7 tips to fix "BAD" sewing!
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- Опубликовано: 21 май 2024
- If your sewing looks home made in a bad way, there is hope for you! I have been there and over the years I have honed my skills to create garments that look like they're off the rack! It doesn't take years of sewing or fashion school to make polished looking garments, just practice these 7 tips!
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I am wearing my shirt dress paper pattern ME2068: simplicity.com/know-me/me2068
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Tip: Put your fabric in a pillowcase then prewash it - significantly reduces if not eliminates your cut fabric from fraying a bunch on the edges! I used to pin the top of the pillowcase shut with safety pins, but now I have an old pillowcase that I've put some velcro on it to use exclusively for prewashing my fabrics.
I used to sew a lot of my youngest daughter’s clothes because she didn’t want to look like everyone else. When she was in jr. high and high school she got so many compliments and questions about where she got something and it was mostly because of the fabrics and prints. You could get great fabric at Joann’s back then but not anymore. Those were some great tips. I was always taught to press as you go. It really makes the process easier.
I agree. I'm a manager at a Joann, and I, too, wish they would get more natural fabrics. They've got a collection of "smocked" (really shirred) fabrics to make dresses, and they are all really nice rayons and soft cottons. But they have the shirring panels. I wish they'd add those fabrics to their regular lines.
That's so wonderful! My mom made a lot of my clothes growing up too! That's such a special thing you did for your daughter ❤️
Same, but DD is currently in high school. For us, it is the fit and style more than the print -- she will go for a solid or subtle stripe, and she will draw a style, or show me Pinterest pix ("this neckline, but princess seams and sleeves like that") and it's up to me to make it real. She is petite and often things in stores don't fit well.
Great tips, totally agree with you. Sewing for over 45 years now having learnt from my Nana starting when I was 5 yo. Learn the rules before you can break them. I recently went on a tour of Japan and the group were totally amazed at mine and my daughters fully self sewn wardrobe plus outerwear for my son and husband. Skills take time, accumulated knowledge and practice.
Your tutorials are always full of excellent facts, tips and clarity xxxxx
Thank you for your tips for perfect sewing. I always say: sewing with love, enjoy your sewing and practice makes perfect. Sewing means time for myself for me. It makes me happy, it let me discover new technics. My skills are growing.
A caveat: I have drifted back to a more common use of quilting cotton. I am enjoying the feel of the weight of the cloth especially after a few washes. I have sewn a couple of dresses in both quilting cotton and slippery or gauzier I make some adjustments (notably around under bust fitting) to make it work. Its not a one to one exchange between rayon Charlie and quilting cotton but it can be done.
Totally there on the pressing. Number one tip imho
I like this video but it's a bit disheartening that we are all paying so much heed to making our clothes look "no homemade" when the quality of fast fashion garments is non existent and most people don't care. Why should I care that my seams are a little puckered when other people are walking around in their temu polyester tissue paper dresses?!
I definitely understand where you're coming from. This video is not meant to shame people about the puckers in their sewing projects, rather I'm giving tips that helped me grow as a seamstress, while also using humor and personal sentiment. I personally really appreciate producing the highest quality that I can because it feels good to accomplish something excellent and it feels even better wearing that and feeling confident. And I think it's good to always be bettering oneself in ones skills. I do want to point out that even fast fashion clothing exhibits skilled sewing even though the materials aren't necessarily good quality. Unfortunately these workers are rushed and given poor quality materials to work with, or let mistakes go through quality check to make more money. I haven't shopped recently but I still find that even Mass produce clothes have a level of skill that for many types of garments is hard to achieve at home and that's because the production facilities have all kinds of specialized machines and the workers often do one step over and over and so get extremely good at it. But yeah Temu, not a great look haha 😅
Who cares what ready made quality is? We sew our clothes for a better fitting garment and quality. Self respect.
Ma il fatto che interessi a te, non è un motivo più che valido per farlo bene? Io cucio il poliestere o misto cotone per problemi di economia, ma sto talmente attenta che molte cuciture le faccio a mano. Non ha senso per me fare una seta da 100 euro al metro se al matrimonio non sei né la sposa né la mamma della sposa. Poi esiste poliestere di scarsa e buona qualità, in genere scarto il satin, lì è facile sbagliare, mi oriento sul crespo marocchino crespo chine ect, o sulla viscosa che è derivato naturale.E sinceramente mi deprime anche buttare tutte quelle ore ed energie per cucire una cosa di valore intorno ai 150 euro, non 400-500. Sono italiana e sicuramente ai miei inviti avrò persone che si accorgono della differenza, ma questo è il meglio che posso. Ma il cartamodello è mio, sono io che ho creato, e ho cucito al meglio, quindi sono a posto. Ma se devo vendere un capo fatto da me, devo mettere l' investimento della stoffa buona, chi compra " fatto a mano" lo compra esclusivamente per la qualità. Come ristrutturare un appartamento con finiture di lusso, in un quartiere che non ha prezzi alti perché non ha servizi: i ricchi non te lo comprano perché non interessa il quartiere, i poveri non te lo comprano perché costa troppo. Scusami forse così ho reso l' idea di ciò che intendeva lei, mi dispiace che debba tradurre tutto.
is it disheartening that channels about sewing skills are offering tips on upping your sewing skills? I get where you're coming from, I don't want to hyper obsess about every flaw either, especially along the journey of improving, I want to be able to wear the things I make proudly. Quality in terms of fabric durability might not be there with fast fashion, but honestly a lot of RTW fast fashion peices have a sleekness to the design that very beginner "home-sewing" lacks (of course I don't mean all home sewing). It's maybe not made to last, but it's made in a setting where production is streamlined and the steps are done really cleanly. It's not bad to try and emulate this BUT with even better finishing and fabric quality to up the longevity
😅 temu tissu paper dresses 🤣🤣🤣
This video made me happy because I am a novice sewer so I'm trying to absorb as much information as I can. I learned early on to stay away from toxic poly fabric. A lot of satin is poly so I don't use it. I only sew with natural fibers mainly linen. I'm not big on commercial sewing patterns because I want to make my own style but I have purchased 3 commercial patterns (coat, dress, shirt/pants) just to help me get a basic fit of what I am wanting. From there I try to create what I envision. I made my first ever dress using the Vouge V8648 view A pattern and I added my own twist to it. I actually got compliments. The press as you go is what made my dress look nice and it's the best tip ever.
EDIT: I forgot to add that I sew my final garments with cotton thread. In the beginning of my sewing journey I purchased a ton of poly thread😩. I was about to trash it all but the brilliant idea popped in my mind to use the poly thread for muslins. That way I wouldn't be wasting my cotton thread because it is not cheap.
That's amazing!! Cotton thread is really wonderful but I actually mostly use polyester thread, it is very good and strong so I'm not worried about that but if I ever handsew I use cotton thread, it luxuriously glides through the fabric.
@@LydiaNaomiLydia, you have a preference in brand of thread?
Later for her, Lydia. She apparently had no skill or class so what else could she say. We love you and know that you are a PROfessional!
😂😂 I'm sure she didn't mean to be rude but it hurt my pride 😂😂
Thank you ❤❤
Lydia, you’re so kind about things… but some people do intend to be rude… they’re unhappy on their insides and it gushes out when they open their mouths. You know the saying that hurt people tend to hurt people. That said… you are FANfrigginTASTIC! We love you
I have been sewing since I was about 5 years old and my grandmother taught me how to thread a needle and make a knot in the thread. I would hand sew doll clothes and by around 8-9 years old I started sewing on the sewing machine. I agree, one of the biggest mistakes home sewers make is not pressing as you sew.
I learned to sew in 4H ( it was competitive! And I learned to wear my best underwear as they unzipped dresses and lifted hems!) but after that I basically used my sewing machine to hem stuff and make curtains. Then in 2014 I inherited my mom’s 1949 singer sewing machine and started designing costumes patterns “created “ from existing clothing. They were a mess! But each one brought back sewing skills from the past. I always pre washed & dried. I also ironed every seam. I really struggled with the pattern making so I took a class at my community college! (It was via zoom- pandemic). It’s been extremely helpful! I always want to sew a garment above my skill level but each time I improved. I do choose a muslin close in weight to the final piece. I made a cropped jean jacket and even with its flaws I loved it so I dyed it, added buttons and get lots of compliments on it even though it’s very flawed. I’m about to start on a new jean jacket that will be heavily modified so I’m making a sample….. I’m a slow sewer because of the ironing but I do fewer rip outs now that I match/walk all my pattern pieces to make sure the seams will match up! I love these tips!
The first ever dress I made for myself was your Bubble Frock and my mil and sil didn’t want to believe me! I made quilts and little girls dresses before, plus 2 awful tops maybe 10 years ago. What happened is that I have a lil baby at home and not a lot of free time. Maybe an hour in the day and another hour in the evening. So what happened I had to break down the tasks and gave myself a week to complete the dress. What I did is slowed me down, didn’t skip any steps. Almost skipped understitching because I didn’t know what it was but since I couldn’t rush ahead I had time to Google it. So happy I did! My dress is so beautiful and I’m almost hesitant to start a new project in fear of not being able to achieve such amazing result second time.
That literally gave me chills! I'm so happy to hear that! You can definitely do it again!!
Hi. Thank you for sharing. Also, practice, practice and practice.
I would love to be a great sewer, I too think the key is practice, Practice PRACTICE.
100% just keep sewing, keep making mistakes and learning from them, you'll be a pro before you know it!
One time a stranger asked where I got my dress and I was able to say I made it- best compliment ever because this person didn't know I sew!! Also, occasionally I think people can identify something "homemade" because maybe it stood out as something so unique and well fitted and they couldn't imagine you could find that in a store! Hopefully that's what the person meant in your case! One time a stranger asked about a corset top I made and asked if I made it and and when I said yes she asked if I was a design student which to me felt flaterring even though she identified that it was homemade because i was like " oh they think I actually study this?" (I don't) but maybe she was just being nice!
These are such great tips! While you were saying each I was like "yep been guilty of that" 😂 thanks for sharing these tips!
Glad it was helpful!
hey lydia! id love more videos like this that are 'sewing fail' themed, its so reassuring to see how someone who is so great at sewing still makes the mistakes we all do
Great tips. Thanks so much.
Great tips! Learn more about it!😘
I use stretch thread by Guttermann, the one designed for wovens. Bye bye Puckers 😁. I sew my own clothes because its the only way to get variety. I often mix period pieces into my contemporary wardrobe. My clothes have to be able to dress up or down in order to go from professional work to casual. I basically default to Goth/Punk for casual. Most of my clothes are between 7-11 years old and still in great shape.
Sewing my own clothes allows total control over quality. First by fabric selection and nd then construction. I find it a good practice to spend a bit more on high quality thread. Cutting and prep is the low nest part. I mark everything after cutting. I don't care for thread tack and use cheap artists colored pencils. If the fabric is a wool with fluff, I go with tailors wax chalk because it doesn't come off until ironing.
Can people tell that my clothes are sewn by me? Yes! I line garments and often do haute sewing techniques. In fact my clothes sewn by me are of higher quality than most expensive ready to wear. I'm living on disability for a while until I can get back to work year after next. Recently my kids bought me a ton of nice fabrics to sew to my hearts content.
I don't watch much TV or get into causing endless drama. I sew instead. Much healthier!
That's really amazing! It is cool when people recognize your talent and the superior quality that you produce! Wonderful ❤
Your tips are spot on! Guilty as charged on forgetting to iron the fabric after washing it and to press your seams as you go! When I was first learning how to sew, I made a skirt using a cotton kente cloth. I was so proud of my skirt. However, two different people complimented me on it and proceeded to ask me if I made it myself! Lesson learned.
Because of my job, I see so many sewists, and I can tell if something is handmade or not. Most of the time. And for me, it's not necessarily because it looks shabby; it's because of the unique fabric choices. It's especially the case with bag makers who use printed faux leather and vinyl and cool zippers.
Very true, the fabric can be a big giveaway and that's okay!
It happens to all of us in our sewing journey at some point! We learn and we grow 🥰
Thank Lydia, just had someone last week looking at my self-made clothes commenting like that🙈
great tipps! More of these type of videos pleeeeease😎
I'm so sorry to hear that, it really hurts ones pride 😅 so glad you enjoyed the video! More to come hopefully!
Here's a question that nobody talks about. When you lay your fabric and sew a muslin of the garment if you have to make changes, based on the muslin, how do you correct it on the real fabric? Do you make the changes to the pattern? In other words, what do you do when you see what needs to be changed on the muslin? How do you translate it when you cut out your good fabric? Nobody tells us that girl.
Replying so I can see Ms. Lydia's answer...
My solution so far is to add or subtract the amount of fabric directly on the pattern paper (this is why i copy my patterns before I start - I have too many tweaks to make). Basically mark out the new dart shape or parts taken in on the fabric with a pencil or pen. Pull the mock-up apart. Lay the pattern piece over the mock-up and add and subtract changes from the paper.
I have NO idea how the professionals do it. This is the way I've Frankensteined my way to a kind of workable solution.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
@kendal4452 I watched Daniela Tabois "How To Make Your Drape Pattern Fit Your Size/Custom Sizes" video that she posted in 2016. She makes her measurement corrections on the paper pattern and you can see her doing that at 4:55. The entire video is worth watching. Hope this helps.
Yes you're right, when you are looking at your muslin sample you're just going to transfer all of your adjustments to your paper pattern. So if you pinch out half an inch on your side seams, draw that half an inch on your pattern piece and try to match it as closely to the contouring that resulted from it. I'll keep this in mind as a video topic!
@@RoseGold... But Daniela Tabois doesn't use patterns, she drapes using a manikin. I wanted to use a McCalls pattern, then use a Mockup to make alterations. My question is how do I get whatever alterations I need from the Mockup to the pattern again. We need a video for that.
@@LydiaNaomi I think you would have to divide that adjustment by the number of seams you have. It's so confusing.
You absolutely right:)
Forgetting tip 3 can really get funny and uncorrectable 😂 the first shirt I did for my boyfriend, one wash later fits his 10yo nephew now 🤯
I was almost cutting another cotton while 🎧 to you and ran to the WM immediately 😂
Thanks for those tips 👍🏽😊
I am so happy that I saved you from disaster again! Having a garment shrink after all that work is devastating 😭😂
thank you
I see so many you tubers than dont use a clapper. I have to say you get really nice creases and folds. I use it for garments I sew as well as bags I make.
The clapper was such a recent addition to my sewing tools, and now I use it all the time it's just so useful, such crisp seams!
Yes that clapper is so wonderful isn't it!!
@@LydiaNaomi yes it is!
You are soooo funny ❤ love your vids
Thank you so much for watching ❤
I liked this video, Lydia!😊 I admit that I don't iron my fabric before cutting out pieces if it doesn't look too wrinkled; a good smoothing with my hand while pinning and before I use my rotary cutter seems to work fine. I press every seam as I go, though. 😊
I was lucky, too, that my first article of clothing sewn (a pair of elastic waist culottes) was done in a high quality polyester crepe - it didn't shrink, was super easy to work with, and survived when I had to seam rip the waistband and side seams (post-serging!) to take it in. I didn't make a proper toile (I made one but not another after I made some alterations), so that's why the pants are maybe too long in the crotch and the width of the legs are still too wide. 🫠 Still, they weren't a complete disaster and I have had compliments.
I continue to gaffe on fabric and pattern combo.... Since I'm around a lot of very cute quilting cottons and get a good employee discount, they can be very hard not to use, even though I should know better, lol. My most recent fall was an oversized button down where I used a black cotton/ linen blend. I'd made alterations on the pattern for my 5'1" height (but no toile!) and the fabric, with its substantial body, was too voluminous. I got compliments but I don't like that shirt at all. 😅
Mock ups and fabric choice! So important!
Who is this person who said that in that way? I made your milk maid dress using your pattern and it looked fab. Infact someone asked me where I got the dress from and another asked me to make tgem a dress. I have learned to sew so well by seeing your videos😊
It was a random lady I met at church haha I am so glad the dress turned out great for you!! I usually hear "where did you get that" but it was just that one time haha
On the subject of fabric type, I have something to add: patterned quilting fabric. Nothing says "my grandma made this" more than that stiff, busy fabric with watercolor cats all over it. No offence to the grandmas out there, but the cutesy designs are alwas a dead giveaway.
I think if I measured the time I spend planning, drafting, tracing, pattern placement, cutting, pinning and pressing, it would be significantly more than the time I spend actually sewing... Just as well I enjoy the whole process! 😊
It's really so true isn't it 😅 we just got to remember that it's all worth it in the end when you don't have to throw out your finished product 🥰
It’s like the saying “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey”😉😆
The difference between homemade and hand made
Exactly!! 🤗
Is there any way to wash/pre-shrink wool fabric before cutting and sewing? Same question for silk. Please and thank you.
Great tips. Raspberries to the woman who did the 'well, it looks homemade' to you. Your work is lovely.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
Don't wash wool fabric, wool fibres are curly/barbed, scaley and porous, they react by tightening up and gripping eachother more tightly when exposed to heat, friction and moisture together, so the best way is to hand steam them with your iron. Steam in the direction of the selvege. That's all you need to do. Silk can be damaged by water, I've made silk pillowcase and just wash them but they wear down quickly, my pillowcase is worn to shreds now. SIlk is actually weaker when wet so that is why. Hand wash silk gently if you must, but steaming is the best, careful with water stains though.
Thank you, I didn't think she meant to offend me, I think I really was wearing a dress that had lots of issues and puckers I just couldn't say goodby to it, its still in my closet haha!
I don’t have enough room to iron a lot of fabric. I usually iron the cut out pieces, iron, then edit them. You gotta do what you gotta do. We are living in a tiny rental while our beautiful home is being built.
That's true, you gotta do what you can do!
Lydia, what do you do with all of your toiles when you are done with them? I do so much garment sewing to improve my overall sewing skills, I barely have room in my sewing room closet for all my finished garments let alone numerous toiles.
I plan to sell some of my wearable ones or give them away, if its a partial toile I send it to the thrift store since they recycle clothing and fabric apparently.
❤
My colleagues know that I sew now. So everytime I wear something they like, they compliment me and ask if I made it. I don't like to say 'not this one', but it's nice they know my skills ;)
I'm the same, my friends are always asking if I made it, which is totally fine because they know I'm a sewer 😅
When making a toile, do you recommend doing it in the same fabric as your end project? Or is muslin fabric okay for any project?
If you're working with linen and cotton woven or something like it muslin will be okay, if you're working with a jersey you must use a Jersey, even a satin you should test with a satin. The key is to find cheaper versions of those fabrics, the thrift store can be a great place for that!
@@LydiaNaomi thank you!! And to sorry to keep asking but what do you personally do with the toile when you are done?
@@whatsbridoing most of the time my toiles are wearable, but if not I send them to the thrift store where they can be recycled.
I have a question about pre-washing your fabric! Does the length of the cycle matter? I wash most of my clothes at the same temp. on a 2hr-ish cycle, but for pre-washing fabrics do I need to put them on a cycle that long? I understand I need to wash them at X temp., but would I get the desired affect if I did them on a short 30min-ish cycle? Or do I need to wash them in the exact same way I wash my clothes, because that is how they will be washed once they are turned into a garment? I'm not sure if a short cycle at the same temp. will achieve the same results.
Good question I have actually done both. I haven’t had trouble with a short cycle as long as I use warm water then put it in the drier after. The drier is the key unless you never plan to put it in the dryer.
@@LydiaNaomi Ah, the dryer would make sense. I didn’t think of it because I don’t own one! Good to know a short cycle should work just as well.
Also, CONTOURING!!!!
Depending on the specificities of your body the illness of the fit may come from adding or removing as little as 5mm (sorry usa, Liberia and Cambodia we are the 99.99999999999999% and inches are dumb) from strategic spots to completely change how your garment looks.
I agree: poor fit is the biggest tell of "homemade". Make the fit as perfect as you reasonably can. Otherwise, it's cheaper just to shop at Walmart. 😛
As they say: if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.
Oh dear.
My mom was watching me sew & asked me why I pressed so often instead of doing it at the end. Because I know how janky it will look if I don't.
That’s the spirit!!
Great video and excellent tips! I didn't like anything I made until I started PRESSING. THE. SEAMS. (If anyone is curious, Bernadette Banner has a great video that's a deep dive into why it's important and how to do it.) I'm definitely guilty of not ironing my fabric before cutting into it, so that's my next area to improve :P