Sewing tips
Keep Pins and Needles Sharp
Ever wondered how avid sewers keep their pins and needles sharp and shiny? No, they don’t run out and buy new ones with every project. You can use steel wool as a pin cushion to keep needles and pins sharp and working great for years. The next time you make a new pin cushion, just use steel wool as the stuffing. If you add rice, it will make your pin cushion much fuller and help to absorb any moisture from your pins. Source and more info: findingpinsandneedles
Press Buttons Using Hair Straighteners
Use your trusty hair straightener to press fabric between buttons and other embellishments. This is a pretty nifty sewing hack using a day-to-day item!
Sew as if you have an Extra Set Of Hands With Clips
Use binder clips as an extra set of hands when quilting. They’re perfect for holding your binding in place or making a quilt sandwich -especially for slippery fabrics! Binder clips fit with 1/4″ seams too. Related Post: 15 Binder Clip Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind
Sew the Perfect Corners
Easy-peasy! You don’t even need a sewing table to do this!
Gather Your Fabric The Easy Way
Yarn won’t easily snap unlike your regular thread, so it’s easier to gather the fabric.
Practice Hand Sewing
Most garments will call for hand sewing at some point, whether it’s basting, hemming, attaching a hook and eye, or crafting buttonholes. The more you practice hand sewing, the better your stitches will look. Here’s four types of hand-sewing you’ll want to master.
Don’t Forget the Details
Sometimes, it’s the small things that matter most. For example:
Reduce Bulk
By reducing bulk wherever possible, you’ll end up with a tidier-looking garment. Here’s how:
Learn to Use Different Seam Finishes
This is another crucial step, yet it’s rarely mentioned in pattern directions. If you leave a seam raw, it will fray—especially when you wash the garment. It also looks very unprofessional. The solution is to finish the seams in some way. There are lots of different seam finishes to choose from, such as flat-felling, French seams, mock-French seams, Hong Kong binding, and others. Most are very easy. My favorite finishing technique is overlocking. It’s a method that’s rarely used because most people think you need an industrial sewing machine to do it. The truth is, most sewing machines have an overlock (aka overcast) stitch. Use it with an overlock or overcast presser foot (which can be purchased online for around $12) and you’ll get a beautiful seam finish every time!
Press As You Sew
For those of you who despise ironing—it’s not the same as pressing! Strangely, most pattern directions don’t mention pressing at all, yet pressing as you sew is vital. First, press the seam flat, just as it was sewn. This melds the stitching, smoothing it out, so it’s flush with the fabric. Next, press the seam open, first from the inside of the garment, then from the outside. This flattens the seam, making it less visible. After that, if your pattern calls for it, press the seam to one side.
