Sewing tricks help you lower your stress levels! Especially as a beginner, my tried-and-tested sewing tips and hacks will help you get by better!
Do you know that feeling too? The more you sew, the more often you find yourself venturing into unknown territory. That's definitely fun, because you can learn so much along the way.
But it's also a challenge. Especially for your nerves. :)
10 sewing tricks you need to know!
I've put together a few great sewing tips for you that will spare your nerves (and your wallet)! :)
Zipper scraps are worth their weight in gold!
Don't just throw away zipper scraps! You can turn them into wonderfully grippy loops that can be inserted into the side seams of bags.
Of course, you can also incorporate D-rings. The zipper loops look fun and give your little bag an extra dose of WOW factor!
This sewing idea is perfect for our Nanami pattern, which looks really dashing in all 5 sizes (and is practical, of course!). ;)
Dull is yesterday: Sharpen rotary cutter blades
In times of zero waste, we should really think carefully about what we throw away. I've made it my mission to save rotary cutter blades. This benefits not only the environment but also the budget. Because good blades come at a price.
To put my good intentions into action, I got myself a very simple but effective rotary cutter sharpener*.
Here's how it works:
Remove the blade from the cutter.
Unscrew the holder of the sharpener.
Clamp it into the holder of the sharpener.
First, run each side of the blade over the coarse side, then over the fine side of the sharpener ring.
Then put the blade back in and keep cutting!
By the way, there is also a blade sharpener for 28-mm blades*!
Measurably better: Washi tape as a measuring aid!
Do you like making your own bias tape? Then I have the ultimate tip for you! Instead of constantly and laboriously adjusting the ruler, you can simply stick 2 - 3 layers of washi tape along the desired marking (for bias tape, 45 degrees).
After sticking it on, cut off the overhanging tape with the rotary cutter.
This way, you get an adhesive marking that helps you orient yourself visually and haptically when cutting.
The never-give-up trick
Do you also sometimes despair over viscose, lace, Lycra & Co.? It's not that easy to sew these slippery fabrics!
I have now found a really great little remedy that allows me to tame these (and also other stubborn fabrics, like jersey!)!
Odif (that's the company that also makes the famous Odicoat gel for coating fabric; you can read more about it and how it works in the post Fabric coating with Odicoat).
The whole thing is a fabric stabilizer* (Fabric Booster, wooowhooo!), with which the stubborn fabric is sprayed. Then you let it dry, flat.
Then you will be amazed: Even the most delicate lace is tamed and can be processed without any issues.
*The seam allowance sewing trick
There are still sewing patterns without built-in seam allowance. Of course not at SewSimple. Beginner-friendly patterns include the seam allowance, so you just have to cut out and get started.
If that's not the case, you can now make yourself a variable spacer for the desired seam allowance.
For this, take 3 - 4 neodymium magnets* and attach them to the cutting edge of your scissors. Before you get started, you should definitely check whether the stated thickness of the magnet stack matches the required seam allowance.
And then you can get started!
Also practical: If you have a few neodymium magnets* left over, you can stick them under a small bowl and use the whole thing as a magnetic needle bowl!
The anti-slip hack
Does it also drive you crazy when the foot pedal of your sewing machine is everywhere, but never where it should be?
That ends now! Cut a piece of carpet anti-slip mat* and place it under the pedal
By the way, you can do the same with slippery cutting mats!
The giant cutting mat sewing trick
For large sewing projects, it's great to have a double-sized cutting mat. How do you do it?
Cut an anti-slip mat*.
Place two cutting mats* butt-to-butt on top of it and align the markings.
By the way, you can see my Olfa mats in the picture, which I am very satisfied with. Would you like to learn more about self-healing cutting mats (and how to clean them)?
The wrong hem trick
No time or no desire for elaborate hems?
*Then just use iron-on hem tape*! Simply iron it between the two left sides of the hem and the hem will hold rock solid. And all without sewing!
The seam allowance helper sewing trick
Do you know that feeling when you try to get an exact seam allowance by hand? Impossible! I have a little magnetic smiley* for such purposes, which is simply clipped onto the presser foot of the sewing machine.
Then I can simply guide the fabric along it and be sure that I hit the correct seam allowance. ;)
By the way, there is also a similar helper* from Prym.
Not just for mechanics: Fabric weights made of washers
How practical is that? I have wrapped simple large washers from the hardware store in packs of 2 - 3 with fabric scraps and cord.
*
Simply placed on top, they prevent the pattern from slipping while cutting just by their weight.
If you now also use an electric scissors* for cutting, you're doing it like the pros! ;)
You can also read more about my experiences with electric scissors and with scissors in general!
Do you like my sewing tricks and hacks?
Then feel free to leave me a comment, if you like!
Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine
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