Sewing tips
Serger Thread Hack
If you have a serger, then you likely know how expensive it can get to purchase thread cones, especially when you need four cones of each color for every project. There’s a great hack for this that will save you loads of money. You will need one cone of serger thread in the color that your project requires, as well as empty thread spools and an empty bobbin. Source and more info: moonthirty
Make Your Own Continuous Bias Tape
Bias tape is a great asset to sewers. You can use it to trim your quilts and placemats or use it when hemming to make the process much easier. Many people also use it for arm hole bindings and other tasks. Of course, if you’re using it a lot, it can get relatively expensive, particularly for those of you who quilt. Instead of shelling out dough for new tape for every project, you can easily learn to make your own tape with just a few materials and a few minutes of time. Source and more info: nobigdill
Needle Threading Hack
If you’re having difficulty seeing those tiny needle holes, there’s a trick that can help. Whether you’re threading your machine or hand sewing, you can simply spray the tip of your thread with hairspray and it will stiffen it right up. Then it just slips right into the needle eye and you don’t have to squint to see it. Just push it right through and without those pesky fraying problems! Source and more info: artofmanliness
Learning How To Use The Narrow Hemmer
If you sew with a machine, you may have a narrow hemmer presser foot. This can be a very handy device for getting those narrow hems perfect, although it can also be difficult to learn how to use the device properly. There’s often a lot of trial and error with hems, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There’s a great tutorial on learning how to use your narrow hemmer, and it will teach you to create those hems like a pro. Source and more info: threadsmagazine
Upcycle Old Blankets
So, when you’re quilting, you know you have to buy loads of batting, right? Wrong. Instead of paying a small fortune for quilt batting, just use old blankets. This gives you a way to upcycle those torn or worn blankets, and it saves a bundle on batting. Just use the blankets just as you would batting, and you may find your quilts a bit less stiff when they’re finished, too.
Keep Drawstrings In Place
One of the worse things in the world is losing your drawstring. You know, when that pesky string pulls into your hoodie or coat and you just can’t find it to pull it out. There’s a great trick for keeping that drawstring firmly in place. You just have to sew a simple stitch at the mid-point for the string in the back of your pants or jacket. You can still use the drawstring to tighten, but it will stay where it’s supposed to be and the ends will always be even. Source and more info: mabeyshemadeit
Keep Thread From Running Out
Serger thread is really cheap. You can get a giant spool for around $2. But, what if you don’t use a serger? You can still take advantage of the inexpensive thread and use it on your regular sewing machine. Just stick the large spool over a smaller spool. The small spool holds the larger one firmly in place and helps it to move as it should while you’re sewing. You can sew to your heart’s content without worries of running out and needing to add a new spool mid-way through your project. Source and more info: boutiqueit
Join Fabric Widths For Extra Wide Panels
You probably know that you can just sew fabric together to make it larger. Maybe you didn’t know that when you join fabric widths, it’s best to add fabric to each side of your center piece so that it’s done symmetrically. This way, the fabric looks the same on both sides and doesn’t instantly draw attention to the fact that you had to lengthen it. Source and more info: sew4home
Easy Seam Allowance Guide
Rubber bands can be placed around the base of your machine to act as seam allowance guides. Just move the rubber band where you need it when you begin sewing and follow it to ensure that all of your seams are uniform. This is a really cheap and easy way to ensure that seams stay true to their size and pattern.
Tame Bulky Fabrics
Certain materials are really bulky and often hard to sew. If you’ve ever tackled thick materials then you know the struggle. A good way to make your sewing easier is to use plastic bags. Those bags that you typically get from the grocery store make wonderful resources when you’re sewing thick materials. They help to guide the material smoothly through the machine and prevent it from getting stuck. This is great for faux fur, towels, Velcro, and a number of other fabrics. Source and more info: threadsmagazine
