Time-saving
Tips & Techniques...

This page is dedicated to bringing you time-saving tips & techniques. Something we all need with limited sewing time on our hands! Please check out the page below
and if YOU have a tip you'd like to share just email me!

*NEW* Durable & Quick Gathering...

Submitted by: Renee'

Here's another quick and easy gathering method to try. Set your zig-zag stitch to where it's wide enough to cross over your gathering thread without catching it in your stitches. Now, for your gathering thread, use fishing line. It's very stong, inexpensive and reuseable, too! Lay the fishing line down the facric to be gathered and let the zigs and zags of your machine cross over, but not pierce, your fishing line. When you're ready, simply draw up from one end, being careful to not release the other end. Voila! Easy, isn't it?!

Sizing your Patterns...

Don't purchase your sewing patterns by using your normal size in ready-to -wear clothing. Ready-to-wear clothes don't follow any standard measurements and often vary from company to company. When choosing a pattern make sure you use your own actual body measurements. Get help from a friend or hubby if you need help taking your measurements.

Quick Ironing...

Whenever you have to do lots of pressing when you're sewing, station your ironing board next to AND at the same height as your sewing machine. Then you can just swivel in your chair to iron without getting up numerous times! This especially works great for piecing quilts.

Ripping Out Seams...

From: Linda Cook
Whenever you have to rip out a seam, instead of using tweezers to pick out all those little loose threads try using a sticky (masking tape kind) lint roller -
it really works great!
(Thanks Linda!)

Threading a Needle...

From: Linda Cook
When threading your needle (for hand or machine sewing), cut the thread at an angle - not straight across! Now, it will go through the eye of the needle much quicker!
(Thanks Linda!)

Quick Cut Outs...

From: Renee'
If you have never tried using a cutting mat and rotary cutter to cut out your patterns, now's the time! Not only is it quick and easy but you don't need to pin your patterns to your fabric. Sewing shops do carry sewing weights made as a substitution for pinning everything together. Look for them locally, in Nancy's Notions, or you can make your own! Simply substitute small cans (such as tuna cans) as a weight to keep the pattern smoothly in place. Usually one can in each corner works well. For those new to sewing, you may want to add one pin to keep the pattern pieces & fabric together until sewn.

Speed Sewing...

From: Renee'
For speedier sewing try the "assembly line" approach! Following directions, sew neckline, both sleeves, etc. leaving only a couple of stitches in between before sewing the next piece. This is much quicker than sewing & cutting individual pieces. Wait until you have several pieces sewn before clipping the pieces apart.

Getting Started...

From: Renee'
For those of you without a separate sewing room try keeping your projects grouped before starting the next level. For instance, if you're making several different outfits try cutting out ALL the patterns that you'll be needing, finishing on the same day. Keep them seperated in a plastic zip-lock baggie along with the correct envelope and the pattern view to be used, circled. The next time, lay and cut out your fabrics using your pattern pieces. Next, you're ready to sew! If you will be using the same color thread on more than one outfit, group those projects together and sew them "back to back" If you use these methods you will have more time to sew and finish your projects since you won't be wasting time getting everything set up!
From: Renee' =)

More Coming Soon...

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