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

Debbie

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip that has really helped me is to iron Velcro before trying to sew it. Honestly before I did this I had lots of skipped stitches… Try it!

Lorretta Hurd

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip and my go to Ll the time is organization of my sewing items. I try to keep like minded items together at all time. Lace with lace, zippers with zippers, Rick rad with rib rack etc. This makes for sewing ease when you can find items when being creative.

Clarissa

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to cut straight pieces, like cuffs, pockets and waistbands with a rotary cutter and ruler instead of pinning on pieces and trying to cut a straight line with scissors.

Marsha

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to inspect each seam as you go so you won:t be surprised when it is too late to correct.

Dawn

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to cut out multiples of a pattern when you are ready to start sewing you can get more done when you sit down to sew.

CdnCrafter

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip or trick is to serge the unfinished edge of fabrics before pre-washing them to prevent that snarled mass of loose threads.

Jeri

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to cut the same pattern from different fabrics so I can make more than 1 outfit at a time.

Jeri

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to cut the same pattern from different fabrics so I can make more than 1 outfit at a time.

Dori

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use chop sticks to carefully push out corners after turning

Christie

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip or trick is to use tissue paper to stabilize knits. It has changed the way I choose fabrics and patterns because I’m no longer afraid of knits!

Jan Polander

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use women’s hankies for trim or embellishment. The fancy edges and embroidered designs are great for inserts, collars and tank tops.

Sharon Thomas

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to put your tools away after each project so you can find them again easily. Oh, and read the manual for your machine.

Janet Holt

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is iron, iron, iron as much as you sew. Your item will look so much more professional.

Sue

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is patience-don’t give up if you don’t get something right the first time.
Just try, try, again.

Laura Sustar

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is adding to lining pieces. I have been sewing for 18 inch dolls and have found that I always add at least 1/4 to the lining pieces which I can trim away if not needed. Covering bulk , such as gathers, can be trying with only 1/4 inch of fabric lining.

Ruth

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip when sewing is to take a break and reread instructions when one becomes frustrated.

Rebecca

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to do assembly line sewing where possible. I usually make multiples, so it is easier to do the same step on all garments at once.

Lori Rennick

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is when I purchase a pattern on line, I download it and immediately send it to iBooks on my phone. This way I don’t have to print out pages and pages of instructions and I know exactly where it is when I need it.

Kathy

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip or trick is to repurpose tshirts for cheerleader outfits.

linda king

December 26, 2019

One of my favorite tip is use gallon size Ziploc bags. When I have time I will cut out several outfits and rather then stack them up, I put them in the bags, they stay clean and together and ready to start when time permits!

Susan

December 26, 2019

My tip is to read the directions completely before starting any cutting or sewing. This way you are not missing any supplies and the design will go smoothly.

Linda A C

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using a long-handled telescoping magnet that I can just swish all around the floor around my chair to pick up any pins that have fallen down instead of keep bending over and picking them up.

Karen

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is read the directions thoroughly, but think outside the box.

Lynn

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to clean and oil your machine frequently and change needles often. It makes a big difference in machine performance and sewing success!

Cathy

December 26, 2019

Always read all directions before starting project.

Quinna

December 26, 2019

A magnetic seam guide saves the day when working with little pieces!

Marilyn Higgins

December 26, 2019

I like to use thrift store shirts or sheets for doll clothes. I make sure the items do it have stains when I buy them.

Linda

December 26, 2019

My favourite tip is to read over your instructions first & make sure you have all the supplies you will need before starting. Refer to your instructions often, being sure to follow any included helpful hints or tips.

Ginger Harris

December 26, 2019

my favorite sewing tip is to cut out in bulk, then sort pieces by color of thread. This saves having to change thread so often. I sort the pieces onto trays I got at Michaels, I include the pieces, different feet if using, the thread and bobbin and any elastic, Velcro, etc. Keeps me organized.

Patricia

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing hint is to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! A pattern, a fabric you have never used, a technique you have read about but not tried, a notion that is new to you. Giving up the “I can’t do that” attitude will open the creative energy in you that you never knew you had.

Eileen

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make patterns out of interfacing. I sew many things that I make multiple items of and the interfacing stays nice for multiple uses.

Judy McP

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to invest in ironing tools and use them, often. A good steam iron, a mini-pressing tool, tailor’s ham, and a a doll sized sleeve board are musts.

Mary

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use a hemostat to grab and turn tubes, sleeves, and small items like gloves and socks inside out. Much easier for arthritic fingers than using a traditional bodkin.

PATRICIA

December 26, 2019

When I’m doing a lot of gathering, I use fishing line to zig zag over and then tie a small loop in each end so we doesn’t slip through. I use the loops top put my finger in to pull up and adjust gathers. Once I tack down , I clip one loop off and pull out and then sew over one more time to secure gathers.

Ali

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a washable purple glue stick to line up slippery material.

Jayne

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to believe in yourself.

Laurie

December 26, 2019

My tip is to pay attention to scale when choosing fabrics. I reuse kid’s clothes sometimes, because the fabric has a smaller print.

Karen Carroll

December 26, 2019

When sewing doll clothes, I cut out all the desired outfits before beginning to sew. That way the only interruption I have is getting something to drink or eliminating that drink!

Beula

December 26, 2019

A favorite sewing hint is to use those left over fabrics and/or old clothes to make doll clothes. It’s fun to tell them the outfit was made from something grandpa or grandma wore. My granddaughters love matching outfits made for themselves and their dolls. Don’t throw away scraps….they can always be used for a cute small quilting project.

Pat P

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is the use of coffee filters. I typically start all of my seams on a strip of a coffee filter and then continue sewing on to my fabric. This is especially good with knits.
This prevents the fabric from getting caught in the machine under the feed dog.

Brisja

December 26, 2019

My tip is to make multiples of each pattern as you learn it. I like to try different colors and prints to see how they all turn out. If I make several at the same time, I don’t forget how to do each tricky piece or make mistakes as I go along. Once I’ve made several, I am ready to try a new pattern and start the process all over again with a new challenge! And I have lots of lovely doll clothes and accessories made from each pattern.

Elizabeth

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick is to read the directions all the way through before starting, Iron as you go if needed, and make sure you have every thing ready before you start.

Kathryn

December 26, 2019

self lining doll bodices

Dolly

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip/trick is to hold the threads out the back when starting to sew to keep your machine from “eating” your fabric and to use a coffee filter for finer fabrics or knits. A real life saver! I’ve already passed a lot of these little secrets along to my granddaughters who like to sew.

Kathi M

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is using the double faced tape for zippers. It changed my sewing!

Karen

December 26, 2019

I use crochet cotton and a zigzag stitch on the wrong side of the fabric for gathering. Also, cut the gathered edge a little bit bigger so the edges aren’t compromised by the zigzag stitch. Second tip, if a bodice has a neckline that is faced, I will usually cut a full lining for the bodice instead. This gives a smoother look.

Connie C

December 26, 2019

Patience. That is my favorite sewing tip. It is almost a guarantee that I will mess something up if I try to hurry! ;) Oh and the iron is your friend; use it before, during and after. Why bother to sew if your finished piece looks like it was waded into a ball after washing and left to dry that way. ;)

Beth

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip? Sew with a friend!

Patti Michels

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is that “the devil is in the details” truly. Pay attention to the little things, flat line that flimsy fabric, Hong Kong or French those seams, use snaps and buttons instead of hook and loop tape and hand sew those hems. All of these things take more time of course but we are not just making doll clothes we are making garments to stand the test of time. Take pride in what you create.

Debi

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use a hang up jewelry organizer to store my sewing machine feet. Then I label each pocket or use the label that came with the feet. They’re all visible, so it’s easy to find what I need.

Melissa M.

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to make sure to cut out the pattern just outside the lines so there is room for error while sewing seams.

Nancy

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is let the little ones in your life help pick out embellishments or materials designs, for clothes for their dolls.

Jo Collins

December 26, 2019

Organize Patterns: place pattern in plastic sleeve in notebook. Include instructions in skeeve

michelle

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is shopping thrift stores for fabric,patterns,notions even sewing books

Bonnie Lewis

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing trick or tip is to mark the length of elastic needed on the elastic with a pencil or pen but don’t cut it. Thread the end onto a bodkin or use a tiny safety pin to pull the elastic through the casing. Sew the free end to the end of the casing, then pull the marked end out the other side until you see the mark. Secure that end and then cut the elastic. That way you never lose the elastic inside the casing.

Connie Shaw

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip or trick is ask others when lost or confused, you’ll save yourself a lot of ti.e pulling out stitches.

Laurie B

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip for making gathers is to make three lines of basting stitches 1/8 inch apart and then pull the top threads not the bobbin threads for much more even gathers.

Deb

December 26, 2019

I do historical reenacting and sew my own historical clothes, and I also sew rag dolls and clothes. My favorite sewing trick is to use scraps and left overs from the clothes I sew to make the dolls and doll clothes.

Lynn

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip it to keep all of the items for a project together in a large, zip-lock bag. Especially handy for keeping the cut pieces, notions, and pattern all together.

Debbie siltala

December 26, 2019

My favorite to is to read directions so the way thru before starting to sew

Gail Kellison

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use white vinegar on a q-tip to remove the purple ink from the disappearing ink pen. Most of us know that sometimes the ink just doesn’t disappear. You don’t even have to touch the fabric with the q-tip. Just hold it above the ink and the vinegar will quickly make it totally disappear.

Melissa

December 26, 2019

Read all the directions down to the last sentence before starting – saves a headache down the line

Debbie siltala

December 26, 2019

My favorite to is to read directions so the way thru before starting to sew

Beth

December 26, 2019

My tip is to use coffee filters when sewing knits. They are stabilized and the filters tear away easily. I learned this in Sewing with Cinnamon.

Elizabeth N

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to “hide” all of the thread ends, and to start a project early enough that I don’t have to rush!

Jeanette

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is to use basting tape or glue on small seams and zippers. I love my blasting tape ❤️

Sharon

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to recycle clothing for fabric. I have been using some of my daughters cloths to make outfits for my granddaughters dolls.

Jeanne Thurber

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use scraps of tear-a-way stabilizer at the beginning and end of seams for doll clothes to prevent the fabric from bunching or getting caught up when back stitching to lock the seam.

Beth

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to press open all seams. Thanks for the contest.

Diane

December 26, 2019

My best sewing tip would be to read all these tips and learn from them. It had been fifty plus years since I had done any serious sewing when I decided to start sewing doll clothes.

Rufus

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use liquid stitch when possible on hems and facings for small doll clothes to eliminate frustration.

Bobbi

December 26, 2019

If you want a true color match wait for natural light..

keeley

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is to make a mock of the garment first – then you arent stressed about wasting lovely fabric, and you know what could go wrong throughout the project.

Lois

December 26, 2019

My favourite tip is to go directly to the summary of instructions first and use these rather than printing ALL the pics. If I need to review something, then I will check the pics. This is not always wise for the beginner but a more experienced sower.

Elizabeth

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to read the instructions completely before beginning the project.

Margaret Goodman

December 26, 2019

I use French seams on my sewing projects when possible. They leave a neat clean finish to seams with no worries about the seams fraying, especially good for doll clothes which will undergo many years of putting on and off dolls by children.

Claudette M Straub

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to always read all the instructions before starting. This can save you steps and frustration.

Claudette M Straub

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to always read all the instructions before starting. This can save you steps and frustration.

Kathy Goldenbogen

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to under stitch a facing to keep it from rolling back.

Helene Dahl

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to read the instructions before starting.

Doris

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is..read instructions instead of going by the pictures!!

Melissa

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to make sure you sew in the direction the pattern calls for. Understanding the pattern before sewing is very important.

Jackie

December 26, 2019

My favorite SEWING tip is to use a small safety pin attached to you elastic to pull though the garment you are trying to gather.

Lorraine Ennis

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use Collins 1/4” or 1/8” double sided basting tape to hold down small seams or to hold folded over facings in place while sewing . This allows you to sew from the right side of the fabric creating perfect topstitching and eliminating the puckers that can be caused by pins.

MaryEllen

December 26, 2019

Just be organized!

Sheila

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is read all the directions first and use a 1/4 in foot to make sure the seams are even.

Pam

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to change your needle at the start of each new project. Stock up on needles and don’t be stingy. Use a dedicated jar or bottle to throw the old needles and pins in. When I get a lot, I screw on the top, tape it shut and throw it away.

Dixie

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is to use a small pinking shears to cut fabric. It makes the seams look so nice when sewing small doll clothes!

Candy

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip it to use tissue paper under very lightweight fabrics to help stabilize the material and keep it from shifting while sewing it. The tissue paper is easy to remove afterward.
Happy holidays to you!

Allison C

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use iron-on hook and loop material! And to use old clothing for material. It’s fun to see daddy’s old shirt turned into a beautiful gown!

Sandra Stuckless

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip or trick is to wash and pre-shrink my cotton fabrics so the size of my finished garment doesn’t change totally if I have to launder it at some later date.

Leah

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip or trick is to use glue stick to keep the Velcro in place while you’re sewing it on.

Sheila Chelednik

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to get all of the materials together before I start the project. The. I lay out and cut the patterns for all of the items I am making before I start sewing.

Mary

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip is to use a marking pen that disappears when ironed to mark curved edges when sewing doll clothes. That helps me have a consistent 1/4 inch seam when sewing small curved edges.

Barb E

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use steam a seam when using Velcro so the Velcro stays in place while sewing.

Donna

December 26, 2019

My favourite sewing tip is to buy girl’s party dresses at the local thrift stores. This way I can get a variety of fancy fabrics at an affordable price. Plus the fabric is already hemmed and you a pre-made ruffled underskirt ready to go.

Guinivere

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to read a patterns instructions before trying to make a new project.

Marie

December 26, 2019

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using a tube turner to run elastic into pants ,sleeves and skirts! The tube turner is about 10" long with a latch hook on the end. You slide it into the tube ,hook the elastic on and pull it through, don’t forget to pin both ends. I used a safety pin before that! I have another when hemming I use long quilting pins and when doing seams I use regular pins. The long pins hold the hem well and slide out as you stitch small pins do not work as well for hemming. I like the silk pin trick by Mary!

Fran Bott

December 26, 2019

I like to make sure I have plenty of bobbins filled with the right color(s) before sewing, so I don’t have to unthread and fill them in the middle of a project.

Melanie Leigh

December 26, 2019

My favorite tip is too watch the fabric not the needle

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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

Debbie

Lorretta Hurd

Clarissa

Marsha

Dawn

CdnCrafter

Jeri

Jeri

Dori

Christie

Jan Polander

Sharon Thomas

Janet Holt

Sue

Laura Sustar

Ruth

Rebecca

Lori Rennick

Kathy

linda king

Susan

Linda A C

Karen

Lynn

Cathy

Quinna

Marilyn Higgins

Linda

Ginger Harris

Patricia

Eileen

Judy McP

Mary

PATRICIA

Ali

Jayne

Laurie

Karen Carroll

Beula

Pat P

Brisja

Elizabeth

Kathryn

Dolly

Kathi M

Karen

Connie C

Beth

Patti Michels

Debi

Melissa M.

Nancy

Jo Collins

michelle

Bonnie Lewis

Connie Shaw

Laurie B

Deb

Lynn

Debbie siltala

Gail Kellison

Melissa

Debbie siltala

Beth

Elizabeth N

Jeanette

Sharon

Jeanne Thurber

Beth

Diane

Rufus

Bobbi

keeley

Lois

Elizabeth