Duh! If only I had known ...

[SeekingJoy]

Does anyone else have "obvious" tips they wish they had known as a beginner? I have been sewing for years, but am mostly self taught and am still learning new things with each project. My best tips:

* use blue painters tape to mark which seam allowance I am using on my machine's plate

* keep a magnet next to the machine to catch pins as I pull them out. I can just toss them in the right direction and not actually have to look up to stuff them in a cushion.

* don't pin ric rac and other trims before sewing. Just sew and adjust as I go.

Any one else want to share tips?

[E.V. Lowi]

Wax your thread with bee's wax before hand sewing.

Use crisp tissue underneath your fabric when sewing slippery or shifting materials, like silk satin or velvet. Tear away when done sewing the seam.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by SeekingJoy

* keep a magnet next to the machine to catch pins as I pull them out. I can just toss them in the right direction and not actually have to look up to stuff them in a cushion.

This is only recommended if your machine isn't computerized. It's not recommended that you use a magnet with a computerized machine, something to do with the computer chip or memory board.

[SeekingJoy]

Great point! I sew on a 40+ yr old all mechanical machine and have no idea about computerized ones.

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

Wax your thread with bee's wax before hand sewing.

Use crisp tissue underneath your fabric when sewing slippery or shifting materials, like silk satin or velvet. Tear away when done sewing the seam.

What an excellent idea! I never thought to do that!

[Pogo0685]

Originally Posted by SeekingJoy

* use blue painters tape to mark which seam allowance I am using on my machine's plate

I wish I would have thought of this! Now maybe, just maybe my lines will be strait!

[Noelle C.]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

Use crisp tissue underneath your fabric when sewing slippery or shifting materials, like silk satin or velvet. Tear away when done sewing the seam.

Use a rolling foot to eliminate the problem of other foots gripping the top later.

The right one makes all the difference in the sewing-world. I didn't get what the big deal was about more than a few basic feet until I bought a lot off of eBay for my machine and suddenly it was like a new world opened. I especially love my ruffling foot. I got about 20 different feet for around $15. That ruffler alone new goes for about $30. Best ~$25 (including shipping) that I could have spent on machine accessories.

[Noelle C.]

Originally Posted by Noelle C.

... of other foots...

Foots? Oh criminy. I am lacking a few brain cells right now.

[sabrinat]

When beginning a new project wash your fabric and press it out. Even if you know how to make something read through the pattern directions. I've sewn for years, but I still like to review the instructions in case there's a key point about assembling the garment that I need to know about.

[orangefoot]

That oiling my machine and buying new needles shouldn't be once a year jobs!

If you can't hear the radio or tv when you are sewing - get the oil out! Squirting oil in all the places your manual tells you to will make your machine run more smoothly and quietly as well as keep it in good health for longer.

I have a vintage Singer 319k which takes an odd needle so I buy them in boxes of 200. Changing needles frequently really makes a difference to my stitches and is something that I hadn't done so regularly before I went 'vintage'.

Long pins with glass heads are also a relatively new addition to my sewing box and I wish I had bought them sooner. The are only a matter of pence more expensive than my old pins but so much sharper and easier to mange.

[seraph]

Make sure the final stitch is completed before you take the item out of the machine. Hand crank the wheel towards you until the take up lever is at the top of it's cycle. Then the stitch is completed and you don't get that weird half stitch with the 3 threads that catches under the needle plate.

[lifeguard]

Put it away until later if you are starting to get at all tired/cranky/frustrated/distracted 'cause that is always when you make the worst mistakes making the project sooooo much longer & harder.

Remove the lint from your machine regularly - it gets things awfully bound up.

[Carhootel]

my most important sewing lesson so far has been to have patience with the fact that most sewing projects involve very little sewing and a ton of prepwork - take your time to wash, cut, iron, measure, pin, etc... then the sewing part is done in a flash and you don't have to rip it out or have it all messy

[Smokering]

If you're making a lined garment, make the lining first. It's usually cheaper fabric, so less disastrous if you ruin it; and it gives you a practice run at the assembly. Usually my seams are neater the second time around, and I feel more confident because I've "got it" assembly-wise (patterns confuse me!).

[SeekingJoy]

Carhootel, I am so guilty of getting stubborn and trying to just push through when I am obviously too tired and mistake prone.

My recently re-learned tip: keep a list of patterns you have and those needed/wanted. I just bought a Butterick sun suit pattern for DD that is super similar to a Simplicity one I have. Whoops!

[Dreamy]

Great tips ladies! I'll definitely keep these things in mind now that I finally have my machine

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Smokering

If you're making a lined garment, make the lining first. It's usually cheaper fabric, so less disastrous if you ruin it; and it gives you a practice run at the assembly. Usually my seams are neater the second time around, and I feel more confident because I've "got it" assembly-wise (patterns confuse me!).

And that avoids the risk of deciding not to do the lining because you want to just wear the garment.

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

Wax your thread with bee's wax before hand sewing.

Use crisp tissue underneath your fabric when sewing slippery or shifting materials, like silk satin or velvet. Tear away when done sewing the seam.

Wish I'd read this before Christmas! See my post on stretch velvet. This might have helped a lot on the zipper.

[millefleur]

[SoCaliMommy]

Make sure to read your owner manual before oiling your machine

My Husqvarna says No Oiling Is Needed