9 Everyday Sewing
Tips
You may think that the
following sewing tips are just common sense, but then
common sense is not so common as you know. If sewing is
not your every day hobby or business these 9
everyday sewing tips may come
handy.
-
To hold the fabric together while
you are sewing, pin the edges together with a series of
pins, with the heads near the
edge. To make sure that you sew
in a straight line from the edge you can mark
the sewing line with chalk if you like. Most
sewing machines will sew over pins but the pins
must be placed vertical to the
edge. If you do not like sewing over
the pins in case you break a
needle, slow the machine as you come to
the pins and pull them out. Putting pins in this
way will eliminate basting and,
indeed, hold your work more
firmly than if you basted.
-
Back tacking at the beginning and
end of you work. Make sure to use the
backtracker on you sewing machine. By pushing
the backtracker button the machine will easily
go backward and forward. There are certain
times when you will want to tie your
threads.
This is how you do it. At the very end of the
material, merely take the two
threads, and tie them together in a square
knot. Put the right thread over the left and
under then put the left thread over the
right and under. Tighten. This is a strong
knot that does not pull out. Where the threads
have to be tied in the center of the
fabric, rather than at the edge, give
the under thread (on the
wrong side) a jerk. This will form a
loop from the other side because of the
pressure exerted by the jerk on the thread;
pull up this loop, thus getting both
threads on the same side of
the fabric and tie a square knot as
described
above. Another way is to thread a needle with
the thread end on the
right side, push the needle through to
the wrong side and tie
the ends.
-
Press as you go
along. This is one of the secrets of good
work. Remember, if you feel you are losing
time from sewing, that you are probably saving
time because of the greater ease with which
you will be able to sew the pressed
seams.
-
When turning
enclosed seams, as in collars, cuffs, facings,
etc., trim the seams close
(⅛ or ¼ inch) to avoid
unnecessary and ugly bulk. Trim
especially close at corners for really
smooth
lines. Curved lines, for example at the
waistline, neck edge, armhole, scalloped
trims, etc., are clipped with little
triangular cuts that
extend right to the seam line, naturally
only as close as is possible without
actually cutting the stitching. Directions usually
say "trim seam and clip curves." Make sure to
use a pair of sharp
scissors.
-
When the directions tell you to
edge stitch that means you are to sew as close to the edge
as you can in a very straight
line. Learn to watch the edge of
the presser foot and to use this
as a guide. Do not watch the
needle, for that is confusing and
can make you a little
dizzy.
-
Don't neglect any markings on
the pattern. Patterns are made to fit together perfectly.
If you do not sew on the
indicated lines, one piece will not
fit another. If you are careless
and sew the shoulder seams
Vi inch from the edge when the
pattern calls for Vs
inch, the collar will be very queer
looking when you are through, for the
ends will not meet properly at
the center of the
blouse.
-
Do not remove pattern pieces
from fabric until you are ready to use them.
Otherwise, the similarity in shape of some
pieces may be very
confusing.
-
Watch grain lines of the fabric.
Lengthwise lines, in general, run in a straight
line through the center of your body vertical
to the floor. Crosswise lines are parallel to
the floor. A garment with grain
cut carelessly can never look professional
and the chances are that it will shift its
position as you wear it and be very
uncomfortable.
-
Easing is a kind of
gathering that does not look obviously
gathered. Without changing the
size of the stitch, do one line of
stitching
on the seam line. Pull up bobbin thread and
work fullness in, as at
shoulder, arms, etc. Distribute fullness
evenly and stitch seam over row of
stitching used for easing. Do not
try to
remove this row of stitching. Press eased
seam over a sleeve board or tailor's ham, and
emphasize the curve of the
seam to
get proper effect. Easing may also be done by
pinning in excess fullness without gathering
and basting on seam line with small close
stitches.
Strive for perfection from the beginning of
your Please Sew till the end by following these
9 everyday sewing tips.
. . . And if you are a novice at sewing then
may be you also like to read the sewing tips and
techniques under Sewing
Basics.
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