Random Sewing Tips
I'm not going to tell you how to sew, I'm just going to offer some tips that I wish I would have known when I first started to sew. The only way that you can sew better clothes is to just keep practicing and teaching yourself (or getting lessons!) but I hope that these tips will help you a bit. A lot of them are very simple, even though it took me years to realize them.
Zippers
There is something called a zipper foot. Use it! It probably came with your sewing machine, and it makes sewing zippers a lot easier, so that you don't have to jam the zipper into your machine.
Sewing machine making weird noises?
There can be several reasons that your machine sounds weird. If it sounds like it is chopping the fabric when it sews, make sure that your needle is very sharp. If it is dull, change it because it could be ruining your fabric. If your sewing machine is making a crunchy noise, it might need to be oiled. Buy some sewing machine oil at a fabric or craft store and look in your manual to find out where the machine needs to be oiled.
Using Patterns
Patterns are not always right. Usually, the directions that they offer can be simplified a lot to save you time. Sometimes they will even tell you to do something wrong, so always read ahead of the directions and try to work out in your mind how the garment is going to be put together.
Thread
Always use good quality thread. If you buy something cheap, it will most likely break a lot while you are sewing and drive you crazy. My sewing teacher told me that the best thread to use is Gutermann.
Sewing Difficult Fabrics
1. Stretchy fabrics can be very hard to sew if you don't have a serger. If the seam that you are sewing needs to stretch, stretch the fabric while you are sewing, or else the stitching will probably break. Also, some fabrics stretch more one way then another. If you need to make a really stretchy top, first test the fabric to find out which way you should cut out the pieces. Most fabric stretches the most when you stretch it diagonally. If you cut our your pattern pieces like this, it is called cutting on the bias.
2. Sheer fabrics are usually not very strong. If you want to iron them, be careful because different fabrics need different iron settings. I once set my iron too hot while ironing sheer fabric, and it ended up melting and sticking to the iron.
3. PVC is very difficult to sew. I don't recommend it if you are new to sewing because it will drive you insane. PVC sticks to your sewing machine foot, so it is best to do most of your sewing on the cloth side of the fabric. Also, pins will poke permanent holes in pvc so be very careful with where you put them.
4. Home decor fabrics should not be used for clothes. They will mostly likely fall apart at the seams. What if my handmade clothes fall apart while I'm wearing them?
Test all of your seams before you wear your garment. Just pull on either side of the seam, and see if it is in any danger of coming apart. You should especially do this if you are sewing with very stretchy fabric. Also, try to keep your seam allowances at least half an inch, or the fabric may start to fray after a couple washes and then cause the seams to split unexpectedly. A safe way to keep your seams from fraying on the inside is to either serge them or do a ziz zag stitch over the edge of the seams.
Making your DIY creations look professional
The best way to do this is to buy a serger, so that you can sew very neat seams. If you don't want to buy one, there are lots of other things to do to make your clothes look like you didn't make them yourself.
1. Top stitch your seams. This makes them look great.
2. Make sure there are no frayed edges, and hem everything.
3. Don't make ziz zag stitches visible. This kind of stitch is never used in clothing production, and will automatically make your stuff look homemade.
4. Don't be afraid to spend a long time on something, and keep your sewing machine speed at a reasonable pace so that all your stitching is straight.
5. Use good quality supplies like thread and zippers.
6. Keep hand sewing to a minimum.
Jo-ann is not the only place to buy sewing supplies
In fact, it is extremely expensive and I barely ever go there, except for when they have fabric clearances. Most sewing supplies can be bought in bulk, if you just know where to look. Ebay is a great place to find discounts. You can find bulk supplies by just adding "lot" to the end of your search. (example: zipper lot) So far I have been able to find zippers, thread, elastic, needles, pins, and much more for a lot cheaper then Jo-Ann's prices.
There is something called a zipper foot. Use it! It probably came with your sewing machine, and it makes sewing zippers a lot easier, so that you don't have to jam the zipper into your machine.
There can be several reasons that your machine sounds weird. If it sounds like it is chopping the fabric when it sews, make sure that your needle is very sharp. If it is dull, change it because it could be ruining your fabric. If your sewing machine is making a crunchy noise, it might need to be oiled. Buy some sewing machine oil at a fabric or craft store and look in your manual to find out where the machine needs to be oiled.
Patterns are not always right. Usually, the directions that they offer can be simplified a lot to save you time. Sometimes they will even tell you to do something wrong, so always read ahead of the directions and try to work out in your mind how the garment is going to be put together.
Always use good quality thread. If you buy something cheap, it will most likely break a lot while you are sewing and drive you crazy. My sewing teacher told me that the best thread to use is Gutermann.
1. Stretchy fabrics can be very hard to sew if you don't have a serger. If the seam that you are sewing needs to stretch, stretch the fabric while you are sewing, or else the stitching will probably break. Also, some fabrics stretch more one way then another. If you need to make a really stretchy top, first test the fabric to find out which way you should cut out the pieces. Most fabric stretches the most when you stretch it diagonally. If you cut our your pattern pieces like this, it is called cutting on the bias.
2. Sheer fabrics are usually not very strong. If you want to iron them, be careful because different fabrics need different iron settings. I once set my iron too hot while ironing sheer fabric, and it ended up melting and sticking to the iron.
3. PVC is very difficult to sew. I don't recommend it if you are new to sewing because it will drive you insane. PVC sticks to your sewing machine foot, so it is best to do most of your sewing on the cloth side of the fabric. Also, pins will poke permanent holes in pvc so be very careful with where you put them.
4. Home decor fabrics should not be used for clothes. They will mostly likely fall apart at the seams.
When you first start sewing, you should use fabrics that do not stretch very much. This will make things much easier for you.
Test all of your seams before you wear your garment. Just pull on either side of the seam, and see if it is in any danger of coming apart. You should especially do this if you are sewing with very stretchy fabric. Also, try to keep your seam allowances at least half an inch, or the fabric may start to fray after a couple washes and then cause the seams to split unexpectedly. A safe way to keep your seams from fraying on the inside is to either serge them or do a ziz zag stitch over the edge of the seams.
The best way to do this is to buy a serger, so that you can sew very neat seams. If you don't want to buy one, there are lots of other things to do to make your clothes look like you didn't make them yourself.
1. Top stitch your seams. This makes them look great.
2. Make sure there are no frayed edges, and hem everything.
3. Don't make ziz zag stitches visible. This kind of stitch is never used in clothing production, and will automatically make your stuff look homemade.
4. Don't be afraid to spend a long time on something, and keep your sewing machine speed at a reasonable pace so that all your stitching is straight.
5. Use good quality supplies like thread and zippers.
6. Keep hand sewing to a minimum.
In fact, it is extremely expensive and I barely ever go there, except for when they have fabric clearances. Most sewing supplies can be bought in bulk, if you just know where to look. Ebay is a great place to find discounts. You can find bulk supplies by just adding "lot" to the end of your search. (example: zipper lot) So far I have been able to find zippers, thread, elastic, needles, pins, and much more for a lot cheaper then Jo-Ann's prices.
