These sewing and quilting tutorials will teach you new sewing skills and how to use your sewing machine.
While some causes of sewing machine needle breaks are obvious, others are far more difficult and annoying to pinpoint and troubleshoot. And not only is it a pain and expensive to constantly replace needles, but it’s also dangerous to have needle pieces flying around your sewing room (concerned eye doc over here!) So, if your…
One of the more frustrating problems you can have when working on a sewing project is your thread continually breaking and shredding. A snap here, a snap there, and the next thing you know, you’re ready to give up! Thankfully, there are many reasons why thread keeps breaking on a sewing machine that can be easily…
There’s nothing worse than a sewing machine that refuses to cooperate when you’re trying to meet a deadline or hoping for a relaxing crafting evening. While there are many problems your sewing machine can give you, one of the more frustrating issues to encounter is a sewing machine that randomly skips stitches. So, why is…
Knowing how to sew a blind hem, or invisible hem, is a great skill to have, especially for sewists interested in garment construction or home decor. This is because blindstitch hemming provides a professional finish for many projects–dress slacks, suits, skirts, eveningwear, and even draperies. And, since the blind hem stitch is practically invisible, this…
You’re in a pinch and need to finish a sewing project. However, you only have the specific color you need in your embroidery thread stash, not your sewing thread collection. Can you use embroidery thread in a sewing machine? Yes, but not for all sewing tasks. Read on to discover what projects you can sew…
The first time I tried to hem denim jeans with the 75/11 needle on my sewing machine, I was ready to give up after the first few stitches. That poor little needle looked about ready to break, and my machine practically groaned at me with each stitch. Thankfully, I’ve had some sewing sense knocked into…
Of the cutting machines I own, my Brother ScanNCut can do the most, but it was also the most difficult to learn to use. First, the manual isn’t super detailed, and second, because the ScanNCut is not as popular as Cricut or Silhouette machines, online tutorials aren’t as plentiful. However, thanks to trial and error,…
Mini sewing machines are a decent option for sewists on the go. Weighing less than 3 pounds, you can travel with them and store them in small spaces. However, the manual that came with my miniature sewing machine left much to be desired in terms of usage and troubleshooting instructions. If you are frustrated with…
While I infrequently practice now, I’m still an eye doctor by training. Hearing patients tell me they’ve stopped sewing, cross-stitching, or embroidering because they can’t see well enough is so sad! Especially when there are sewing aids and sewing tips for low vision patients that can get many of them back to pursuing their hobbies. …
Mini sewing machines are easy enough to use once set up. However, learning how to thread a mini sewing machine takes effort. Why? The manual included with my mini sewing had no pictures for several aspects of threading (like winding the bobbin)! So, for those who also like step-by-step color pictures, here’s a tutorial on…
It’s no secret that I believe a Cricut Maker can carve itself a spot in any craft room. While I primarily use my Cricut to personalize items with iron-on or vinyl and for other non-sewing tasks, I also use it when cutting machine embroidery applique, sewing patterns, and even quilt pieces. So, can the Cricut…
If you want a luxurious fabric with pile, velvet and velveteen are two popular and similar options. But which will work better for your project, and what’s the difference between velvet vs. velveteen? Let’s discuss the similarities, differences, and intended usages for both of these plush fabrics so you know which to pick for your…
Velvet fabric is luxurious but also fluffy, slinky, and slippery. As such, it is more challenging to cut velvet fabric than other fabric types. And once cut, certain types of velvet fabric fray and shed like crazy. Notice these issues with your velvet? Let’s talk about how to cut velvet fabric the right way and…
Thanks to the plush pile on its front surface, velvet fabric is tricky to iron and press. Improperly ironing velvet can not only flatten the fluff of the velvet and leave permanent marks, but it can even melt certain types of velvet. So, how do you prevent these issues? Read along for tips on how…
For beginner sewists, sewing velvet can be tricky. Not only does it creep and slip while stitching and mar easily from mistakes, but it can also make a fuzzy mess of your sewing space. However, velvet is such a luxurious, gorgeous, drapey fabric that it’s worth the attempt! Want to sew velvet upholstery, curtains, garments,…
Accurate measurements when sewing are crucially important to the success of a project. People, home decor, pattern pieces, fabric lengths, and even hems and seam allowances must be measured correctly. So, how do you measure these items? Using the right sewing measuring tools, of course! That and remembering always to measure twice and cut once. …
Learning how to sew ripstop nylon fabric can be difficult for sewing beginners. For instance, ripstop is notoriously slick and prone to slippage. It also frays and can leave your machine a mess. Other potential issues include seam puckering, skipped stitches, and even lightweight pieces jamming in your machine. Want to learn to troubleshoot these…
Buttons play functional and decorative roles when sewing clothes, home decor, and other accessories. As such, buttons for sewing come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials and even have different methods of attachments. Curious about the different types of buttons for clothes and sewing? Wonder no more, and figure out the most common uses…
Pins, while tiny, play a big part in sewing projects. They do everything from holding pieces of fabric together before sewing a seam to keeping pattern pieces in place while cutting fabric. If you’ve been sewing for a while, you’ve probably discovered that not all pins are created equal. Pins for sewing come in a…
Sewing buttonholes is an integral part of the garment construction process! Not only are buttons and buttonholes an important fastening method, but they can also add a decorative touch to sewing projects. There are so many different types of buttonholes beyond just your basic shapes, too. If you’re new to sewing, knowing when to use…
Knit fabric, especially single-knit jersey used in t-shirts, is known for its characteristic curling or rolling at the fabric edges. Typically, jersey knit selvages roll toward the “wrong” side of the fabric, while cut edges curl toward the “right” side when the fabric is stretched. While this annoying rolling helps differentiate the fabric front from…
If you’ve never used freezer paper when sewing, you’re in for a real treat! When I discovered all of the crafty uses of freezer paper, I was so excited to try them out. For instance, freezer paper can be printed on, used for tracing patterns, and ironed onto fabric. It even has a place in…
Whether you’re new to sewing or an experienced sewist no longer blessed with perfect near vision, I want to share my best tips for how to thread a sewing machine needle easily. While I have automatic needle threaders on all my sewing machines, the threaders don’t work when threading a twin needle, and my serger…
When you first start sewing, you may only know how to sew in a straight line. Did you know you can sew corners easily, too? This beginner sewing tutorial will teach you how to sew corners with a sewing machine. After you learn this skill, the new sewing projects you’ll be able to tackle will…
If you’ve ever stitched through a piece of braided elastic and wondered why your elastic no longer contracted afterward, then this article is for you. Since elastics are not interchangeable, knowing the different types of elastic for sewing and how to choose the right elastic for your project makes a huge difference in the final…
One of my new favorite presser feet is the fringe foot. Also known as a looper foot or tacking foot, it’s so fun to use to make 3D loops on your fabric or to add a thread fringe. It’s even helpful as a tailor tack. Want to learn more? Let’s talk about how to use…
Do I need a serger? I asked myself this question for years before finally deciding, yes, I did need a serger. Considering the cost of the serger and supplies and the space required for storage and use, this wasn’t a decision I came upon lightly. And now, I love my Brother 1034D serger and don’t…
Doll clothes are quick to sew and a great place for beginners to start sewing! They don’t require much fabric, a big plus if you make a mistake, and they make a cute and satisfying finished product. While there is a learning curve to making doll clothes, here are some tips for how to sew…
Buying your first sewing may seem like a daunting task. How are you supposed to choose a sewing machine when you know nothing about sewing machines? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there at some point! I’ve written this beginner’s guide on how to choose the right sewing machine so you’ll know what…
There are many occasions when you’ll need to change your sewing machine needle. I change my needle daily when switching fabric types and at least weekly when I’m working on new projects. If you’re a beginner, knowing how to put a needle in a sewing machine is one of the first skills to master after…