12 Days of Christmas - Day 2 - December 26th 2019

judy

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is press as you sew, plus use the wooden clapper

Georgeann

December 26, 2019

Snip fabric at curves just up to the stitching line before pressing and turning to make the seams lay nicely

Piroska

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is to read the directions twice, at least. If something’s not clear, read again.

Carol

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to press as you go!

Karen

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is if something is not making sense or not going well go eat a small piece of chocolate and come back with a new perspective. Works every time for me.

Leslie Moskal

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is always check it your bobbin has thread before you start sewing

Alison Galbraith

December 26, 2019

I like to pin a bunch and then sew. Each time I sew the pile gets smaller but the finished item becomes more apparent.

Carol

December 26, 2019

I just now was able to get on my e mails, I had surgery today. I agree with the many tips that have already been posted. I like your patterns very much. I hope my name is chosen for the $25. gift card! Pressing seams as we sew is a very good tip that I use.
Carol

PATRICIA

December 26, 2019

MY favorite sewing tip is measure twice cut once .

PATRICIA

December 26, 2019

MY favorite sewing tip is measure twice cut once .

Mae Lynn Beck

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is join a group like SWC to improve your sewing skills and don’t hesitate to rip out something that’s not right. Redoing a mistake will give you satisfaction in the long run.

Marty

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to press every seam as sewn and then press open or turn and press as required.

Cheryl

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use a glue stick to baste the small pieces so I don’t have a seam showing below my final stitches

Hazel

December 26, 2019

I wind an extra bobbin before I start a new project.

Bonnie Schwoerer

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to wet the needle, not the thread, when trying to thread a needle.

Barbara

December 26, 2019

My favorite is steam a seam tape and gathering with elastic for even perfect gathers.

Patty Stanton

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is…. when I sew doll clothes, I sew all the things that require, let’s say white thread, first then change the thread accordingly.

Caroline Landrum

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is the “P” word – Patience – have patience. Don’t be in a hurry. Relax and be patient and everything will turn out just right!

Leslie

December 26, 2019

I feel like every new tip I read is my new favorite tip. Lol. But a long standing favorite is press as you go. The difference is worth it.

Leslie

December 26, 2019

I feel like every new tip I read is my new favorite tip. Lol. But a long standing favorite is press as you go. The difference is worth it.

Brandy

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to prewash & dry fabric. I have bought items that were not & were ruined once washed! Anything designed for kids should be washable 😂

VICTORIA GOBEL

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is press as you go. My mother always told me to press each seam as you go and it allows your piece to look more finished and easier to go to the next step.

Sheila

December 26, 2019

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is press open those tiny seams with a seam roller. Perfect for tight spots works wonderful

Kittie

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is Sew a Seam, Press a Seam for a more professionally sewn garment.

Janine

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is I keep all my small tools, 6" ruler, marking pencils, seam ripper, extra needles ,thread snips,etc in a small rectangular box (approx 3″×6″) that I got in a kitchen supply store. That way they are always at hand.

Shelley

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing to or trick would be to just relax and enjoy the project your working on.

Sparkle

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is using “Steam-A-Seam” (double stick lite fusible tape) when turning a narrow 1/4" hem on small items of doll clothes. It was really helpful turning edges under on the small tabs on the back of the denim jacket and kept the tabs very symmetrical.

Anna

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make sure I use the right type of needle for the fabric.

Rebekah

December 26, 2019

I use iron-on hemming tape to attach 2 fabrics where I don’t want stitches to show.

Kathy

December 26, 2019

Another favorite tip is to go ahead and cut out a number of different garments. I store each garment and directions in gallon ziploc bags. I also include any Velcro, buttons, elastic, trims, etc. so that when I am ready to sew, everything is all together and I don’t have to gather supplies.

Mary

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to serge the outer edges of cut fabric pieces before I sew them because they will be less awkward.

Deborah Hooper

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is tracing any pattern that I think will be reused, whether it be a multi-sized or not. I use a roll of pattern paper for this. Holds up better than the tissue paper patterns and is easier to handle than printed on a piece of copier paper.

Darlene

December 26, 2019

My tip is to always talk nice to your sewing machine. It works better when you are calm! :-)

Kathy

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to print out my patterns and directions then store them together in heavy duty sheet protectors in huge 3 ring binders. I have dividers in the binders to separate different types of patterns such as: Pants/shorts, Accessories, Dresses, Skirts, Tops…..

Darlene

December 26, 2019

My tip is to always talk nice to your sewing machine. It works better when you are calm! :-)

Linda Wernette

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make a copy of all these sewing tips and place them in a notebook. They are the greatest ideas for helping myself in my sewing adventures.

Milica

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use fresh needle, measure twice, cut once, be happy 😊 when you sew.

Tamara Southworth

December 26, 2019

Keep your mini iron and mini ironing board handy! The finished garments look so much nicer when the seams are pressed properly.

Barb

December 26, 2019

My favorite trick is to use the patterns from pixie fair rather than the patterns found in pattern books at fabric store. Pixie fair directions are much clearer amd fiinish up beautiful. The fit is much better

Kathy

December 26, 2019

My sewing tip is tissue paper for delicate fabric to sew seam act as enforcement guides the farbic in those feed dog prevent jam up

Marie

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is to make the same thing more than once and challenge yourself to make it better each time.

Clair

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make an extra copy of a pattern piece if you need to cut out 4 or more pieces or have to line something.

Elizabeth

December 26, 2019

Here’s my tip: store the patterns purchased as PDF printouts in a three ring binder. Place the cut pattern pieces in page protector pockets. If I’m not quite ready to sew the garment I’ve cut out… I put the fabric pieces in the page protector too!

Islander_58North

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use the 1/4" seam foot, usually the one without the edge guide. It also has an indent for 1/8" seams.

Cheri

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to cut a bunch of easy-to-sew projects at one time so I always have something quick at hand to sew…often I cut things that can be sewn with the same thread so I don’t have to re-thread to start a new project.

Nancy

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to measure twice and cut once!

Sandra L.

December 26, 2019

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a coffee filter to stabilize small trim.

Debra Miller

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to remember to read all directions, gather all supplies and change your needles before you begin sewing.

Angela

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip measure twice cut once. Use a pencil also to outline your pattern.

Ele

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing trick is using whip-stitches to sew up the hem of dresses. It has such a nice finish and you do not even see the stitches!

Lynn

December 26, 2019

Two tips that I use:

1. I often have “inspiration days” where I go through patterns and fabrics, make selections and cut out pieces for numerous items/outfits. That way, when I get a chance to sew, I can just grab something that’s already cut and get right to sewing.
2. I buy many fat quarters to use for doll garments and often they are creased from being folded and displayed for sale. I use Mary Ellen’s Best Press on the creases and wrinkles and they iron right out!

Sandra

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to pre-treat all fabrics & applicable notions first!

Laura

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is " you can’t press enough". For clean lines and fit “press”.

Ellen

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to read the pattern instructions before you sew, so that you really can picture what you have to do.

Kristina

December 26, 2019

Using a piece of paper under tiny seams to get the fabric to feed through

Naomi

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to trace the size I want of a multi sized pattern onto cheap white tissue paper instead of cutting off larger sizes. Then I can reuse the same pattern for all of the sizes and I still have a clean pattern to trace again when the one I’m using wears out.

HannahT

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use a zig-zag (overlocking stitch) on my seams to prevent the ends from fraying.

Karen Decker

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to Measure twice, cut once.

Candy

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip it’s to use tissue paper under very thin fabrics like tulle when you are machine sewing them. The paper is easy to remove and the material doesn’t shift.

DONNA

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to press seams when sewn and trim those threads to keep your work neat and tidy.

Betty Adams

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is press your item as you go. Don’t try to press it at the end and
expect a neat item.

Vicki

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use tracing paper in your printer to print the pattern pieces. I cut the tracing paper down to the 8 1/2 × 11 size so the printer will accept it. It is easier to pin and cut around than regular paper. Once in awhile my printer gets temperamental and 2 sheets will slide at the same time. It may be that printers weren’t designed for it, but it does work the majority of the time for me.

allison

December 26, 2019

Flat construction!!! It makes doll clothes so much easier to finish!

BonnieGayle

December 26, 2019

This is a do as I say not as I do ; ). I really try to finish an old project before going on to a new one. One new, one old. Some day I will get caught up.

Diane

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to hold a small piece of white paper behind the sewing machine needle when I’m threading it, it makes the hole easier to see. My first Home Economics teacher taught us that pressing seams and clipping threads as you go is the difference between the finished project looking ‘hand made’ instead of ‘home made’.

Nadeen D Ward

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is flat construction methods, especially for my doll clothes. Making everything easier to do whatever your sewing level is.

Randi Haszel

December 26, 2019

My favorite tor number one tip is to read through Thoroughly. Many times I have had to seem rip bitches because I sold something together the wrong way create through all instructions and be sure to understand them before you so any projects

Autumn

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is using wash away wonder tape instead of pins when I need to get it exactly right, or when pins are going to be in the way. Especially with slippery fabric, the tape just makes it stick exactly where it needs to be, so I can sew it on. It’s also great for using the button sew-on foot with tiny buttons that can’t be held by the rubber foot. It’s opened up a whole new world of pattern options – I can sew buttons and buttonholes both with my machine. Yay!

Carol

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is…baste wiggly fabrics by hand, then stitch with a walking foot.

A.K.

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to know the right people. I really couldn’t do it without the support team of y’all to answer my questions and give me the encouragement to start challenging projects!

Kristin

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip…well I probably have a lot of faves, but first thing that comes to mind is using scotch tape to hold doll buttons in place while I sew them on by machine. Sometimes doll buttons are a little too small for my button sewing foot so another tip that goes along with this is using my open toe zig-zag/decorative stitch foot to hold the button in place while I drop the feed dogs and zig zag the button in place.

Diane

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is when serging doll sleeves and armholes, I disengage the serger blade to ensure no accidents occur in a very tight area.

Charlene

December 26, 2019

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is…" to wear a magnifier when working on very small areas. I picked one up at a rummage sale. It’s the type that has a band that goes across the forehead and the magnifier swivels up and down. This particular one has several magnifiers that can be exchanged with the one on the headband.

Marjorie Brown

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to use the wash away wonder tape for more then just zippers, holds your hem up for even sewing, I use it on sleeves to Aline the shoulder seam and under seam with sleeve. 2 small strips one at top and bottom. Probably a lot more uses.

Nancy

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick/tip is to use pinking shears when clipping curves around armholes and necklines, or anyplace else my patterns say to clip curves. It is much easier and quicker than snipping with shears and looks very neat when I’m finished.

Krynne

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip or trick is to be sure to read through all pattern instructions more than once, and then check each one off as you finish that step. The number of times I’ve missed a small, but important step before I did this was more than you would think!

Karen Clark

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to PRESS all your seams and seam allowances as you go along! Doing this will make a big difference as to how your project looks when you done with it!

Amy B

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is change your needles frequently. A dull needle can really mess up your project

Blue

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use leaders/Enders. You can work on a quilt in addition to your doll outfit.

Judith

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is have your supplies and equipment in order before you start.

SHERRY

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using a purple thang. Great help when sewing small projects and opening seams prior to using a small iron.

Gwen

December 26, 2019

My fabvorite sewig tip is to iron or press out wrinkles in faric before cutting to avoid mismatched pieces.

Grandma Freckles

December 26, 2019

my favorite sewing tip is: when sewing several of the same pattern, do all of each step to them all & then move on to the next step. The only time this doesn’t work is when you are using different colored thread for different colors of fabric, but the same pattern.

kathi

December 26, 2019

I have been sewing for over 50 years, but I still found there are so many excellent tips here!! The one I think is the most important is iron as you go, it does make a difference. Thanks for all the tips, I am writing many of these down so I will remember to try them!!

Pennid

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is how to gather: pull up the bottom thread, hold the bottom and top threads, and using the longest zig zag stitch, stitch over these threads. Pull on the threads as you stitch to gather.

margaret

December 26, 2019

My fav. sewing tip snip snip snip excess in the seams and pres, pres, press!

Donna

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use an even feed foot.

Pauline

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is : Pin Baste Press

Jennifer Queener

December 26, 2019

Wind extra bobbins

Cindi Kelch

December 26, 2019

I like to use an awl, large darning needle or stiletto to help hold and guide fabric under the presser foot. It’s especially useful with bulky fabrics and when stitching gathered fabric to a flat section. Just be careful not to run over it!

Diana L Vagle

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip for beginning sewers is when you cut out patterns accurately and carefully assembling a project goes easier and much more quickly!

Brenda

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to ONLY have one project at my sewing machine at a time, all the little pieces can get quite confusing when you are making multiple outfits for great-granddaughters (making two of everything doesn’t help either!)

Suzanne

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to sew a basting stitch on hem then press up and sew the hem.

Paula

December 26, 2019

Trying a new pattern often and looking for new ideas keeps one interested in sewing.

Joy S

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to stop the machine if you must look away from the stitching. I have ripped out too many seams and resewn because of looking away. Even when adjusting fabric.

Susan

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using medical exam table paper to trace all my patterns on. It is quite strong, but easy to see markings and trace pattern. This allows me to keep all my pattern pieces whole and I never lose or misplace them. It is also easy to make adjustments or adaptions without messing up the original pattern.

Karen

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to step away from your project when things aren’t going well. Take a break!

Carol J

December 26, 2019

Using a “walking foot” for multiple layers or thicknesses- best investment ever.

Carolyn Carrothers

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using a fork to make pleats on the doll skirts

Julia

December 26, 2019

PRESS EVERYTHING!