12 Days of Christmas - Day 3 December 27th 2017

Karla

December 27, 2019

good lighting & reading the pattern before you start

marciaf

December 27, 2018

my favorite sewing tip is to use fresh needles and a clean sewing machine.

Melanie

December 12, 2018

My favorite tip is reading ALL of the pattern pieces and steps first. It has saved me a lot of ripping because I tried to do it without reading the pattern.

Caprina

January 07, 2018

Use the top rounded part of the seam ripped to take out stitches on fine fabrics. There are a lot of good ideas here.

Teresa Powell

December 29, 2017

My favorite era is the early 1900’s and my sewing tip is to have patience and not get in a hurry. If you mess up , think of it as your own special creation.

Linda

December 29, 2017

My favorite tip is to be sure to have everything you need when you start your project. Nothing like getting to a point where you have to stop because you don’t have something. That can still happen, no matter how well you plan, but it is frustrating. I don’t have as much time as I’d like to sew, so when I do sit down at my machine, I usually have a time limit.

Cheryl

December 29, 2017

my favourite sewing tip trick is to always have a thread bag handy with my seam ripper at my finger tips

Ellyn

December 28, 2017

My favorite era of clothing and fashion is the 50s I’d love to see a pattern for poodle skirt embellishments

Ellyn

December 28, 2017

My sewing trick is an organized work space.

Linda L

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to always have your seam ripper handy lol and good lighting.

Robin

December 28, 2017

READ all the way through the directions before you start SEWING. Always iron, iron, iron!

Sandra

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to choose fabric that is easy to work with.

Pamela Chabillon

December 28, 2017

My favourite sewing tip is to baste first.

Linda Heinz

December 28, 2017

I would love to win this for my granddaughter.

melissa

December 28, 2017

My favorite tip is to have good lighting. It makes a huge difference

Aggie Bollhorn

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to take your time and baste before you do final sewing on difficult areas.

Lisa Simpson

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to set your sewing machine speed for a little slower and take your time. I find that my sewing is a lot more neat when I go slower. Thank you so much for your kindness!!

dorothea

December 28, 2017

I love to use scraps for small projects like doll clothes. Also fun to make matching dresses for the little girl and her doll.

Jenn Fruend

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to Buy quality fabric so that your projects last forever.

Debbie

December 28, 2017

I like all the styles that are easy to ew!!

Diane

December 28, 2017

I love the 1800’s and would love to see a sun bonnet pattern!

Lori

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to not get in a hurry to finish a project. Take your time and pay attention to getting every step perfect. You will be glad you did when you have the completed project and it is perfect.

Bea

December 28, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is creative, imagination.

Brenda

December 28, 2017

My favourie tip is only make things you enjoy sewing – otherwise it becomes a chore instead of a pleasure

Brenda

December 28, 2017

My favorite trick is to always have a sharp seam ripper! Become friends with it You will use it alot!

Milica

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip for sewing is to take short breaks to stretch and move around a bit, to stay alert while sewing.

Autumn

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to upload frequently used patterns into Cricut Design Space and have my Cricut Maker cut them out for me. It saves tons of time with pinning and cutting, and saves my hands from getting sore!

Beth P

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to press seams as you go along.

Terry T

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is recycle, repurpose and reuse.
Go to thrift stores to find fabric, formals to make dresses, old jeans for dresses, skirts and jeans.

Shannon Eileen

December 27, 2017

My sewing tip is go slowly and carefully! Slowest always wins the race!

Deanna

December 27, 2017

Make friends with your iron – pressing gives great results.

Carla

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to use wash-away thread for basting by hand and in some cases by machine, such as when making mini piping. The basting thread disappears when the garment is rinsed or washed, reducing thread buildup in the seam allowance. Just remember to change to regular sewing thread for the final stitching of the seam!

Brittany

December 27, 2017

Mine is the same I learned for carpentry- measure twice, cut once!

Dulce

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to use a permanent marker to divide the space on an old pincushion. I label each small space for Universal, Embroidery and Quilting needles, along with the needle size (i.e., 75/11). When I’m done using a machine needle that still has “mileage” on it, I put it in the pincushion in its proper place, ready to use another time.

Debra

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is after you make a project and you love it and want to make it many times, trace and cut the pattern pieces from template plastic. Nothing is more frustrating that flimsy or torn paper patterns. Template plastic pattern pieces are easily traced onto fabric over and over.

Melody Tregear

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing trick is to use a needle threader when threading the needle of my sewing machine.

Michelle Smith

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing trick is using spray starch for stretchy fabrics. Makes it so much easier to sew without the fabric stretching horribly

Celeste Onorati

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip or trick is to use tissue when sewing sheer fabric.

Betty Hart

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is use your iron often while sewing. Never get in too much of a hurry to press each seam.

Patsy

December 27, 2017

Correction on comment..don’t throw away broken machine needles, keep them to hang pictures.

Patsy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip has to do with the needle. Always use a sharp needle by changing them often. If you aren’t sure if it is dull, just run it over your fingernail, if it leaves a mark, it needs to be changed. If you don’t believe me, just get a new needle and do the same, it will not leave a mark. If your don’t throw awayneedle breaks, do not throw away. Keep it hanging light weight picture

Pat B

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use my rotary mat and cutter to cut all my strips of foam for shoes and boots.

Nancy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to change needle position when top-stitching so that the presser foot is entirely on the fabric and the stitching line can be set exactly where you want it. On most machines simply change the stitch width when straight stitching. This moves the needle to the right or left as needed. This really helps when edge-stitching. Nancy

Megan

December 27, 2017

My tip is to repurpose old clothes for doll clothes when you can—especially for formal wear and denim—to use the original hems and details.

Lamar

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is use your iron! Press fabric flat before pinning and cutting and press all seams as you sew.

Bobbie

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to press each seam.as you go.

Cheryl

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to always wash the fabric and then starch it twice. This helps to give the fabric body and make it easier to sew and I never have the fabric slip down into my machine under my needle.

Cindy Nelson

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is use the recommended fabric so that the garment hangs and fits properly. Such pretty dresses! Thank you!

Debra

December 27, 2017

Never try sewing when you are tired. Wait a day and come back to the project when you have rested. Many mistakes can be avoided if you work on your project when you are fresh and well rested. :O)

VickyG

December 27, 2017

Avoid using the salvage edge. You might be tempted to use it for a straight seam since it doesn’t ravel. But it does not behave the same as the main fabric.
Use good thread.
If you’re having a problem with the stitching, rethread your machine. Even if you think/know you threaded it correctly the first time. Sometimes the thread is not seated properly in the tension disks.
When the presser foot is up, the thread tension is released. When the foot is down the thread is in tension

Lorraine M

December 27, 2017

When making doll clothes from different fabrics, I am always having to change needles to suit the various types of fabrics. Since the needle is not needing to be replaced with a new one yet, I made a little cloth book from cotton fabric. I cut several rectangles of fabric and stacked them on top of each other and sewed them together by sewing a line down the middle. Now I had a Needle Book to store my needles! With a pen I would mark each page with the type of needle I used. Example: Universal size 90, universal size 80, Stretch size 90 etc. Whatever needle I was using, I always made sure that the page of my book was displayed for me to see. That way if I left my sewing and came back to it another day, I always knew what type of needle and size was currently in my machine and if I had to switch to a different needle or not. Also, my Ott light has a magnifying glass that is very good for seeing the print on needles indicating the size, if there is a needle that just happened to be found laying around on the table.

Nicole Foos

December 27, 2017

A huge step is to press your seams. The end result is crisper with pressed seams.

Carol

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to pin a piece of ribbon to the inside corner and pull the ribbon to turn an article inside out and to press as you go.

Carla Treml

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is that my iron is my best tool. I press each seam as it is sewn.

Bethany

December 27, 2017

My favorite trick I learned recently is to make sure the foot of your machine is up when threading the top through, there’s a hidden tension plate (at least on my brother machine) that tightens when the foot is down. So running the thread through with the foot up allows the thread to fall into the gap where the hidden plate is and keep the right tension. Cleared up so many issues for me! Along with using good strong thread.

Huong

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to iron before making the bias tape.

V. Novak

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to make sure that you press the seams as you go along. Pressing as you are assembling makes your finished product look more professional. Thank you for the giveaway!

Nancy A.

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is: you can’t sew without an iron. Your projects always look better and the seams are more finished if you iron as you go.

Robin Clemons

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is something my mother taught many, many years ago, and that is to take your time and do it right the first time! You will have less stress and frustration if you don’t rush through your project.

Nina Kastner

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to make sure to cut fabric off of corners without cutting your sewing before turning. It also makes it easier to use your awl or pencil to get the fabric where you need it.

Kathie

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to put a piece of work that is causing frustration down for a little while. Often when I come back to it I find it sews together very easily.

Shalonda Hammond

December 27, 2017

My favorite thing to do is to cut out several outfits and accessories. I put them in ziplock bags. When I want to sew everything is ready.

Fish

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is don’t forget to take breaks from the sewing machine once in a while, and stretch?!

Sarah

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing top is to make the iron your friend. Use it thoughtfully and things always fit together better

Tracy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to use a straw to turn small tubes. Sew one end and then push the straw into it and then push the fabric from the sewn in through the straw with the blunt end of a crochet hook

Tove

December 27, 2017

I have 2 favourite tricks:
1: check the machine needle often, if it has the slightest bur, throw it out and take a new one
2: teach sewing skills to someone else, it is a thrill to teach my neighbour and my 7 young grandchildren…all who are now sewing at the machine

BarbaraCheney

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is the same as many others: READ. Read the directions thoroughly, noting the type of fabric, read ALL directions from beginning to end; be sure you have all necessary supplies.

Grace

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to play with materials – sometimes patterns and colours can look good together unexpectedly.

Annlee

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to read all the pattern through before you begin cutting or sewing.

D'Net

December 27, 2017

With my doll patterns, I keep the pieces for each view in a separate marked envelope that I keep in the original envelope. It makes for less effort when finding pattern pieces.

Bonny

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is taking the time to read and understand the pattern before I start to sew the dress or outfit together.

Marichu

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to spend the time learning about tips and tricks from other sewers from youtube videos, sewing blogs, and books.

Debbie

December 27, 2017

My favorit sewing tip or trick is having a pair of well-sharpened scissors that has not been used to cut paper!!

Carmen Allison

December 27, 2017

Read the instructions first, stay cool & calm & concentrate

Ksenia

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to clean your sewing machine often. I had a lot of problems with my sewing machine that stopped after I gave it a cleaning.

These are such pretty dresses! Thank you for the giveaway!

Carolyn

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip was taught to me by my best friends mother. When knotting the end of the thread, wind the thread around your pointer finger, roll the thread off the tip of your finger. The thread rolls off your finger automatically knotting the end. After you remove the knot, just pull it tight. Thank you Mrs V, I miss you.

Sandra

December 27, 2017

If I am modifying a pattern, I make a sample item out of an old piece of muslin to check the fit before cutting the good fabric. Also, a fine point disappearing ink pen is a great tool for marking.

Donna Merrill

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to think about who I am making each outfit for, usually one of my granddaughters, and how much she will enjoy playing with her doll with the new clothes, and enjoy the process.

Jeanette Wilson

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to decrease the stitch length on curves so they look smoother.

Anne

December 27, 2017

Take your time and enjoy the experience . Don’t get frustrated! Relax and things will go smoothly.

Ann

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing trick is to sew shankless buttons on by machine by dropping the feed dogs and using a zigzag stitch.

Nancy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to sew with your Daughter or Grand-Daughter for best experience ever.

JILL RADEKE

December 27, 2017

Take your time. When you try to rush a project, mistakes get made. Then you gotta rip out the stitches and try to start again.

Susan

December 27, 2017

Read the back of the pattern envelope to make sure you have everything that you need to make the outfit. (A 4-H tip)

Geanice

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use Velcro CLOSURES when possible. I am not very good with zippers or small button holes.

Deana

December 27, 2017

So many wonderful tips! And so many that I too have learned over my 50 years of sewing. I will add that my favorite tip is to teach what you know to any young ones in your life who show an interest as soon as you can. I started my girls and granddaughters sitting on my lap with my hands atop theirs. They were all excited when they were old enough to “reach the gas pedal” on their own! Not all of them sew all the time, but some do and the basic information is valuable for all young ladies ( and gentlemen) to know.

DELLASUE

December 27, 2017

When all else fails read the directions.

Elaine

December 27, 2017

I use a special spray on my patterns before I place then on the fabric. It helps to adhere without using pins.

Gayle

December 27, 2017

Love these

Kat

December 27, 2017

My tip is to use iron on interfacing with fancy/thin/slippery fabrics. I cut out the interfacing first, then apply to the fabric, then cut out the fabric. Be careful when ironing, and use a press cloth (like an old pillowcase). It adds a little bit of stiffness, and keeps fabric from shifting when you are cutting out….which keeps me from loosing my mind.

Kat

December 27, 2017

My tip is to use iron on interfacing with fancy/thin/slippery fabrics. I cut out the interfacing first, then apply to the fabric, then cut out the fabric. Be careful when ironing, and use a press cloth (like an old pillowcase). It adds a little bit of stiffness, and keeps fabric from shifting when you are cutting out….which keeps me from loosing my mind.

Paula Somers

December 27, 2017

“My favorite sewing trick, if ever turning corners out, use a wooden spoon- you can turn and press while turning w/o puncturing through the corners or fabric.

Sara

December 27, 2017

I read the pattern through before I start.And read as I go

Judy

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to press well during construction, and to under-stitch facings.

Lauralee Hensley

December 27, 2017

Definitely use interfacing if you are going to put in button holes and put interfacing in on the button side as well. It makes the button hole side and button side material to not curl in or twist. It also just hangs/drapes better. People may not think it is necessary on doll clothes, but really it does help it look better when the doll is dressed.

Donna C.

December 27, 2017

To think positive and take your time, you can do this.

Linda

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to cut out all of your patterns and fabric at once and put them in ziploc bags with all the notions that you will need to complete them including correct thread color. Then you can just grab a bag and start sewing whenever you feel like it or have time.

Joyce

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to share your skills and never think you cannot learn something new. I love to craft with friends and take classes whenever possible, and I learn new skills all the time.

Nicole

December 27, 2017

Use the denim needle made for your machine; it is your friend for ANY think, non-stretchy fabric

decar

December 27, 2017

my all-time favorite sewing tip is: Don’ t do it if you have had more than 1 glass of wine! It doesn’t take long to sew a mistake, but it can take ages to correct it!