| 1. Be prepared
Gather and purchase all of the supplies necessary to
complete your sewing or craft project ahead of time. Having to stop in the
middle of the project in order to run out and get a forgotten essential
item is time consuming and irritating.
2. Check the threading of your sewing machine
Double check the threading of your sewing machine to
prevent immediate stitching problems. Breaking thread or skipped stitches
right off the bat can cause you to lose interest in the project, not to
mention the time lost in fixing the problem. And speaking of thread,
always use a good quality thread. "Cheap" thread will fray,
break and cause knotting of the thread while sewing.
3. Use the correct needles for the project
It is a mistake to simply use the same needle for
everything you sew until it breaks. Some fabrics require a fine needle
while heavier duck type or denim fabrics require a heavier needle. Keep a
supply of assorted machine needles handy so you'll have the correct needle
for the fabric you'll be using. In addition, if you hit a pin, you should
immediately change the needle. A bent needle, even if only
"slightly" bent or nicked can cause skipped stitches and can
quite possibly cause damage to your fabric.
4. Cut the fabric carefully
All pattern pieces have grainline markings. The
grainline should run parallel with the length of the fabric. If you simply
lay the pattern pieces anywhere on the fabric, ignoring the grain- lines,
the finished garment will not hang right. The extra few minutes spent
laying the pattern pieces correctly and cutting the seam lines precisely
will result in a professional looking garment you will be proud of.
5. Practice unusual or new techniques
If your project or garment includes a technique you
are not familiar with, or haven't done in quite some time, such as
buttonholes or flat felled seams, practice on a piece of extra fabric. It
would be best to make two or three practice samples before actually sewing
on the garment itself.
6. Clip all threads as you sew
It only takes a second to clip the stitches from the
beginning and end of the seams. If you wait until the garment is finished
it will become a chore and you may be tempted to leave them, resulting in
an unprofessional looking garment. Be sure to have a waste basket handy,
or tape a small lunch bag to the side of your sewing machine table in
which to toss the threads after clipping.
7. Press seams as you work
Pressing the seams during the sewing process will
produce a more professional looking garment, and will also make it easier
to sew the seams that will "cross" any of the seams already
sewn. Gently open the seams and press flat. You will save time if you sew
several seams, then press them all at once, before moving on to the next
step.
8. Clean the sewing area
Clean up the sewing area after each project. A great
motto for your sewing/craft area is "a place for everything and
everything in its' place". Put things away - left over fabric in a
scrap box or drawer, scissors, pins and thread back in the drawer. The
sewing room will look much better and an organized sewing area is much
more inviting than a messy, piled up area with only a "path" to
the sewing machine.
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About the author:
Sarah J. Doyle is author of over 25 sewing, craft
and how-to books, as well as author of online pattern making, sewing and
craft classes. Visit http://SewWithSarah.com for information on books,
classes, newsletters and the latest hints and tips.
(c) Copyright 2003, Sarah J. Doyle. All Rights
Reserved.
You have permission to publish this article
electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication sent to me at sarah@sewwithsarah.com
would be appreciated. |
