Best advice I ever got was from a friend who's handmade clothing always looked gorgeous. I asked her what her secret was. She said, "I take my time and do my very best." Simple, yet it transformed my own sewing from that point on!
That's why I'm so in demand for horse blanket repairs. I take my time and they literally look new after they send them to me. I have had to fix what other places supposedly repaired.
If using expensive fabric and a new pattern. Make the pattern using cheap material first so you if you need to alter anything you don't accidentally damage the more expensive material.
I did this this week with something I was planning to upcycle. I have a funky tie dye skirt which will provide juuuust enough fabric, so I used some denim print cotton to make a "muslin". I am really glad I did, because the finished product turned out too big, and I really struggled to follow the pattern instructions, which meant 4 or 5 sessions of unpicking and frustratedly throwing the thing across the room.
Yes this. And, if you haven't used your sloper for awhile, try it on before cutting any of the fabric...you could have gained or lost weight and the sloper no longer fits the way it's supposed to.
I did this today for the first time. Ive been making costumes for around 7 years but i never did this before and i remember making so many mistakes. So this time i decided to do it and it feels so much better. Now im sure i wont make the same mistakes again.
My granny thought me to sew when I was a teen, her big tip was to take a moment to sew a test scrap at the beginning of a project, especially if using an expensive or unusual material. Love the channel and the great tips!
I would recommend a quick test seam even if using plain cotton or muslin. Just verify the state of your machine; did you change the tension on your last project; is the needle right for this fabric, is your machine happy or would in need a trip to the machine doctor?
Hy, it has been a year, how are you doing? I am 64 male and love sewing. The creative process is endless and you can design whatever you want with some learning :) That is me, still learning lol Had some major mistakes but I do not use patterns and try to create my own. Sometimes works lol
Oh my gosh YES! I took a Bishop tailoring class & our instructor showed us what happens when you skip the preshrink step. The garment she held up, had such twisted seams! Where the side seams started & then shifted to the front & back. That was after the garment was completed & washed. What a nightmare!!! There was no way the garment could be worn after that! 😟
Before I wash my new fabric I serge the raw edges. It prevents wovens from fraying in the washer and, it is my confirming sign that the yardage in my inventory has been washed. Before retirement from my career I often didn't get to wash my fabric immediately. By serging JUST BEFORE putting it in the washer I always knew at a glance whether or not the fabric had been washed.
I have heard horror stories of what happens when you do not prewash. I am so very glad that I got into that habit early on. I have this one piece of yardage, a beautiful bright red, and I just had a feeling it would bleed. Boy, did it ever! That is another thing not to do, never wash red yardage with other colors.
I learned, when teaching, that ironing & pressing are two Different things! Now it is a pet peve (sorry) of mine when someone says press, and they actually iron. Ironing is sliding the iron over the material which can stretch it. Press is place, hold a second or two, then lift and repeat. I like what you said about pressing immediately. It "sets" the stitches making the seam lay better. Use steam? Better check material first! Some won't take steam well. Great habits! I would add to turn machine OFF when changing needle.
I have all my machines and a lamp on a power strip and before walking away from my table, I turn it off. Because of the light, I never have to wonder if I left the iron or a machine on. Also, I recently was told by my repair man, when not in use for an extended time, to run my machine at least once every two weeks to keep the oils up inside the machines. He said to use a scrap of fabric and just run a foot of stitches in it.
If you turn off everything using the switch on the power strip, you’re also turning off the surge protection feature! (I have my iron and lamp on a separate power strip and DO use the switch to turn the iron and lamp off. )
@@helenr.2184 I do the same as the above - I have 2 power strips with them getting power from a single heavy duty plug that I pull out after switching it off, so no power reaches the adaptors.
Hi Evelyn, I have one good habit that I created: After I have selected the new project I am going to do, I always prepare everything I am going to use..Example, iron, iron board, spray bottle, clean the cutting board, clean layout area, the sewing tables and the machines. This way the whole sewing room is ready for a joyful time with me. Candles are lit and music on. Then I take out the the project which is in a plastic big bag. In the big bag has all the notions, fabrics, threads for sewing machines and serger. During the time of setting/cleaning, I wash/Semidry the fabrics. When I completed my project, I first clean all machines and dust/vacuum/clean the sewing room.. This way it is ready for the next project. note: since I have 3 jobs, I might not see my joy room for a week or so..gets a little dusty.
My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was 10. She told me to unplug the sewing machine every time I change the needle, and never to leave it plugged in and unattended.
My dog has trodden on my presser foot before, I always turn machine off now every time I stand up to move from it. Even if only for a minute. He is so nosy and wants to see and smell everything. Xx
I tried to get that habit, but failed. When I turn off the machine, the light is off, which makes it almost impossible to change the needle. But I think, most sewing machines have a foot pedal, which you can unplug. So what I do is leaving the machine connected to the plug in the wall, but unplug the pedal. My serger only has one cable which splits into two, one for the pedal, one to connect it to electricity. As she is super jumpy and powerful (kinda Dobermann tempered) a little accidental touch will already put her to Autobahn mode, so I have to disconnect her whenever I clean her or exchange the needles, especially because she has sharp teeth (knife included).
I always use a scrap piece of fabric as a thread saver, it saves both time and thread, as you don’t end up having long ends to snip off what you are working on. At the end of your seam backstitch if you wish, then sew off the garment onto the scrap piece of fabric. Cut the threads between the garment and scrap, leaving the scrap under the foot. When you start your next seam butt the garment up against the scrap and sew off the scrap and onto the garment. I have several scraps in a pot next to my machine, it means I don’t have to rethread the needle, and as you have started sewing already the tension tends to be much better at the beginning of your seam.
is this for a sewing machine or overlocker? i bought my overlocker pre-threaded with a scrap of sewn fabric under the foot. does the principal apply to normal sewing machines too?
If you really want to go crazy, use these small bits of fabric to create a project. My mom gave me a postage stamp quilt made entirely of her leaders and enders, and it is AMAZING.
if you're making a complicated garment with lots of lining layers, or if you're working with a very slippery or fickle fabric, basting your layers together before you actually sew them is a great way to make sure everything comes out clean and precise! i believe it's a more historical practice, so not a lot of people do it nowadays, but it really can be a lifesaver
I'm from the Caribbean. Lots of men sew because boats need sails, boats need seat cushions, folks need bags for groceries, and of course men sew to tailor their clothes to look nice. :-) Men and women, where I'm from, both sew. Everyone knows how to sew. But everyone sews for different reasons.
One thing I've found helpful is to pick up pins and needles immediately when they're dropped. Only takes one time stepping on a sharp object hiding in the carpet to realize the importance of doing so.
This is a habit of mine that I don't see people having often enough. When I first started being interested in sewing, we already had a cat. Pets and dropped pins don't mix, so whenever I drop any, I won't turn back to work until I've found it. Results: some five-ish years ago I bought two packs of 100 pins. Haven't opened the second one and am not likely to in the near future; also, I can freely walk barefoot in my sewing room.
+Mirjam Proos -- Yes, that is another excellent reason to pick them up immediately. I no longer have a dog, but do have a few cats and I don't want to see them hurt by a needle. I also like to walk barefoot in my house without fear of impaling myself! Picking up loose string (and yarn) is also important with pets (and small children).
I actually have a magnetic dish meant for holding screws that i keep pins in (if I use em, i mostly use wonder clips) and I always, always put the pin back in the magnetic dish to keep it in place. It also makes it easier to find them if they fall somewhere seeing as I can take it and go wherever it fell till it catches the pin.
I have bifocal glasses, and picking up pins is a pain, as they fall into a difficult "seeing zone" with the bifocals. I found an expandable wand with a magnetip tip that helps locate and pick up pins that have fallen, without having to bend over and search.
Hi! I just saw your video, thanks for the info! One thing I learned within the last year is to fill up 2 to 3 bobbins with my project thread at the beginning, so I don't have to stop mid-project to refill (something I find very irritating). That has made such a difference! I can quickly swap out the bobbin with no delay, especially if there isn't enough thread on it for a long seam. I get to avoid the dreaded moment when you realize that you ran out of bobbin thread 12 inches ago...😒
My grandmother taught me to always wash, dry and iron my fabric according to manufacturers specifications, (tip: take a picture of the end of the bolt , which usually has laundering info, with fabric visible to keep as a reminder) before cutting my patterns, sometimes it is hard when you are really excited about a project but it really does avoid any nasty surprises with shrinkage and warp after you've spent so much time on a garment.
From my Home Economics teacher in the early 1960s in Bangor, Maine, USA: "PRESS THE SEAM IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS SEWN!" In other words, put the garment (project) under the iron after every seam, and keeping it closed/flat, press it BEFORE opening it up. It sets the stitches into the fabric and makes a HUGE difference in the finished product.
My biggest tip for sewing efficiency is to work and sew things in a line. What I mean is, if you have similar seams you can feed them into the machine one right after another without cutting thread. I work on samples and production runs often, so I have learned how to divide simple steps like this, quilters will do this often as well. Also, my biggest tip, if you are going to cut out a garment to make from scratch you might as well make two... or more!!! You’re already doing the work, so why not just add another identical garment in another fabric? I wouldn’t do this for a lined coat, but for a casual top? Absolutely make multiples as it’s not that much extra work.
This is a standard method in quilting called "chain piecing". When stitching small pieces together simply stitch from one patch to the next. There is less than 1/2" between the patches. Then clip them apart after stitching many of these pairs. Without chain piecing you will actually discard more thread than you use in the seam of a single patch. But chain piecing prevents that waste. Thread used to be cheap -- no more, especially if you throw more away than you use.
I'm new to sewing and I have no idea what any of this means LOL I guess I have some learning to do.. I'll be looking for a tutorial on quilting so I can better understand. I like the idea of making two garments, at the same time though.
That's what my mother did. She started working full time in a suit factory at age 14 and made practically all my clothes and those of other family members. So many of the things you talk about Evelyn are the stuff she told me too. I've recently got back into sewing after not doing any for years and I found your channel by chance and immediately subscribed!
I've been sewing since my gran taught me on her foot treadle singer back in the early 1950s... a couple of tips that have helped me a lot: 1. Change your needle more often than you think - every 8 hours of sewing is ideal - and match your needle to your fabric. One Size 12 needle does not fit all! 2. If your foot pedal has a tendency to slide away from you (if you have a non-carpet surface this can be a real pain) wrap several medium-size rubber bands around it. Not so tight that the pedal is compressed and starts the machine, but snug enough to provide some traction. Or you can try using a pattern of hot-glue dots on the base of the pedal that will help it to stop wandering away. 3. I keep a bulletin board on the wall over my machine so I can see the pattern I'm following easily. 4. Long seams (drapes, etc.) can be challenging and I use a special double-sided tape (usually found in the area of the quilting notions) rather than pins. It's water soluble. 5. Use the best quality thread you can find, and test old spools by tugging to see if they are still strong enough. Most cotton thread is only good for a couple of years, mixed threads (poly/cotton) or synthetics longer. Matching your thread to your fabric content gives the best results.
#2 is brilliant for folks on a budget! I would never have thought of rubber bands. If money's not a big issue, you can also use adhesive non-slip/rubber furniture pads, or the sticky rubber dots made for stopping a keyboard from sliding across a desk.
One of my habits is to never ever use my fabric scissors to cut anything but fabric or threads. My kids knew to never to touch my fabric scissors and I always made sure that they had an ample supply of paper scissors so they were never tempted.
Deb Eberly I don't even use my fabric scissors for threads, I have separate scissors for that If people want to borrow my fabric scissors for anything I freak and and make sure they want them for fabric and then watch them to make sure they don't use them for other stuff x3
Most common types of paper contains clay and dirt (it's a part of the surface smoothener in sheaper types of paper), that's why they are bad for the shears.
This is a lesson i couldn't get into my bf's head until my sewing scissors no longer work right on fabric, and I made him buy me a new pair. Once he saw how much they cost he no longer uses my sewing scissors for paper and he bought me a rotary cutter and mat also. I think he understands now
I thought I had that rule in place, till the day I came home to find my son cutting a bicycle tire off of the rim, with my Gingher shears. Arrrggghhh! I have two pair...I took the now damaged pair in for professional sharpening. 12 years later, and my new hubby is a retired tool maker, my own personal shear sharpener!! We laugh about the tire incident!
If you sew with patterns, always read the instructions in full before you even start the project. There’s almost always something you‘ll get wrong or wish you had done differently otherwise. Or is that just me? 😂
Oh not just you!! I need to know the full picture before starting!! 😀 The whole construction to mud mapped together before I begin!! I agree, I think think is so important!
I also write notes on the pattern (if they are ones I have drafted myself) or on the instruction sheet if it a commercial pattern of things to remember or do differently next time. If I have an outfit that looks good on me I will often make it a couple of times in different fabrics and keeping notes right on the pattern/instructions saves a whole lot of heartache.
Some very good tips I learned in school! Always put your needles and scissors on the right side of your sewing machine so that it does not disappear under your fabric that you are working on. And always place your project / fabric that you are sewing as much as possible on the left side of your sewing machine and as little as possible under the arm of your sewing machine.
I made myself a cute little “tool pad” (basically a large potholder) that I keep on the right side of my machine. It reminds me to set down every tool there - like your advice, safely out of the way of the fabric plus organized!
When I was in school, learning to be a seamstress, I did sew through my finger. The sewing machine was in industrial one, so the needle got in deep. I had to go to the hospital, and ended up in a finger cast for six weeks. Two things we learned was put your hair up, a lot of us made a bun with like a pencil to holp it up, or strip of fabric. Also no needles or pins in your mouth.
A habit I developed 35+ years ago (when I had four young children) was to disengage the drive wheel every time I walked away from the machine. Young children find the foot pedal fascinating. The habit has stuck; I still do it - just as well, since I have eight grandchildren! Thanks for your videos, they are so informative and entertaining.
My mum forgot to do this and at the age of 2 I decided I was going to sew like mummy does. Lots of blood, lots of screaming from both mum and I and one small skin graft later. Never did put me off sewing. 😊
Bang on! I don't trust myself not to do something numpty so my habit with any machine maintenance, switching out bobbins etc is just to turn the power off. I always sew with a worklight next to me so it's not a big deal that I have no machine light. But I've done enough silly things in life not to trust myself, ha ha!
@@melissab.r.6044 I think it's something that you can only do with older machines. If you pull it out away from the machine it clicks and holds out that way.
I recently put one of those chalkboard stickers on the side of my machine so I can write down what the current needle in my machine is since I switch types and sizes relatively often. This way, if it's been a while since sometimes I'll go a while between projects, or if I'm changing the needle a lot in a short time period, I'll know what I was using last.
I’d never thought of that. I exclusively been looking out for those needles that have the numbers etched into the flat side. But only the pricy ones do that and sometimes I need a smaller/bigger size that isn’t for sale with the etched numbers. I also didn’t know they sell stickers with chalk board on it. I’ll keep an eye out. Because I’ll for sure try that.
Put everything you need for a project -- pattern, fabric, thread, buttons, zippers, notions, even notes for yourself -- all together in an appropriately-sized box or bin. That way, if you do get sidetracked from working on your project right away, you'll still have everything you'll need for it in one place when you do get back to it.
This is an absolute necessity for me, putting projects in boxes. Saves asking myself later, "Now, what in the world was I going to do with this fabric?"
Absolutely right for all sewing! My mother taught me to sew 50 years ago and the habits stayed with me! (No backstitch in those days-it was pulling through top threads to the back and tying off!!!) I now am teaching my granddaughters to sew, not dressmaking yet-its patchwork and quilting and small projects to learn good sewing, good habits and good work flow! I'm RS together girl and always mark plain fabrics. No paper cutting with good scissors. Always tidy and cap your tools at the end of a session, and press seams and clip threads as you go! No food while you sew-take a break! No pins in your mouth-someone said that one already but it's SO important. I have a small workroom and I tidy after a session -threads in bin, floor, and tools capped, hang up rulers etc. as I can't begin again in a mess! Love your look, it reminds me of my mum so much. Btw, I wasn't allowed long nails either😂
I always trace my pattern, so that I leave the original pattern pieces intact. My habit is to ALWAYS put the pattern number on each traced piece, so you know which pattern it belongs too, and then store the drafted pieces in a zip lock bag, which I store with the original pattern.
We learned that in fashion school! I always put down the type of garment, date, size, which pattern (number) I used AND what should it be cut out (fabric, lining, underlining, single, double) I also keep it pinned to the right side of the fabric for as long as possible. I need all the help I can get in staying organised :-)
I'm so glad I found you, Evelyn ! I'm having an absolute BLAST with my new addictive hobby ! I've been a violin-maker by trade for 61 yrs. and I'm accustomed to dealing with machines, however my sewing machine is different than say, my band-saw in that my saw does not have a foot pedal and it has never started suddenly making me jump in my seat. Keeping your foot off the pedal is one thing, but in my case I unplug the machine from the box whenever I'm doing anything with it other than sewing. Know your machine, but know yourself as well. I intend to watch all your videos since you seem quite capable, very knowledgeable, and are pleasant to watch as well. Thank you so much.
When you start sewing one row of stitching, hold both threads behind the foot and lower your needle to make your first stitch and then lock and then press your pedal. This helps with making your first stitches nice and clean. Always lock on the start and the finish.
Some of my habits are, that when I have finished sewing for the day, I put scrap fabric under my footer & place the needle in the lowest position. If I am storing or taking my machine somewhere I remove the needle. NEVER rush when making a project, take your time & if you get confused or frustrated at all, take a break and go back to it. As you mentioned with the foot pedal, I push mine away from my feet so it's out of the way so I know I won't accidentally tap it if I move my feet around (which I often do). Always read the manuals with any new machine that you purchase, and keep them close at hand until you've tamed your machine. :)
Hi Evelyn. Another wonderful video. I have two habits, one from my machine repair man and one hard and fast rule from my fashion school days. My repair man goes bonkers over people sewing over pins. He says that although the needle slips off the pins it throws the timing out ever so slightly. This will eventually get to the point where you have to get you machine serviced sooner than would otherwise be necessary. My other habit that was drummed into us at fashion school was to ALWAYS turn off your machine when you walk away from it, even if you are just nipping off to the loo or whatever, turn it off. My machine maintenance man also hates it when people have used the "trick" of using dental floss in the thread pathway to help smooth running of the thread. He says it builds up and he has a terrible time getting it out. Goodness knows why this maintenance man likes to complain to me about the things that people do that annoys him, but he does, so i have passed on his comments here 😉
A habit if mine I have developed is to finish a project before I start with another. In the past I have had so many projects on the go that in the end it all gets to much and I just walk away... no more 😘
This is for me!!! I've got soo many UFO (unfinished objects) and not only sewing, also a lot of other stuff just waiting to be completed... dark side of creativity 🤔😁
Stellalpina exactly, right in the middle of making something, a new great ideea comes to your mind and you just can’t wait to start your new project! You’ll have time to finish your old one, you say to yourself! 😄
I'm 60 and I just started sewing again during the shelter in place. I am having so much fun! My neighbor recently gave me a mountain of furniture and drapery fabric samples; wool, silk, cashmere, linen, velvet, leather and viscose (the can-do cloth) but the best part is all the amazing people like you posting entertaining, informative and quite charming videos so people like me can learn how to sew. I spent the day today learning all about knit fabrics and all things stretchy. Thank you!
Yes, when I'm tired I put my shears away, cover up my machines and look around fondly at everything that's ready for next time, and go off to bed happy.
Haha 😄 You don't have a choice as a Fashion Design student! I wouldn't be bothered sewing tired nowadays given the choice. Not worth it, and it makes it less enjoyable anyway.
Twice a year I clean my machine pedal. It gets dirty and dusty inside. I also clean up at the end of my sewing day...clear desk, sweep floor...makes it a pleasure to return to.
I've made it a habit also to tidy up also when I'm finished for the day, my sewing room is small, and does make it nice to start sewing again next session.
I started sewing late 2019. I learned from youtube videos. I have mainly altered men's clothes but have made a few simple bags, sweatpants, and wrap pants. My tips would be position then press each seam before you sew it then press each seam after it is sewed. I use chalk and pins a lot. Pinning takes *ages* but for me it it worth it for the better results. Snip off each thread after each seam and bin them right away do not just drop them on the floor. Seems like a little thing but it makes things much easier and tidier if you do this as you go. I am really disciplined with putting pins away and never dropping them or setting them loose on the table. As with the threads this discipline leads to a tidy workspace and your mind is free of thinking 'oh I must remember to tidy that up' and instead you can focus on the sewing. I usually first make test versions of items using op shop (thrift shop) fabric - this alleviates my fear of cutting in to my 'nice' fabric. Also, you see the unexpected parts that were much harder than you expected so you know to take extra care there. Like Michalina P says 'When you start sewing one row of stitching, hold both threads behind the foot and lower your needle to make your first stitch and then lock and then press your pedal. This helps with making your first stitches nice and clean. Always lock on the start and the finish.' This is huge. I didn't do this at first and had loose stitches plus every few seams the thread would come out of the needle and I had to rethread it. Now I hold both threads to start each seam and it makes a big difference. Related to above, at the start I nearly always did test stitches on a scrap of fabric. This saved me from many screw-ups that you make as a beginner. Like forgetting to change from zigzag back to straight stitch, or forgetting to change back some other setting, or just not threading it properly. I no longer do it every time but still do it after changing stitches as it catches mistakes. When sewing I always set out my small scissors to snip threads, my fabric scissors, and my paper scissors in the same area so I can use the ones I need each time and aren't tempted to switch because one pair of scissors is handy and the proper one isn't. Many youtube videos make things look easy they just run the item through the machine and the seams looks great. I have found I sometimes have to do a 'weird' thing to get something done. Even if no video shows that 'weird' thing, if you have to do it to make the seam, do it. I was tapering a vintage men's jacket and could not just run a nice straight seam to taper in the back seam, I had to have the jacket bunched up weird with my hand inside and fingers holding the seam together and constantly readjusting as I curved the stitches. If you have to do it - do it. Even if the videos don't do it. I do not often see this in videos, but if I get to part of the garment where there are suddenly many layers of fabric like top stitching over where the dart is fastened, I will often hand crank the stitches over that part. I generally take my time and do my best. Remember you put in time and effort and nice fabric and your nice strong new thread for your proper project - so it is worth fixing mistakes. You only get to sew it once - if you think 'Oh that mistake is not too bad I will let that pass' you will reach the point where you can no longer go back and fix it. So try to avoid the mistake, or fix it right away.
I actually overlock the cut edges of fabric before I throw it in the wash, this keeps me from having a thread mess and warped edges when I pull the fabric out of the machine! Also, I pre-wash everything as soon as it enters my home.
@@LanaClarkLC An Overlocker is the maschine that makes those neat seams that you can see in the inside of a t-shirt. It cuts the edge and wraps thread around it so it can't unravel. If you don't own such a maschine, you can use a zig zag stitch, so that one side of the zig zag is just outside of the fabric and the other one is inside. That will also help against fraying. It's not nessecary to do that before washing fabric, and I've never heard of anyone else doing it, but it just unnerves me when I pull out a tangled stringy mess out of the washing that's why I do it.
haha! i do exactly the same. take my yardage out of the bag and run it through my serger, then into the washer, dryer, & iron. worth having your new fabric ready to go when you are!
Thank you Miss Wood. A good habit is having all my machines covered when not in use since dust is enemy number one - cover the machine you are using even at the end of the day even if you plan to use it the next day. Also, when not in use, I unplug my machines from electric power - when power returns after a power outage any surge in power could damage the motor. As a reminder I keep the plug end of the cable on top of the table next to the machine. This way, upon standing at the door of the sewing room, you can immediately see which machines are protected. Also, I don’t plug the machines directly to the wall but to a power surge protector. Keeping a small basket with a thread snipper, pin holder, seam ripper, and other items used regularly next to every one of my machines saves time hunting for those. Storing threads covered to avoid dust accumulation on them preventing dust getting into the tension mechanism and the bobbin. Is this OCD? Maybe but, once you create a habit, you do it automatically without wasted time. You don’t even notice that you are doing it. That is why, as Miss Evelyn Wood said, it is easier to create a new habit than correct a bad habit.
MORA Rivera. Definitely NOT O.C.D! I just love how lazy & impatient people, have a tendency to throw that term out there, just to make themselves feel better about their inadequacies. It's actually called good work ethics & craftsmanship. Sadly a lost art in these modern times. Keep up the good work! You sound very smart! 😀👍💖👏
Good advice..i worked for 30 years in a sewing factory making men's suits and later ladies jackets and skirts. We had to clean and oil our machines every Tuesday. I cleaned mine whenever I started to have problems. The regular sewing machines had a bobbin winder on the side ..so you always had a full bobbin...this is a must.... always have extra full bobbins. I really enjoy your videos.
I’ve just got back into vintage singers. They need more frequent oiling than newer machines because there are no plastic self lubricating bits. Only use good quality machine oil not 3in1 and definitely not WD40 which leaves a residue. And I learned that for Singers just because the light is off doesn’t mean the power is off. Many people think the light switch is the power switch and those old pedals can heat up all by themselves if they are a bit sticky, and burn a hole in the floor! I think the surge protector suggestion is great.
I had this happen with my elderly Pfaff machine. I noticed a faint buzzing noise and then a funny smell. I was lucky the house didn't burn down, in retrospect. The original foot pedal had finally given up the ghost, and current was passing through it without my foot being on it. Once the foot pedal was replaced, my machine and I were in harmony (and safety) once more.
Thanks for passing these 5 good habits on.I learned early these from my grandmother. One habit I learned early is to be willing to take that extra time needed to rip out a flaw. Don't pass over it. It will make all the difference in how your garment looks
Excellent tips! My tip is to use bobbin "stays" so you avoid a spaghetti nest of threads in your bobbin box. I make them by cutting off roughly 6 or 7mm piece of plastic tubing - I use 1cm diameter from any hardware or aquatic shop - and then make another cut so that you can open it out (like the letter C). You can make loads of them from half a metre and it's much cheaper than buying them ready made. Whenever I change out the bobbin, I always take the stay off the new colour and immediately put it on the old one.
My habit for keeping track of the right/wrong side of fabrics is to put a piece of painters tape on the wrong side of every piece. I used to use pins for this, but then you run the risk of those pins getting snaged on another piece somewhere along the way, potentially ruining your project or atleast that piece. I sew quite alot, but i'm just a home sewer, so i sometimes leave projects for days in between sessions. and sometimes i even have to put my project away compleatly since i don't have a dedicated sewing room. This is where the tape really shines since i don't have to think too much about how i put my project away. No needles that can snag and each piece is clearly marked and easy to re-organize when i take it back out :D I use 95% black fabrics, so i don't like to mark them with chalk since it might (aka almost certainly will) rub off on the right side of another piece. :) A new thing i started dooing just a couple of years ago is to wind AS MANY bobbins as possible at the same time. It's such an obvious thing, but i used to just wind a new bobbin every time it ran out and it never even occurred to me that i could just pre-wind a whole bunch of them beforehand! I sure felt pretty silly when that thought finally hit me :P
I love these! My iron habit is to switch the heat down to nothing and the steam to off, then empty out all water, before storing. That way I don't run the risk of switching it on and forgetting it's on - a friend had a kitchen fire that way. It also prolongs the life of the iron, and it also saves me from dumping a super hot iron onto fabrics that can't cope and ending up with a melted mess!
hello. I'm not a new sewer, but I'm not a good or confident one. thank you miss Evelyn and all of you who replied with more habits and tips. And I'm grateful how generous you are with your experience. blessings on you all.
I always keep paper scissors at my machine together with fabric scissors. I don't get tempted to use fabric scissor to make even a tiny snip to open a parcel.
This video was in my recommended and it looked intriguing; about a quarter of the way through the video I’ve subscribed. I love how apparent it is that you care about your viewers who are starting out in sewing. You’re honest, passionate, and nonjudgmental in your approach. You’re so down to earth! Thank you for putting out such valuable content!
If you have a rotary cutter, always close it after very cut, even if it's just for a few seconds. Rotary cutters are extremely sharp and dangerous if you cut yourself with them.
I always do this....I close and lock it. Once my dog grabbed it with her mouth, and I was so greatful that my habit is close and lock, cause I knew she would not get cut. (She was fine...not even a scratch)
somewhere i read "its not a ? of whether or not you will cut yourself w your rotary cutter, but WHEN!" Miss Priss here religiously cut w a Klutz Glove, until one day I was cutting just a quick little bit w a small ruler & bam! my cutter ran over the ruler and straight into my finger. It only takes once, no matter HOW careful you are!
Habit 1 1:47 Take your foot off pedal and put on floor anytime you go near they needle area! Habit 2 2:58 Keep all your cut pieces right sides facing up Habit 3 4:24 Trim and Press as you go Habit 4 5:00 Always leave a bobbin in the machine Habit 5 5:42 Machine maintenance clear the fluff
Hi, my mother taught me how to sew when I was a young boy, she believed that it was a skill that everyone should be familiar with. I've sewed throughout my life, and now I find that my sewing skill makes me very popular since so many people are looking for well made masks! I have always used a hand crank Singer antique sewing machine and loved it. I did however sometimes miss having a zigzag option and a reverse, so a couple of years ago I bought a Singer Talent electric sewing machine. I thought it would be easy to switch, I was wrong! I've had a tough time getting used to an electric machine and I'm often tempted to go back to my antique machine, but I'm determined to get used to the new one, but I don't find it easy.
Yes, indeed. I wish I had watched this sooner. I did not have "foot off the pedal " habit, and my little finger has a big black bruise on the nail where the machine came down on it. You are so right about all these habits. I started a new one. I have a waste can and I immediately drop the cut threads into it. I hate all those jumbled threads with the pins and stuff. Now, it is all neat when I am finished sewing.
Great habits suggestions Evelyn. My habit suggestion is to serge the raw edge and wash fabric as soon as it is purchased and before it is stored. It is then ready for your projects and pre shrunk.
This is one I do, except the raw edge surging. Although sometimes the fabric doesn't look or feel like it's been washed so in that case, better safe than sorry and it gets washed again;)
Use a vacuum to clean the the thread and fabric fluff from your machines. You can get attachments that are smaller. I have a mini vac in my sewing room. Also helps pick up all those little threads and pins! DO NOT USE CANNED AIR. It embeds that lint in there further and the air is moist so it makes it clump! Second good habit: change needles frequently. Every 2-3 garments. Third good habit: always use good quality thread. Don’t be tempted by the cheap stuff. There will be less breakage, nests and lint.
thank you; I did not know canned air was bad, and when I use the little brush, I feel like I am just moving the fluff from one place to another. I like your vac idea; I will look for a small one to keep in the sewing room.
Carol Anne the brush does seem useless to me too. I’ve heard some people say a fine paint brush works better. And make sure the mini vac has good suction. Don’t get one of those tiny ones for computer key boards.
I sew heavy duty industrial high temperature blankets for engines and generators at work, and use an industrial machine often, was taught at a reasonably young age by my mum on how to sew by hand and with a machine, and now that I'm 29 I figured I would finally get my own personal machine for some clothing project ideas that I have at home, bought a singer 4423 last week, coming in the post, and subscribed just because of the great tips in this, going to have a nice long look through the channel! Thanks so much for the tips!
My home economics teacher from high school taught us to check bobbin before each project. Make sure your not about to run out of bobbin thread. Also test stitches on a scrap piece of fabric. There were 12 machines in the classroom & she had 6 classes using those machines. These were just habits for the classroom but I find myself still listening to my teacher. Thank you for the videos.
Just found this fantastic channel! My biggest habit I have to make myself follow is DON'T RUSH!!! I always make mistakes when I am trying to hurry for whatever reason - broken needles by running over a pin, mixing up right/wrong side of fabric, puckers or other obnoxious simple errors you have to unpick. The faster I try to go, the longer a task with take me because of the errors. On top of that, it is SOOOO FRUSTRATING so you don't even have fun!
My machine has 3 speed settings and I usually keep it on the slowest setting. I use the medium speed very rarely and hand turn on tricky areas. My sewing is so much neater since I started this habit.
Great video, we always talk about tips but habits can be so much important. The habit that helped me so much is to always push the ends of my needle and bobin thread to the back before I start sewing and hold it for the first couple stitches
My teacher always told is to put our hair in a ponytail/braid/bun while sewing. When i started fashion school, we had to watch a video about safty at the workspace. *warning this gets grafic* In that video, there was a clip of a surveilance cam that showed a woman who leaned forward while sewing and her long hair got cought and tangled in the mashine and got ripped of and the woman was bleeding...😱😱😱 since then, i ALLWAYS put my hair in a bun while sewing! (It's not that much of a problem with the mashines you use at home since they are almost completly encased in plastic, but when you use a industrial mashine, they can be a little more open)
I'm here again, you are the bright spot in my mornings Evelyn. Your habits video is excellent and I am a bit ocd so won't have a problem forming these habits. I cook and bake and always wash dishes as I go. It is so rewarding. I'm just to the "gathering" supplies at this point (fabric cutting table, chair mat, basics of sewing supplies) Studied the "Ease" videos so I can today, use the measuring tape option to get the right numbers off my pattern ;) Once I get that, it will be finding my fabric. Hopefully you have a video on that as well. I absolutely love your style and hope I will get into the accessorizing. I am 68 and breaking out of this pandemic a new woman with some new style ;)
Oh, my gosh! How have I watched so many of your fantastic videos and not subscribed until now? After spending the last few months moving from a tropical island to (sigh) the United States, my first sewing machine arrived today. You and a two or three other RUclipsrs opened my mind to all the reasons I really needed to learn to sew. My grandmother was a professional seamstress and designer but, strangely, never taught me! At any rate, early on, she didn't do your Tip No. 1 and sewed the needle on her professional machine right through her finger 30 years earlier than she told me the story. OUCH. So now I'll watch the rest of the video! Thanks for all you do!
i just want to say thank you for always smiling. makes me feel more excited about sewing. thumbs up and please keep it up! 👍 (it is the first time i wrote a comment on a yt video.)
Such a lovely, helpful video..... great reminder for stuff we have put on the back-burner! I always 1. Cover the machine when done ( btw, you can sew up a great cover with 2 pillowcases🤗) 2. Make sure the top of the thread take-up bar is not protruding, beyond the machine body; before you cover up for the day 3. Place a pin at the top of the seam I will be sewing when I return to the project Much love & luck from India 🤗
Tips:Get a spool holder with lid to keep the dust off the thread. Make sure it's big enough to hold the larger spools. Plug your sewing machine and iron into separate power strips that have circuit breakers to protect your investments.Keep a cover on your sewing machines to protect it. I even made covers for my irons to keep the dust out. Use a shallow container for your sewing machine doo-dads. Put them back into the container when done using them. Easier to find them and to carry them with you to another spot if you have to do that. Have duplicate tools - one for sewing machine area, one for ironing center, one for where you sit to do hand sewing. So you don't have to jump up and walk to another sewing area to get what you need every time you need it. Add a set of tweezers or bent hemostats to your sewing machine tools to get that little loose bit of elusive thread that you just can't get out of the bobbin area. Use thread cutters instead of your good scissors to keep them sharper longer. The selvedge part with the colors spots: Cut it off along with a few inches of the white selvedge. With indelible ink, write what you made with it. (You can take a picture of what you made and staple it to the selvedge too.) The selvedge may have the brand/artist on it. If not write that down too. Down the road, if you want to get more of the same fabric, or a fabric with the same colors, you can read/see what you made with it. If you can't physically find the same fabric you should be able to locate it online even if it's no longer available. This can help you locate something that's similar. Learn how to do the fabric burn test. This is "mandatory" for the fabric that is gifted to you. Don't rely on what the giver tells you about the fabric, verify what the fabric is before using it. Don't put water in your iron. It can possibly cause problems down the road. Use an inexpensive squirt bottle instead.
I'm so glad you mentioned the foot pedal. I am teaching my 5 year old son to sew and we had to have a talk about taking his foot off the pedal when he is adjusting his fabric.
Your videos are so fun! Here are the habits my mom drilled into me from day one (she started me on simple sewing projects when I was 6). 1: Never, ever cut anything else with your sewing scissors. 2: Wash, dry, and iron new fabric first thing. 3: When using a commercial pattern, cut out, press, and trim pieces before you even start. I don't know many who are in the habit of #3, but it sure makes life easier for me!
I rough cut and press my pattern pieces to be sure I have all the pieces I need lined up. I do not trim the pieces because it is easier for me to see the edges when I cut the pattern and the fabric together. I may need to rethink this, I always thought that pattern tissue didn’t count as real paper.
I always unplug my machines when done for the day. I got into this habit when my daughter was young and wanted to "be a sewer, also". Thank goodness she didn't get hurt. I have found this is a good habit if you, also, have large dogs that decide one day they enjoy laying under the table your working on. 👧🐕🐕💖
Love that your top 5 habits to do are the same as my top 5 habits. But another one is always clean up the left overs of the last project befor starting the next. I've been sowing for over 20 years. But everyday for the past 6 years. Sins having my kids! It's a grat stress reliever! Now my kids all wont to lern how!
I was told this as a young girl and I've done this ever since. When finished sewing for the day put a small piece of fabric under the needle and lower it all the way down. This protects the needle and mechanism if you are moving your machine around.
It's also supposed to be better for the internal mechanics to keep the foot down when not in use, with a fabric scrap there to avoid the foot touching the teeth.
As a new sewer that taught myself a few months ago, I’m finally starting to watch videos and learn more of the terminology. It’s good to know that I’ve managed to teach myself good habits.
Great advice Evelyn, thank you. This one is simple, but makes a huge difference - Change the needle often and make sure you're using the right kind of needle for your project. Trying to sew with knit fabrics and the wrong needle is a nightmare.
I don't change mine enough. I had to take myself aside and give myself a good talking to: I would skimp on this (and be stupidly precious about wasting thread) - but they're cheap and as broke as I am, I don't need to be that frugal! So I'm much better now!
Thank you! Many of these are habits I didn't even realize I developed after 18 years of sewing and now that I have a niece who is dying to learn to sew this is a great place to start.
I cleaned my machine yesterday with a piece of scrap fabric I was so shocked when you mentioned there was a tool for it and I just so happened to keep that little tool for the heck of it glad I did!
I just want to say that your videos have been sooooo helpful for me. I'm brand new to sewing. I started with face masks during quarantine. I have since made many for myself, friends, and family and I have definitely gotten better since that first one where my machine kept jamming and thread tearing. I was getting so frustrated! I searched for "why is my machine jamming" (or something like that) and came across your video(s). It helped so much and I am enjoying sewing so much more. I want to take your course and as I've been sewing masks and modifying some clothing I often have your videos on auto play. Thank you for the quality content!! You are amazing, talented, and adorable!
Great video with useful information. I fill at least three bobbins with thread before I start each project, so I don't have to stop. To clean out the 'fuzz', I use a small artist's paint brush. You can really get into the nooks and crannies. I also use invisible tape to hold buttons in place when I sew them on by machine; it keeps the button from shifting. TFS.
Evelyn I also use the tape trick for sewing two hole or four hole buttons on by hand. But instead of regular thread, I use embroidery floss; all six strands at once. I attach the button with a large eyed embroidery needle in a criss cross 'X' pattern. And voilà, you have a perfectly sewn button. Mom taught me that one.
After watching this I immediately defluffed my sewing machine because I couldn't remember the last time I did. Didn't even know I should do it that often. I'll make a habit of now. And then I subscribed 👍 Another habit I've learned to keep as a pet owner, alwayssss put and store all your things away after you are done for the day, fabric, thread spools, pins, needles, those pin cushions (cats looove) because they will find it and lay on it or try to eat it. Not only is it annoying for you it's dangerous for your fur child. So until I get my dream storage sewing room with drawers covering a wall that will hold all my bits and bobs I use many containers and boxes to store sharp and tempting things. Those drawer bins things work well too
Evelyn thank you so much 😊 those habits are very good indeed. One thing Ive learnt early on when I started to sew is, never cross a seam with another one unless you’ve ironed the seam....it was a valuable lesson, and very good practice. I’ve subscribed to you’re channel xx Mags
Great tips, especially pressing as you go. Press to set the stitching and then press the seams open or to a side. One tip l swear by is changing your needle regularly. Some sewing issues, like skipped stitches is the wrong needle or an old needle. Thanks!
I’m so happy this video popped up in my feed! I’ve just started sewing again after many years, although I had never progressed out of the beginner phase! I never had much time or patience in the previous years! Anyway, I am happily sewing away now, and am totally hooked. I wish I would have discovered my love for this a long time ago, but better late (I’m a couple months shy of 60!) than never. I’m binge watching your videos and taking notes ~ you’re wonderful!! 💖
habits I learned back in the '60s when learning to sew; be organized. Bring everything needed for the project ie tools , notions and extra bobbins , prepare ALL project units needed to complete said project. Now you are ready and don't need to "find" something important. BEST habit I have is to CLEAN my room after each project, place all those notions and tools where they live and clean my machines. This allows me to come in and start any new idea without clutter from left over 'stuff' sitting around.
I always like to add a bit of something to my garments , either it’s lace trim around neck, hem or pockets on sides of skirts / dresses. Every time before I start sewing , I like to write down things I want to add or alter to the garment I’m going to make, and stick the note on the pattern envelope so that I won’t forget about it. And when I follow the instruction, I like to make note on the instruction paper so that next time when I make the same thing, it will just make things easier .
I self taught myself to sew back in 1978 but the tip on maintenance of the machine is a fab idea I now will keep a diary and tick off when I de fluff and oil ECT x
I'm a very beginner. Your vid and these comments really help. And I add my habits since I started sewing last month. They are : Never bare feet on pedal sewing. And I'll start to wear glasses. Just in case...😀 Because we're dealing with sharp tools here.
Oh Evelyn - did I spy a Necchi Supernova in the background? I collect machines and this would be one of my favourites. My habits include collecting the cardboard bolts and rewrapping fabric. I also clean and oil machine after use. I would love to see a video tour of your workroom. I have sewn all my life but I always learn something new from you and want to run off and sew after one of your videos 👏
Aww that made my day thankyou!! I'm so thrilled you still learn something from me! And yes, it's a Nechi info the background! I have all the cams for it, but I must confess I have only used it for straight sewing so far... Playing around and figuring out how to use it remains on 'my list' for when I have time 🙁
Chiming in, as I've just discovered your channel (which is delightful, BTW)...get that Supernova out and humming! It is hands down one of the sewing wonders of the mid-century; a brilliant stitcher -- strong, fast and almost virtually silent -- and with the cams, almost unlimited scope.
Jenni J Hello Jenni, I collect Vintage sewing machines and Necchi would be one of the best. Having said that, I am not familiar with the Omega. How old would it be and which country are you in? Regards Adella
Jenni J I thought you were :) Necchis weren’t that common in aus.i belong to a Facebook group just called Necchi Sewing Machines, which is US based. Perhaps join there and someone could help you. I can say that Necchis are a lovely machine" Good luck and regards, Adella
@Jenni J Not all Necchi's are the older kind made in Italy. I've never heard of an Omega, so it may not be a bad machine, but probably nothing special.
When sewing from a pattern, I like to sew the hard parts first then the easy ones. I use my brain power when it’s fresh for the challenging bits first. The rest is easy and can be accomplished in a more tired state. * I have sewn/stabbed my finger before! I was holding the work and got too close! It hurt a bit. Lol
Thank you for the advice! I'm new to sewing I kept my mothers sewing machine after she passed and unfortunately she didn't teach me any of her sewing skills... So any and all advice is gratly appreciated! Thank you Evelyn I love your accent and your fab manicure!
My best friend (with 3 kids and a husband) taught me to get a pad lock for your sewing scissors, so no one can use them. Then go to the Dollar Store to pick up a few paper scissors to keep one in every room in the house for everyone else to use. Unfortunately she told me this after my husband broke a $50 pair of scissors, back in 1995. My mother bought me those scissors in 1975 for my birthday. (That was about 3 days wages back then; and for a single mother a small fortune.) What I didn't understand was the kitchen junk drawer had two pair of old scissors in it that were his mother's old ones, he knew were in there. My sewing scissors were at the far end of the sewing room, in a plastic dresser drawer he had to dig through to find, inside of a zippered bag. “But those were the closest pair to the back door, and I wanted to see what came in the box your grandma mailed you.”. To get to the junk drawer was about the same distance, and easier to find. They should sell locking chest of drawers for sewing supplies. They make locking file cabinets.
Best advice I ever got was from a friend who's handmade clothing always looked gorgeous. I asked her what her secret was. She said, "I take my time and do my very best." Simple, yet it transformed my own sewing from that point on!
This is perfect advice!! ❤
Sometimes I get careless. I work on "taking my time " now.
Wow! Thank you! It will help me too! 😊
"Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" As my son, a former Marine, keeps reminding me.
That's why I'm so in demand for horse blanket repairs. I take my time and they literally look new after they send them to me. I have had to fix what other places supposedly repaired.
If using expensive fabric and a new pattern. Make the pattern using cheap material first so you if you need to alter anything you don't accidentally damage the more expensive material.
I did this this week with something I was planning to upcycle. I have a funky tie dye skirt which will provide juuuust enough fabric, so I used some denim print cotton to make a "muslin". I am really glad I did, because the finished product turned out too big, and I really struggled to follow the pattern instructions, which meant 4 or 5 sessions of unpicking and frustratedly throwing the thing across the room.
I call it the muslin rule.
Yes this.
And, if you haven't used your sloper for awhile, try it on before cutting any of the fabric...you could have gained or lost weight and the sloper no longer fits the way it's supposed to.
Old sheets are wonderful for this!
I did this today for the first time. Ive been making costumes for around 7 years but i never did this before and i remember making so many mistakes. So this time i decided to do it and it feels so much better. Now im sure i wont make the same mistakes again.
My granny thought me to sew when I was a teen, her big tip was to take a moment to sew a test scrap at the beginning of a project, especially if using an expensive or unusual material. Love the channel and the great tips!
I ALWAYS sew tests first!
SO charming!
~X🧵X~
I would recommend a quick test seam even if using plain cotton or muslin. Just verify the state of your machine; did you change the tension on your last project; is the needle right for this fabric, is your machine happy or would in need a trip to the machine doctor?
Oh, yes, excellent tip for sure. My mom taught me that one as well.
As a 51 year old man trying to sew for the first time in my life: Thank you for such a helpful, nicely produced video.
Subscribed!
I'm glad you enjoyed it!! Enjoy sewing!!
Hope you enjoy it.
It's never too late to begin!
Hy, it has been a year, how are you doing? I am 64 male and love sewing. The creative process is endless and you can design whatever you want with some learning :) That is me, still learning lol Had some major mistakes but I do not use patterns and try to create my own. Sometimes works lol
How's it going 2 yrs later?
I always wash my fabric when I come home from the fabric store. You never know how much It Will shrink. Greetings from Spain! 💕
Yes I bet alot of people will have this habit!! (Or should!) Do your pre wash straight away, that way everything in your stash is ready to go!
Oh my gosh YES! I took a Bishop tailoring class & our instructor showed us what happens when you skip the preshrink step. The garment she held up, had such twisted seams! Where the side seams started & then shifted to the front & back. That was after the garment was completed & washed. What a nightmare!!! There was no way the garment could be worn after that! 😟
So do I :)
Before I wash my new fabric I serge the raw edges. It prevents wovens from fraying in the washer and, it is my confirming sign that the yardage in my inventory has been washed. Before retirement from my career I often didn't get to wash my fabric immediately. By serging JUST BEFORE putting it in the washer I always knew at a glance whether or not the fabric had been washed.
I have heard horror stories of what happens when you do not prewash. I am so very glad that I got into that habit early on. I have this one piece of yardage, a beautiful bright red, and I just had a feeling it would bleed. Boy, did it ever! That is another thing not to do, never wash red yardage with other colors.
I learned, when teaching, that ironing & pressing are two Different things! Now it is a pet peve (sorry) of mine when someone says press, and they actually iron. Ironing is sliding the iron over the material which can stretch it. Press is place, hold a second or two, then lift and repeat.
I like what you said about pressing immediately. It "sets" the stitches making the seam lay better. Use steam? Better check material first! Some won't take steam well.
Great habits! I would add to turn machine OFF when changing needle.
Thank you! I thought ironing and pressing was the same.
Thank you for the tip
Thank you! I knew they were different things but I was so confused
I didn't know this. Thanks for explaining the difference!
I have all my machines and a lamp on a power strip and before walking away from my table, I turn it off. Because of the light, I never have to wonder if I left the iron or a machine on. Also, I recently was told by my repair man, when not in use for an extended time, to run my machine at least once every two weeks to keep the oils up inside the machines. He said to use a scrap of fabric and just run a foot of stitches in it.
Me too, keep anything that I use needs to be plugged into same power strip. One flip off and you don’t wake up wondering if iron is still on. Janice
If you turn off everything using the switch on the power strip, you’re also turning off the surge protection feature! (I have my iron and lamp on a separate power strip and DO use the switch to turn the iron and lamp off. )
@@helenr.2184 I do the same as the above - I have 2 power strips with them getting power from a single heavy duty plug that I pull out after switching it off, so no power reaches the adaptors.
Thanks for the tip on running the machine every once in a while.... I didnt think about that.
Same! Good tip, thankinyoou!
Hi Evelyn,
I have one good habit that I created: After I have selected the new project I am going to do, I always prepare everything I am going to use..Example, iron, iron board, spray bottle, clean the cutting board, clean layout area, the sewing tables and the machines. This way the whole sewing room is ready for a joyful time with me. Candles are lit and music on. Then I take out the the project which is in a plastic big bag. In the big bag has all the notions, fabrics, threads for sewing machines and serger. During the time of setting/cleaning, I wash/Semidry the fabrics. When I completed my project, I first clean all machines and dust/vacuum/clean the sewing room.. This way it is ready for the next project. note: since I have 3 jobs, I might not see my joy room for a week or so..gets a little dusty.
OM gosh. I love how you organize your projects. Great job... I am going to start this habit.
My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was 10. She told me to unplug the sewing machine every time I change the needle, and never to leave it plugged in and unattended.
Just got my first sewing machine. I'm 56. But that sounds like an excellent tip!
Uh.... My grandmother left both hers plugged in all the time... I have one of them now and do the same... >.>
I think if its uncovered with children around that's a good tip. Not the case at my house but something to think about when company comes.
My dog has trodden on my presser foot before, I always turn machine off now every time I stand up to move from it. Even if only for a minute. He is so nosy and wants to see and smell everything. Xx
I tried to get that habit, but failed. When I turn off the machine, the light is off, which makes it almost impossible to change the needle. But I think, most sewing machines have a foot pedal, which you can unplug. So what I do is leaving the machine connected to the plug in the wall, but unplug the pedal.
My serger only has one cable which splits into two, one for the pedal, one to connect it to electricity. As she is super jumpy and powerful (kinda Dobermann tempered) a little accidental touch will already put her to Autobahn mode, so I have to disconnect her whenever I clean her or exchange the needles, especially because she has sharp teeth (knife included).
I always use a scrap piece of fabric as a thread saver, it saves both time and thread, as you don’t end up having long ends to snip off what you are working on. At the end of your seam backstitch if you wish, then sew off the garment onto the scrap piece of fabric. Cut the threads between the garment and scrap, leaving the scrap under the foot. When you start your next seam butt the garment up against the scrap and sew off the scrap and onto the garment. I have several scraps in a pot next to my machine, it means I don’t have to rethread the needle, and as you have started sewing already the tension tends to be much better at the beginning of your seam.
Oh my god. Fascinating. I’m going to try this.
This is an excellent, simple habit to take on! Thank you!
is this for a sewing machine or overlocker? i bought my overlocker pre-threaded with a scrap of sewn fabric under the foot. does the principal apply to normal sewing machines too?
Omg yes!
If you really want to go crazy, use these small bits of fabric to create a project. My mom gave me a postage stamp quilt made entirely of her leaders and enders, and it is AMAZING.
if you're making a complicated garment with lots of lining layers, or if you're working with a very slippery or fickle fabric, basting your layers together before you actually sew them is a great way to make sure everything comes out clean and precise! i believe it's a more historical practice, so not a lot of people do it nowadays, but it really can be a lifesaver
I like keeping a sewing diary where I write down "lessons learned" as tips and advice for sewing similar garments next time.
Oh this is a great tip! I find if I write something down I remember it much more!! A 'sewing journal'!
@@Evelyn__Wood exactly! Thank you for your tips, by the way. Super helpful! :)
Thankyou I'm really glad you find it useful! X
Pinterest has amazing ideas for sewing journals, what to write in them, and some printouts.
Great tip.
Thanks for always recognizing that there are gents out here too...
I'm from the Caribbean. Lots of men sew because boats need sails, boats need seat cushions, folks need bags for groceries, and of course men sew to tailor their clothes to look nice. :-)
Men and women, where I'm from, both sew. Everyone knows how to sew. But everyone sews for different reasons.
As someone who is just getting into tailoring, i very much appreciated that too
I noticed that too
Yes us guys sew too and usually do the maintenance.......
this
One thing I've found helpful is to pick up pins and needles immediately when they're dropped. Only takes one time stepping on a sharp object hiding in the carpet to realize the importance of doing so.
This is a habit of mine that I don't see people having often enough. When I first started being interested in sewing, we already had a cat. Pets and dropped pins don't mix, so whenever I drop any, I won't turn back to work until I've found it. Results: some five-ish years ago I bought two packs of 100 pins. Haven't opened the second one and am not likely to in the near future; also, I can freely walk barefoot in my sewing room.
+Mirjam Proos -- Yes, that is another excellent reason to pick them up immediately. I no longer have a dog, but do have a few cats and I don't want to see them hurt by a needle. I also like to walk barefoot in my house without fear of impaling myself! Picking up loose string (and yarn) is also important with pets (and small children).
I actually have a magnetic dish meant for holding screws that i keep pins in (if I use em, i mostly use wonder clips) and I always, always put the pin back in the magnetic dish to keep it in place. It also makes it easier to find them if they fall somewhere seeing as I can take it and go wherever it fell till it catches the pin.
I have bifocal glasses, and picking up pins is a pain, as they fall into a difficult "seeing zone" with the bifocals. I found an expandable wand with a magnetip tip that helps locate and pick up pins that have fallen, without having to bend over and search.
Very true, especially if you have kidlets around your sewing area.
Hi! I just saw your video, thanks for the info! One thing I learned within the last year is to fill up 2 to 3 bobbins with my project thread at the beginning, so I don't have to stop mid-project to refill (something I find very irritating). That has made such a difference! I can quickly swap out the bobbin with no delay, especially if there isn't enough thread on it for a long seam. I get to avoid the dreaded moment when you realize that you ran out of bobbin thread 12 inches ago...😒
My grandmother taught me to always wash, dry and iron my fabric according to manufacturers specifications, (tip: take a picture of the end of the bolt , which usually has laundering info, with fabric visible to keep as a reminder) before cutting my patterns, sometimes it is hard when you are really excited about a project but it really does avoid any nasty surprises with shrinkage and warp after you've spent so much time on a garment.
Yes and now there are many chemicals on fabrics straight from the store. Was before sewing or wearing new clothes!
From my Home Economics teacher in the early 1960s in Bangor, Maine, USA: "PRESS THE SEAM IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS SEWN!" In other words, put the garment (project) under the iron after every seam, and keeping it closed/flat, press it BEFORE opening it up. It sets the stitches into the fabric and makes a HUGE difference in the finished product.
Yes. That’s a habit I learned in quilting and have transferred to my garment sewing. It does make a difference.
Thank you for this tip. I never thought of it that way.
My biggest tip for sewing efficiency is to work and sew things in a line. What I mean is, if you have similar seams you can feed them into the machine one right after another without cutting thread. I work on samples and production runs often, so I have learned how to divide simple steps like this, quilters will do this often as well. Also, my biggest tip, if you are going to cut out a garment to make from scratch you might as well make two... or more!!! You’re already doing the work, so why not just add another identical garment in another fabric? I wouldn’t do this for a lined coat, but for a casual top? Absolutely make multiples as it’s not that much extra work.
This is something I have started to do-saves a tremendous amount of time!!
This is a standard method in quilting called "chain piecing". When stitching small pieces together simply stitch from one patch to the next. There is less than 1/2" between the patches. Then clip them apart after stitching many of these pairs. Without chain piecing you will actually discard more thread than you use in the seam of a single patch. But chain piecing prevents that waste. Thread used to be cheap -- no more, especially if you throw more away than you use.
Very good tip my mom taught me in order to not waist thread and to save a bit of time.
I'm new to sewing and I have no idea what any of this means LOL I guess I have some learning to do.. I'll be looking for a tutorial on quilting so I can better understand. I like the idea of making two garments, at the same time though.
That's what my mother did. She started working full time in a suit factory at age 14 and made practically all my clothes and those of other family members.
So many of the things you talk about Evelyn are the stuff she told me too. I've recently got back into sewing after not doing any for years and I found your channel by chance and immediately subscribed!
I've been sewing since my gran taught me on her foot treadle singer back in the early 1950s... a couple of tips that have helped me a lot:
1. Change your needle more often than you think - every 8 hours of sewing is ideal - and match your needle to your fabric. One Size 12 needle does not fit all!
2. If your foot pedal has a tendency to slide away from you (if you have a non-carpet surface this can be a real pain) wrap several medium-size rubber bands around it. Not so tight that the pedal is compressed and starts the machine, but snug enough to provide some traction. Or you can try using a pattern of hot-glue dots on the base of the pedal that will help it to stop wandering away.
3. I keep a bulletin board on the wall over my machine so I can see the pattern I'm following easily.
4. Long seams (drapes, etc.) can be challenging and I use a special double-sided tape (usually found in the area of the quilting notions) rather than pins. It's water soluble.
5. Use the best quality thread you can find, and test old spools by tugging to see if they are still strong enough. Most cotton thread is only good for a couple of years, mixed threads (poly/cotton) or synthetics longer. Matching your thread to your fabric content gives the best results.
#2 is brilliant for folks on a budget! I would never have thought of rubber bands. If money's not a big issue, you can also use adhesive non-slip/rubber furniture pads, or the sticky rubber dots made for stopping a keyboard from sliding across a desk.
Thank you for the tips! Very helpful!
Suchef y
Regarding #5: Are you serious? Looks like I ought to replace most of my cotton thread.
I'm a new sewer and I need to learn about needles. great tips/habits.
One of my habits is to never ever use my fabric scissors to cut anything but fabric or threads. My kids knew to never to touch my fabric scissors and I always made sure that they had an ample supply of paper scissors so they were never tempted.
Deb Eberly I don't even use my fabric scissors for threads, I have separate scissors for that
If people want to borrow my fabric scissors for anything I freak and and make sure they want them for fabric and then watch them to make sure they don't use them for other stuff x3
Most common types of paper contains clay and dirt (it's a part of the surface smoothener in sheaper types of paper), that's why they are bad for the shears.
This is a lesson i couldn't get into my bf's head until my sewing scissors no longer work right on fabric, and I made him buy me a new pair. Once he saw how much they cost he no longer uses my sewing scissors for paper and he bought me a rotary cutter and mat also. I think he understands now
Yes, it's around 100bucks for a good Italian made one where i live... And still not that good as the old ones. :)
I thought I had that rule in place, till the day I came home to find my son cutting a bicycle tire off of the rim, with my Gingher shears. Arrrggghhh! I have two pair...I took the now damaged pair in for professional sharpening. 12 years later, and my new hubby is a retired tool maker, my own personal shear sharpener!! We laugh about the tire incident!
If you sew with patterns, always read the instructions in full before you even start the project.
There’s almost always something you‘ll get wrong or wish you had done differently otherwise. Or is that just me? 😂
Oh not just you!! I need to know the full picture before starting!! 😀 The whole construction to mud mapped together before I begin!! I agree, I think think is so important!
I also write notes on the pattern (if they are ones I have drafted myself) or on the instruction sheet if it a commercial pattern of things to remember or do differently next time. If I have an outfit that looks good on me I will often make it a couple of times in different fabrics and keeping notes right on the pattern/instructions saves a whole lot of heartache.
I totally agree! I do the same thing with knitting patterns and recipes as well.
I love your pic!! And yes totally agree.
yes been there yup
I use disposable eyelash wands to clean the machines! They are incredibly handy and they grab onto the fluff much better
I use an old mascara wand. Washed it and started using it to clean
Some very good tips I learned in school! Always put your needles and scissors on the right side of your sewing machine so that it does not disappear under your fabric that you are working on. And always place your project / fabric that you are sewing as much as possible on the left side of your sewing machine and as little as possible under the arm of your sewing machine.
That is what I got taught at school as well, I still do it
I made myself a cute little “tool pad” (basically a large potholder) that I keep on the right side of my machine. It reminds me to set down every tool there - like your advice, safely out of the way of the fabric plus organized!
When I was in school, learning to be a seamstress, I did sew through my finger. The sewing machine was in industrial one, so the needle got in deep. I had to go to the hospital, and ended up in a finger cast for six weeks. Two things we learned was put your hair up, a lot of us made a bun with like a pencil to holp it up, or strip of fabric. Also no needles or pins in your mouth.
A habit I developed 35+ years ago (when I had four young children) was to disengage the drive wheel every time I walked away from the machine. Young children find the foot pedal fascinating. The habit has stuck; I still do it - just as well, since I have eight grandchildren! Thanks for your videos, they are so informative and entertaining.
Thanks so much for watching! This is a VERY good habit I think to have with children around!!
My mum forgot to do this and at the age of 2 I decided I was going to sew like mummy does. Lots of blood, lots of screaming from both mum and I and one small skin graft later.
Never did put me off sewing. 😊
Bang on! I don't trust myself not to do something numpty so my habit with any machine maintenance, switching out bobbins etc is just to turn the power off. I always sew with a worklight next to me so it's not a big deal that I have no machine light. But I've done enough silly things in life not to trust myself, ha ha!
How do you disengage the wheel?
@@melissab.r.6044 I think it's something that you can only do with older machines. If you pull it out away from the machine it clicks and holds out that way.
I recently put one of those chalkboard stickers on the side of my machine so I can write down what the current needle in my machine is since I switch types and sizes relatively often. This way, if it's been a while since sometimes I'll go a while between projects, or if I'm changing the needle a lot in a short time period, I'll know what I was using last.
That is a really great idea!! Thanks for sharing
Like this
Brilliant!
best idea of the bunch! i have struggled with this exact issue!!
I’d never thought of that. I exclusively been looking out for those needles that have the numbers etched into the flat side. But only the pricy ones do that and sometimes I need a smaller/bigger size that isn’t for sale with the etched numbers.
I also didn’t know they sell stickers with chalk board on it. I’ll keep an eye out. Because I’ll for sure try that.
Put everything you need for a project -- pattern, fabric, thread, buttons, zippers, notions, even notes for yourself -- all together in an appropriately-sized box or bin. That way, if you do get sidetracked from working on your project right away, you'll still have everything you'll need for it in one place when you do get back to it.
This is an absolute necessity for me, putting projects in boxes. Saves asking myself later, "Now, what in the world was I going to do with this fabric?"
All my fabric for my current project goes in the desk draw and all the rest of the bits and pieces goes in a zipper bag
Absolutely right for all sewing! My mother taught me to sew 50 years ago and the habits stayed with me! (No backstitch in those days-it was pulling through top threads to the back and tying off!!!) I now am teaching my granddaughters to sew, not dressmaking yet-its patchwork and quilting and small projects to learn good sewing, good habits and good work flow! I'm RS together girl and always mark plain fabrics. No paper cutting with good scissors. Always tidy and cap your tools at the end of a session, and press seams and clip threads as you go! No food while you sew-take a break! No pins in your mouth-someone said that one already but it's SO important.
I have a small workroom and I tidy after a session -threads in bin, floor, and tools capped, hang up rulers etc. as I can't begin again in a mess! Love your look, it reminds me of my mum so much. Btw, I wasn't allowed long nails either😂
I always trace my pattern, so that I leave the original pattern pieces intact. My habit is to ALWAYS put the pattern number on each traced piece, so you know which pattern it belongs too, and then store the drafted pieces in a zip lock bag, which I store with the original pattern.
Same.
Yes!!! There are a number of things that should go in every pattern piece so you know what your dong next time!!
Me too.
We learned that in fashion school! I always put down the type of garment, date, size, which pattern (number) I used AND what should it be cut out (fabric, lining, underlining, single, double) I also keep it pinned to the right side of the fabric for as long as possible. I need all the help I can get in staying organised :-)
I do the same thing. 😊👍
I'm so glad I found you, Evelyn ! I'm having an absolute BLAST with my new addictive hobby ! I've been a violin-maker by trade for 61 yrs. and I'm accustomed to dealing with machines, however my sewing machine is different than say, my band-saw in that my saw does not have a foot pedal and it has never started suddenly making me jump in my seat. Keeping your foot off the pedal is one thing, but in my case I unplug the machine from the box whenever I'm doing anything with it other than sewing. Know your machine, but know yourself as well. I intend to watch all your videos since you seem quite capable, very knowledgeable, and are pleasant to watch as well. Thank you so much.
Tell me all your cool violin making stories!
When you start sewing one row of stitching, hold both threads behind the foot and lower your needle to make your first stitch and then lock and then press your pedal. This helps with making your first stitches nice and clean. Always lock on the start and the finish.
uuuh, I'm gonna try that! Thanks!
this is esp important w todays auto thread cutters. Ive made birds nests bc the shortened thread jumped out of the needle.
Some of my habits are, that when I have finished sewing for the day, I put scrap fabric under my footer & place the needle in the lowest position. If I am storing or taking my machine somewhere I remove the needle. NEVER rush when making a project, take your time & if you get confused or frustrated at all, take a break and go back to it. As you mentioned with the foot pedal, I push mine away from my feet so it's out of the way so I know I won't accidentally tap it if I move my feet around (which I often do).
Always read the manuals with any new machine that you purchase, and keep them close at hand until you've tamed your machine. :)
Hi Evelyn. Another wonderful video. I have two habits, one from my machine repair man and one hard and fast rule from my fashion school days. My repair man goes bonkers over people sewing over pins. He says that although the needle slips off the pins it throws the timing out ever so slightly. This will eventually get to the point where you have to get you machine serviced sooner than would otherwise be necessary. My other habit that was drummed into us at fashion school was to ALWAYS turn off your machine when you walk away from it, even if you are just nipping off to the loo or whatever, turn it off. My machine maintenance man also hates it when people have used the "trick" of using dental floss in the thread pathway to help smooth running of the thread. He says it builds up and he has a terrible time getting it out. Goodness knows why this maintenance man likes to complain to me about the things that people do that annoys him, but he does, so i have passed on his comments here 😉
I've never heard the dental floss "trick".
I have never heard of the dental floss thing either!!! How bizarre!! I wouldn't think of that in a million years!
It is a "tip" regularly floated in machine embroidery circles.
Lol we all need someone to moan to and about, looking like you are his favourite person
I heard this 'trick' mentioned by a well known sewing RUclipsr, I was optimistic about trying, perhaps I won't. Thanks for the tips repair man! 😉😊
A habit if mine I have developed is to finish a project before I start with another. In the past I have had so many projects on the go that in the end it all gets to much and I just walk away... no more 😘
Im working on this one.....still! 😘
This is for me!!! I've got soo many UFO (unfinished objects) and not only sewing, also a lot of other stuff just waiting to be completed... dark side of creativity 🤔😁
Stellalpina exactly, right in the middle of making something, a new great ideea comes to your mind and you just can’t wait to start your new project! You’ll have time to finish your old one, you say to yourself! 😄
Oh yes! How do you know me so well?
I'm 60 and I just started sewing again during the shelter in place. I am having so much fun! My neighbor recently gave me a mountain of furniture and drapery fabric samples; wool, silk, cashmere, linen, velvet, leather and viscose (the can-do cloth) but the best part is all the amazing people like you posting entertaining, informative and quite charming videos so people like me can learn how to sew. I spent the day today learning all about knit fabrics and all things stretchy. Thank you!
I never sew when I'm tired.
Very wise!!! Or you end up unpicking, or worse-ruining something!!
Yes, when I'm tired I put my shears away, cover up my machines and look around fondly at everything that's ready for next time, and go off to bed happy.
Haha 😄 You don't have a choice as a Fashion Design student! I wouldn't be bothered sewing tired nowadays given the choice. Not worth it, and it makes it less enjoyable anyway.
Tired or in a rush. I make stupid mistakes every time and end up having to swan rio and redo. Really sucks when serging.
That's such great advice. Wish I followed it 😆
Twice a year I clean my machine pedal. It gets dirty and dusty inside. I also clean up at the end of my sewing day...clear desk, sweep floor...makes it a pleasure to return to.
I've made it a habit also to tidy up also when I'm finished for the day, my sewing room is small, and does make it nice to start sewing again next session.
I started sewing late 2019. I learned from youtube videos. I have mainly altered men's clothes but have made a few simple bags, sweatpants, and wrap pants.
My tips would be position then press each seam before you sew it then press each seam after it is sewed.
I use chalk and pins a lot. Pinning takes *ages* but for me it it worth it for the better results.
Snip off each thread after each seam and bin them right away do not just drop them on the floor. Seems like a little thing but it makes things much easier and tidier if you do this as you go.
I am really disciplined with putting pins away and never dropping them or setting them loose on the table. As with the threads this discipline leads to a tidy workspace and your mind is free of thinking 'oh I must remember to tidy that up' and instead you can focus on the sewing.
I usually first make test versions of items using op shop (thrift shop) fabric - this alleviates my fear of cutting in to my 'nice' fabric. Also, you see the unexpected parts that were much harder than you expected so you know to take extra care there.
Like Michalina P
says 'When you start sewing one row of stitching, hold both threads behind the foot and lower your needle to make your first stitch and then lock and then press your pedal. This helps with making your first stitches nice and clean. Always lock on the start and the finish.' This is huge. I didn't do this at first and had loose stitches plus every few seams the thread would come out of the needle and I had to rethread it. Now I hold both threads to start each seam and it makes a big difference.
Related to above, at the start I nearly always did test stitches on a scrap of fabric. This saved me from many screw-ups that you make as a beginner. Like forgetting to change from zigzag back to straight stitch, or forgetting to change back some other setting, or just not threading it properly. I no longer do it every time but still do it after changing stitches as it catches mistakes.
When sewing I always set out my small scissors to snip threads, my fabric scissors, and my paper scissors in the same area so I can use the ones I need each time and aren't tempted to switch because one pair of scissors is handy and the proper one isn't.
Many youtube videos make things look easy they just run the item through the machine and the seams looks great. I have found I sometimes have to do a 'weird' thing to get something done. Even if no video shows that 'weird' thing, if you have to do it to make the seam, do it. I was tapering a vintage men's jacket and could not just run a nice straight seam to taper in the back seam, I had to have the jacket bunched up weird with my hand inside and fingers holding the seam together and constantly readjusting as I curved the stitches. If you have to do it - do it. Even if the videos don't do it.
I do not often see this in videos, but if I get to part of the garment where there are suddenly many layers of fabric like top stitching over where the dart is fastened, I will often hand crank the stitches over that part.
I generally take my time and do my best. Remember you put in time and effort and nice fabric and your nice strong new thread for your proper project - so it is worth fixing mistakes. You only get to sew it once - if you think 'Oh that mistake is not too bad I will let that pass' you will reach the point where you can no longer go back and fix it. So try to avoid the mistake, or fix it right away.
I actually overlock the cut edges of fabric before I throw it in the wash, this keeps me from having a thread mess and warped edges when I pull the fabric out of the machine! Also, I pre-wash everything as soon as it enters my home.
ColorBloX what is overlocking a cut edge? I’ve never heard of that.
@@LanaClarkLC An Overlocker is the maschine that makes those neat seams that you can see in the inside of a t-shirt. It cuts the edge and wraps thread around it so it can't unravel. If you don't own such a maschine, you can use a zig zag stitch, so that one side of the zig zag is just outside of the fabric and the other one is inside. That will also help against fraying. It's not nessecary to do that before washing fabric, and I've never heard of anyone else doing it, but it just unnerves me when I pull out a tangled stringy mess out of the washing that's why I do it.
haha! i do exactly the same. take my yardage out of the bag and run it through my serger, then into the washer, dryer, & iron. worth having your new fabric ready to go when you are!
What a good idea - never thought to do that and you’re right, mass of tangled threads to cut.
Thank you sharing this great tip.
Thank you Miss Wood. A good habit is having all my machines covered when not in use since dust is enemy number one - cover the machine you are using even at the end of the day even if you plan to use it the next day. Also, when not in use, I unplug my machines from electric power - when power returns after a power outage any surge in power could damage the motor. As a reminder I keep the plug end of the cable on top of the table next to the machine. This way, upon standing at the door of the sewing room, you can immediately see which machines are protected. Also, I don’t plug the machines directly to the wall but to a power surge protector. Keeping a small basket with a thread snipper, pin holder, seam ripper, and other items used regularly next to every one of my machines saves time hunting for those. Storing threads covered to avoid dust accumulation on them preventing dust getting into the tension mechanism and the bobbin. Is this OCD? Maybe but, once you create a habit, you do it automatically without wasted time. You don’t even notice that you are doing it. That is why, as Miss Evelyn Wood said, it is easier to create a new habit than correct a bad habit.
MORA Rivera. Definitely NOT O.C.D! I just love how lazy & impatient people, have a tendency to throw that term out there, just to make themselves feel better about their inadequacies. It's actually called good work ethics & craftsmanship. Sadly a lost art in these modern times. Keep up the good work! You sound very smart!
😀👍💖👏
MORA Rivera Excellent tips, thank you!!
MORA Rivera thanks for all. The tips I will down load it. My quilting box
Great tips! Thank you!
NOT OCD! lol I do the exact same things.
Good advice..i worked for 30 years in a sewing factory making men's suits and later ladies jackets and skirts. We had to clean and oil our machines every Tuesday. I cleaned mine whenever I started to have problems. The regular sewing machines had a bobbin winder on the side ..so you always had a full bobbin...this is a must.... always have extra full bobbins. I really enjoy your videos.
thanks Margaret!! When I worked in the industry it was every Friday! 😀 The bobbin winder on industrials is handy right!
I’ve just got back into vintage singers. They need more frequent oiling than newer machines because there are no plastic self lubricating bits.
Only use good quality machine oil not 3in1 and definitely not WD40 which leaves a residue.
And I learned that for Singers just because the light is off doesn’t mean the power is off. Many people think the light switch is the power switch and those old pedals can heat up all by themselves if they are a bit sticky, and burn a hole in the floor!
I think the surge protector suggestion is great.
I had this happen with my elderly Pfaff machine. I noticed a faint buzzing noise and then a funny smell. I was lucky the house didn't burn down, in retrospect. The original foot pedal had finally given up the ghost, and current was passing through it without my foot being on it. Once the foot pedal was replaced, my machine and I were in harmony (and safety) once more.
Thanks for passing these 5 good habits on.I learned early these from
my grandmother. One habit I learned early is to be willing to take that extra time needed to rip out a flaw. Don't pass over it. It will make all the difference in how your garment looks
I absolutely agree!!
Yea you are right I'm a bit lasy if it's not that noticeable I leave it
louise lill 😊😊😊
Excellent tips! My tip is to use bobbin "stays" so you avoid a spaghetti nest of threads in your bobbin box. I make them by cutting off roughly 6 or 7mm piece of plastic tubing - I use 1cm diameter from any hardware or aquatic shop - and then make another cut so that you can open it out (like the letter C). You can make loads of them from half a metre and it's much cheaper than buying them ready made. Whenever I change out the bobbin, I always take the stay off the new colour and immediately put it on the old one.
My habit for keeping track of the right/wrong side of fabrics is to put a piece of painters tape on the wrong side of every piece. I used to use pins for this, but then you run the risk of those pins getting snaged on another piece somewhere along the way, potentially ruining your project or atleast that piece.
I sew quite alot, but i'm just a home sewer, so i sometimes leave projects for days in between sessions. and sometimes i even have to put my project away compleatly since i don't have a dedicated sewing room. This is where the tape really shines since i don't have to think too much about how i put my project away. No needles that can snag and each piece is clearly marked and easy to re-organize when i take it back out :D
I use 95% black fabrics, so i don't like to mark them with chalk since it might (aka almost certainly will) rub off on the right side of another piece. :)
A new thing i started dooing just a couple of years ago is to wind AS MANY bobbins as possible at the same time. It's such an obvious thing, but i used to just wind a new bobbin every time it ran out and it never even occurred to me that i could just pre-wind a whole bunch of them beforehand! I sure felt pretty silly when that thought finally hit me :P
I love these! My iron habit is to switch the heat down to nothing and the steam to off, then empty out all water, before storing. That way I don't run the risk of switching it on and forgetting it's on - a friend had a kitchen fire that way. It also prolongs the life of the iron, and it also saves me from dumping a super hot iron onto fabrics that can't cope and ending up with a melted mess!
hello. I'm not a new sewer, but I'm not a good or confident one. thank you miss Evelyn and all of you who replied with more habits and tips. And I'm grateful how generous you are with your experience. blessings on you all.
I hope after two years your sewing is going great!
...People take the bobbin out of the bobbin case? I'm so lazy I only ever take it out if I'm changing colours :P
Me too.... lol. I thought she was going to say, to make sure to take it out! But I'm glad she didnt.
Hah. Even then...... I might just leave it 😂
@@sydneydarice same. But I also have to say that with older machines It's waaaaay more diffficult to change it.
I always keep paper scissors at my machine together with fabric scissors. I don't get tempted to use fabric scissor to make even a tiny snip to open a parcel.
A clear space is a clear mind.
Read your pattern instructions all the way through first or have a game plan if the pattern is your own.
YES!!!! Absolutely yes to all of these! They should part of everyones workflow!
1
This video was in my recommended and it looked intriguing; about a quarter of the way through the video I’ve subscribed. I love how apparent it is that you care about your viewers who are starting out in sewing. You’re honest, passionate, and nonjudgmental in your approach. You’re so down to earth!
Thank you for putting out such valuable content!
Aww thankyou so much for such a lovley comment! It makes it all worth it putting i the time to make videos when yoy know it's appriciated! 😗
Evelyn Wood it is, very much so!
If you have a rotary cutter, always close it after very cut, even if it's just for a few seconds. Rotary cutters are extremely sharp and dangerous if you cut yourself with them.
Been there, done that once as a kid. Needless to say I've learned to be careful around them.
I always do this....I close and lock it. Once my dog grabbed it with her mouth, and I was so greatful that my habit is close and lock, cause I knew she would not get cut. (She was fine...not even a scratch)
Definitely a must! They're so sharp my mum accidentally cut the tip off of her index finger!!
Cut a hole in my favorite hoodie by not following this tip.
somewhere i read "its not a ? of whether or not you will cut yourself w your rotary cutter, but WHEN!" Miss Priss here religiously cut w a Klutz Glove, until one day I was cutting just a quick little bit w a small ruler & bam! my cutter ran over the ruler and straight into my finger. It only takes once, no matter HOW careful you are!
Habit 1 1:47
Take your foot off pedal and put on floor anytime you go near they needle area!
Habit 2 2:58
Keep all your cut pieces right sides facing up
Habit 3 4:24
Trim and Press as you go
Habit 4 5:00
Always leave a bobbin in the machine
Habit 5 5:42
Machine maintenance clear the fluff
Hi, my mother taught me how to sew when I was a young boy, she believed that it was a skill that everyone should be familiar with. I've sewed throughout my life, and now I find that my sewing skill makes me very popular since so many people are looking for well made masks!
I have always used a hand crank Singer antique sewing machine and loved it. I did however sometimes miss having a zigzag option and a reverse, so a couple of years ago I bought a Singer Talent electric sewing machine.
I thought it would be easy to switch, I was wrong! I've had a tough time getting used to an electric machine and I'm often tempted to go back to my antique machine, but I'm determined to get used to the new one, but I don't find it easy.
Yes, indeed. I wish I had watched this sooner. I did not have "foot off the pedal " habit, and my little finger has a big black bruise on the nail where the machine came down on it. You are so right about all these habits. I started a new one. I have a waste can and I immediately drop the cut threads into it. I hate all those jumbled threads with the pins and stuff. Now, it is all neat when I am finished sewing.
Ooch!!!! I have many bins too!
I’ve been sewing over 50 years and I leaned so much from you. Thank you from your newest subscriber.
Aww thankyou!!
Great habits suggestions Evelyn. My habit suggestion is to serge the raw edge and wash fabric as soon as it is purchased and before it is stored. It is then ready for your projects and pre shrunk.
I agree doing the pre wash straight away is a good habit! Then your stash is ready to sew!!
This is one I do, except the raw edge surging. Although sometimes the fabric doesn't look or feel like it's been washed so in that case, better safe than sorry and it gets washed again;)
Yes I agree Andrea Ryan , that's what we were taught in 4-H too :) ~Hattie
I like the idea of serging the edge before washing, not just to stop fraying but to remind myself that it’s been washed! Great idea!
I thought of doing this but wasn't sure if it would stop some shrinkage
Use a vacuum to clean the the thread and fabric fluff from your machines. You can get attachments that are smaller. I have a mini vac in my sewing room. Also helps pick up all those little threads and pins! DO NOT USE CANNED AIR. It embeds that lint in there further and the air is moist so it makes it clump! Second good habit: change needles frequently. Every 2-3 garments. Third good habit: always use good quality thread. Don’t be tempted by the cheap stuff. There will be less breakage, nests and lint.
Thank you..great ideas.
info especially on modern canned air for electronics was so useful (for our valuable sewing machine), thank you!
all your additional ideas are really useful & great!
thank you; I did not know canned air was bad, and when I use the little brush, I feel like I am just moving the fluff from one place to another. I like your vac idea; I will look for a small one to keep in the sewing room.
Carol Anne the brush does seem useless to me too. I’ve heard some people say a fine paint brush works better. And make sure the mini vac has good suction. Don’t get one of those tiny ones for computer key boards.
Your pleasant mannerism and clear and understandable instructions make learning from you a pleasure.
I sew heavy duty industrial high temperature blankets for engines and generators at work, and use an industrial machine often, was taught at a reasonably young age by my mum on how to sew by hand and with a machine, and now that I'm 29 I figured I would finally get my own personal machine for some clothing project ideas that I have at home, bought a singer 4423 last week, coming in the post, and subscribed just because of the great tips in this, going to have a nice long look through the channel! Thanks so much for the tips!
My home economics teacher from high school taught us to check bobbin before each project. Make sure your not about to run out of bobbin thread.
Also test stitches on a scrap piece of fabric.
There were 12 machines in the classroom & she had 6 classes using those machines. These were just habits for the classroom but I find myself still listening to my teacher.
Thank you for the videos.
Just found this fantastic channel! My biggest habit I have to make myself follow is DON'T RUSH!!! I always make mistakes when I am trying to hurry for whatever reason - broken needles by running over a pin, mixing up right/wrong side of fabric, puckers or other obnoxious simple errors you have to unpick. The faster I try to go, the longer a task with take me because of the errors. On top of that, it is SOOOO FRUSTRATING so you don't even have fun!
My machine has 3 speed settings and I usually keep it on the slowest setting. I use the medium speed very rarely and hand turn on tricky areas. My sewing is so much neater since I started this habit.
Great video, we always talk about tips but habits can be so much important.
The habit that helped me so much is to always push the ends of my needle and bobin thread to the back before I start sewing and hold it for the first couple stitches
I love to keep a case of black and white bobbins full! We use those a lot so have them ready and start sewing without delays.
My teacher always told is to put our hair in a ponytail/braid/bun while sewing. When i started fashion school, we had to watch a video about safty at the workspace. *warning this gets grafic* In that video, there was a clip of a surveilance cam that showed a woman who leaned forward while sewing and her long hair got cought and tangled in the mashine and got ripped of and the woman was bleeding...😱😱😱 since then, i ALLWAYS put my hair in a bun while sewing! (It's not that much of a problem with the mashines you use at home since they are almost completly encased in plastic, but when you use a industrial mashine, they can be a little more open)
I'm here again, you are the bright spot in my mornings Evelyn. Your habits video is excellent and I am a bit ocd so won't have a problem forming these habits. I cook and bake and always wash dishes as I go. It is so rewarding. I'm just to the "gathering" supplies at this point (fabric cutting table, chair mat, basics of sewing supplies) Studied the "Ease" videos so I can today, use the measuring tape option to get the right numbers off my pattern ;) Once I get that, it will be finding my fabric. Hopefully you have a video on that as well. I absolutely love your style and hope I will get into the accessorizing. I am 68 and breaking out of this pandemic a new woman with some new style ;)
I always press my fabric before I lay it out on the cutting table and also press my pattern pieces with a dry iron before laying them on the fabric.
Oh, my gosh! How have I watched so many of your fantastic videos and not subscribed until now? After spending the last few months moving from a tropical island to (sigh) the United States, my first sewing machine arrived today. You and a two or three other RUclipsrs opened my mind to all the reasons I really needed to learn to sew.
My grandmother was a professional seamstress and designer but, strangely, never taught me! At any rate, early on, she didn't do your Tip No. 1 and sewed the needle on her professional machine right through her finger 30 years earlier than she told me the story. OUCH. So now I'll watch the rest of the video!
Thanks for all you do!
i just want to say thank you for always smiling. makes me feel more excited about sewing. thumbs up and please keep it up! 👍
(it is the first time i wrote a comment on a yt video.)
Thankyou Wilnorriene for watching and commenting! Sewing is exciting 😄
Such a lovely, helpful video..... great reminder for stuff we have put on the back-burner!
I always
1. Cover the machine when done ( btw, you can sew up a great cover with 2 pillowcases🤗)
2. Make sure the top of the thread take-up bar is not protruding, beyond the machine body; before you cover up for the day
3. Place a pin at the top of the seam I will be sewing when I return to the project
Much love & luck from India 🤗
Tips:Get a spool holder with lid to keep the dust off the thread. Make sure it's big enough to hold the larger spools.
Plug your sewing machine and iron into separate power strips that have circuit breakers to protect your investments.Keep a cover on your sewing machines to protect it.
I even made covers for my irons to keep the dust out.
Use a shallow container for your sewing machine doo-dads. Put them back into the container when done using them. Easier to find them and to carry them with you to another spot if you have to do that.
Have duplicate tools - one for sewing machine area, one for ironing center, one for where you sit to do hand sewing. So you don't have to jump up and walk to another sewing area to get what you need every time you need it.
Add a set of tweezers or bent hemostats to your sewing machine tools to get that little loose bit of elusive thread that you just can't get out of the bobbin area.
Use thread cutters instead of your good scissors to keep them sharper longer.
The selvedge part with the colors spots: Cut it off along with a few inches of the white selvedge. With indelible ink, write what you made with it. (You can take a picture of what you made and staple it to the selvedge too.) The selvedge may have the brand/artist on it. If not write that down too. Down the road, if you want to get more of the same fabric, or a fabric with the same colors, you can read/see what you made with it. If you can't physically find the same fabric you should be able to locate it online even if it's no longer available. This can help you locate something that's similar.
Learn how to do the fabric burn test. This is "mandatory" for the fabric that is gifted to you. Don't rely on what the giver tells you about the fabric, verify what the fabric is before using it.
Don't put water in your iron. It can possibly cause problems down the road. Use an inexpensive squirt bottle instead.
I'm so glad you mentioned the foot pedal. I am teaching my 5 year old son to sew and we had to have a talk about taking his foot off the pedal when he is adjusting his fabric.
How great he is learning!! Just show him all the comments here about how many people 'learned the hard way' by sewing their finger!!
Your videos are so fun! Here are the habits my mom drilled into me from day one (she started me on simple sewing projects when I was 6). 1: Never, ever cut anything else with your sewing scissors. 2: Wash, dry, and iron new fabric first thing. 3: When using a commercial pattern, cut out, press, and trim pieces before you even start. I don't know many who are in the habit of #3, but it sure makes life easier for me!
I rough cut and press my pattern pieces to be sure I have all the pieces I need lined up. I do not trim the pieces because it is easier for me to see the edges when I cut the pattern and the fabric together. I may need to rethink this, I always thought that pattern tissue didn’t count as real paper.
Justin & Sunny cocomelo
Cocomelon
Cocomelon
I always unplug my machines when done for the day. I got into this habit when my daughter was young and wanted to "be a sewer, also". Thank goodness she didn't get hurt. I have found this is a good habit if you, also, have large dogs that decide one day they enjoy laying under the table your working on. 👧🐕🐕💖
Great tip!!
Love that your top 5 habits to do are the same as my top 5 habits. But another one is always clean up the left overs of the last project befor starting the next. I've been sowing for over 20 years. But everyday for the past 6 years. Sins having my kids! It's a grat stress reliever! Now my kids all wont to lern how!
I was told this as a young girl and I've done this ever since. When finished sewing for the day put a small piece of fabric under the needle and lower it all the way down. This protects the needle and mechanism if you are moving your machine around.
Ooh, fab tip! I shall be sure to do this! Thanks :-)
It's also supposed to be better for the internal mechanics to keep the foot down when not in use, with a fabric scrap there to avoid the foot touching the teeth.
As a new sewer that taught myself a few months ago, I’m finally starting to watch videos and learn more of the terminology. It’s good to know that I’ve managed to teach myself good habits.
Great advice Evelyn, thank you. This one is simple, but makes a huge difference - Change the needle often and make sure you're using the right kind of needle for your project. Trying to sew with knit fabrics and the wrong needle is a nightmare.
Yes that is a good one! Make sure you know what kind of needle is actually in the machine!
I don't change mine enough. I had to take myself aside and give myself a good talking to: I would skimp on this (and be stupidly precious about wasting thread) - but they're cheap and as broke as I am, I don't need to be that frugal! So I'm much better now!
When you change the needle, do you discard it? I never knew about this tip before
What happens if you dont often change it ?
I have a huge collection of needles from my late mom's sewing supplies, but they're mostly only marked with sizes, not needle type 😕
Thank you! Many of these are habits I didn't even realize I developed after 18 years of sewing and now that I have a niece who is dying to learn to sew this is a great place to start.
I cleaned my machine yesterday with a piece of scrap fabric I was so shocked when you mentioned there was a tool for it and I just so happened to keep that little tool for the heck of it glad I did!
Good thing you kept that!!
I just want to say that your videos have been sooooo helpful for me. I'm brand new to sewing. I started with face masks during quarantine. I have since made many for myself, friends, and family and I have definitely gotten better since that first one where my machine kept jamming and thread tearing. I was getting so frustrated! I searched for "why is my machine jamming" (or something like that) and came across your video(s). It helped so much and I am enjoying sewing so much more. I want to take your course and as I've been sewing masks and modifying some clothing I often have your videos on auto play. Thank you for the quality content!! You are amazing, talented, and adorable!
Thank you for positiv energy Evelyn, you make me relax and smile💖
Great video with useful information. I fill at least three bobbins with thread before I start each project, so I don't have to stop. To clean out the 'fuzz', I use a small artist's paint brush. You can really get into the nooks and crannies. I also use invisible tape to hold buttons in place when I sew them on by machine; it keeps the button from shifting. TFS.
These are great practises to help with workflow! The tape for the buttons is a new one for me!
Evelyn I also use the tape trick for sewing two hole or four hole buttons on by hand. But instead of regular thread, I use embroidery floss; all six strands at once. I attach the button with a large eyed embroidery needle in a criss cross 'X' pattern. And voilà, you have a perfectly sewn button. Mom taught me that one.
That's a great tip x
@@elaineplate8921 that is a great idea and am surprised we all have not caught on!!
Oh that is good! Thanks for sharing!!@@elaineplate8921
After watching this I immediately defluffed my sewing machine because I couldn't remember the last time I did. Didn't even know I should do it that often. I'll make a habit of now. And then I subscribed 👍 Another habit I've learned to keep as a pet owner, alwayssss put and store all your things away after you are done for the day, fabric, thread spools, pins, needles, those pin cushions (cats looove) because they will find it and lay on it or try to eat it. Not only is it annoying for you it's dangerous for your fur child. So until I get my dream storage sewing room with drawers covering a wall that will hold all my bits and bobs I use many containers and boxes to store sharp and tempting things. Those drawer bins things work well too
Evelyn thank you so much 😊 those habits are very good indeed. One thing Ive learnt early on when I started to sew is, never cross a seam with another one unless you’ve ironed the seam....it was a valuable lesson, and very good practice. I’ve subscribed to you’re channel xx Mags
I'm in a very very small sewing room... But it's beautiful, and I love it.
I clean up my space and put things away about every 2 hours. Never a mess!
I appreciate the great tips for beginners, and love your retro look and wonderful, cute personality! Keep going strong Evelyn...
Great tips, especially pressing as you go. Press to set the stitching and then press the seams open or to a side. One tip l swear by is changing your needle regularly. Some sewing issues, like skipped stitches is the wrong needle or an old needle. Thanks!
I’m so happy this video popped up in my feed! I’ve just started sewing again after many years, although I had never progressed out of the beginner phase! I never had much time or patience in the previous years! Anyway, I am happily sewing away now, and am totally hooked. I wish I would have discovered my love for this a long time ago, but better late (I’m a couple months shy of 60!) than never. I’m binge watching your videos and taking notes ~ you’re wonderful!! 💖
Now that I am embarking on a handmade wardrobe and sewing regularly this is an invaluable list thank you!
habits I learned back in the '60s when learning to sew; be organized. Bring everything needed for the project ie tools , notions and extra bobbins , prepare ALL project units needed to complete said project. Now you are ready and don't need to "find" something important. BEST habit I have is to CLEAN my room after each project, place all those notions and tools where they live and clean my machines. This allows me to come in and start any new idea without clutter from left over 'stuff' sitting around.
Having a clean and organized room is key!!
I always like to add a bit of something to my garments , either it’s lace trim around neck, hem or pockets on sides of skirts / dresses. Every time before I start sewing , I like to write down things I want to add or alter to the garment I’m going to make, and stick the note on the pattern envelope so that I won’t forget about it. And when I follow the instruction, I like to make note on the instruction paper so that next time when I make the same thing, it will just make things easier .
I self taught myself to sew back in 1978 but the tip on maintenance of the machine is a fab idea I now will keep a diary and tick off when I de fluff and oil ECT x
Woo hoo!! You'll never forget now!!
Hi from Melbourne Australia. I’m teaching my granddaughter to sew. These are great tips. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching! Both of you! X
I'm a very beginner. Your vid and these comments really help. And I add my habits since I started sewing last month. They are : Never bare feet on pedal sewing. And I'll start to wear glasses. Just in case...😀 Because we're dealing with sharp tools here.
Why no bare feet? (I hope I'm not being too dense!)
Oh Evelyn - did I spy a Necchi Supernova in the background? I collect machines and this would be one of my favourites. My habits include collecting the cardboard bolts and rewrapping fabric. I also clean and oil machine after use. I would love to see a video tour of your workroom. I have sewn all my life but I always learn something new from you and want to run off and sew after one of your videos 👏
Aww that made my day thankyou!! I'm so thrilled you still learn something from me! And yes, it's a Nechi info the background! I have all the cams for it, but I must confess I have only used it for straight sewing so far... Playing around and figuring out how to use it remains on 'my list' for when I have time 🙁
Chiming in, as I've just discovered your channel (which is delightful, BTW)...get that Supernova out and humming! It is hands down one of the sewing wonders of the mid-century; a brilliant stitcher -- strong, fast and almost virtually silent -- and with the cams, almost unlimited scope.
Jenni J Hello Jenni, I collect Vintage sewing machines and Necchi would be one of the best. Having said that, I am not familiar with the Omega. How old would it be and which country are you in? Regards Adella
Jenni J I thought you were :) Necchis weren’t that common in aus.i belong to a Facebook group just called Necchi Sewing Machines, which is US based. Perhaps join there and someone could help you. I can say that Necchis are a lovely machine" Good luck and regards, Adella
@Jenni J Not all Necchi's are the older kind made in Italy. I've never heard of an Omega, so it may not be a bad machine, but probably nothing special.
When sewing from a pattern, I like to sew the hard parts first then the easy ones. I use my brain power when it’s fresh for the challenging bits first. The rest is easy and can be accomplished in a more tired state.
* I have sewn/stabbed my finger before! I was holding the work and got too close! It hurt a bit. Lol
Thank you for the advice! I'm new to sewing I kept my mothers sewing machine after she passed and unfortunately she didn't teach me any of her sewing skills... So any and all advice is gratly appreciated! Thank you Evelyn I love your accent and your fab manicure!
My best friend (with 3 kids and a husband) taught me to get a pad lock for your sewing scissors, so no one can use them. Then go to the Dollar Store to pick up a few paper scissors to keep one in every room in the house for everyone else to use. Unfortunately she told me this after my husband broke a $50 pair of scissors, back in 1995. My mother bought me those scissors in 1975 for my birthday. (That was about 3 days wages back then; and for a single mother a small fortune.)
What I didn't understand was the kitchen junk drawer had two pair of old scissors in it that were his mother's old ones, he knew were in there. My sewing scissors were at the far end of the sewing room, in a plastic dresser drawer he had to dig through to find, inside of a zippered bag. “But those were the closest pair to the back door, and I wanted to see what came in the box your grandma mailed you.”. To get to the junk drawer was about the same distance, and easier to find.
They should sell locking chest of drawers for sewing supplies. They make locking file cabinets.
Proper posture is absolutely vital, and a clean organized work space is my no brainer