January 04, 2021

Welcome to DAY 11 of our 12 Days if Christmas celebration!

For our 11th Day Of Christmas giveaway, we are doing a GIVEAWAY of one $100 Fashion Fabrics Club eGift Card to one lucky winner. The gift card can be used towards any item available on the Fashion Fabrics Club website! Woot, Woot!

More about Fashion Fabrics Club: Since 1956 Fashion Fabrics Club has been connecting with Fabric Enthusiasts through our common love of fabric. Shop a great variety of fabric bolts and fabric by the yard at wholesale prices from our online fabric store. Our fabric selection includes cotton, silk, linen, wool, blends, synthetics, prints, knits, wovens, bridal & special occasion fabric, home decorating fabrics, and so much more! Always a money back guarantee!

How To Enter The Gift Card Giveaway:

It's amazing when you discover a tip or trick that helps to solve your sewing challenges, isn't it? We try to share the things we've discovered with you through free tutorials, pattern hacks, and in the Sewing With Cinnamon & Friends community! Maybe you've learned some from us, but maybe you have something that you'd love to share too!

Simply comment on this blog post finishing the following question...

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is (insert your amazing tip here) … “

Comments must be left (on this blog post) by midnight (pacific) on Monday, 1/4/2021.

One entry per person.

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. Must be 18 or older to enter. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire.

This is part of the 12 Days of Christams annual promotion, each day from December 25th through January 5th we are going to reveal a special One Day Giveaway for One Lucky Winner! These will be short-term prizes, designed for just 1 day each. So, be sure to set your alarm, bookmark our blog, and remember to check back each day. The giveaway will begin and end at midnight pacific time each day. Don’t miss out!

The winner will be chosen randomly from the comments received and contacted through the email provided in the comment. We will post a list of all the winners in the wrap up blog post on January 6th.

Additionally, by commenting, you agree to allow us to use your comments for future promotional activities. In other words – we might quote you when we are putting together new testimonial pages. If you’re not okay with that – don’t leave a comment

Okay, good luck, and if we’ve forgotten anything we will modify and/or update this post as needed.

We hope you enjoy our 12 Days Of Christmas Celebration. We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and wish you a happy holiday season, and a terrific new year!

Happy New Year!

Cinnamon & Pixie Faire Team

100 Comments

Bonnie R

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to hem sleeves and/or pant legs on doll clothes BEFORE sewing the side seams.

Patty Gennario

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is go slow & be careful! Read pattern directions all the way through before starting, then double check you have your pieces the right way, your hems, everything. It saves time in the long run. Your seam ripper will get lonely, but that’s a good thing😊 Thank you for these wonderful giveaways!

Anne

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to leave the pattern piece pinned to the fabric and cut with a rotary blade when using a slippery fabric.

Mary Z

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip or sewing trick is to use a 1/4 inch foot or an 1/8 inch foot when sewing doll clothes. Using these smaller feet help with keeping the seam allowance accurate

Marjorie

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to relax and enjoy your sewing. Never be in a hurry!

Wendy

January 04, 2021

I use a small rotary cutter to cut doll patterns. My next “experiment” is to trace the pattern on to the fabric and let the serger cut it.

Jen

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is keeping project baskets. Also, that learning to make my own binding really improves my project. I don’t have to stick with just the color choices from the prepackaged stuff. When it comes to dolls I just scale down the size and it doesn’t look bulky or out of place. Works great for making tiny cuffs.

Kay

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to use Crayola Ultra Washable Markers to mark things. It washes out really well. I have used it on quilts etc and never had any problems with with it. Just be sure it’s the Ultra Washable ones!

Violet

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is putting bias tape or ribbon on the back opening of the doll garments and using snaps instead of buttons., this can be done on knitted , jersey or sewn fabric , much easier for a child to fasten than buttons.

Darlene

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to invest in a good light by your machine and work area!

Donna

January 04, 2021

My favourite tip is to use Wonder tape to hold tiny pieces before sewing or to keep knits from stretching when sewing.

Dawn

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip for topstitching a corner such as a jacket or shirt collar: End needle down on the corner, raise your presser foot slightly, insert a piece of fabric (the same thickness as the project you are topstitching) under the presser foot from the back side and lower the presser foot again. This give the feed system something to grip so that your project advances and eliminates several small stitches in the corner.

Sandra J Swanson

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing advise is to have patience

Loronda Schuler

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to use a leader cloth (small piece of fabric) to start sewing on then feed in your small seams to avoid getting them pushed down into the throat plate on your machine.

Meg

January 04, 2021

Most of my favorite tips and “tricks” have already been mentioned. And I learned some good new ones. I haven’t read them all yet, so I don’t know if anyone has talked about buying large spools/cones of white, black, and grey for most sewing, and only buying small amounts of matching color for top-stitching etc. when needed. Doing that has saved me time, money and storage space. And I’m far less likely to run out of thread and don’t have countless bobbins threaded with a color I’m not using.

Summer

January 04, 2021

I don’t really know if I have any good tips.

Christine Reherman

January 04, 2021

My favorite trick is to sew fleece fabric with a zigzag stitch!

Lynn

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to read a pattern all the way through before starting.

Suzan

January 04, 2021

Use a good pair of sewing scissors. I was blessed with 3 sizes of the KAI scissors and love the feel and ease of cutting

sue

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is using a seam ripper to make pleats. A simple turn of the wrist and you have a pleat.

LM

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is using a piece of scrap material to start and stop each seam. It keeps machine from eating the pattern pieces.

Heidi

January 04, 2021

I don’t think I have a favorite tip.

Beth

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is using the small Steamfast iron. It is do wonderful when making doll clothes.

Connie

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to gather together everything you need for your current project before you begin. I keep everything together in a plastic box until the project is complete.

Amy

January 04, 2021

I don’t know if I have a favorite tip.

Ginger B

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to press after every seam. I recently got a wool felt pressing mat and love it! It really helps those seams lie flat and look professional.

Doll Lover

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to collect and print out all these great tips each year from Pixie Faire folks!

Shasta

January 04, 2021

There is so many good tips can’t choose one.

K Ark

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is measure twice cut once. From checking the pattern scale to cutting quilts it saves time and fabric.

Bridgette

January 04, 2021

One of my favorite tips is to use a small pointy tool ,like my seamripper to hold small pieces of fabric together to sew them, to keep fingers out of the way.

Susan

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to cut out the pattern and then take a break. Sewing another day just seems to make the sewing more enjoyable.

Judy

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is using a small piece of 1/4” quilters tape on the ends of seams on doll clothes so that the edges are always equal.

Cindy

January 04, 2021

Press as you go!

Alison

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick or tip is to use washable purple glue to temporarily hold layers together.

NINA

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is LIGHTING, LIGHTING, LIGHTING! You can’t sew what you can’t see. I have always felt the built in light on a sewing machine is woefully inadequate, so I very quickly got a gooseneck light which helped, but now I have a strip of LED lights on my machine and they are magical.

Kathy

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to use a crochet hook to turn small doll clothes seams especially at the shoulders.

Bridgette

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to follow the instructions, especially if you are making the pattern for the first time.

Linda M Norkowski

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to always iron/press after each sewing. Press as you go.

Tamara

January 04, 2021

I hope it is okay to share two tips that have helped me. I have found it easier to cut out slippery performance fabrics if I use freezer paper for the pattern and iron it onto the fabric. Also for a circle skirt, I think it is easier to line the skirt than trying to turn a hem on a circle. It comes out nicely round and smooth.

Lisa

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is to use 1/4 inch quilters tape when sewing on Velcro, zippers, and back pockets on jeans. It keeps things in place and keeps knits from stretching under the Velcro or zipper.

Alyssa

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is to use the side of a metal bobbin to unscrew the throat plate and presser foot holders if you don’t have a screwdriver! The screwdriver I got with my sewing machine fell through a crack the first day I got it, never to be seen again 😬

Joy

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is to use a hemostat when I need to pull out a small thread or turn something. Works so well.

Shelley

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to press as you go. Also maintain your machine and tools.

Stephanie

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to add iron-on hem tape to the inside of it knit seams. As I do not have a serger, this helps my knit hems not get stretched out of shape when finished and I’m much happier with the result!

gail

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is always try, try, try again. Get help by reading or watching hints. You are never to good to learn!

Jennifer

January 04, 2021

Always double check the “inch mark” BEFORE CUTTING to make sure the pattern printed properly and not waiting till you’re done and it doesn’t fit and wonder why

Sissy Lingle

January 04, 2021

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is saving the ’cloth-like" napkins in restaurants and also asking for more of them from the waitress. I always explain why I need them and am never refused. I use them to trace patterns and for making my own patterns. The patterns made from them can be used over and over, they can even be sewed together to check for fit.

Alice Denny

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to keep a small basket nearby to hold the trims, notions and pattern pieces for my current project. When I am done for the day, I just put it up till my next sewing session. Besides trims and fabrics I also keep any special scissors or tools I might need to complete everything.

Debbi

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using clips instead of pins whenever possible. The fabric lays perfectly flat with the clips.

Marie Williams

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is actually two tips. I change my needle with every new project and press every seam after you sew. Pressing seams gives a professional appearance to your sewing project.

Christine

January 04, 2021

My favourite sewing tip is to purchase men’s ties at thrift stores. The fabric in a good tie is often silk and the patterns are small in an amazing range of colours.

Barb

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is keep practicing.

Rochelle

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is one I’ve used when teaching – there is no such thing as a mistake. IT IS A CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY!!!!

Dolores A

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using thangles when making squares with 2 triangles. I uses these frequently when making quilts.

Rose M Vanhaitsma

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to use a rotary cutter to cut out fabric pieces. Once you get used to cutting this way, it saves so much time and strain on the hands. I learned to do this after I had thumb joint replacement and have never gone back to cutting out the pieces with a scissors.

Lori Thomas

January 04, 2021

I love Pixie Faire. That is my place for patterns and tutorials. I purchase my fabric at Joanns, Hobbylobby, yard sales, and thrift stores. Ooops, I forgot my stash at home!

Stephanie

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using a wool felt pad when ironing seams etc while sewing. I can put the thick pad on top of my cutting mat, which is helps for me because my workspace is small.

Sally

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is have fun!

Teresa

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tips, when making doll clothes, is to use a tiny pressing iron. The one I have is a small triangle that gets into the smallest of seams.

Sonja

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to look something up online (or youtube) you have never done before or if you have trouble sewing that particular thing. There are so many helpful videos out there!

Lynne Thompson

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is … to use those tiny little plastic clothes pins that you can purchase at MICHAELS, (often in the Wedding department) to hold velcro in place instead of pins that are hard to push through the velcro. It is also good to use them to hold seams but especially good to hold the velcro.

Kathy

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a small piece of printer paper (some use coffee filters) to start sewing small pieces so it doesn’t get sucked into the feed dogs. I use the paper left over after cutting out pattern pieces. After taking those few stitches, just fold the paper over the seam and pull off. It works well on all fabrics.

Brenda L Isovitsch

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to iron seams before opening to set the thread, then iron as indicated in the directions (open or to one side). This keeps your seems nice and smooth.

T

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a wool mat and a cordless iron when sewing; also, cutting out the pattern with a small rotary cutter and cutting mat.

Patricia Naqvi

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is the use of a manicure cuticle stick. I use it to hold the tiny pieces of fabric together and in place as they run through the sewing machine. It works especially well while sewing skirt gather to the bodice.

Grandma Freckles

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip/trick is to use a single edge razor blade (carefully) to take seams apart. I find it easier to use that a seam ripper. I may use a seam ripper to get started, but the razor blade does a much quicker job.

Stacey

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to sew tiny items uncut when possible. Sew first cut after. Of course this isn’t always possible. I find it si much easier to sew tiny details on an uncut rectangle.

Kerri

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick was learning how to use a seam ripper correctly.

Vicki

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is iron as you sew. It makes everything easier.

Helen

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is always press as you sew! It makes all the difference in the outcome of your project!

Leanna

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to use Wash Away Wonder Tape to baste difficult things together, such as zippers, knit hems, little curved bits, etc.

Ellen Fabrizio

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is press, press, press! Don’t skimp on the ironing! It makes things go together so much nicer!

J Tabler

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to use 1/4" double sided tape when sewing knits. It saves the day!

Kimberly

January 04, 2021

Love all of these tips and tricks. My favorite tip is to always maintain your machine by cleaning it and changing out the needle. I will get a better product if my machine is ready to work.

Sherry

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is Wonder Under tape!
I love that you’re doing the 12 days of Christmas during the 12 days of Christmas! Thanks !

sheila

January 04, 2021

my favorite sewing tip is when sewing stretch fabrics, especially swimwear, dance, or competition clothing, stitch a scrap piece and let it hang over the back of your machine. It helps to keep the thread from bunching and the material goes thru smoother. I reuse my patterns a lot so if printed on paper or tissue, I use iron-on thick interfacing to keep using the pattern. I also have ironed the interfacing to the paper 1st and put it thru my printer-works great and only have to do 1 cut. I also keep everything for my project in zip lock bags of various sizes and put the number of the thread inside the bag as I may use that thread for another project before I get to that project. very helpful to view all these hints—love it!

Rebecca

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is using a walking foot whenever possible. It definitely helps with knits and thicker fabrics.

Valerie Boundey

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is cut two bodice tops then use one as interfacing at the neck and hide the waist gathers at the waist.

MILICA

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is, what I discovered recently is to use clips instead of pins, when I can, for seams, especially around armholes.

pam

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to use an interfacing made especially for knits to provide stability and prevent stretching.

Jamie Walker

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is finishing the fabric edge, place elastic on fabric, fold fabric over and stitch. Secure elastic with pins and secure by sewing the seam. Yah lah no pulling elastic.

Mary

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to lower the speed on my machine and take my time. It’s so frustrating when your seams aren’t straight.

Suzanne

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is make sure you aren’t tired and to keep it enjoyable!

Holly Arthur

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is to use the correct foot for the fabric – it makes a world of difference!

Laura Davis

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip is “sew and press”. I press every seam I sew. It makes all the difference. My fav trick is, when sewing thick fabrics or thick seams, use a ‘charger’ or a ‘bump’ (I don’t know the technical term for it…lol) at the start of the seam. You’ll get a smooth start to your seam and no bird-nesting of thread. :)

Ashley

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick is to use freezer paper to cut small pattern pieces. I make a lot of felt food for my kiddos and the freezer paper makes it so easy to cut little pieces.

Linda

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is that I like to cut out more than one project at one time. I can then keep sewing from one project to another without taking the time to ‘shift gears’ to cutting out again.

Neta

January 04, 2021

My favourite trick is to use my seam ripper to guide my fabric under and through the sewing foot.

Atara

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is look to see if you can alter an existing pattern before making one from scratch.

Corinne

January 04, 2021

My sewing tip is for people who have sight issues who have difficulties following your seams. I cut off the 1/4" edge off of my pattern pieces and place it back onto my cut piece of fabric to follow as close to the edge without piercing into the paper. It sounds like a lot of work but I have tried several other suggestions without success and this works great for me.

Sandy

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trick that I have learned from sewing with cinnamon is how to make pointed crisp corners without burning my fingers and it only requires coming over the seam beforehand.

Kari

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using freezer paper to cut patterns. You trace the pattern on to the freezer paper. Then, you iron the freezer paper on to your fabric. Cut out the pieces and pull the freezer paper off. It won’t damage the fabric and it makes cutting slinky fabrics and/or difficult pattern shapes easy.

Bonnie

January 04, 2021

My favorite Sewing tip I measure my elastic to size I want . Stretch elastic sew on waist or what ever i’m putting elastic in. . Then turn down sew down. That way elastic can’t twist.

Laura

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing trip is to make the pattern out of muslin to make certain it fits before I cut the fashion fabric. This is especially important if you are using a doll different than American Girl. Also American Girl measurements have changes over the years.Also important when using a commercial pattern that always seem large. I have a Fancy Nancy Doll who has really peculiar shape.

Linda Moser

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is to read ALL directions of the project and organize ALL supplies before you begin. Saves that trip to the store or ordering something you thought you had but didn’t.

Mary Hughes

January 04, 2021

ohhh! So many new ideas have been posted. I’ve used lots of them, but some are new! My favorite new trick has been to use coffee filters to stabilize knits, but it works for other fabrics, too.

Marie Johnston

January 04, 2021

My favorite trick is to keep 2.5” squares next to my machine. When I finish a seam I sew two (right sides together) together. Then fours, eights, etc. This saves thread, avoids tangled threads on the bottom and eventually I have a quilt without much effort.

Anita

January 04, 2021

My favorite tip is when hemming those sometimes impossible fabrics is to fold 1/8" longer to wrong side & sew with a straight stitch all the way around. Carefully trim close to stitching & hem will roll neatly for final stitching.

Patti M

January 04, 2021

My favorite sewing tip or trick is completely finish out the inside of your garments. By using the French seam, adding an extra 1/4 seam allowance when cutting out your pattern and in places where acceptable and a complete lined top or bodice will take your finished products to the next level.

Sheri P

January 04, 2021

My favorite trick is convincing my husband I need all this fabric

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January 04, 2021

Recent Articles

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11 Giveaway! (January 4, 2021)

How To Enter The Gift Card Giveaway:

100 Comments

Bonnie R

Patty Gennario

Anne

Mary Z

Marjorie

Wendy

Jen

Kay

Violet

Darlene

Donna

Dawn

Sandra J Swanson

Loronda Schuler

Meg

Summer

Christine Reherman

Lynn

Suzan

sue

LM

Heidi

Beth

Connie

Amy

Ginger B

Doll Lover

Shasta

K Ark

Bridgette

Susan

Judy

Cindy

Alison

NINA

Kathy

Bridgette

Linda M Norkowski

Tamara

Lisa

Alyssa

Joy

Shelley

Stephanie

gail

Jennifer

Sissy Lingle

Alice Denny

Debbi

Marie Williams

Christine

Barb

Rochelle

Dolores A

Rose M Vanhaitsma

Lori Thomas

Stephanie

Sally

Teresa

Sonja

Lynne Thompson

Kathy

Brenda L Isovitsch

T

Patricia Naqvi

Grandma Freckles

Stacey

Kerri

Vicki

Helen

Leanna

Ellen Fabrizio

J Tabler

Kimberly

Sherry