Sewing Tips & Sewing Ideas
To Help You Sewing Better
Sewing tips are invaluable in making your sewing experience a pleasant one. Creative ideas and help, are quick simple bits of information to enhance your experience.
Share your Sewing Advice or tip
Do you have sewing advice or tips you would like to share?
Scroll down the page and share your advice with your fellow sewers.
Use the Correct Thread
- Use the thread that is spun specifically for the machine you are using. For instance, if you are using a serger, don't use serger cones and regular sewing machine thread mixed. You will create tension problems, and waste precious sewing time trying to figure out what is wrong.
Sew Pants that Fit
 
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- Here is a tip for sewing pants that fit. Use muslin and tweak your pattern as you sew. Make notes on the pattern pieces if you have made any changes. This will help to remind you when you sew a pair of pants for real. This takes more time, but in the end will be well worth it.
Fabric Preparation
Don't forget to preshrink your fabric before laying out your pattern and cutting. Go to sewing fabric guide for "how to's" for pre shrinking different types of fabric. In addition, if you are using piping, lining, or anything else that will need pre shrinking as well.
Choose the Correct Lining
- If you need lining for your garment or project, keep in mind that some linings are dry clean only. Purchase lining that is cleaning compatible to the fabric you are using.
The Right Fabric for the Job
- Be sure to purchase fabric that is compatible with the style of garment or sewing project you are working on. Some styles require stiff fabric and some styles require flowing fabric. Read the pattern back, as it will advise you on the type of fabric required.
Keep Your Sewing Patterns Organized
- In order to keep my patterns organized, I keep a binder with page separators,on each tab of the page separator, I write what that section of patterns is about, much like a commercial pattern catalog does. When I purchase a pattern I photo copy that pattern, and place the photo copied page in the appropriate section of the binder. This keeps me organized, and I refer to the binder when I what to see what patterns I have.
Sewing Patterns-Take a close look
- Don't always assume that the instructions in the pattern envelope will be clear. Looking closely at the details of your garment or project can save time and frustration in the long run. If the pattern envelope has a photo, see how the garment fits, or how the project hangs. This will be a very big help when you are ready to put your project together.
Sewing Tips From Around the Web
- I came across a wonderful tip from Threads Magazine. When you don't have a friend handy and you want to create an even hem for a skirt, dress or coat, try this tip. Click Here .
Marking Pens
- Be careful not to iron your marking pen, or chalk marks. You run the risk of setting the mark so it will not come out of the fabric.
Do You Have A Sewing Tip? Want To Share Your Tip? Or Do You Have A Sewing Question? How About Your Sewing Story? Share anything that is related to sewing right here.
Do You Have A Sewing Tip? Want To Share Your Tip? Or Do You Have A Sewing Question?
Share Your Tip or Question With Your Fellow Sewers!
If you have a question, please give as much information as you can.
For example the pattern brand and number of pattern or photos of what your working on. This will make it so much easier for me to help you.
What Other Visitors Have Contributed.
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Sewing Ultra Seude
Question:
What type of thread and what type of needle should you use for sewing ultra suede?
Answer:
Hi Jo-Ann
Thank you for connecting and …
Sewing Sleeves
Peggy's Question:
Why do sleeves need separate cutting out and then sewing; why can't sleeves be part of main body pattern piece?
Answer:
Peggy, …
Sewing Lessons - How I Learned To Sew
I learned to sew on my mother's knee, quite literally. My mom had...and still has...a feather weight Singer sewing machine. It is at this point, …
Sewing Help...Fixing A Too Narrow Seam Allowance
Hi
Help....I'm re-lining a jacket that I've had for 15years. I bought a pattern for the lining pieces, so they do not exactly fit the jacket.
I …
What Type of Thread Do You Use For What Fabric.
Question about what thread is best to use for different types of fabric.
What kind of thread do i use to sew cotton fabric?
What kind of thread …
Vintage Sewing Patterns? Where can I find vintage patterns.
Hi Monica
Where can I find vintage sewing patterns. I am learning to sew and I love vintage. Can you help me.
Thanks
Karen
Hi Karen,
It's …
Pattern sizing
What is the difference between BB and B5 in a Butterick pattern.
I matched my measurements, sewed the front and back, tried to put it on for fitting …
I have a question about fabric
I am trying to find a t-shirt material (not too thin) in a 50%cotton/50% polyester blend. Do you know any company that carries it? Hancock does not. …
Sewing Shears
Can you advise me on what scissors or brand of scissors I should buy to cut t shirt fabric?
Thanks Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
First of all …
Pinking Shears
Question:
I am wondering if they make any other shears that have a design like the pinking shears? If not, why not? They have many cool designs …
How To Sew Casing For Elastic
I am sewing McCall's pattern 5610, it calls for casing for elastic but I am unsure what to do. Please help
Hi Mel,
I do not have this pattern, …
Making Costumes. I have just learned to sew, can I make a costume?
I just learned to sew and I am looking to make a simple colonial costume. Am I ready? Where can I find an easy costume pattern?
Hi Leah ,
Congratulations, …
Neck Roll Pillow. Free Pillow Patterns
Hi Monica,
I want to make a neck roll pillow, but I don't want to buy a pattern. Can you give me an easy way to make one of these throw pillows?
…
Making Arm Holes & Yoke Lay Flat
I am making a pumpkin costume. I have clipped the curves but the collar and arm holes still won't lay
flat.
Hi Susan,
If you have clipped the curves …
sewing spandex on old singer
Question:
Hello, I have been trying to sew some bike shorts on an old 60's singer and am having a hard time getting the zigzag stitches to hold...is …
Sewing Spandex Fabric
Question:
Hi Monica,
I have been dabbling in various sewing projects for years and am rather frustrated at my lack of progress...
I have a dashing …
turning a corner with binding
i need an easy way to turn a corner when sewing a binding around a blanket.
Hi June,
I am not working on anything of this nature right now to show …
Caring For Spandex Fabric. Did I Ruin My Spandex Jeans?
Question:
Hi,
I was just wondering if my spandex jeans are ruined? My jeans have spandex in the denim fabric and I put them in the dryer to shrink …
Can I Sew My Own Wrestling Gear?
Question: I am a professional wrestler and would like to learn how to make my own gear. The cost of custom made gear is extremely high.
I’ve searched …
Sewing Pattern Tip
When you are purchasing your pattern, double check you have chosen the correct size of pattern, as sewing patterns are not returnable. …
Fabric dyeing
I have found through nearly 30 years of sewing that dyeing fabric is not too easily done. My tip is this: dye the fabric before cutting it. This way, all …