Compiled over the years from our on and off-line customers, casual conversations, expert advise columnists, Sewing forums, designers, quilters, and treasured seamstresses both present and past, our list of sewing tips n tricks offers some of the best tips tried and true for both the novice and seasoned seamstress. Though the well is endless and we might miss a few, we are sure you’ll find our list helpful wherever you are on your journey.

Top 20 Tried & True Sewing Tips

1.  MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE. For those who know the dangers of not heeding, this is the golden rule.

2. The color GREEN inspires creativity, vibrates with our heart chakra, draws abundance and symbolizes harmony. Keep it somewhere in the midst of you when sewing, quilting or crafting to enhance creativity

3. Before beginning a new project on your sewing machine, always make sure to have a least two bobbins pre-wound in the color needed. Nothing more frustrating than having to stop to wind more or even worse, make a run to the fabric store.

4. Hangers with skirt clips offer an inexpensive and effective way to preserve patterns and hang unfinished project pieces in a space consolidating and pressed out fashion until ready to complete or use again.

5. Don’t pivot your corners. Instead, sew out to the end of the fabric to ensure pointy tips

6. Old spice jars are perfect for storing sewing machine needles. Needles slip into shaker top easily. Identify the sizes contained in each shaker thru the use of marked sticky labels or basic masking tape.

7. Press as you go

8. Replace sewing machine needles with each project. Needles can dull and cause

9. Remember when selecting patterns, go for the ones that show an actual photo rather than just a drawing to see a more accurate depiction of the garments fit and flow.

10. Keep your scissors sharp and use them for cutting fabric ONLY!

11. Pre-wash cotton knits BEFORE cutting out your garment pattern as you are sure to lose inches otherwise.

12. Use pinking shears to trim curved seams. They make a natural notch which saves time.

13. If your zipper is too long for your project, bar back and trim.

14. When it comes to fabric, cheaper isn’t always better. Choose QUALITY OVER PRICE.

15. Don’t forget to leave some thread on your needle before you stick it in your pin cushion and knot it at the end. Impossible otherwise to find.

16. Thread tends to look darker on the spool. Choose a thread that’s slightly darker than the fabric you are using it for.

17. Strive to keep a well-lit workstation when sewing. Dim lighting is much harder on our valued eyes than we know.

18. Cars are to men what sewing machines are to seamstresses. Take time to periodically maintenance your machine by oiling, cleaning and re-calibrating tension.

19. The trick to cutting a straight line freehand is to set your sight on where you want your cut to end and without deviation, let the hand that is cutting follow.

20. If you’re getting too stressed, take a break. Nothing goods comes out of a frustrated mindset.

* BONUS TIP: ENJOY THE PROCESS & SHOP  J&O FABRICS!!!

J&O Fabrics Top 20 Tried & True Sewing Tips was posted at J&O Fabrics Store Newsletter Blog. | https://www.jandofabrics.com/blog