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.   

1. 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. 
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. 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. 
6. 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. 
7. 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.
8. 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. 
9. 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.