12 Days of Christmas - Day 3 December 27th 2017

Welcome to the Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Celebration! Today we are giving away 3 Party Dresses to 1 lucky winner! The 3 dresses included in this giveaway are designed to fit 18-inch dolls such as American Girl®.  They are ready-made and will be shipped to you after the giveaway has ended. If you are interested in the sewing patterns for these dresses, please click the links below to learn more.

Giveaway Update: Congratulations to Linda S!  You've won the set of party dresses and have been contacted through email.

These beautifully handcrafted dresses featured are:

 

More pictures of these darling dresses...

Many of you have been sewing for years and many are just learning to sew - but all of us face challenges! The best part is we can all learn from each other! 

To enter simply respond to this post and complete this sentence:

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

Comments must be left (on this blog post) by midnight (pacific), 12/27/2017.

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 winners will be chosen randomly from the comments received and contacted through the email provided in the comment.

We will choose the winners 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.

Merry Christmas,

Cinnamon & The Liberty Jane / Pixie Faire Team


100 Comments

Julie
Julie

December 27, 2017

Sooo many tips….. one of my favorites is to re-purpose. Almost everything can be used in making doll items. Shop thrift store for used kids clothing / uniforms and use them to make clothes. Everyday items around the house can be used for doll furniture/ accessories etc.

Nancy
Nancy

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to always make notes in a pattern, especially when I do something wrong. My notes help keep me from making the same mistake the next time around!

Barbara
Barbara

December 27, 2017

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is to zigzag over a bobbin thread to easily gather skirts or puffed sleeves.“

Glenda LeValley
Glenda LeValley

December 27, 2017

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is to practice a line or two on scrap fabric before starting your project to make sure the tension, etc is working properly. That way you don’t mess up your project fabric which may be an expensive fabric.

Mary French
Mary French

December 27, 2017

My favourite tip is to read and then reread the pattern before doing anything

Elsie
Elsie

December 27, 2017

My favorite trick instead of clipping curves I use pinking shears on the seam edge. This gives the seam a nice finish and the curves turn very nice

Seren
Seren

December 27, 2017

My favourite sewing tip is don’t cut out tissue pattern pieces but trace them off onto light non iron on interfacing that way the pattern can be preserved and it’s way to make alterations to the tracing

faye
faye

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is sewing buttons on with my machine instead of by hand!

Missy
Missy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is getting a binder with paper protectors and putting my patterns in it. It keeps them organized and easily separated to find what I’m looking for!

Patty
Patty

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use tiny butterfly clips to hold the fabric on to the shoe base while the glue dries.

Pat
Pat

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to read directions first and then read with a highlighter in hand, making sure all special directions are noticed.

Rosemary
Rosemary

December 27, 2017

I like to cut multiples of each pattern and sew several in one sitting.

jaye
jaye

December 27, 2017

my favorite tip is find a sewing friend. together we understand the instructions better and share our sewing knowledge and ideas.

Beatrice
Beatrice

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is color coded bins for sewing items

Sue
Sue

December 27, 2017

Using old t shirts for doll clothes is my tip. Cost effective and Eco-friendly.

M.
M.

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to make sure I have a fresh pot of tea and some delightful cookies waiting for me, KNOWING I’ll make a mistake in sewing. That way, I will have some comfort before I begin the task of ripping out the mistake. Thanks for asking.

Cyndee
Cyndee

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is … there are so many! My main one is I like to buy girls clothes on clearance at the end of the season to make next year’s doll clothes. It’s hard to find small scale prints in the fabric store, so current clothes are perfect for cutting up and creating doll fashions. Last year I bought a bunch of swimsuits for $1 each! and made all my Wellie swimsuits out of them. They were darling, and sold quickly.

Pamela D.
Pamela D.

December 27, 2017

My favourite tip for sewing for dolls is embridering my granddaughter’s intitials somewhere inside the dress.
Whilst playing and exchanging clothes she always comes home with what belongs to her dolls. No arguments or hurt feelings. When I make for other children I do the same.

Cathy
Cathy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is that I soak my cloth in saltwater for a few hours, or overnight, then launder and iron it. I use coarse-pickling salt.
The salt keeps the colours from bleeding or fading, and the cloth is pre-shrunk, so your outfits will keep their shape after future washings. And iron, iron, iron!

Liz L
Liz L

December 27, 2017

A glue stick works well to hold small pieces together for future sewing.

Roxanne
Roxanne

December 27, 2017

My favourite sewing tip is to keep each individual pattern in a large ziplock baggie. I am forever losing pattern pieces unless I do this.

Lynne Marier
Lynne Marier

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tips and tricks are to upcycle and purchase remnants. I also use snaps as often as possible as they are easier for little fingers to maneuver.

Marcy Mahle
Marcy Mahle

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to copy patterns on cardstock, cover both sides with transparent permanent clear laminate. Really nice for patterns used over and over again. I usually trace around on fabric with a thin pencil.

Romina
Romina

December 27, 2017

Mi favorito tip es nunca dejar de aprender…leer y volver a leer las instrucciones… My favorite tip is to never stop learning … read and reread the instructions …

Mary Jo White
Mary Jo White

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to make paper copies of AG pattern pieces saving the originals. This gives a better piece to use in cutting material preserving the master.

Margaret DeBower
Margaret DeBower

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tips are press as I go and keep my projects in separate plastic bags until they are completed.

Rebecca
Rebecca

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to use tissue paper for small seams or delicate fabric. I used to get so aggravated when my machine ate the fabric.

Allison P
Allison P

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to use a rotary mat and cutter for easy fabric cutting. A clear quilting ruler makes measurements easy too.

Romina
Romina

December 27, 2017

Mi favorito tip es nunca dejar de aprender…leer y volver a leer las instrucciones… My favorite tip is to never stop learning … read and reread the instructions …

Crystal Weatherford
Crystal Weatherford

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to take small stitches around the curve like the neck.

Lea
Lea

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to purchase a “purple thang,” from Pat Catans/Michaels. It is such an inexpensive tool and once you use it you will love it.

Jan
Jan

December 27, 2017

My favourite sewing tip is to leave my sewing machine up and accessible. Then, when I only have a few minutes, I can still enjoy the sewing time without the set up each time.

Janet
Janet

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is keeping the patterns I’d like to make in a separate bin with material I’d like to use for each. Then I can just cut and sew.

Annette G.
Annette G.

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a tube and a dowel to turn straps. I use a big plastic straw, the kind that come with the big oversized novelty cups, and a chopstick. Put the straw inside the tube, push the chopstick into the straw on the closed end, and slide the tube right over the chopstick. Easy peasy!

Soozee
Soozee

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to use clear scotch tape to hold tiny buttons in place while stitching on

Sarah Timmine
Sarah Timmine

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip . . .sewing for 3 grandaughters dolls . . . have all 3 outfits that use same thread color in process at the same time. Pinned and ready to go, I sew the first edge, have the second dress ready to put right down and sew edge, and the last dress there to sew edge – -clip threads between all three then move to next seam. I’m working in sets of 3 and clipping in between. My best tip of all is to start with quality patterns like the designers at Pixie Faire produce. I never have to guess or improvise. All patterns are so well crafted that there is no reason for seams not to line up or pieces not to fit, excellent quality.

Katherine
Katherine

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to use a scrap of tissue paper under the initial edge of small piece so it doesn’t roll up under the needle. You can just tear it off after.

Rhonda b
Rhonda b

December 27, 2017

To mark the elastic on longer piece before sewing in or incerting in casings. I stretch and sew then cut. It makes it easier when working with small sizes and short lengths.

Marta Campos
Marta Campos

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to pin what i am going to see so it doesn’t move.

Donna
Donna

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip besides pressing as you go is to keep those threads clipped.

Coressa B Clark
Coressa B Clark

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing trick is to wash all material before hand that needs washed and to read all directions carefully… don’t get distracted. I love sewing

Tammy
Tammy

December 27, 2017

Never give up. And if you have to rip a seam more than two times cut again and start over. You distort your fabric so much most of the time it’s not worth it after the second time of ripping a seam.

Cherry Shogren
Cherry Shogren

December 27, 2017

Love using fabric clips instead of pins on long pieces of fabric. Also instead of tossing old clothes (with stains, tears, etc) I use them to cut out doll clothes. Using I can get a couple of outfits out of a single item.

Eileen
Eileen

December 27, 2017

Cute dresses!

Jen
Jen

December 27, 2017

my favorite sewing tip would be using a glue stick to hold a zipper in place! Makes sewing them easy peasy.

Mary E Nance
Mary E Nance

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is using cord or thicker thread and anti-aging over it to create gathers or ruffles.

Karen
Karen

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use pattern weights when cutting out doll clothes. So much faster and more accurate when there are no pins scrunching up a bit of the fabric! My other favorite tip is reading the responses to this contest entry every year. I end up spending all my joanns gift certificates on the great "tip"products you all share and recommend in this contest. Thanks for all the great tips and advice, everyone!

Lisa
Lisa

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to read the pattern carefully before doing any cutting of fabric. This helps avoid mistakes. Thanks for the contest.

Patti
Patti

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick, read all pattern directions before cutting anything.

Sharon
Sharon

December 27, 2017

After printing patterns, I transfer them to pattern “interfacing” fabric

Lisa
Lisa

December 27, 2017

To place a pin horizontally at the end of the buttonhole before cutting it open so you don’t slice through it.

MARY
MARY

December 27, 2017

I line almost all of the bodices I sew as it makes a nicer look and fit.

Judy W
Judy W

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is always enjoy sewing. If you are making mistakes and getting frustrated then this probably is not a time you should be sewing. Just take a little break, everything will work better when you come back to your sewing.

Julie
Julie

December 27, 2017

the previous tips are great to read, I use my rotary blade cutter for everythinbg!!

Christine
Christine

December 27, 2017

Make sure to have your Ott magnifier light on the job!

Kathy Naseman
Kathy Naseman

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is using tshirts for doll clothes. The hem is already in so if making leggings there is no need to hem the legs.

Cindy
Cindy

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is buying remnants at the fabric store. The store I go to has half off the price, and if it’s on sale you get the sale price plus the half off. Sometimes they even run 75% off. Great way to pick up cute material or solid color for lining, etc for a great price. I can usually make a dress or two from the remnants. I have even been known to make dresses for my daughter when she was a toddler.

Nadine
Nadine

December 27, 2017

My tip is to get three ring binders and plastic office sleeves to store various patterns. If you have a lot you can label different binders for different types of patterns or separate them with the colored subject tabs for notebooks. They can then be stored on a bookshelf for easy access. Then it is easy to always find the pattern you want!

Dee
Dee

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip for doll clothing is to decrease the stitch length, and clip the seam allowance well when turning tight curves, such as armholes and collars. It gives a much smoother line when everything is turned right side out and pressed.

BevM
BevM

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is using quarter inch quilters tape to mark topstitching, zipper applications, trimlines, et.

Juanita
Juanita

December 27, 2017

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is using wonder under… Saves a lot of time!!!

Lenora
Lenora

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is use a 1/8” hole punch where there are dots on a pattern. While the pattern piece is still pinned on the cut out fabric, fill in the small holes with a chalk pen.

Celeste
Celeste

December 27, 2017

my favorite sewing tip is to use thrift store finds or “memory” garments for doll clothes.

Amy Schneider
Amy Schneider

December 27, 2017

There are so many great comments. I like to use an invisible ink pen to trace tight corners of patterns that I can’t cut with a rotary cutter. I finish up with scissors.

Jan
Jan

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is find a fabric you really like, suitable for doll clothes, then find a pattern that will work with it. If I try the other way, I can never seem to find just the right fabric to make the pattern.

Barbara
Barbara

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to use the various tapes we have available today. They are great especially when putting in zippers.

Barbara
Barbara

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to print the pattern on card stock and use a fabric pen to trace the pattern out, no pins to use so my granddaughters can help me.

Rachel
Rachel

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to press your seams, the pieces just go together much better if you take that extra minute to press seams as you sew. I am still new and to most this probably sounds like a silly tip but maybe there are a lot more people new to sewing like me. I am self taught and I learn so much on this site. Thank you

Lynne
Lynne

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is using glue sticks and clear embroidery topping at the start of a seam.

Jackie
Jackie

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to save my daughter’s old t-shirts to use for doll clothes.

Lisa C.
Lisa C.

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use eyebrow scissors to trim seam allowances. It works especially well when you have to trim one side of a seam. The narrow, sharply pointed, and curved blades help you get in close and precisely.

Denise B
Denise B

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to hold the bobbin thread and top thread with my left hand, pulling it gently out, when I am sewing stretch knit fabric. Doing this prevents the fabric from bunching up under the pressure foot. Or even worse, from going down in the machine. It works great!

Deborah Henderson O'Brien
Deborah Henderson O'Brien

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to use a erasable marking pen to mark the points from the pattern

Nicole Coelho
Nicole Coelho

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is using stitch witchery!

Theresa
Theresa

December 27, 2017

My tip is…when serging, pull the serged tail back through the serged sewing if you need to secure it. But if that edge is going to be serged over in the next seam, then just leave it because that next serged seam will secure it.

Sharon
Sharon

December 27, 2017

These tips from others are all great, I use a great many of them, but I press, press, and press, use my serger whenever I can and buy odds and ends trims, buttons, and etc.

Katrina
Katrina

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to make the dinning room the sewing room!

Sharon
Sharon

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing trick- someone once ask my aunt(mother of four) how do you have time to sew? She said no matter what I see at least one seam every day, by the end of two weeks you have a new outfit!

LoriW
LoriW

December 27, 2017

Serge with a Serger. Does all the trimming and finishing in one fell swoop.

Ann
Ann

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use the material from clothing I can no longer wear to make doll clothes.

Ann
Ann

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip or trick is to trace my patterns (especially tissue ones) on to freezer paper. If you use one pattern several times, this works great. The shinny side of the paper hugs the fabric to help holding it also.

Darlene
Darlene

December 27, 2017

My favourite sewing tip: Take the time to be organized and buy good quality needles and thread!! I use Schmetz needles and Aurifil thread – I always have several new needles on hand. Process: I make sure to go through the directions, and know what to do in the correct order. If I think something should be done differently, I write that change into the directions. Then, I make sure I have enough fabric to do the proper placement of each pattern piece. I make sure to mark everything, paying attention to the fabric grain. Time for coffee. I think through the cutting and construction, then cut out the pattern. Generally, I leave the sewing until the next day. That way, I’ve had time to think about the directions, and I am fresh when starting at the machine. I put a new needle in the sewing machine or serger, heat iron, wind two bobbins, and begin sewing. Twice, I have forgotten part of how to wind the bobbin – yes, I learned this process the hard way – just so you know :) I would not have thought it possible to forget how to wind a bobbin, never mind twice! chuckle I keep the sewing manual close by.

Carol W
Carol W

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to be sure to press well throughout the sewing/construction of the item.

Annie
Annie

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is keep a chop stick, a glue stick and your seam ripper near you at all times!

Joan D.
Joan D.

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is mark your sewing scissors with a fabric strip so the family knows they are not to use these scissors for they are Mom’s fabric scissors.

Kathleen
Kathleen

December 27, 2017

My tip is when sewing a dress, add pretty sheer over skirt and instead of heming both material separately , you serge both together make a pretty finish. Saves time and is beautiful.

Mischa
Mischa

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is: using premade lace ruffle when I can go dress up the look of the pattern.

Lynn
Lynn

December 27, 2017

I like to serge or zig zag raw edges to prevent fraying and also so I only have to turn a hem over once.

Barbara
Barbara

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is when I have spare time in the evening but not at top performance I prep my pattern and get all needed supplies together. Read over the pattern. Then I’m ready to sew the next day when more rested. I don’t like to sew when I’m tired and this way my time is not wasted and i’m all set to go.

Paula Wood
Paula Wood

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to iron all hems first.

Cindy
Cindy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to wash fabric before beginning to sew, press,press and then press again. I try to keep my patterns in very large envelopes then in hanging file folders with each one marked. that way my patterns are all neatly together when ready to sew. If I cut our several outfits I will leave them in the hanging file folders until ready to sew.
I love all the wonderful tips and tricks here and have learned a lot thanks to all for sharing.
Happy Sewing in 2018.

Jeanne
Jeanne

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to read the directions carefully and assemble all materials together before starting to cut out fabric.

Grandma Gloria
Grandma Gloria

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to pick up small amounts of fabric and notions at estate sales or at a local recycle fabric shop. Saves a ton on lace, ribbon, and trim and the fabric is only pennies per doll outfit.

Lesley from Ne
Lesley from Ne

December 27, 2017

My tip is to use a magnetic pin holder. A friend gave me one and it is great to keep all your pins in one place. If you drop a pin on the floor, no problem. Just hold the pin holder over the floor and move it around……it’ll pick up the pin no problem.

Cindy
Cindy

December 27, 2017

My favorite sewing tip is to always iron each seam after sewing. I learned this tip from my great aunt when I was a child learning to sew and no matter what I sew I iron open each seam and it really makes the item look professional.

Michele J
Michele J

December 27, 2017

I like to cut several projects at once, stack, and have them ready to sew. This works really great if your sewing area is small. You can set up to cut, clear and set up to sew. I have three nieces who were just asking for party dresses! These would be perfect!

Emily
Emily

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip or trick is to measre twice cut once.

Linda
Linda

December 27, 2017

My favorite tip is to zig zag stitch the cut edges of my new piece of fabric so it doesn’t fray and then I wash and dry it so it shrinks however much it’s going to. After that I cut and sew my doll clothes and don’t worry about if it’s going to shrink when the finished item is washed. That has actually happened in the past, so this is how I fixed that little problem.

Jo
Jo

December 27, 2017

My tip is to have everything in place before starting a sewing project (iron, notions, etc) and read the instructions before starting. This saves a lot of jumping up and down from the sewing machine looking for things, saves time, helps you keep you focused, and makes sewing more pleasurable.

Sandra
Sandra

December 27, 2017

When sewing with velvet, there are no shortcuts! Pinning doesn’t work! You must handbaste every seam….do this and sewing velvet can feel like sewing chocolate. Without the basting…frustration and disappointment. This is a lesson learned the hard way. :)

« Previous 1 11 12 13 14 15 17 Next »

Leave a comment