With great tricks, hacks, tips and gadgets for sewing, my favorite hobby is twice as much fun! Now, let me reveal my sewing secrets!
The most important things at a glance
- Especially as a sewing beginner, it's good to familiarize yourself a bit with the basics, as this can save you a lot of trouble
- In this blog post, I have summarized my favorite sewing tricks for you, so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did :)
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Feel free to browse SewSimple, here you will surely find very simple solutions to many of your sewing problems, which will quickly lead you to the perfect sewing result
There are so many tips and sewing tricks that really make getting started with sewing easier for you.
Especially if you want to start sewing, it is good to familiarize yourself a bit with the basics. This will save you a lot of trouble. I speak from experience :)
Maybe you have just started a greatRope Bowl and are despairing over sewing? Or you want to sew a pretty cosmetic bag and don't know how to properly finish a zipper? Or is the area next to the zipper giving you anxiety?
Feel free to browse SewSimple, here you will find very simple solutions to many of your sewing problems, which will quickly lead you to the perfect sewing result.
That is why in this blog post I have summarized myfavorite tricks for you.
For less stress and much more sewing fun! :)
Sewing secrets: Hacks and gadgets
Waxing redefined
Even if you really love sewing with the sewing machine: Sometimes you simply cannot avoid sewing something by hand. This is easier if you treat the thread with beeswax beforehand.
Simply let it glide over a piece of beeswax*. You will see, not only does threading become easier - the thread also doesn't break as easily anymore!
Sewing thread nuances
You carefully selected your sewing thread in the store and it simply won't match the fabric when sewing it? Then you probably haven't heard the golden rule of sewing professionals yet? Always choose the sewing thread one shade darker than the fabric you are sewing. Try it out! :)
Ironing seam allowances?
It is super easy if you make a template out of cardboard. Here is how: Take a piece of sturdy but thin cardboard measuring approx. 20 x 20 cm. On it, draw the seam allowances you usually use for your sewing projects.
When ironing, simply place the template on the wrong side of the fabric and iron the fabric edge to the desired width.
Cut well?
It doesn't take much to fulfill the dream of sewing. A great fabric, a working sewing machine and - a really sharp pair of scissors* are definitely essential.
Here it is important to follow a few simple rules so that you enjoy your scissors for a long time. In my many years of sewing experience, I have gathered a lot of experience with all kinds of sewing accessories.
What you should pay attention to when buying, cleaning and caring for your scissors, I will tell you in my post Everything about scissors for sewing.
Still completely sealed?
Coated cotton fabrics are wonderful - but SOOOO expensive!
The idea: Simply coat your favorite fabrics yourself! How clever is THAT?!
I have tested many coating options and will tell you what really works.
And the best part is: It is child's play, you will be amazed!
Instead of a pincushion: Magnetic bowl
Glue two standard magnets* under a pretty porcelain bowl – and you have a super practical storage for your sewing pins. And if they fall down, you can pick them up directly with the bowl.
Waves in jersey?
Waves belong on the beach - and not in jersey. So that your jersey seams and hems look really good, I have a Jersey-Sewing Checklist to print out for you. You can pin it above your sewing table and simply work through it when needed. Then nothing can go wrong! ;)
Secret weapon: Freezer paper
Use Freezer paper*, to cut out your fabric pieces accurately. To do this, transfer the pattern onto the freezer paper, cut it out and iron it onto the fabric with the foil side down.
In this post I will show you how to make freezer paper yourself – also very easily (and cheaply).
Totally closed?
Which bag closure is suitable for which bag? How is it attached? And where can you get it? These and many more questions about finding the right bag closure I will answer here.
Double strong
With a twin needle you can not only sew pretty hems! You can also use it, for example, to neatly re-sew pocket seam allowances. That looks super professional! Or try my tutorial for colorful decorative stitches with the twin needle out. You will be amazed!
Quilting tip from the pro
To quilt large sewing projects, it is a good idea to wear gardening gloves* with silicone nubs when "pushing" the fabric. You can get them cheaply at the garden center or on Amazon.
Instead of the gloves, you can also help transport the fabric by "co-transporting" the fabric with two sponges on the right and left of the presser foot.
Here: The best patchwork and quilting tips & the craziest tools.
Completely off the roll
How do you actually store patterns without creases? Exactly: With cute handmade pattern cuffs! Check out the tutorial for storing patterns directly and follow it!
Sewing problem solved?
Do you know your way around the world of sewing really well? And do you have all sewing problems firmly under control?
HERE you will find 10 sewing helpers that you definitely don't know!
Do the rest!
Isn't it a shame when beautiful fabric scraps - no matter how small - end up in the trash? Try the pizza technique! It is amazing what great "new" fabrics are created. You can see an example in the picture above!
In this tutorial I show you how pizza technique works. It doesn't get more unique than that, right?
From the OR to the sewing room
I already mentioned that I used to be a nurse, right? My old anatomical tweezers come from that time, which comes into use in every sewing project.
With it I pluck threads from the fabric, hold endless zippers for threading, pick lint out of the interior of the sewing machine, turn bags and shape corners - and, very importantly: use it to sew bias tape.
The tweezers* are available cheaply on Amazon. This is what it looks like:
Caution: Do not order the surgical tweezers! It has no serration at the tip - and exactly this serration prevents what you want to grab from slipping away. ;)
When I use it to sew bias tape, it looks like this:
Roll forward
Not only for jackets and fine threads but actually also for the greatest hobby in the world an option:
Quickly rolled over the lint roller* over dusty surfaces and everything is fine again (you can also roll it over your own sweater - do you look as dusty while sewing as I do? ;) )
Find your center!
You want to place the fabric design of your new bag in the center - but the pattern doesn't allow you the right insight? Make the pattern out of PVC film*! Mark the center with a pen and - voila! Now you can place the pattern exactly on the fabric design - you can also reuse it!
Creases in the PVC, which were created by storage, you then remove very easily by placing the pattern between two layers of baking paper and ironing it. Let it cool down and it is ready for the next use.
By the way: A cut-open freezer bag also works - it has the additional advantage that you can even stick the finished pattern on the fabric.
Appli-dementia?
Do you also sometimes feel this way? Your new bag is almost finished, then you realize that it would look much cooler with an appliqué? Or you want to personalize a self-sewn gift afterwards? #
And all this without sewing? That works! I have tried it and show you, how you can very quickly get a self-adhesive appliqué!
On the ball!
Did you know that the use of zigzag scissors (I have the one from Prym* constantly in use and I don't want to miss it anymore) prevents cotton fabrics from fraying? In addition, they are very suitable to cut back the seam allowances of rounded fabric edges: The hems will then lie much smoother and flatter, try it out!
P. S.: You know the non-fraying effect from charm packs, for example! :)
Scissors on rolls
Get yourself a proper rotary cutter* (the one from Olfa is my all-time favorite - and also number one on Amazon - with it you simply cannot go wrong, in my opinion!), for which you can easily buy replacement blades.
And change these blades at the first sign that the rotary cutter is no longer sharp. The cut edges of the fabrics will thus be much more accurate and fray less.
Make hems flatter?
This works! Often you stand before sweat fabrics or jerseys for example, facing the challenge of having to fold the hems twice before you can sew them. It will definitely be easier if you finish the fabric with the overlocker. You can also use the overlock stitch of a sewing machine for this.
By the way, some Brother machines* come with an additional overlocker foot. You recognize it by a small rail, along which the edge of the fabric is guided when sewing. This ensures that the zigzag part of the seam really encloses the fabric edge.
How exactly that works, we show you in the post Overlock stitch with the sewing machine.
After finishing, you fold the fabric edge, iron it and then you only have 2 layers to sew, not three!
Unusual sewing ingredients
What do a label maker, artery forceps and a piece of soap have in common? You can use them wonderfully for sewing!
With my sewing tips, a rolling pin, plastic wrap & co also get a whole new honor!
This saves money and is really fun! ;)
Completely tangled?
When I started sewing, I only had very few bobbin cases. When I then wanted to change the color of the upper thread, I had to ribbel the thread down and wind up a new color.
If you sew a lot (and also like using many different colors), it's a good idea to stock up on many bobbin spools* with your favorite sewing threads. Then you can easily start a new project without having to wind extra spools.
Extra tip: If you use yarns of the same weight from the same manufacturer, it makes sewing even easier! My favorite sewing thread is All-Purpose* by Gütermann.
TV on while sewing? Better not!
Apparently, there are people who watch TV while sewing! What a waste of brain capacity freed up by the sewing flow. Try teaching yourself something new while sewing instead.
For example, by listening to a great radio show about exotic cultures. Or learning a new language. Or listen to romantic poems or wonderfully spooky stories!
It's really relaxing, and you won't get a crick in your neck from constantly looking back and forth between the presser foot and the TV.
Mistakes? No problem!
For a long time, I was a little afraid of using the seam ripper. And for good reason: it was actually a rather old model that I had "inherited". With it, I regularly cut holes in the fabric when ripping out seams.
My tip: Get a good, sharp seam ripper*. I have two of these Seam Fix rippers because one always disappeared...) If you get one with a rubber cap*, you'll also have a tool with which you can erase thread remnants from the fabric. That way, you won't sew them in again when sewing over them. :)
Ironing?! Is it necessary?
Absolutely! Before, during, and after. No joke!
Before placing the pattern, you should iron the fabric thoroughly with steam. Otherwise, wrinkles in the fabric can cause inaccuracies in the cut piece. That's annoying.
You should also iron the seams apart every now and then during sewing. For this, you can use the handle of a wooden spoon, drape the seam over it, and then carefully guide the fabric over the iron with the help of the spoon - not the other way around!
And after completing your sewing project, you should iron over it once more so that everything lays nicely and your finished sewing piece really looks great.
By the way: A cute ironing board for the sewing table can be made yourself in no time!
Sturdy fabrics
If you want to sew together different fabric qualities or types, one of which tends to slip while sewing, you can try the following.
Treat particularly delicate fabrics with an extra dose of starch before sewing them together. Dip them in a starch bath, let the fabric dry. Iron carefully and sew!
For some sewing projects, I like to use fixing spray*. This prevents fabrics from slipping while sewing and can be washed out very easily.
Crooked is modern?
This could be because you are paying attention to straight seams while sewing.
Tip: Orient yourself to the markings on the stitch plate while sewing.
You can also make a marking with masking tape* to maintain an even distance. By the way, a rubber band slid over the sewing arm also works great.
Skillfully threaded!
If you have a sewing machine that is threaded manually, here is a great tip for you. People are often tempted to slightly dampen the thread end to prevent the fibers from fraying.
Next time, try slightly dampening the back of the sewing machine needle before threading the thread through. The moisture on the back of the needle "pulls" the thread through the needle eye!
Financial risk at the fabric store?
I loooove fabric stores - with all their trimmings! Where else can you better inform yourself about the latest sewing trends and fabric designs? Unfortunately, you usually buy far too much - and often spontaneously.
I have collected a series of fabric store tricks and tips for you, with which the financial risk of the fabric store can be transformed into pure fabric store happiness.
Lift the foot
Remember to lift the presser foot when threading the machine. This allows you to pull the thread through the designated points without tension.
When you lower the presser foot, you will notice that tension builds up. Often, a whole series of failed sewing attempts is hidden behind this mistake. So: foot up, rethread, and sew!
Read the manual
Be sure to read the manual that comes with your sewing machine. Even if you already know the brand and are simply buying a newer model:
Read the manual! Otherwise, you might miss important innovations or features that could otherwise make sewing life much easier for you.
Strong needles?
If you sew a lot, it's a good idea to keep sewing machine needles for all types of fabrics on hand. The ascending numbers on the needle package do not indicate which fabric thickness the needles are suitable for, but how strong the sewing thread is that you are sewing with.
My sewing machine whisperer recommends those from Schmetz*, but I think that those from Prym* work just as well.
A little tip: Thread the needle you want to sew with onto a piece of the sewing thread you want to sew with it. If the needle slides smoothly back and forth, you have caught the right needle size.
Your own sewing kingdom
A place where you can leave your sewing machine out to use it whenever you feel like it is an absolutely necessary luxury for us sewing enthusiasts.
If you have to stomp down to the basement every time to dig out your sewing machine, you will surely lose interest soon. Find a nice little spot and start conjuring up wonderful things with your sewing machine! It makes you happy, I promise you! :)
Put in the right light
Your sewing machine has a good built-in light? That's nice. But not enough. You should equip your sewing area with a good lamp. That is a real investment for many years.
My husband gave me this one* for Christmas (thank you, honey!) - I am really happy with it! It has a screw foot, with which I can also repot it sometime. Or whatever it's called. And when you take off the lid, you have a first-class magnifying glass for mini-tiny work.
Many of these lamps not only provide excellent light, they also have a huge magnifying glass under a removable lid, through which you can watch your illuminated hands as they thread yarn or make pretty embroidery stitches. Really great!
Measuring stick set too high?
If you have a tape measure* left over, you can stick it to the front edge of your sewing tables. This way you always have a measure at hand and don't have to look for it when you need it.
I think tape measures with color-coded ten-centimeter steps are very good for this.
By the way: Of course you are welcome to share my posts on Facebook or Pinterest.
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Then feel free to write me a comment! :)
Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine
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