Hello lovelies! How are you doing? Hope all is well. I’ve been really swamped with work and lots of made to order dresses for friends.
I was chatting with some of my non-seamstress friends and most of their questions were about getting good at sewing. Hence, this blog post today. I felt that it’s very timely since I kind of wrote a series of posts about this topic. If you missed them here are the links;
- Wondering How To Make Your Sewing Rock? Read This!
- Are You Embarrassed By Your Sewing Skills? Here’s What To Do
- Get Into the Sewing Groove With These Tips For Pros & Beginners
Now onto today’s post. First, let me reiterate this, nobody wakes up one morning as a professional seamstress. Like any hobby or career, it takes time and practice to make to increase your skills.
I have listed 15 ridiculously simple ways to improve your sewing today to make it easier for you guys to digest the concept.
1. Watch Sewing Videos and Read Sewing Books
Sometimes it is helpful to see someone else do the stitch first. There are tons of YouTube videos, DVDs and instruction booklets out on the market that can teach you valuable sewing techniques. If you are having a problem with a particular stitch, you can load up the video and see how it is done firsthand.
2. Press your pattern paper before cutting the material
Patterns are usually folded up in the packet, so they won’t lie flat on the fabric. By pressing the pattern with your iron, it will lie flat as you can cut the fabric to the proper dimensions.
3. Cut out the pattern slowly to prevent mistakes
Rushing with the pattern cutting so you can get to the sewing machine faster will just lead you to cutting the pattern wrong. Then you will have a piece of fabric that won’t be at the right dimensions, which can mess up the entire project.
4. Measure twice before cutting out any fabric to desired dimensions
Measure everything that you possibly can to get the right dimensions, especially if you are making clothing. Your body size can change as you may find the clothing won’t fit you no matter how many times you make adjustments.
5. Understand what fabric grain means
Some patterns will have instructions about cutting it “on the grain.” The fabric grain is the direction in which the fabric was woven by the manufacturer. The threads of the fabric will usually run parallel with and perpendicular to the selvage. Understanding the fabric grain prevents you from cutting it in the wrong direction that causes the fabric to stretch out of shape.
6. Use the right heat settings when pressing seams
Test a corner of the fabric with the iron and adjust the heat settings so you don’t damage the fabric. Then press your seams as you go.
7. Pick the fabric you will love to wear
It might sound strange, but often beginner sewists will pick out fabrics that they aren’t entirely in love with just because the pattern suggested it. You might not like the color or the feel of the fabric against your skin. Then you waste all your sewing time making something that you won’t ever wear.
8. Pre-wash your fabrics before starting your project
Fabrics shrink. If you don’t pre-wash, the fabric can shrink to the point where it won’t fit your body dimensions. It is always a good tip to pre-wash different types of fabric that will be used in a single craft project. When you then cut the patterns out, you know the clothing will fit.
9. Take the time to finish all of your seams
Don’t leave seams unfinished. Always finish them before placing the project in the wash. You can either invest in a serger machine or use a zigzag stitch to create a finished seam.
10. Take your time and be patient
While this may seem like the simplest tip in the entire list, it can sometimes be the hardest to follow. Yet you have to slow down with your projects if you want them looking the best they can possibly be. If you come to a tricky part that is frustrating you, take a break and come back to it later.
11: Have all the necessary tools and notions on hand
To improve your sewing skills, you should have all the sewing supplies on hand without constantly stopping and running to the closest fabric store. When you have all the tools you need, and understand the best way to use them, you will see a major difference in the quality of your projects.
12. Check your sewing needles for damage before starting your project
Broken or bent sewing needles can create major frustrations and cause you to lose confidence in your sewing abilities. Always check the needle before sewing to prevent jams and other problems.
13. Use the right needle for the fabric in the project
There are different needles that can be used for certain fabrics. Knowing what types of needles there are (leather and ballpoint) will allow you to practice using them and being prepared when the time comes to use these types of fabric.
14. Practice your stitching
Practice really does make perfect when it comes to creating straight, flawless stitching. Practice anytime you have a free moment and push yourself into learning new sewing techniques that can test your skills so you can become even better.
15. Clean your sewing machine
How can you ever improve your sewing skills if your machine is always breaking down? The final ridiculously simple way to make improvements is to clean and service your sewing machine on a daily basis so it runs optimally.
Small improvements can make a big difference to your sewing skills. Continually address bad habits and adopt better sewing techniques. You will find yourself moving from the beginner stage to more intermediate and advanced sewing practices in time.
