My mom got me my first sewing machine when I was 16. It was a portable Singer and eventually, a perfect fit for me. But without any YouTube videos at the time to offer quick sewing tips and life hacks for my journey ahead, I was left to discover the best routes to successful completion of my projects on my own. Though I felt a level of excitement in the exploration and welcomed the challenge, it would take several mistakes and a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears (literally!) before I discovered the joy of sewing. From my initially intimidating machine to the additional tools i discovered to assist along the way, i slowly but surely made the designs in my head a tangible reality.
Some of those stumbling blocks turned into stepping-stones came with more rewards than others, like re-doing stitches for instance.What on Earth did seamstresses use before the miraculous seam ripper?! This gadget is the ultimate ‘undo’ of the seasoned and novelist worldwide, yet how unassuming its stature and presence!
Or hemming tape even. While certainly not impossible to do without, what a convenience it offers when last-minute hiking of pant legs or mending of cuffs is needed and no machines are around. I can’t tell you how many fashion show garments required just this notion when fitting models in a rush for the runway.
It is in nostalgic reflection of these snippets from my beginnings that I felt compelled to share my Top 10 lifesaving sewing tips for others today. From inexpensive yet imperative tools to cool tricks-of-the-trade, if my trials and tribulations can spare another’s frustration, then they weren’t in vain.
TOP 10 LIFESAVING SEWING TIPS
( in no particular order )
1. Get a good seam ripper!!! ( or two…or three)
A seam ripper is the ‘undo’ of the sewing world and trust me, you will have plenty of opportunity to make use of this fantastical little tool along the way. I actually have one large and one small one to manage both intricate and larger boo-boo’s. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a MUST HAVE!
2. Measure TWICE, Cut ONCE.
If never a wiser piece of advice should be heeded it would be this, for there is nothing worse than cutting a pattern too short, too small or otherwise too close. If you cut too big, you can always cut it down to size, but when you cut too small there’s not bringing back the fabric. Creative and even sometimes drastic measures will have to be taken to remedy this error.
3. Pick up a pair of No 8 Scissors
I cannot stress enough the importance of a GOOD pair of scissors whether #8 or another size. While #8’s cut a wide variety of materials, it’s a comfortable handle and sharp, clean-cut that separate the weak from the strong scissors.
4. Make use of No 5 Micro-Tip Scissors
Like their larger #8 compliments, the smaller #5 micro tip scissors are designed for making detailed cuts. These are great for snipping away thread frays and creating much smaller, intricate incisions for button holes, trims and more.
5. Invest in a good Serger
Though a good serger can run you about $300 on average, you can find one of equal quality for $100 less. With a serger you can finish a seam with ease and in a professional manner saving time and energy over hand stitching. Doing so has allowed me to spend more time on other areas with my project that need time and attention. A time saver indeed!
6. Choose Polyester thread over Cotton
While some may say that cotton is a better choice when it comes to thread, polyester offers a longer fiber making it a stronger and offering less breakage. Used for embroidery, quilting and sewing, it is a popular choice for many sewing applications. It’s versatility is unmatched and can be made to look and feel like different fiber types such as silk as well.
7. Good lighting is a must!
There’s only but so much wear and tear you can put on your eyes before your vision no longer serves you. Such is the case with many seamstresses in business who spend hours, days, years at their machines creating garments for clients and the like. Without ample lighting, the strain put on our eyes can weaken their ability and certainly cause mishaps in the sewing process all together. And while most machines come equipped with a light of their own, ample illumination in the space surrounding is just as important if not more. Check out this Sewing Machine Lighting Model Review for 2019
8. Good quality safety pins and needles
While the use of good quality pins and needles might seem like more of an obvious basic necessity rather than a tip, when finances or the lure of ‘good deals’ take precedence, this reminder becomes necessary. As one who has certainly dealt with the consequences of sacrificing quality over quantity, I can say that the last thing you want to have to deal with is constantly breaking needles or safety pins that don’t hold their form when threading elastic through waistbands. There are enough stumbling blocks along the road to project completion. Let this not be one frustrating inconvenience.
How do you tell a weak box of safety pins from a strong one? Check out this Safety Pin Guide and consumer review/.
9. HACK: Don’t have a measuring tape or yard stick available? Make note of these convenient life hacks for ‘on the spot ‘ measurements…
- a sheet of paper measures 8 1/2 x 11″
- Post-it notes measure 3″ x 3″
- the distance from the tip of your index finger to the first joint is 1″
- a US bill is a little over 6″ in length
10. HACK: Ruined the condition of a certain garment who’s cut fit you simply lOVE? Instead of trashing it, save it and create a pattern to make a new one!
I simply LOVE the way a well fit french cut top looks on me, but the white one I had in storage over the summer revealed yellow stains throughout when retrieved that even vinegar could not remove. I knew I would no longer wear it as is and I had no desire to tie-dye it, so I salvaged it. I handily deconstructed it at the seams with my trusty seam-ripper, labeled and pressed each piece, then used it as a pattern to create a brand new one. The best part, I reduced my carbon footprint and created with my own hands a french cut top perfectly fitted for me!
J&O Novelty Fabric
J&O Dress Fabric
J&O NFL< NBA< COLLEGIATE Team Fabric
J&O Upholstery Fabric