Sewing can be frustrating when you don’t know some of the basic tips and tricks. From preparing your fabric properly to finishing seams, using the right tools and techniques makes all the difference. Read on for 7 great sewing tips to make your next project a success!
Iron Everything Before Cutting and Sewing
It may seem tedious, but taking the time to thoroughly press your fabric before beginning to cut out pieces can save you headaches later. Ironing helps remove folds, creases and warping, providing a nice flat surface to work with. This allows for more accurate cutting and easier sewing. So don’t skip this important first step!
Use Quality Thread and Needles
Investing in high-quality thread and regularly changing your machine needles makes sewing repairs less likely and your projects more professional looking.
Invest in good thread
Quality thread, like German-made Gutermann or Mettler, is formulated to sew smoothly and resists tangling, fraying or breakage. The slight added cost is well worth it for frustrating-free sewing!
Change your needle often
Needles can become dull or burred from contacting fabric repeatedly. A damaged needle can cause skipped stitches, thread breaks or snags in delicate material. Make a habit of inserting a fresh needle for each new project for best results.
Learn Proper Pinning Techniques
Rather than just randomly sticking pins anywhere, use these tricks for neater, puckering-free sewing:
Use more pins for slippery fabrics
Pin frequently, spacing pins close together, to firmly secure layers of smooth fabrics like silk or satin as you sew. This prevents layers from shifting out of alignment.
Place pins perpendicular to the edge
Placing pins at exact right angles to the raw edges will allow you to sew over them without hitting the pins themselves or distorting seam lines for more accuracy.
Finish Your Seams
Finishing seams isn’t just an extra step, it has real structure and appearance benefits:
Prevent fraying and stretching
Pinking, zig-zag stitching or overcasting seam allowances prevents edges from unraveling and stabilizes bias seams on the diagonal that might otherwise stretch over time.
Make seams lie flat
Grading or trimming seam allowances in different widths reduces thickness so seams don’t create visible ridges, especially on tighter fitting garments.
Learn to Grade and Clip Seams
These advanced finishing methods also improve finished looks:
Reduce bulk in concave seams
Carefully trim the inner curve allowance more narrowly while leaving more fabric on the outer curve to allow turning and prevent puckers.
Allow curved seams to lie flat
Snipping inward toward the seam line before turning permits concave curves and corners to spread properly so they don’t pop out on the right side of the project.
Press As You Go
It’s not enough to simply iron at the end. Pressing each seam and section as sewn improves shaping:
Set seams and shape fabric
Pressing melds seam allowances together and makes them lie flatter while seam is still warm and pliable from sewing.
Make sewing easier!
Pressing also helps flatten bulky intersections and lets you check that area is lying neatly before adding next piece to be sewn.
Use Interfacing for Structure and Stability
Interfacing shapes areas like collars, cuffs and waistbands:
Add body and shape to fabric
Fusible interfacing adheres to the wrong side on fabric when pressed with an iron, building up thin or drapey materials.
Make details crisper
Non-stretch interfacings support crisp edges and prevent stretching of bias grain details.
Conclusion
Following these simple but effective sewing tips will assist you in completing more professional-looking sewing projects. Paying attention to the preparation, precision and finishing steps makes all the difference in achieving quality results and enjoying the sewing process. Spend a bit more time on the fundamentals and you’ll quickly advance your skills!
FAQs
Q: What type of hand needles should I purchase?
A: Purchase a variety of hand sewing needles for basting, applique, beading, embroidery, etc. Look for sharp points, smooth eyes, and high-quality steel construction. Brands like John James offer excellent needles for hand work.
Q: How can I machine sew knit fabrics without puckering?
A: Use a stretch needle, stretch thread, loosen top thread tension, use a zigzag or stretch stitch, and avoid pulling the fabric as you guide it. Stabilizer on knit seams also helps.
Q: What causes thread nests and bunching on the underside of sewing?
A: This is usually due to poor thread tension. Make sure top and bobbin tensions are adjusted properly for the fabric, and check the thread path for snags. Rethread completely.
Q: How do I fix machine needle holes or snags in fabrics?
A: Hand-mend small holes. For larger damaged areas, patch with a similar fabric scrap behind the hole to reinforce. Fusible web can help adhere patches.
Q: What type of shears or scissors should I invest in for sewing?
A: Quality thread snips for quick cuts at machine and long bent-handled fabric shears, pinking shears and embroidery scissors for cutting out projects. Keep separate paper and fabric scissors.
