Tips for Neat Sewing

Easy Clothing Sewing Projects One of the easiest sewing projects is a simple, elastic-waist skirt: Dana from Made Everyday has a great tutorial for how to sew a simple skirt (both video and photos of each step), with inspiration for adding more personality to your skirt with layers and trim.

15 Top Beginner’s Sewing Tips – Sew Basic Series

1. Sewing Tip #1. Say: “Cheese!”
2. Sewing Tip #2. Leave the thread guide up.
3. Sewing Tip #3. Start by Hand.
4. Sewing Tip #4. Keep it down!
5. Sewing Tip #5. When things goes bad, rethread.
6. Sewing Tip #6. Check needle type and conditions.
7. Sewing Tip #7. Check thread type.
8. Sewing Tip #8. Clean her!

1. Accuracy. Accuracy in sewing is essential from the moment you take scissors to your paper pattern.
2. Keep Excess Fabric Clear. Excess fabric caught in seam.
3. Manage Thread Tails. Stitching start and finished secured with backstitching.
4. Finish Edges and Seams.
5. Press.

Since the needle is constantly moving, you will not sew straight if you watch it as you stitch. The seam guide does not move so it’s much better to focus there as your fabric moves along, resulting in much straighter seams.

7 Ways to Sew Straighter – How to sew straight seams, topstitching, and quilting

1. Attach a sewing machine grid or slider with a grid.
2. Apply masking tape.
3. Use a sewing machine foot with a guide.
4. Try a zipper foot.
5. Use an attachable seam guide or cloth guide.
6. Change the needle position.
7. Quilt straight lines with a ruler.

Quick Reference Chart

zigzag stitches

If a pattern piece has a “place on the fold” line, place that line exactly on the fold of the fabric. Pin the pattern along the fold. Extend pin tips beyond the fold so you don’t accidently cut along the fold of the fabric. Some pattern pieces may need to be placed on the fabric with their printed sides down.

90/14 – suitable for medium weight fabrics, e.g. slightly heavier weight cotton, polyester, linen, lightweight upholstery fabric. Lighter weight fabrics such as silk (chiffon, organza, crepe-de-chine) will require a smaller sized needle. The lighter the fabric the smaller the needle required.

Sizes Description Denim/ Jeans Heavy wovens and denims 70/10 – 110/18 These needles have a thick, strong shaft and a very sharp point. They are used for stitching denim, canvas, duck and other heavy, tightly woven fabrics. They are also ideal for stitching through multiple fabric layers without breaking.

Large needle sizes – 100/16 and 120/18 – These are for heavyweight, tough fabrics, like thick leather, heavyweight canvas, and dense upholstery fabrics. They are used with heavyweight threads such as upholstery and topstitching threads.

The European metric sizing system for sewing machine needles is numbered from 60 to 110. The American sizing system is numbered from 8 to 18. For both sizing systems, the lower the number the finer the needle and the higher the number the larger the needle. Most needle companies show both sizes on the package.

Choose a size 60/8 needle for lightweight fabrics similar to georgette or organdy; a 70/10 or 80/12 needle for medium-weight jersey, Lycra, linen, or calf leather; a 90/14 and 100/16 for heavy fabrics like jeans, vinyl, upholstery or canvas; and 110/18 or 120/19 for very heavy fabrics.

Since Vinyl is a heavier weight fabric, you’ll want a needle designed to manage additional thickness without breaking. Before starting your next project, prep your sewing machine with a Leather or Denim needle size 90/14. You could even use a Denim Twin Needle for perfectly symmetrical stitches.