sewing machine and hand needles.
- Wipe scissors with a dryer sheet for smoother fabric cutting.
- By storing spools in gallon size ziplock bags thread colors are easy to locate and kept dry and dust-free.
- Pre-shrinking and washing fabric before sewing removes chemical treatments leftover from manufacturing as well as excess dyes. Avoid using fabric softeners during this process as they can leave spots on certain blends.
- A small white piece of paper held behind the sewing machine needle makes threading much easier.
- Serge or zigzag the cut edges of a fabric before washing to prevent raveling.
- Pin or sew dryer sheets on hangers to keep the garment from slipping off.
- Fill two bobbins with thread. Use one in place of the spool to thread the needle, and the other for the bobbin. This way no surprises when the bobbin runs out of thread as they are emptying at the same rate.
- Sew a label inside each garment you sew detailing the pattern brand and number, size and yardage. This is a handy reference to duplicate the garment.
- When sewing elastic casing, use fusible web to hold down the interior seam allowance. The elastic glides smoothly through the casing without catching loose seam allowances.
- For computer owners: save time by scanning/printing patchwork patterns for paper piecing instead of hand tracing. Use light weight paper bond for easy removal after stitching.
- Empty film and aspirin contains are good for storing: buttons, snaps, needles, pins, beads and more. Simply rinse and dry container, then glue 1 item on the lid so you know what's inside.
- Press seams as they are sewn, unopened before opening seam to press. This technique will draw in or "shrink" cotton thread slightly and allow open seam to lie flatter.
- Use a highlighter pen on tissue patterns to underline/circle number of pieces to cut, preventing "missing" pieces after project is started.
- Snip a corner of each fabric you want to match with new ones. Glue swatches on a 3 X 5 card to keep in your wallet for handy reference when shopping.
- FAST PROJECT: Sew 2 preprinted 1/2 yd. pillow panels together on the top and sides, hem bottom edge and voila = instant sew machine cover!
- Save dull pins and needles by sharpening them using very fine sandpaper; angle pin on its side as you turn and draw across paper. Do a sew test on scraps.
- Extra coffee mugs are great for storing marking pencils, ripper, gauge, ruler and small scissors.
- Take a picture of each of your projects upon completion and start a photo album for future reference. Notes on the back of photo can list pertinent information.
- Sewing buttons with dental floss will give them a longer life, especially on children's clothes.
- Use a roller or walking foot when sewing plastic. Wax paper placed on throat plate also prevents sticking.
- New paper patterns will last longer if they are sprayed with fabric protectant.
- Small stuffed animals make great pin cushion gifts. Just add the pins and a bow.
- Wind several bobbins full before starting a machine embroidery project so when one runs out you can pop in the next one.
- To save money on machine embroidery use a neutral regular thread for the bobbin.
- Spray adhesive applied to back of appliqués or patches prevents shifting while sewing.
- Putting your initials on sewing notions you take to class prevents mixups if another student has the same items.
- Keep your fabric scissors safe by stitching a pocket inside your sew machine cover for storing away from children.
- Sharpen slightly dull scissors by cutting through very fine sandpaper.
- Store needles on a swatch of wool; the natural oils from wool's will prevent needles from rusting.
- Lightly press tissue patterns, folding as you go. They will easily fit back into the pattern envelope.
- Create a tabletop ironing board using (2) empty fabric bolts taped together and cover them with cotton batting and heat resistant fabric.
- Placing your serger and/or sewing machine on a carpet remnant reduces vibrations when sewing at high speeds.
- Strengthen a shower curtain liner by stitching double-fold bias tape across the curtain top.
- Convert gathered curtains to tab-style for a new look. Simply fold in half 8" strips of blanket binding and stitch to top of curtain spacing them evenly.
- Store fabric scraps in a small box or bag near your sewing machine so they are handy for testing thread tension, stitch length and stitch width before starting a project.
- Save long strips of tissue paper when cutting out a project. They will come in handy for future projects that may require pattern alterations.
- Create perfect collars by decreasing the stitch length when sewing the collar tips. This also reduces the chance of poking a hole through the fabric when collar is turned.
- Quickly remove wrinkles from folded fabric by placing in the dryer with a damp hand towel for 10-15 minutes.
- When using a tracing wheel place clear tape on the pattern markings, such as darts, to reduce tissue tears.
- Placing a pin on the inside of a buttonhole bartack before cutting it open prevents cutting outside buttonhole stitching.
- After sewing buttons place a drop of fray sealant on threads to make button more secure. This also works for hook and eyes.
- Minimize folds line on fabric by storing draped over hangers. Larger pieces can be rolled and placed on shelves.
- Using paper clips to hold hook and loop tape in place before stitching keeps tape flat and is easier than pinning.
- Stitch through blotting paper after oiling your sewing machine. The paper will absorb any excess oil.
- Iron small pieces of fusible web between slippery fabrics i.e.: satin, georgette) before stitching and fabric won't shift.
- Always purchase extra fabric for projects. This prevents future problems such as shortages, changing dye lots and discontinued prints.
- Pressing cotton fabrics still damp removes wrinkles and creates a smooth finish ready for cutting.
- Make notes on your pattern instruction pages as you sew a new project. Be sure to include any alteration measurements for future reference.
- When pressing projects with fusible web use (2) pressing clothes, sandwiching project between them. This protects your iron and ironing board cover.
- Save time on drawstring projects by placing drawstring inside casing as you pin and exiting d-string through buttonholes; this eliminates one step completely!
- When sewing diagonals tip to tip, place a tape marker on the throat plate with a line drawn from the needle straight towards you. This will allow for more accurate triangle piecing in patchwork.
- Take the time to read pattern instructions at least twice BEFORE starting any sewing endeavor. Seek assistance if any step or technique is unfamiliar. Internet bulletin boards are a great source of information.
- Before discarding old clothing save the buttons for recycling.
- Jeans or slacks can be given a second life by cutting/hemming them to capri or shorts length.
- Be safety conscious with sewing notions if there are young children or pets in your home. A locked chest or closet for storing scissors, pins, etc. will help protect loved ones from avoidable accidents.
- Too many patterns? A legal size file box will hold two rows of patterns; put cardboard dividers between categories such as crafts, dresses, etc. for easy reference.
- Make your own quilting templates by drawing a design on typing paper and stitching on your machine without thread using the longest stitch length and a size 16/18 needle. Place paper over fabric to be quilted and mark over "holes" with powdered tailors chalk.
- Used x-ray film makes great patchwork templates. Check with your local hospital or radiology clinic for discards.
- Era costuming can require up to 10 yards for a dress alone. Drapery fabrics and sheers having widths of 90" and upwards provide more yardage per dollar.