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10 Sewing Tricks Professionals Refuse To Share

July 30, 2020 by Jackie 51 Comments

If you enjoy sewing, you should know all the best sewing tricks that professional seamstresses use. These tricks make it easier for any home seamstress to work more efficiently and improve at the art of sewing. So stick around to see these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share!

Sewing is a hobby that is not often picked up anymore. It used to be that every lady my mom's age knew how to sew. Now, I hardly know anyone who sews. Maybe it's because it's intimidating. Well, with these sewing tricks it doesn't have to be. For more info, keep reading. #sewingmadesimple #learnsewingtricks #helpfulsewingtricks

A good quality machine is vital, and it doesn’t have to be fancy. Find my personal favorite by Janome at Amazon.

If you're a sewer, you need to know these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share. Make sure you have a good sewing machine like this Janome machine.

10 Sewing Tricks Professionals Refuse To Share

If you're a sewer, you need to know these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share. Don't worry about pinning your projects, that's just one more step to complete.

  1. Surprisingly enough, professional sewers rarely bother taking the time to pin things together. {A trick I believe in!} Pinning just creates one more step. As you get better at sewing, you’ll get better at just holding your pieces together as you feed them through the machine.
  2. Use the steam of your iron to help you manipulate stiff fabrics more easily. You don’t even need to touch the iron to the fabric. Hold the iron over the fabric and release a burst of steam. It helps soften the fabric and makes it easier to work with.If you're a sewer, you need to know these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share. Use the steam from your iron to help you manipulate fabrics easier.
  3. If your fabric is stiff or heavy enough, you can fold a simple crease in it to mark various lines–stitching lines, fold lines, etc. It’s much faster than getting out your chalk or marking pen!
  4. Professionals continually experiment with their sewing techniques to find what really works best for them, and you should too! Don’t be locked into what you’ve been told is the best way to do something. If it’s uncomfortable for you, experiment until you find an easier way. If you're a sewer, you need to know these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share. Don't be afraid to explore different sewing techniques to find what works best for you.
  5. Patterns usually call for a standard 5/8″ seam, but you don’t have to stick to that. It’s too bulky for certain things such as collars and waistbands. You can reduce those seams to as little as 1/4″ and it’ll save you time clipping them open later on.
  6. Instead of trying to cut those annoying diamond shapes to mark seams, just nip them about 1/8″. They are really more accurate and won’t fray your seams.If you're a sewer, you need to know these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share. Instead of pinning the pattern to your fabric, weight it down with weights. Think of the time you'll save!
  7. Instead of pinning the pattern to your fabric, weight it down with weights. Think of the time you’ll save!
  8. Sew as many seams as possible before stopping to press them open. This is another time saver the pros really use.If you're a sewer, you need to know these 10 sewing tricks professionals refuse to share. Don't mark where your buttons go until after you stitch the buttonholes. Then cut the buttonholes open with a punch, not a seam ripper. Much easier!
  9. Don’t mark where your buttons go until after you stitch the buttonholes. Then cut the buttonholes open with a punch, not a seam ripper. Much easier!
  10. Instead of an ironing board, which is often not wide enough to keep your fabric from hanging on the floor, build yourself an ironing station. A sheet of plywood covered with wool and muslin is much wider and accommodates a much bigger section of whatever project you’re pressing.

Want some fun projects to test out your new sewing tricks? Try one of these 8 things to do with fat quarters! 

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY Ideas, DIY Tutorials, Project Gallery Tagged With: professional sewing tricks, sewing, Sewing 101, Sewing Hacks, Sewing Projects, Sewing Tips and Tricks, sewing tricks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LaNell Mueller says

    April 18, 2018 at

    Where are the other nine sewing tricks. I was only able to open one.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 27, 2018 at

      Hit on the little arrow next to the “2” of the page number.

      Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 27, 2018 at

      Click on the arrow next to the “2”.

      Reply
    • Julie says

      June 5, 2018 at

      Me too

      Reply
    • Dawn says

      June 24, 2018 at

      LaNell, if you’re opening the first page, look for the numbers “1, 2”. Then click on page 2. All the sewing tricks are on page 2

      Reply
    • Bobbi says

      June 26, 2018 at

      If you look under the picture you will see 1 of 2 and an arrow to the right. Press that and there will be details of the other hacks. They are in writing, not photos.

      Reply
    • Savana says

      June 27, 2018 at

      I had to scroll down pretty far to see them

      Reply
    • Vicki says

      July 1, 2018 at

      They are all there, just click on the arrow. But none of the tips are of any use whatsoever.

      Reply
      • Gail Towers says

        January 7, 2019 at

        The tips are very handy if you are a learner

        Reply
        • Maritza Mazariego says

          September 6, 2019 at

          I agree, good for beginners. should be labeled as such.

          Reply
      • Debbie says

        January 10, 2019 at

        Vicki ..I thought the tips were perfect
        And I learned most of them the hard way during my 30+ years of sewing!

        Reply
        • Brenda G says

          May 25, 2021 at

          I learned to sew on a Singer, foot-operated, treadle machine when I was 12 yrs old out of necessity. If my two older sisters and I didn’t sew during the summer, we’d have nothing new to wear to school. In junior high (when Home Ec was a required class), I was the only one in my class that already knew how to sew. Once the teacher learned of my sewing skills, she appointed me her daily assistant.
          All of the “professional” tips in this article brought back some memories from 60 yrs ago. I remember Simplicity patterns costing less than 50 cents…..now they’re mostly over $5 ! Sadly, with every-day clothing being so inexpensive to buy at Walmart, Marshall’s, TJMaxx, Amazon, etc, the cost of patterns, materials, zippers, buttons, etc has caused sewing to become antiquated.

          Reply
          • LindaW says

            January 10, 2022 at

            I remember those days too.

            Reply
    • Fi says

      July 5, 2018 at

      Click for page 2 and scroll down, its just a list written underneath the sewing machine image

      Reply
    • Jerrie-Lynn says

      July 12, 2018 at

      As you look at the webpage you’ll see 2 arrows that look drawn in . They point opposite directions w/ 1 – 2 between them. Press on arrow pointing to the right & you’ll see all 10
      At least this worked for me.

      Reply
    • Ev says

      July 12, 2018 at

      they are on page 2

      Reply
    • Leslie Shifflett says

      August 18, 2018 at

      LaNeil, above and below the photo, there are arrows and says 1 of 2—–click on that, and it will take you to the 10 tips.

      Reply
    • Pearl says

      August 23, 2018 at

      I hit the black arrow to the right and they opened up.

      Reply
    • S. Clayton says

      September 6, 2018 at

      LaNell – on the second image, if you scroll down it counts up to 10. There isn’t a separate picture for each number. I was wondering the same thing at first.

      Reply
    • pam says

      September 7, 2018 at

      click on the # after the arrow on the first page 12

      Reply
    • Deborah says

      October 14, 2018 at

      They are all listed in first section. Numbered 1to 10.

      Reply
  2. Anita Thomas says

    April 22, 2018 at

    As someone who worked in the industry as a pattern drafter for over 24 years, I can tell you #5 and #10 are not at all true. ALWAYS sew at the recommended seam allowance. If you do not, you will be altering the size and fit. It’s unfortunate home sewer patterns are made with such wide seam allowances, but it is what it is and you have to use that. In the industry we put ON THE PATTERNS 1/2″ seam allowance and 3/8″ around necklines and 1/4″ around collar, cuff and placket edges that are being turned out. As for #10, never do we use a big board to iron on. It’s important to use the shape of a proper ironing board to facilitate construction pressing as you work and in the final press. Pressing can be the mark if a “home-made” or a professionally made garment. Learn how to do it right. All else mentioned were good.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Laakson says

      June 28, 2018 at

      Totally agree with your comment about#5. I also trim underarm seam close and double stitch that one. #10 can be useful but only if you use pressing tools to mimic the rounded shape of the regular board. You are so right about that curving making the difference!

      Reply
    • carol says

      August 7, 2018 at

      Thank you to both ladies. As with anything the more you do the more you learn the more you improve. Sewing to me is about having fun and enjoying the process, if you make a mistake think outside the box or just make a different outfit with it. Inventing and creating are what I think sewing is all about.

      Reply
    • Marylyn says

      August 23, 2018 at

      Thank you, Anita for your response as one who is trying to get back into sewing garments for babies, children and adults, your remarks were very helpful for me.

      Reply
    • Debi Yakel says

      September 23, 2018 at

      Anita Thomas, I so agree with you! Seam allowances are in a pattern for a reason. It will alter the size of you make it smaller. Just trim it down if you want it less. You’ll be happier with the outcome.
      Also, the big ironing board space is something that quilters do for a larger flat surface. It works great for that,but not for ironing garments.
      I’ve been sewing since I was about 7 or 8yrs old. And I’ve sewn for the public for maybe 40 yrs. I’ve made many mistakes,hopefully I’ve learned many lessons and sewing tricks and shortcuts along the way 🙂

      Reply
    • Patricia says

      December 29, 2018 at

      I’ve been using a large ironing board table for years, it works much better than an ironing board. My garments have a professional look, I have won Pennsylvania state completions with my home made garments. Your comments are somewhat insulting. I have 49 years of pattern making and sewing experience under my belt.

      Reply
    • Debbie says

      January 10, 2019 at

      I believe #5 & #10 are for non garment sewing…. Crafting and quilting…etc.

      Reply
    • Elaine says

      January 20, 2019 at

      Good point well made Anita

      Reply
    • Jenn says

      September 25, 2019 at

      First, thank you. Secondly, would you consider making up your own list, similar to this? Then, come back here and let us know!

      Reply
  3. Ann Clark says

    May 30, 2018 at

    I agree with Anita!! First read the pattern and use the seam allowances called for. They are there for a reason, sometimes so you can handle all the fabrics you are putting together (layering the seam later to give a professional quality to the garment), and sometimes for stability in the finished garment. As for #10, that is the best way to take a garment you have created and turn it to a piece of trash. The ironing and steaming of the garment is the best way to get a beautiful finish or really wreck it. The support surface you are ironing on needs to match the contour of the garment you are ironing. This is why professionals use tailors hams, tailors sausages, the small rounded area of the ironing board, and is some cases I have even used my hand with several layers of towel to get the right contour.

    Reply
  4. Teresa says

    July 7, 2018 at

    Anita, thank you for your tips!

    Reply
  5. Patricia says

    September 28, 2018 at

    I clicked on the “2” over twelve times, the number lit up like it was going to work, but I never got the tips.

    Reply
  6. Melody says

    September 28, 2018 at

    I have to disagree with #6. Take the extra 2 seconds and cut the notch outward. It is way too easy to over snip and snip into your seam allowance or snip so close to the seam allowance that the seam will fray in that area after a few wearings/washings.

    Reply
    • Alison says

      November 15, 2019 at

      I agree with you as I have snipped to close to seam I would rather do the knotches they live up better

      Reply
  7. Cheryl Masters says

    October 11, 2018 at

    If you don’t pin where you’re sewing, how do you put in a puffed cap sleeve?

    Reply
  8. Adrienne Gudvangen says

    October 24, 2018 at

    What foot do you use to sew bias tape when it is folded so you catch both sides

    Reply
  9. Jackie Thom says

    March 18, 2019 at

    A general home sewer makes more than garments & needs both boards – I have a padded wide board packed away & place it on a table when needed.

    Reply
  10. Ann says

    September 25, 2019 at

    Some of these comments are so rude. I feel these people take pleasure in belittling other people’s efforts.

    Reply
    • Julia says

      March 17, 2020 at

      I am a little late in commenting here but yes, why so rude! I have been sewing for nearly 60 years and I am still not too old to learn. Some of these tricks could be very useful to beginners I think. Surely the ones about seam allowances have been totally misunderstood – reduce the seam allowance, not increase the stitching line??

      Reply
  11. Marilyn says

    July 30, 2020 at

    I’ve been sewing for over 65 years, and I have a suggestion for a great cutting board.

    My son bought me a 4′ x 8′ sheet of birch plywood, and sanded one side and the edges, and sanded the corners a little bit rounded. He then put a coat of clear varnish on it, so it had a nice smooth finish.
    I had an old kitchen table that had two leaves, so we laid two strips of the waffled shelf liner made by Rubbermaid on top of the table, and then put the plywood sheet on top of that. With those 2 waffled strips, that piece of plywood never shifted, even if I leaned against it to pin something.

    This was an invaluable tool for all the years I did Home Decor, like drapes, and then wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. When I stopped doing sewing like that, it sure came in handy for making quilts!

    If you need a big cutting table, get yourself an old kitchen table and some plywood.

    Reply
  12. sew it goes says

    September 2, 2020 at

    The number one thing that a professional will do to is to make sure the fabric is cut on the grain. That means that the center line of the pattern piece is parallel to the selvage edge. That is the long arrow you see on the pattern piece and this keeps the garment draping correctly.

    Reply
  13. Grandma G says

    October 16, 2020 at

    I have been sewing now for 63 years – for myself, for others, for fun and to decorate my home. I have made just about everything from underwear and swimsuits to bridal gowns. I’ve learned quite a bit along the way and agree (mostly) with some of these 10 tips. However, I would never be without a pressing ham, a regular ironing board and a quilt pressing board (I make those too). Pressing, NOT ironing is integral to creating a professional looking garment and quilts.
    In in the case of seam depth, changing it is dangerous but trimming is often very necessary. It never hurts to have a sufficient seam allowance for fitting a bodice, pants or skirts. However, collars, cuffs and that sort must have seams trimmed after stitching or they cannot be finished properly.

    Reply
  14. Cathy Sandlin says

    November 4, 2020 at

    I love sew. My grandmother sew and made quilts. Sold them. Made them out scrap clothes.

    Reply
  15. Joyce says

    March 2, 2021 at

    After reading other comments, I still don’t see page 2 to click on on arrow. I see first ten.
    I have slowly scanned & don’t anything saying page page 1 or 2. Frustrating!!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      March 3, 2021 at

      Hi Joyce 🙂 There aren’t multiple pages anymore. Everything is just one the same page and all 10 tricks are there.

      Reply
  16. Lynn says

    October 25, 2021 at

    You might want to correct from the “Hold the fabric over the iron” to Hold the iron over the fabric. LOL
    Great tips, many of which I learned while working as a professional seamstress for a world famous stuffed animal toy factory in 1976. The first tip they taught me and required was not to pin the fabric pieces together, rather hand manipulate them into place as I sew. They were only a few of the best tips I ever learned along with using weights instead of pinning the pattern pieces onto the fabric and rather than cut the notches, snip about 1/4 of an inch into the seam line. Another quick tip I learned and purchased in 1966 was a pair of electric scissors. Yes they were available to the public even back then. I still have mine but, only wish they are cordless, like my 47 year old West Bend cordless iron and my new Sunbeam convertible cordless/corded iron.

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      January 7, 2022 at

      Thanks for noticing the error. It’s been fixed 🙂

      Reply
  17. Pamela grimes says

    January 22, 2022 at

    You state to open buttonholes with a “punch”. What is a punch?

    Reply
  18. Angie says

    February 6, 2022 at

    To reduce the seam allowances down to 1/4″, trim the PATTERN down before cutting out and sewing the fabric. Of course, this is for designs you already know will fit! It saves LOTS of time later. Trim once, sew several times! Be sure to mark your pattern and directions that the pattern already has a 1/4″ and not a 5/8″ seam allowance!!!

    Reply
  19. Cynthia says

    April 19, 2022 at

    They actually are…These are time saver tips. if you want to get your sewing done.

    Reply

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