6 Best Sewing Tips for Beginners
1. Measure Twice, Cut Once
It’s an old adage but a good one! No matter how long you’ve been sewing, it’s always a good idea to measure twice before you start cutting your fabric. The extra time spent double-checking measurements could make all the difference in whether your project is a success or failure. And don’t forget to account for your seam allowance when calculating your measurements.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
Before beginning your project, we recommend doing some test sewing with the thread, needle, fabric and machine you plan on using for your DIY. That’s why it’s a good idea to order more fabric than you need, or make use of any scrap fabric after you’ve patterned and cut your pieces.
Do some practice sewing to check your thread tension and that your sewing machine is working properly. You can get any issues corrected so your sewing project starts out on the right track. It’s also good to practice new sewing techniques on scrap fabric. That way you get the hang of a new technique before using it on your project and running into issues if you didn’t practice it first.
3. Lock Your Stitches
This may seem like an obvious one, but all new sewers should get into the habit of locking their stitches. What this means is to reverse sew at the beginning and end of each seam to lock your stitches in place to prevent them from raveling once the threads are snipped. You only need to reverse sew for about an inch.
Another tip is to trap your threads when you start sewing so you don't get a bird's nest at the beginning of your stitching. Use your left hand to hold down the loose needle and bobbin threads on the bed of the sewing machine. Once you sew for a couple of inches, you can remove your hand.
Trap threads with your left hand when you start sewing.
4. Read the Instructions First
If you’re following written instructions or a how-to video, read the entire pattern and watch the complete video before beginning your project. You will not regret spending this extra time. All too often, we hear from customers that they had to order extra fabric or supplies halfway through a project. They didn’t read through the instructions first and they made a mistake early on in the pattern that they later had to spend time and money correcting.
5. Use a Magnet to Collect Pins
Here’s a useful little tip. Keep a magnet within arm’s reach in your sewing room so you can pick up any dropped pins on the floor so you don't step on them. If you have a metal sewing machine (like the Ultrafeed® or Fabricator®) you can stick the magnet to your sewing machine so it’s always handy.
Use the Deluxe 5-1/2 Inch Magnetic Sewing Guide as a handy way to pick up loose pins.
6. Don’t Force Fabric Through the Machine
This is a common mistake that beginner sewers make. You don’t need to force or push the fabric through the sewing machine. Let the machine do the work; all you have to do is guide the fabric and keep it straight as it’s fed under the needle. You also need to be careful not to slide or move your hands around your fabric assembly as you sew. This can cause the fabric to shift around and can ruin your beautifully straight stitches.