What Beginners Need To Understand About Sewing (But Don't)

This is an affiliate post; all opinions expressed are in agreement with my own. 

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 Sewing is one of those skills that goes back centuries, but you’d be surprised by just how many people really don’t understand it, especially when starting out. I've been able to save many clothing articles, stuffed animals, and bags with simple sewing techniques. 

 That’s where this guide can help. Here is a list of things that beginners need to understand before they get started. 

 

Fabric Grain Matters

 The grain of the fabric matters a lot in sewing. Simply cutting into a piece of material without considering the alignment of all the fibres is a surefire way to experience massive disappointment. 

 The trick here is to align pattern pieces with grainlines. Most experienced professionals follow the selvage edge, which is the woven border. It is critical to pay attention to this. Fabric stretches differently depending on the direction.

 Your Tools Need Maintenance

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 Another issue beginners run into is the fact that their tools require maintenance. Dull scissors or sewing machines that haven’t received a service in a while are a significant issue, and something you’ll want to avoid at all costs. 

I recently replaced the blade to my rotary cutter and was shocked at how much easier it was to cut my fabric! Sharpen tools, replace old things as needed. It will make sewing so much more enjoyable!

 Losing Track of Sewing Materials

 Beginners also run into the problem of losing track of their sewing materials. It can be hard to keep everything organized and in its proper place when there is so much going on. 

 For this problem, Sewing Cabinets has answers. I found a sewing cabinet at an estate sale and I love it! 

 Pins Are Your Friend

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 Beginners can also sometimes get into the habit of skipping on pins, which is a problem. This approach often results in misaligned fabric that doesn’t quite make sense when incorporated into the finished article. 

 The trick here is to keep the fabric in place properly by actually using the right number of pins during the sewing process. Experienced professionals place their pins perpendicular to seams to keep fabrics in place and allow them to work on them properly. 

 Pressing Matters As Much As Sewing

 Beginners also need to know that pressing matters as much as sewing. Using the iron is important for a lot of projects, and yet many people interested in this craft forget about it. 

 Pressing is important because it means that different pieces of material can fit together better. It’s a good way to get rid of crimps and creases you don’t want.

 Don’t use the iron like you would for regular clothes. Instead, use it to press down on the material to flatten it out and help it align with other fabrics.