December 26, 2019

Hi everyone, Welcome to Day 2 of our 12 Days Of Christmas celebration! Today we are giving away another $25 Pixie Faire gift card one lucky winner!

Giveaway Update: Congrats to RuthAnn D. she is the winner of the $25 gift card and has been contacted by email!

The gift card can be used towards any item available on Pixie Faire! Woot, Woot!

Bonus Fun For Sewing With Cinnamon! Just 11 days left to take advantage of our promotional pricing for just $96.00 for an annual Sewing With Cinnamon membership. That's almost half-off the current rate of $14.99/month! This offer will be good for twelve days only - December 25th - January 5th, so don't miss out!

If you're not interested in the annual subscription, you can also join at the monthly rate of $14.99 and cancel at any time. You will receive all of the bonuses and content for the current month, and subsequent months while you are a member.

Learn more about all the amazing benefits of the Sewing With Cinnamon membership community here: Sewing With Cinnamon and stay tuned as we announce all the surprises that will be offered to new and existing subscribers during the 12 days of Christmas celebration!

But wait! There's more!

To sweeten the deal even more, we've added a new bonus for all Sewing With Cinnamon members - the Liberty Jane Ginza Girl pattern and the full sew-along video is now a permenently free SWC bonus! Make this darling coat dress and capelet for your 18-inch American Girl doll with complete confidence!

How To Enter The PF Gift Card Giveaway:

Simply comment on this blog post finishing the following sentence…

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is..."

Comments must be left (on this blog post) by midnight (pacific) on Thursday 12/26/2019.

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.

The winner will be chosen randomly from the comments received and contacted through the email provided in the comment. We will update the post with the chosen winner as well on the following day.

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

We will choose a winner and modify this post tomorrow to let everyone know who won.

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!

Cinnamon & Jason and the Pixie Faire Team

100 Comments

Denise

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use 1/4 fusible tape for sewing knit hems

Char

December 26, 2019

Since sewing knits is always a challenge I like the tip of using stabilizer at the beginning of a seam.

Peggy Howard

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to always iron as you go

Jan

December 26, 2019

After reading all these tips, I can’t think of anything that hasn’t been said!

Glenda Whittaker

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to imagine the possibilities of things to create. Try different techniques, challenge yourself, enjoy what you create, take pride that it’s made by you.

Emma Wyatt

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is using a 1/4" quilting pressure foot to make my seams more accurate.

Arlene

December 26, 2019

My best sewing tip is to make sure the seam allowances are correct. Things can go wrong quickly with wrong seam allowances.

Anna S

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use an extra small rotary cutter to cut out doll clothes pieces. Usually I don’t even have to pin the pattern on top of the fabric, and the tiny blade rolls around the curves nicely. It’s the only way I cut knit fabrics, but I love using it for wovens too! (But keep your scissors handy in case you miss a spot with the rotary cutter!)

Barb S

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is pressing each step of the way. Makes life much easier.

Jane

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is for storing my patterns. I put them in page protectors and then in a 3 ring binder.

Carol

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use plastic page protectors to hold all my pattern pieces. I slide the cover picture in front and the instructions behind the protector and place them in ring binders with tabs to organize by type i.e., dresses, skirts, pants, etc.

TrishC

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to wind multiple bobbins before I start sewing quantities of any item.

Christa

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is using a rolled hem presser foot for tiny doll clothes hems.

Rita C.

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to hold onto the bobbin thread and top thread and pull slightly to the back of your machine before starting to sew on knits. This prevents the machine from gobbling your fabric.

Roxanne

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is stop sewing when tired.

Christi

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use a bobby pin to turn narrow straps, etc right side out and to thread elastic and drawstrings. I use this all the time!

Theresa

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is..follow directions for the best results….this applies to more than just sewing.

Venita

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use a sewing machine mat with pockets at my cutting table. I slip the part that goes under the sewing machine under the cutting mat. I keep scissors, tape measure, rotatory cutter, pencil, safety glove, seam ripper, etc in the pockets.

sheila

December 26, 2019

my favorite tip is to iron favorite pattern pieces on medium weight fusible interfacing so they can be reused over and over again and file in clear sleeves and stored in storage box with handles—-makes transporting easy!

Debra

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to trace the small doll collar pieces onto the fabric then sew and trim. Makes turning around the curves so much easier and accurate.

Melinda

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is i make my pattern pieces on thin plastic placemat then hole punch top and hang all my doll cloth’s patterns

Ann

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is I use wash away thread for basting.

Darlene R

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to put on some music, relax, and have fun!

Hannah

December 26, 2019

. . . tracing the pattern onto freezer paper then ironing the freezer paper onto my fabric to cut out. This is especially useful tip for sewing stretch fabrics.

MARTY

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to put a strip of water soluble stabilizer beneath the seam of knit fabric. Lots less moving knits! Hand basting tiny curves is my second favorite tip.

Emma Wyatt

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use my quilting pressure foot to sew 1/4" seams. It makes it easier to do them.

Kay

December 26, 2019

Always pre-wash cottons before cutting out your pattern! This avoids later shrinkage.

Debby

December 26, 2019

Since I sew for multiple size dolls… One of my favorite tips is to cut out the largest doll size from a piece of fabric first… then the next size down etc. until I have used up all the fabric and save any larger scraps for designing appliqués…

Laura

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to double check the directions before I sew a step…saves lots of ripping out time!

Patty

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to keep my scissors sharpened especially at the tips!

Jenni

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to run a gather stitch on a sleeve to gather and make it easier to attach to the arm.

Becky

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip was learning how to make those tiny hems.

Kay

December 26, 2019

It’s not exactly a trick, it’s the tip. You should always pre-wash your curtains before selling them. Pretty shrinking is very important

Claire T

December 26, 2019

My favorite swing tip is to use my 1/4 inch foot for perfect 1/4 inch seams, and press each seam as needed using a small iron and wool mat.

Renee

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip for sewing doll clothes is to dial your stitch length to 20 or more stitches per inch. You will have much more control over curves and small pieces, and your collars and necklines will look very smooth.

Cheryl Markle Bomar

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is take your time and enjoy your hobby!! Thanks!!

Laura

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is use That Purple Thang as a stiletto, for pulling up the bobbin thread, for turning corners, etc. Just a fantastic multi-use tool that I use over and over while sewing!

DeLynn

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to put on my favorite music while I sew. You get double enjoyment.

Carol

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to have a well organized sewing area, helps me stay focused.

Megan

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to always read the instructions all the way through BEFORE doing anything else. It saves unpleasant surprises later!

Johan Daniels

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip also came from a teacher long long ago: When using fabrics that look the same or are the same on both sides, mark the wrong side (inside) fabric pieces you have cut out with a small piece of Scotch tape. This prevents sewing the wrong side of the piece to another and having to unpick!

Maureen W.

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip or sewing trick is: I misplaced?LOL, my chalk pen, so I used a sliver of bar soap, to outline my pattern piece! Worked like a charm….so now I have that in my sewing arsenal….Happy Holidays 😉

Margaret

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use my mother’s 1939 featherlight singer sewing machine to make the small doll clothes from Pixie Faire for my granddaughter.

Patty Ealy

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is iron as you go.

Angela

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to press as I go, which I’m bad at, because it makes it so much easier.

Leanna

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is using Wash Away Wonder Tape on tricky placements or fiddly little items. It’s a double-sided sticky tape that washes away after you use it. I can stick a zipper on, a hem, an applique, or anything tricky exactly where I want it. Just use it next to your seam line (I wouldn’t sew through it), or as a ‘dot’ to hold an applique in place. It’ll disappear in the first wash.

Judith

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use fold over elastic for waistbands. There are so many colors that it’s easy to find a coordinating color. Since so many doll pants and skirts are pull on variety using fold over elastic speeds up the process of finishing the waist.

Jennifer K.

December 26, 2019

My tip is for pattern storage. I place each printed pattern in a 9 × 12″ full window front envelope which are available through envelope supply companies. Easy to find the pattern I’m looking for and I write notes on the envelope back as I sew the pattern.

Bethanne R

December 26, 2019

My tip is to have a pair of thread nippers at every “station”. Sewing machine, ironing board and serger. I buy them buy the dozen and can’t sew without them. I’m

Connie

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to read through the directions before you start a project.

Darlene

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is one I learned from a Pixie Faire video. Trim light weight iron on interfacing to a scant 1/4" and iron on seam and hem pieces of clothing items made with fabric that frays easily. So much easier to sew.

Stacey

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is the classic measure twice and cut once. When I’m in a hurry I sometimes forget this tip and pay for it lol

Carol Bell

December 26, 2019

It’s too hard to choose a favorite, because I like them all. I love that the same good sewing techniques we use on humans’ clothes get used for making doll clothes, and give great results.

Angelica V.

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is hold onto that thread. what a big time saver. So many times I’ve had to stop and get that thread out. I’ve learned the hard way.

Lori K

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to press my seams as I go. Love this thread as I have learned so many new tricks to try as I read! Thank you all for sharing :)

Janice

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to make sure I have excellent lighting when working on sewing projects, especially when working with dark colors.

Rebecca

December 26, 2019

One of my favorite sewing tips is to press; a lot! I also love using a self healing magnetic cutting mat with small strong magnets holding the pattern pieces in place, and using a18mm rotary cutter.

Deirdre

December 26, 2019

Like Marie stated already, a Dritz 10" loop turner works great to quickly thread elastic through any straight seam. I’ve also found Clover Wonder Clips to be extremely helpful when holding many layers (such as bias bindings) or for fabrics that don’t pin easily like leather chamois. Thank you, Pixie Faire, for thinking up this contest — I’m picking up some great tips!

Cheryl Pigott

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is study how the pros do it. This site is fantastic and utube a remarkable tool.

Tamela

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to remember to get up and walk around every 30 min or so to reduce your chances of developing blood clots in your legs when you get older!!

Jacque

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to iron as you go. All your garments will more professional. I keep a small iron and ironing board next to my machine.

Mendy

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to iron, iron, iron. I actually hate to iron, haha! But everything looks better when you do it. :)

Tamela

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to remember to get up and walk around every 30 min or so to reduce your chances of developing blood clots in your legs when you get older!!

Lynne

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip for sewing these Pixie Faire patterns is to use my 1/4" quilting foot. The pieces fit together so much better than when I used to “eyeball” the seam allowances.

Lynne

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip for sewing these Pixie Faire patterns is to use my 1/4" quilting foot. The pieces fit together so much better than when I used to “eyeball” the seam allowances.

Aggie Bollhorn

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to always press as you go!

June

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trip is to use tissue paper when sewing knit. When I buy a commercial pattern, I save all the large pieces of the tissue paper so I always have a stash.

Elaine

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to use a special tool that measures 1/4" for when i make doll quilts.

Joni Jones

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using paper under knits to prevent the material from bunching or going down the throat plate.

Susan

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to think of thread as a decoration – top stitching, especially for small dolls, can give an outfit just the right pizzazz!

Vicky

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tape is to read the pattern make sure you understand the instructions, make sure you have all the materials, make sure your iron is preheated and iron as you go see you get perfect creases and seams

Marie Kaetzel

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to make a new pattern out of paper towels to check for fit.

Kristen

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to sew multiple of the same thing at a time so I don’t have to keep changing the thread color.

Tamra

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to iron. Iron after you cut out your pieces, iron the seams, iron frequently as you go!

Nora

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use a small 18mm rotary cutter for cutting out patterns- it’s so much easier to cut accurate pieces, epecially around small curves.

Laura

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to gather all of my materials and tools before sitting down to sew, and start with a full bobbin. That helps me not get distracted and actually finish the project!

James

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is when making multiples, trying to keep them all the in the same colour family so I can use the same coloured thread. I also hem pants and sleeves before sewing them in or together – so much easier to sew that straight line rather than around that tiny circle!

fay

December 26, 2019

a trick my sewing teacher taught me back in the dark ages-when sewing with slick or slippery fabric. take a cotton swab and put a dot of glue on each end of the seam and one in the middle. then pin with appropriate number of pins. the glue keeps the fabric in place at each end of the seam and it sews much nicer without yelling at the fabric. now i use school glue stick and it washes tight out with a damp wash cloth.

Lyn K

December 26, 2019

My favourite tip is to keep a tidy work area, read all instructions, gather materials to make sure you have everything needed. Then have fun sewing.

Debbie

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to sew with natural light. When it gets dark outside I am so much more prone to mistakes.

Laurel

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is using lots of steam on knit hems and seams. The steam miraculously shrinks out the waves.

Karel P

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make sure you have all your notions before you start to sew. That’s a great time saver!

Cheryl

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to always mark the fabric that you are going to gather in half and again in fourths before making the gathers so the gathers are evenly spaced.

Sandy

December 26, 2019

For me a 1/4-inch seam allowance for gathering a skirt waistline is just not enough for 2 two rows of gatherings. I always increase the seam allowance of both matching bodice and skirt waist an equal amount for a faster and neater look. I sometimes even add a third basting line down a bit to make for perfect even gathers.

Michelle Nelson

December 26, 2019

There are so many amazing tips already listed. I don’t think I could add anything new. Such smart and talented people!

Connie

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to press seams as you work. It makes such a difference in your finished project.

Sally

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is use a very fine needle (size 12 sharp) and fine thread for hems and closing a seam with ladder stitch. It’s like invisible sewing.

Susan Botha

December 26, 2019

I Love to hand baste the little clothes a little wider than the 1/4 inch then it work beautiful for me when I stitch it with the machine..

Erni

December 26, 2019

My tip is to never sew on an empty stomach or without a good cup of coffee first. The mind is fresh and clear and so will the sewing project be.

Annie

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is making gathers by pulling the bobbin thread up to the top of fabric and pulling it out to the length of the gathered piece required. Then I lay the bobbin thread on the seamline, and holding it taut, I zigzag stitch over the bobbin thread to the end of the piece being gathered. Then I pin that piece to the main fabric, adjust gathers and stitch.

kelly

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to always read up on which needle you should be using for the kind of fabric you are sewing. There are no shortcuts.

Janie K

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make sure you have all your notions before you start to sew.

Valnora

December 26, 2019

my favorite tip is to press,press, press

Susan Botha

December 26, 2019

I Love to hand baste the little clothes a little wider than the 1/4 inch then it work beautiful for me when I stitch it with the machine..

PennyT

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is.. To use my edge stitch foot. It’s so handy for understitching, stitching in the ditch, edge stitching, top stitching and even hemming where it helps me to get a perfectly straight stitch line.

Trish

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a tricot binding or tulle strip to finish seam edges. I encase the edges then zigzag thru all thicknesses. Thanks!

Margaret W

December 26, 2019

Use the newer small clips instead of pins especially where pins may leave an imprint

Kathy S

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using wrapped corners to make them sharp. And when I store my pattern pieces I put then in 9×12 inch envelopes with a picture of the design on the front for storage in my filing cabinet.

Lisa Stewart

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to be sure you have your cell phone and house phone right beside you. It sure is a chore to get up and answer them! Also have multiple seam rippers stashed around the house. You’ll need them.

Geraldine

December 26, 2019

I use wide mouth recycled plastic cosmetic jars with screw on lids to store my pins in. Large jars for quilting pins & small ones with different color lids for the various types of straight pins like silk, ball point & glass head ones. A large magnetic parts dish purchased from an auto parts store keeps them in one place while sewing at the machine.

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December 26, 2019

Recent Articles

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

How To Enter The PF Gift Card Giveaway:

100 Comments

Denise

Char

Peggy Howard

Jan

Glenda Whittaker

Emma Wyatt

Arlene

Anna S

Barb S

Jane

Carol

TrishC

Christa

Rita C.

Roxanne

Christi

Theresa

Venita

sheila

Debra

Melinda

Ann

Darlene R

Hannah

MARTY

Emma Wyatt

Kay

Debby

Laura

Patty

Jenni

Becky

Kay

Claire T

Renee

Cheryl Markle Bomar

Laura

DeLynn

Carol

Megan

Johan Daniels

Maureen W.

Margaret

Patty Ealy

Angela

Leanna

Judith

Jennifer K.

Bethanne R

Connie

Darlene

Stacey

Carol Bell

Angelica V.

Lori K

Janice

Rebecca

Deirdre

Cheryl Pigott

Tamela

Jacque

Mendy

Tamela

Lynne

Lynne

Aggie Bollhorn

June

Elaine

Joni Jones

Susan

Vicky

Marie Kaetzel

Kristen

Tamra

Nora