Sewing Tips
Old Buttons
After cutting buttons from old garments, fasten together with a piece of thread before putting into the button box.
You can see at a glance how many you have of a particular kind.
Seams
When dressmaking, press open seams of garments with a dampened length of ribbon or tape. This way you’ll see if the seams are completely open and the rest of the garment won’t get damp.
Unpicking
Use a stiff-bristled nail brush to remove cut threads when unpicking stitches from material. It will prove
Seams
When dressmaking, press open seams of garments with a dampened length of ribbon or tape. This way you’ll see if the seams are completely open and the rest of the garment won’t get damp.
Unpicking
Use a stiff-bristled nail brush to remove cut threads when unpicking stitches from material. It will prove
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much quicker than fingers or tweezers.
Button Holes
When making buttonholes, moisten the edges with colourless nail polish. When it dries the buttonhole stitches can be made neatly.
Zippers
Before machining a zipper, sellotape it into position, stitch through the sellotape and remove afterwards.
If a zip tends to unfasten sew a dress hook above it, then slip the tab opening of the zip over the hook. If it tends to stick rub with a pencil.
Fine Sewing
When sewing very fine materials, place narrow strips of tissue along the seams. This keeps the materials in place and easily removed.
Patches
Before sewing leather patches or binding on coats, follow round the edges of the patch or binding with the sewing machine, using a large, unthreaded needle. The ready made holes make sewing easier.
When patching children’s jeans, sew up the back pocket and take a piece of material from inside the pocket.
Oil Spots
Keep a piece of chalk beside the sewing machine and should an oil spot get on the material, just rub the area with chalk and leave for a few minutes. Brush off and the spot will disappear.
Thimbles
Stop a thimble from slipping - put some blu-tack inside and see the difference.
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Stick a small cork on the side of the sewing box to hold the thimble when not in use.
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Tape Measures
Sew a paper clip carefully under the zero mark on a tape measure; it will be easier to clip onto work for accurate measurements.
Sew a paper clip carefully under the zero mark on a tape measure; it will be easier to clip onto work for accurate measurements.
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Measure twice before you cut once.
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Paper Clips
Keep a box of paper clips in your sewing box. They’re easier and quicker to use than pins when tuning up hems on nylon or net.
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Keep a box of paper clips in your sewing box. They’re easier and quicker to use than pins when tuning up hems on nylon or net.
Cotton Reels
Keep cotton reels tidy in the work basket by threading them onto a knitting needle and fixing a cork on the end.
Keep cotton reels tidy in the work basket by threading them onto a knitting needle and fixing a cork on the end.
Needles
Don’t stick needles through cotton reels, instead stuff the centre of the reel with a piece of foam and stick the needle into that. Or keep a magnet on the table to rest the needle on.
A needle can be threaded more easily if a little hair lacquer, starch or beeswax is put on the end of the thread.
Sharpen a machine needle through a piece of sandpaper.
To stop a needle from breaking when sewing thick material, rub grease down the seam.
For a needle threaded, use fine fuse wire bent into a small loop.
Machine Maintenance
After oiling a sewing machine, place two thick sheets of blotting paper under the needle and stitch through several times, to absorb the surplus oil.
Keep old mascara brushes and wash well. They are useful for cleaning the sewing machine.
Use a feather instead of a brush for removing fluff and dust from around the spool or bobbin of a sewing machine
Don’t stick needles through cotton reels, instead stuff the centre of the reel with a piece of foam and stick the needle into that. Or keep a magnet on the table to rest the needle on.
A needle can be threaded more easily if a little hair lacquer, starch or beeswax is put on the end of the thread.
Sharpen a machine needle through a piece of sandpaper.
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To stop a needle from breaking when sewing thick material, rub grease down the seam.
For a needle threaded, use fine fuse wire bent into a small loop.
Machine Maintenance
After oiling a sewing machine, place two thick sheets of blotting paper under the needle and stitch through several times, to absorb the surplus oil.
Keep old mascara brushes and wash well. They are useful for cleaning the sewing machine.
Use a feather instead of a brush for removing fluff and dust from around the spool or bobbin of a sewing machine
