Sewing Tips & Tricks

#1 Tape paper bags to the edge of your workspace and catch threads as you snip.

#2 Plan ahead and save time by making two of a kind. 

#3 Run a hot iron over a dryer or fabric softener sheet to clean. 

#4 A roller of paper towels can double as a pressing ham. 

#5 Use bricks to raise a standard table to cutting height. 

#6 Use a three ring binder to organize machine manuals. 

#7 Accordion fold larger cuts of fabric and zig zag stitch along the selvage before washing and drying to prevent bunching. Then, when dry, remove or cut off the stitches. 

#8 As fabric weight and density increases so should the needle size. For our projects, crafted from cotton fabric with interfacing, a universal size 90/14 needle is ideal.

#9 If in doubt about the longevity of the needle in use - replace it. Needles are the least expensive aspect of sewing. 

​#10 Disposable mascara wands are the perfect tool for cleaning dust from the bobbin case. —Peggy Nelson, Sewing Club Member
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#11 For highly defined topstitching using a topstitching needle.  ​

#12 Keep bobbin and thread sets organized by threading pipe cleaners through both and looping the end of the pipe cleaner over to lock in place. 

#13 Rather than tossing a badly wound bobbin into the thread case use it in place of your thread spool to rewind the bobbin correctly. 

#14 Store smaller cuts of fabric in bins sorted by color for use in scrap buster type projects. 

#15 Use a pants hanger to hang up larger cuts of fabric.

​#16 Save your selvage to reference when color matching or reordering fabric. 

​#17 Cotton, cotton/polyester or polyester thread can be used when sewing cotton fabric. 

#18 Hot glue magnets to the bottom of a glass dish to create a diy pin holder.

​#19 If you want to sew a straight line; train yourself to watch the guide not the needle.

#20 Keep a design notebook to track the fabric used, alterations and future ideas for each project you make. 

#21 Place a small cut of non slip rug pad under your presser foot to keep it from sliding across the floor while you sew. 

#22 Keep a bottle of lemon essential oil nearby to remove residue from your needle. --Peggy Nelson, Sewing Club Member

#23 Use spray starch to thicken fabric and achieve crisp corners.