Daily sewing tips

If you make adjustments to a pattern be sure to make the same adjustments to the lining
Find a willing friend or other half to help you pin your hems, standing on a table it makes it easier for them to see if the hem is straight
You can play around with using a different fabric to the pattern recommendations, but I would use a cheap fabric or make a toile first time round
If you are tall or have long arms don’t forget to add extra length to the sleeves of your patterns as well as the back
Do you have an abundance of those reusable shopping bags? I use mine to store ongoing sewing projects in, that way you can keep the fabric, notions and patterns together
When making a collar with sheer fabrics iron your interfacing onto the top layer to prevent seam allowances showing
Cut out pattern pieces that you are not using as it makes them easier to fold and store for next time
Keep plenty of black, navy and white thread in stock, they always come in useful
Use pieces of leftover fabric to wrap presents with, instead of wrapping paper
Iron your fabric before cutting it out to make sure it lies flat
Test your stitch tension on a piece of the fabric you will be sewing before starting on the main garment
Don’t forget to transfer pattern markings before you cut out the pattern, it will save you heaps of time
Scour Ebay and Etsy for vintage patterns, but remember vintage sizing comes up smaller so check measurements
Buy yourself a box of spare bobbins, otherwise you will end up with 6 different colours all wound round 1 bobbin, and will want the one at the bottom
I like to call my mistakes lessons, they are the best way to learn
You will need 3 pairs of scissors. Dressmaking shears, to cut your fabric. Small sharp points for snipping threads and clipping curved seams and a pair of paper scissors for cutting out patterns
Pinking shears are a quick and easy way of finishing seam allowances for fabrics that don’t fray easily
If you sew a lot (and have the room) think about getting a cutting table, it will save your back and knees
Don’t over iron your tailors chalk as it will seal it to the fabric and won’t come off easily
Use a really fine sharp sewing machine needle on delicate fabrics to prevent pulling
Iron your interfacing on to your fabric before cutting, it make it much easier to match up and helps prevent the edges of your fabric from fraying
Invest in a quality unpicker as a blunt one will tug the thread rather than cutting it
I always like to try at least 1 new technique with each thing I sew, so that I am constantly learning and challenging myself
Trim loose threads as you go along, it will save going back afterwards and removing them all at the end and keeps your sewing much neater
Run your sewing thread over beeswax to help threading the needle and prevent it twisting
Don’t forget to give your clothes a really good steam iron when you have finished them for a really polished look
Don’t be afraid to experiment, it may not always work but you will learn a lot on the journey
Lost your sew-jo? Spend some time tidying your fabrics stash, it will get your creative juices flowing again (honestly try it)
Investing in a new machine? Look out for a button hole memory function, it will help get a better finish on your garments as all of your buttonholes will match
Stop at a good point in your sewing, you don’t want to pick up a problem when you come back to it
Invest in a metre stick as well as a tape measure, it can make measuring laid out fabric much easier
Copy Coco Chanel and sew small weights in the bottom of fluid clothes to make them hang beautifully
Take your shoes off when you sew, you will have much more control over your sewing machine pedal – Just be careful of pins!
Pick up all the pins before the children play in the room again
Remove all loose thread around your zip, they could get caught and ruin your hard work by pulling a thread or clogging the zip
Approach your projects one step at a time so anything new doesn't become overwhelming
I believe the ‘right’ side of the fabric is the side you like best. Unless it has a loose weave which may snag it doesn't matter which way round you use fabrics as long as you enjoy i
Check what stitch your machine is set to before pressing the pedal, the number of times I have started to zig zag along a seam I have lost count
The iron is your friend, stop and iron regularly as you sew
Read the instruction manual of your sewing machine every few months, every time I open mine learn something new
Refashioning and old piece of clothing can be just s satisfying as sewing something from scratch.
When you are trying to match a sewing thread, unroll the end and lay in on, rather than putting the whole roll next to it, it will give a better matc
Invest in a good quality sewing thread (I like Gutermann) a cheap one will only break in your machine and frustrate you
Want to know how often to change your sewing machine needle? Roughly every 20 hours of sewing
Don’t be tempted by a machine with lots of fancy stitches if you don’t need them. Most dressmakers only need a few stitches
Line your laundry basket with fabric to compliment your décor
Use paper scissors to cut out your sewing pattern pieces, not your sewing shears as it will blunt them
Organise a fabric swap with your friends your old remnants may be their new projects
I keep my dressmaking scissors hanging on a pretty hook above my sewing table so they are always in reach
Keep your sewing machine dust free it will run better and last longer
Most machines have a function to sew on buttons using a zig zag stitch set to 0, check your instructions, it will save hours of boring button sewing
Make a sewing date with yourself, plan time in your diary with no distractions. Turn off the phone, make sure the kids are looked after and enjoy your moment
Use leftover fabric off cuts to make contrasting collars and cuffs
Put your sewing machine on a piece of non slip shelf lining to stop it moving when in use
Use an orange stick (used in manicures) to push out difficult seams and corners when ironing = no more burned fingers
Use a dress making dummy for a better fit
I have a shelf above my sewing desk with jam jar lids screwed to the bottom, the jars screw on and hang down. I use them to keep essentials like pins, buttons and my tape measures in (bonus you have to eat lots of jam to empty the jars first) #sewing
Once you have found a pattern you like, make it in lots of different fabrics. Each time it will get quicker and easier, it is amazing how far one pattern will go just see all the Colette peony dresses in my blogRub off any tailors chalk before washing your clothes as the chalk will mark if it gets wet
Mark all notches and pattern markings during cutting out, it will save time in the long run
On lightweight fine fabrics use a ball point needle to prevent snagging
Dressmaking should be a pleasure not a chore
Tie a piece of ribbon to the handles of your sewing scissors to remind the rest of your family to keep their hands off them!
Put your sewing machine on a piece of non slip shelf lining to stop it moving when in use
For slippery fabrics pin, tack then sew, don’t skip a step..... you will get much better results
Staple your pattern instructions together in order so you don't get lost or miss any steps
Sewing a concealed zip? Press open the zip before you sew it to get closer to the teeth and a neater finish
Add a piece of elastic to a small pin cushion and keep it round your wrist when sewing for easy access to pins
Cutting out a pattern on the carpet? Try sticking the pin straight down into the carpet, much easier than pinning pattern to fabric and it won’t move around
Shoulder pads improve your posture and make you look taller and slimmer, add them to your clothes and feel the benefits
If you are using striped fabric make sure you lay the pattern pieces out so the stripes match before you start cutting
Tie a piece of string between 2 chairs. Rub chalk along the string and adjust it to where you want your hem to be. Put on your unfinished dress or skirt and turn slowly standing next to the string. Instant hem line marking!Take a break, get up and walk around when you are sewing, shrug your shoulders a few times. Looking down at your sewing can cause tension
Use tracing paper to make copies of your patterns so that they last longer
Don’t cut anything but fabric with your sewing scissors, paper will quickly blunt them
To find the right side of a jersey fabric see which way the cut edge rolls, it will always roll towards the right side.
Always buy a bit of extra fabric to allow for cutting mistakes.
Use up old bits of fabric to make fun contrasting facings for your clothes or pocket linings
Iron your work often to open out the seams and make sure it falls correctly
When using iron interfacing, let it cool completely before using the fabric, this will create a stronger bond
Scribble any alternations on the paper envelope of a sewing pattern so you remember them next time you make it
Keep a sewing journal. When you finish a garment, record how much fabric it actually took, and any alterations you made. If you make the garment again, it will be so much easier to cut and fit!
Dont keep the box of pins by your machine as you sew, you will knock them over, just put a few in an old tin
Change your needle often. It really helps the sewing go much more smoothly
When working with fabrics that are difficult to spot right from wrong side,attach small sticky labels to wrong side as you remove pattern pieces.
Take care of your tools. Keep your machine clean and in my case oiled. Keep your scissors sharp and a drop of oil on the screw
The most useful tip I learned was to assemble everything needed to complete a project before starting it. Nothing more frustrating than finding you don't have snaps of the correct size or elastic of the proper width when the fabric store has closed for the day
Read all the pattern before starting to sew
The best sewing tip I have received is"Enjoy the process". Whatever step you are at with your project ENJOY it.
Measuring, cutting, assembling, pressing, finishing; every step is important to the outcome of your project.
Quality work can't be rushed
Always place your pins at right angles to the cutting or sewing line (If you can)
If you can never get all the pattern pieces back in the envelope it came in, put them in a brown envelope and stick the front of the paper pattern to the front
Don’t sew when you’re in a bad mood, only when you are happy or excited about what your working on
Get your partner to wear your dress and stand on a table to pin up the hem (my dad looked great in my Mum’s dresses!)
Vacuum the floor before laying out your fabric for cutting
Put the cat away before you bring out the crunchy sounding pattern pieces
Tack the seam together and press before laying the zip on top. Make sure the pattern matches on either side of the zip
work with a good light behind you
don’t leave your cup of tea on the table in case you knock it over
keep a sample of fabric in your handbag in case you spy some shoes you like & need to match the colour
buy a metre rule – it’s often much easier to use than a tape measure
use polyester, not cotton, thread with stretchy fabric
put your fabric away otherwise the cat will sleep on it
have a pattern swap coffee morning with other sewing friends
make a simple pinafore dress for a daughter to match your dress
line pockets in a contrasting colour
make a loop in the back of the collar to hang up your newly made coat
use old (washed) tights to stuff a toy
save interesting buttons from old garments before discarding
The right fabric is really important, read the back of the pattern for suggested fabrics
Take your time practice makes perfect
Test the tension of your machine on a scrap of fabric before you start sewing
Cut a notch in an old cereal packet for a homemade hem guide
Cover buttons in a contrasting fabric to give a garment a new look
It may help to put a piece of tissue over slippery fabric before sewing
Always test sew a piece of fabric before launching in to your garment
Use ribbon to make a hanging loop for a jacket
Buy cheap brightly coloured thread for tacking
Pull a thread in your fabric to find the exact line of the grain
Buy a new pair of pointy scissors, old blunt ones are useless for unpicking seams and cutting into corners
If you have trouble threading the needle, position the needle in front of a white surface so the eye is more visible
Before hemming a skirt, dress, or pants, let the garment hang for a day on a hanger to allow the fabric to settle
Cover a hair elastic to match a new top
After oiling your machine run a piece of scrap fabric though it to pick up any stray oil
De fluff your machine regularly
Make sure all pattern pieces are cut with the fabric the same/right way up
It is worth buying extra fabric to match large prints along seams for a professional finish
Make a tea cosy with random scraps to remind yourself of all the lovely things you have made
Take a photograph of everything you make, it will make you smile when you show your Grandchildren (apparently)
Make a matching bow for your dogs collar
Sew a pocket into all children’s clothing, perfect for tissues!
Make a funky bag for scrabble letters out of fabric leftovers, it won’t make you play better but will make losing more enjoyable
Teach your kids to sew, start by making a cushion with their initial on.
Use a ball point needle when sewing jersey
When possible use tailors chalk to draw round a pattern rather than pinning and cutting
Remember to cut inside the chalk line when cutting pattern pieces out
Pins with large glass or plastic heads are the easiest to use. Buy the longest ones you can find -- up to 11/2 inches
Thimbles come in various sizes; find one that fits the middle finger of your sewing hand
Keep a small magnet in your sewing basket. When needles and pins drop on the carpet while you're sewing, retrieve them quickly with the magnet.
Before throwing out clothing you no longer wear, stock up on notions by saving any usable zippers, buttons, or decorative trim. These can come in handy when you're trying to replace a fastener.
Thread looks darker on the spool than it will on fabric. Choose a thread a shade darker than the material you'll be using it on.
Buy at least 2 reels of thread for your projects, 1 is rarely enough and you can always use left overs for tacking other fabric
Add a metal jeans zip to the back of a simple top as a statement detail, you can sew it straight on top of the fabric, really easy
If you don’t have a dressmakers dummy try on the garment as often as possible to ensure it fits well.
Trim and appliqué pieces muslin to make lovely new baby swaddle cloths, perfect gift for a new mum
If you are sewing with jersey, good news, it doesn’t fray so don’t worry about finishing the edges just cut and sew.
Create a sewing playlist on your Ipod, use plenty of uplifting tracks that inspire and make you happy. This will add to your sewing experience and help ease some of the frustrations
Use coloured bias binding to add an interesting trim necklines and armholes (also removes the need for fiddly facings)
Have fun with your linings, use a bright or contrasting fabric
Tack the 2 sides of a dress opening together before inserting zip to ensure both side match up
Before pinning to your fabric, iron the pattern pieces using low heat with no steam to ensure they lie flat.

Happy sewing xxx