Sometimes all it takes to make a task easier is just a little bit of information or a short helpful hint. As members of the American Sewing Guild, that’s what the alliance is all about—sharing better and easier ways to do things. So let’s look at some helpful hints and tips to make our sewing lives run more smoothly:
— If you need colored elastic and your fabric store doesn’t stock it, look for ponytail holders and/or elastic hairbands at your local dollar store. Both come in a wide assortment of colors and they’re perfect to use for a variety of sewing tasks like button loops, belt loops, etc. where the elastic is visible.
— When you stitch a dart, avoid a lump at the pointed end that sometimes happen with backstitching. To secure the end of the dart, simply shorten your stitch length down to 1 as you approach the point. No need for an abrupt ending or backstitched lump. This same technique can be used at the beginning and end of a seam as well.
— Got leftover soap slivers in your bathroom or kitchen? Use them for marking design details on garment fabrics. They’re also great as pincushions to lubricate pin points and making pinning easier.
— Need to stitch a straight line that’s too far in from the edge to use your seam guide? Head for the hardware store (or the garage) and get some painter’s tape. Place it where you need it and use the straight edge as a guide for your stitching. If you’re doing multiple rows of stitching, after you’ve done the first one, use the presser foot edge to space the remaining rows, or another strip of tape, depending on the distance. Painter’s tape pulls off easily without damaging most fabric surfaces, but test first on anything with pile, sequins or other delicate finish.
— A fun travel tip: Use the holes in a large button to keep earring pairs together in your suitcase.
— To safely cut open a buttonhole, place a straight pin at the ends of the stitched buttonhole and use your seam ripper to cut from the middle toward each end. The pin will stop you from slicing through the end stitching and making a creative opportunity repair.
— Think about using dental floss anywhere you need a heavy thread. It’s ideal for gathering over or for sewing on metal buttons that tend to cut threads.
— If you’re having trouble moving your fabric evenly for free-motion stitching, use a new sponge in each hand for added grip of the fabric surface.
— Not sure what color thread to use to sew on a multi-color trim? Opt for invisible monofilament, as it spans all colors and virtually disappears. Check for clear or smoke, depending on your trim color and pair it with regular thread in the bobbin to match the fabric base color.
— If you do a lot of sewing, pre-wind bobbins in common colors you use frequently. Or purchase pre-wound ones that fit your machine.
— If you’ve got a new sewing machine, make a stitch sampler for handy reference. Just sew rows of all the stitches side by side and label with the name/number so you know what the stitch looks like when it’s actually sewn as opposed to just the schematic on the machine. For best results, use two layers of fabric with interfacing between.
— To help extend the life of your good sewing shears, wipe off the blades after each project you cut out. Manmade fibers can build up on blades and dull them more quickly.
— Working on a really bulky napped fabric, like fur or sherpa? Use flat flower-head pins for easier visibility. Regular pins can get lost in the pile.
— To adjust the tension on your machine, put a different color thread in the bobbin from the needle. That makes it easier to see any imbalance and you’ll know how to adjust it for perfect stitching.
— Whenever possible, end topstitching into a seam. If that’s not possible, leave long threads at each end, thread them into a hand-sewing needle and bring them to the underside of the fabric and tie off to secure.
~Linda Griepentrog is the owner of G Wiz Creative Services and she does writing, editing and designing for companies in the sewing, crafting and quilting industries. In addition, she escorts fabric shopping tours to Hong Kong. She lives at the Oregon Coast with her husband Keith, and three dogs, Yohnuh, Abby, and Lizzie. Contact her at .
