8 brilliant sewing tips & hacks: In this post, I will show you my latest sewing discoveries and tools that make my life much easier.
What do I love so much about my hobby? That I learn something new almost every day. And I discover new practical sewing tools and tricks that truly make my life easier.
Sometimes they are also hot tips that I get from blog readers that totally win me over.
Sewing hack: Sewing with wash-away thread
An example? Christel writes in a comment on the blog:
I still come from the "basting" generation. And with the new wash-away thread, I'm basting wildly. It has proven very effective for stripes and tucks.
After I read that, I first had to find out more.
Wash-away thread? What even is that? Basically, nothing exciting at all: It is simply a thread that dissolves upon contact with water or heat (depending on the manufacturer).
The good thing about it: You can baste hems, sew quilt layers together, sew on bias tape, or baste striped fabrics so they don't shift.
And then you can sew the "real" seam completely relaxed.
By the way, the wash-away thread* is not only suitable for hand sewing but also for machine sewing.
The thread is simply threaded into the machine and you're good to go. You can use a normal polyester thread as the bobbin thread, which you simply remove after washing.
Or you can also use the wash-away thread for the bobbin. In that case, everything disappears after washing and the seam is no longer visible.
Sewing hack: Stabilizing fabrics with Fabric Booster
A brilliant little helper, especially when it comes to taming fine, slippery, or stubborn fabrics and materials.
Fabric Booster can actually be used for many special tasks. Since I discovered it, a bottle of it has always been in my sewing room. What do I use it for? I can tell you!
The fabric stiffener makes difficult-to-handle fabrics firm and easy to grip. So, for example, before I work with lace, silk, slippery jersey, knit fabrics, or viscose, I spray them beforehand with the Fabric Booster*. Then I spread them out flat and let the fabrics dry overnight. The next morning, they are firm, stable, and ready to be cut and sewn.
The Booster is THE idea, especially for sewing fans who suffer from "jersey fear." Because with the fabric stiffener, you can prevent the fabric edges from curling up. I really love sewing with jersey, but curled edges annoy me incredibly.
But not only for jersey fabrics: The stiffener is also ideal for strengthening any kind of fabric before embroidering, whether by hand or with an embroidery machine. It makes the fabrics so firm that beautiful, smooth embroidery is possible. And that completely without embroidery stabilizer.
Reinforcing ribbons (just discovered this recently!), wool and yarns, or felt also works very well. Especially if you want to work with thin felt (for example for my cute cell phone charging stations), reinforcing it beforehand is a good idea.
Do you, like me, like to finish sewing projects with bias tape because it looks so chic and clean? Then you have now found a good friend in the fabric stiffener: I like to make my own bias tape because then I know it fits my sewing idea perfectly. Before I cut the strips diagonally, I spray the fabric with stiffener and let everything dry well. And after that, there are no more problems with cutting.
But the best thing is that the fabric strips push through the bias tape maker without any issues and can be ironed accurately. 1-0 for the little helper.
By the way, the fabric stiffener is manufactured by the same company that also invented Odicoat for fabric coating.
Sewing hack: Mini ironing board with silicone pad
I know exactly how important good ironing is for beautiful sewing results. Nevertheless, I am sometimes too lazy to dash over to the ironing board after every seam.
For this reason, I built myself a handy mini ironing board for the table some time ago. The only thing I was really still missing was a silicone pad* for setting down the mini iron.
Now I've finally treated myself to it and I'm super satisfied with it.
Sewing hack: Nail polish remover versus Wonder Tape
At the latest since the zipper orgy that you celebrate when sewing my LOVIS jacket, I've been a huge fan of Wonder Tape*. The stuff just sticks super well.
The downside, however, is unfortunately: The stuff sticks super well. For example, to sewing machine needles. That drove me to despair until recently because I couldn't manage a beautiful seam at all whenever I had sewn over the Wonder Tape.
The solution? Simple nail polish remover! I keep it next to the sewing machine with a cotton ball, and when the tricky moment approaches, I leave the presser foot down, put the needle in the top position, and run the cotton ball over it a few times. Afterward, I lubricate it with a little silicone oil or lip balm (both work!) and off I go again. :)
Sewing hack: New favorite ruler
For a long time, I refused to buy an additional ruler. I was of the opinion that two patchwork rulers were absolutely sufficient: one in the size 15 x 15 cm and one 15 x 60 cm.
You can really do a lot with that. But past a certain point, I realized that one was too small and the other too big. That's why, when a little sewing devil got the better of me a while ago, I ordered an inexpensive ruler* of 15 x 30.
And lo and behold: I only use that one now! Simply because it's so handy and clear. Now I notice for the first time how much it annoyed me to always have to shift the 15 x 15 cm ruler. Or how bulky the 60 cm one is. :)
Sewing hack: Combi-clips instead of overall hardware
Sometimes there really is such a thing as progress. For example, when fastening overalls and overall dresses. You've surely discovered that I'm totally into both. Maybe it's the little Pippi Longstocking in me who is drawn to such casual outfits. ;)
So far, I've always diligently attached buttons and overall hardware. When I then sorted out the clothing (mostly for cute fabric scrap projects), at least the button was gone!
Now I've discovered combi-clips* for my cool clothes. These are perhaps great items! They are simply pushed onto the strap and then clipped onto the bib.
No sewing, no fuss with a hole punch & Co.
And when I don't want to wear the garment anymore, I simply remove the clip and use it for a new sewing idea.
Sewing helper: Hearts for the heart's hobby
Do sewing helpers really have to look beautiful? I think: I spend a lot of time on my favorite hobby. Why shouldn't I ensure that my sewing tools are not only functional but also beautiful?
Many people think like I do; that became clear to me on my sewing trips in the USA. There, I discovered these dreamily beautiful heart pins and packed them immediately.
I practically have these cute little helpers in constant use. Reason enough to make them a pretty home. ;)
Back in Germany, I tested the pins extensively. And lo and behold: They can do more than just look beautiful!
Really sharp, very dimensionally stable, nice and long, and incredibly handy. I immediately ordered a second pack of these sharp hearts* (and one for my daughter...).
Also great as a gift for sewing fans, by the way. That comes from the heart, want to bet? ;)
Sewing helper: Marking pens for light and dark fabrics
Chalk pens are a good thing. Proven and reliable.
But now, what can I say? When I sew jersey or other fine, supple fabrics, I am sometimes stuck with a chalk pen. Especially on dark fabrics, marking is hardly possible.
After a long search, I finally found a really good solution for myself: There are now heat-erasable pens*, with which one can work quite accurately on jersey and knit fabrics. Take a look:
The pens come in sets of four in pink, black, purple, and white. Included are 2 replacement leads in each color.
The white marker really has it all: It writes great and easily on dark fabrics.
After sewing, you can simply iron away the markings or (my favorite variant) simply blow-dry them away. :)
Do you like my new sewing discoveries?
Then I would be happy to receive a comment!
Happy simple sewing,
yours, Sabine
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