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From: bethm95
Date: 06-15-2006, 12:49 PM (1 of 28)
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What's the best sewing tip you ever got? Mine was to put your pattern pieces and envelope in a gallon size plastic zip loc bag. I was stressing about getting the pattern pieces back in the envelope, and we all know that won't work. It's like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. A friend of mine told me to put my pattern in the bag and it's much easier!! It's easy to see what pieces you need, plus it keeps them in nice shape. So, everyone, share the best sewing tip you ever got and how it's made your life easier!! |
User: bethm95
Member since: 04-27-2004 Total posts: 16 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 06-15-2006, 01:12 PM (2 of 28)
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Cut things out with a rotary cutter -- I think. Or apply iron on interfacing before cutting out the piece. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 06-15-2006, 01:13 PM (3 of 28)
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Beth, That was a MAJOR one for me too  Along the same lines, I think the best two pieces of advice were: 1) trace your patterns. Especially if you have fitting issues, or if you have children of multiple sizes. I had to go and buy another copy of a tnt (tried and true) pattern to replace my favorite when my dd grew out of it. Luckily it wasn't OOP (out of print) 2) pattern size differs greatly from RTW (ready to wear); if full busted use upper bust measurement and do a fba (full bust adjustment). This is a great idea for a thread!!! Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
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From: stephi
Date: 06-15-2006, 01:45 PM (4 of 28)
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#1 When you are cutting a pattern that has multiple peices to it (pants, shirt, ect) even if you are only using one of them cut all of it at once. Makes it so you dont have to go through the hassle of the tissue paper mess again, and it is quick to grab those peices during cutting marathons! #2 Cutting marathons!! Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: DDSS2000
Date: 06-15-2006, 02:18 PM (5 of 28)
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One thing my mom taught me years ago is how to match plaids for cutting and sewing...to make sure that the same plaid was the same on the notches of the opposite piece (such as: front to back notches needed to have the same plaid). I also match the plaid on the center shoulder seams, as well as the hem line. To this day, my plaid clothing, pillows, etc... still come out great when I go to sew them. Laura Davina Dawn Sewing Specialties http://www.davinadawnsewing.com |
User: DDSS2000
Member since: 06-11-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: MrsSnuggly
Date: 06-15-2006, 10:54 PM (6 of 28)
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Mine would be a straight lesson. My mother told me when I was 7 that in order to learn to sew straight I need to take a piece of lined notebook paper (just loosleaf) and sew along all the lines. I thought she wa snuts, but she wouldn't teach me anymore until I could do a full piece of paper. Has made all the difference in my sewing - especially with layers where I can't see the line guide. I also was taught by a costumer to trace patterns. Works great for me - especially when I need to adjust them. My mother on the other hand says,"And why are you tracing that pattern again?" Ah well. Brandy~ |
User: MrsSnuggly
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 104 |
From: Tummy
Date: 06-15-2006, 11:04 PM (7 of 28)
Hi everyone, Just wanted to say I am so glad this thread is here! All that I have learned was taught by my mother. She is great. Its nice to pick up on a few more great tips.  MrsSnuggly, that is awsome.. my DC want me to teach them to sew, I will def be using that one with them! |
User: Tummy
Member since: 06-03-2006 Total posts: 81 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 06-16-2006, 11:22 AM (8 of 28)
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Great tips! My favourite is to put sleeves in flat and then sew the underarm. Unless I am doing something like a blazer.... I'll have to think about this, because I know I've learned more tips than that! Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103 
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From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 06-16-2006, 09:31 PM (9 of 28)
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My favorite tip for patterns is place a colored dot on all the same pattern pieces and envelope. Then when a hurry and making several things it is easier to put them away. I also use a second dot for my size chart. I am not sure where this idea came from but I think it was posted here at one time. Catherine  
Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 06-18-2006, 12:03 AM (10 of 28)
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Using wonder tape to tack down pockets, linings, zippers, etc until you get them sewed in place. that way I don't have pins to sew over and wreck my needles.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-18-2006, 08:41 AM (11 of 28)
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The best tip I've had so far came from the CD with my new machine. I do a lot of gathering on my daughters dresses and skirts, usually layered at the bottom - and nothing beats using the cording foot and cord to do the gathers next to doing them by hand! I've used it for every gather, ruffle, etc., since i got it. What a great idea for a thread! Can't wait for more tips. I love the lined paper idea - I may have to do that myself, I still have trouble when I can't see the guide! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 06-18-2006, 11:31 AM (12 of 28)
| I just knot a piece of crochet thread at one end, lay it on the fabric edge to be gathered and zigzag over it. Pull the thread to gather as much as needed and sew the skirt, ruffle or whatever. You can pull the crochet thread all the way out if you want to when you finish, or just leave it. MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: MariLynntex
Date: 06-18-2006, 11:53 AM (13 of 28)
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If I have a pattern I especially like I make a pellon one, mark it like the tissue pattern, and throw the tissue out, give it to someone, or put it in a garage sale. I keep the pellon version in a plastic bag along with the directions (if needed) and the picture on the pattern. If I made any adjustments to the pattern I include the changes when I make the pellon pattern. I only have 6 or 7 basic patterns, mostly blouses and shirts and pants. I have one pattern that I use for pants, capris, and shorts. I have a basic shirt pattern, with variations of collars, yokes (or none), and sleeves. I have 2 basic blouses + variations. I don't need patterns for gathered skirts, straight skirts, long or short skirts, or A-line skirts. I have a couple of gored skirt patterns and other fancier skirts. Several hat patterns, for fun! MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: Magot
Date: 06-18-2006, 12:02 PM (14 of 28)
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Lay out and pin all the pattern pieces and then go away and sleep before cutting out. Check again before you cut - saves the old 2 left sleeve problems - or is that just me? In other words "check before you chop!" love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 06-20-2006, 08:16 PM (15 of 28)
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Like you're the ONLY one who's every done THAT Jan!! And how many times has it worked out that there is just not enough fabric to make another piece?? Even if you sqquueeeeezzzee it out. (I have to add my name to that list!)
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 06-23-2006, 10:34 AM (16 of 28)
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Be reasonable about the scraps you save. Which I think is very hard to decide on what is reasonable. If you only do home dec sewing, the something that is lots of random pieces is probably no good for you. That same piece could be wonderful for a quilter who can get lots of squares from it. That being said, I think I regularly violate that suggestion because I hate to throw it out. But, I'm working on that as part of my sewing room organization. Oh, and I finally put my first pattern into a manilla envelope rather than back into the pattern envelope, and I have to say "Why didn't I do this before?" Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: MrsSnuggly
Date: 06-23-2006, 10:53 AM (17 of 28)
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What is pellon? I've been trying to figure out a type of paper or something to transfer/trace patterns I want to keep - but can't seem to find anything wide enough. And - is keeping patterns in big frezeer ziplocs bad for them? Everybody keeps saying manilla envelopes....just wondering. B~ |
User: MrsSnuggly
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 104 |
From: Lynnie
Date: 06-23-2006, 11:58 AM (18 of 28)
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Great thread! Somewhere I saw a tip about marking notches. Cutting them inward can be scary and dangerous. Cutting them outward can be a pain. Instead I cut the pattern out and mark the notches in the seam allowance with a wash-out pencil. I just put a line perpendicular to the cut (or two or three depending on the notches). It makes cutting out easier and you can get very exact when lining things up. |
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 06-23-2006, 03:19 PM (19 of 28)
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Using wonder tape to tack down pockets, linings, zippers, etc until you get them sewed in place. that way I don't have pins to sew over and wreck my needles. Where can I find wonder tape? What an excellent idea! Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 06-23-2006, 05:04 PM (20 of 28)
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For gathering I use the crochet thread method also. One of the best tips I got was in high school . Always prewash notions (zipper, Trim, Bias tape) with the fabric. I skipped this step before & the lace & zippers shrunk but not the fabric. It wasn't pretty. Also when hand sewing buttons use button thread or dental floss. & for non shank buttons wrap the thread around the brack of the button a few times after sewing to creat a small shank. This makes them easier to button. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: swartzrn
Date: 06-23-2006, 05:15 PM (21 of 28)
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Wow, I'm getting good advice just reading this thread!! My mom actually gave me the best advice and it's just a simple rule that probably doesn't seem that big of advice. She told me to iron, iron, iron as I go. She said it would make things look nicer and your fabric come together better in the end. I found that she was completely right and always remember that. The second best advice was like has been said before to use a rotary cutter. I have found that the rotary cutter is a good friend to have! Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-23-2006, 06:09 PM (22 of 28)
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This is a great thread. I am learning so many new ideas! In my quilting book I learned about placing two small strips of fine grain sandpaper perpendicular to the long rules to keep the ruler from slipping on the fabric - it works great! I had no idea about prewashing the zippers! I was about to put replacement zippers in two pairs of pants - I am sooooo glad I read this! Thank for the embroidery/crochet thread idea, I've got tons of it - I won't have to buy cording anymore. AND I HATE notchinh, at all. I also mark the notches, I just can't cut the notches the same piece to piece, and I prefer to roll right past them with a rotary cutter. Isn't pellon a brand name, and they make all kinds of stuff like fusible webbing, tear away stabilizers, etc.? Freezer bags for patterns - I don't see why not - I've used sheet protectors in binders for mine, because I split my patterns out by items (for multiple piece patterns). I've had some for 10 years this way - so far so good! As far as the cutting - I make mistakes, so I usually buy extra, knowing this. My bad, I measurde out the length of pattern layout the way it will actually fit, not always as the pattern shows, then cut. I can't imagine pining all the pieces down - I hate to wait - so I jump right in. I know this is gonna catch up with me someday! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: blackie
Date: 06-26-2006, 10:17 PM (23 of 28)
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1. FINISH UFOS and do your mending! Sew guilt-free! 2. Tune up and clean your machine regularly; organize your space and re-organize now and then. Calm oneself rather than exist in a sloppy sewing frenzy! 3. Tracing patterns. Not only does this "save" larger pattern sizes, it is also a respectful way to treat every step of sewing. Tracing my patterns helped me start to become a "process" rather than "product" sewer. 4. Rotary cutting - for everything! I barely touch scissors except to clip thread ends. 5. Press every seam as you go. 6. Pinking for curves, instead of clipping or notching. Curves look uniform. Easy to do and less boring. 7. Take the time to cut out templates for curved pocket pieces. End product looks a lot better. 8. Always notch - it helps, even on simple garments, to not join incorrectly (how many ways can you incorrectly sew pants up? Many). I don't cut triangles but clip, being careful to stay well within seam allowances. Clipping is more accurate than notching, I think. When I think of how I used to cut around all those notches! Doy! 9. ARGH! Never do a 1/4" seam allowance if you can help it (this excludes quilting, of course)! 10. Similar to what others have posted re: gathering. I do a wide zig-zag over a piece of floss; remove, pull. No irritating basting threads. 11. Pretty much everything I've learned from Susan Khalje's Couture Handsewing class (from patternreview.com (http://patternreview.com/)) Jan, "check before you chop" is always a good idea, especially if you have a particularly lovely / expensive fabric. Great thread! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: ibesue
Date: 06-26-2006, 11:50 PM (24 of 28)
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I new to this forum, but not to sewing. I didn't know about the zigzaging cording/thread/dental floss for gathering! I guess I need to try that! I am able to get my tissue back into the pattern envelope. One day, I was bored when ironing and tried ironing the pattern tissue. Hmmm, guess what, it irons very nicely! So I just iron it back into little pieces and it fits very nicely back in the envelope! I second the ironing comments. In the beginning, I never ironed. It was my way of being a rebel! I am teaching my youngest daughter to sew, and I keep telling her iron, iron, iron!! Thanks for all the great ideas! Sue |
User: ibesue
Member since: 06-23-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: blackie
Date: 06-27-2006, 12:42 AM (25 of 28)
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I am able to get my tissue back into the pattern envelope. One day, I was bored when ironing and tried ironing the pattern tissue. Hmmm, guess what, it irons very nicely! So I just iron it back into little pieces and it fits very nicely back in the envelope! I do the same. It takes some time, but it really will fit just the same. Just don't use the steam setting! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 06-27-2006, 01:52 AM (26 of 28)
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The most useful tip I've ever had helps you thread the needle on any sewing machine or serger. Hold the thread in your right hand - guide the thread towards the eye of the needle, but place the top of your left thumb nail behind the eye. For some reason the thread will slip through the eye every time. I believe this hint came from an old issue of Threads Magazine, and I've used it ever since.
sewhappy
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User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003 Total posts: 69 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 06-27-2006, 07:00 AM (27 of 28)
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Pinking for curves, instead of clipping or notching. Curves look uniform. Easy to do and less boring Kelly -- I don't quite get this one. When I clip or cut notches in a curve it is so the fabric stretches wider apart at an outward curve or folds smaller at an inward curve without a bulky spot. How does pinking help with that? Unless you are just trimming the seam allowance at the curve really short. I find it better to sew curve seams flat (as in a flat fell with both sides going in the same direction for strength) than to trim too short. Sometimes it seems better to stay stitch and clip before sewing the seam so it fits better if the other side isn't curved. I was taught (but rarely do) to iron the pattern before you lay it out so it lays flatter when you cut. Then it is still ironed to put back in the envelope so you've killed two proverbial birds with one iron. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: blackie
Date: 06-27-2006, 10:37 AM (28 of 28)
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You do pink right up to the curve (maybe 1/8" away at the deepest pinking cut). Often you are topstitching or understitching this seam later, so I have found it to be a strong treatment. I also iron my patterns before cutting fabric, but often have to iron, fold, and smash it all down with an iron again, to get it to fit well. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
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