5 Sewing Tips & Tricks You Have To Know

There are so many little sewing tips and tricks expert sewists have mastered, but no matter how good a sewist you are there are some sewing techniques you just have to know.

At Spotlight we love helping sewists of all experiences find all the sewing supplies and tutorials they need, and during Make It March we're highlighting five essential sewing techniques we think you should know about. Check out the video below, then read more about each tip and why we think it's so important.

Quick Links

• How To Change The Needle In A Sewing Machine
• How To Sew Straight
• How To Sew A Zip
• How To Sew A Buttonhole
• How To Gather Fabric

1. How To Change The Needle In A Sewing Machine

It's important that you change your sewing needle when needed to keep your sewing project on track, as well as for your safety. If you notice your needle is getting blunt or has bent, you should change it - otherwise, we recommend changing the needle after 8-10 hours of straight sewing.

Start by holding your new needle in your hand - the flat space on your new needle should be facing the back of your sewing machine when inserted. Loosen the needle set screw and pull the old needle out of the needle bar, then insert the new needle until it hits the stop at the top. Tighten the screw to finish!

2. How To Sew Straight

One of the easiest ways to create professional-looking sewing projects is to ensure you know how to sew straight - and the key to sewing straight is to use a seam guide! These handy tools sit next to your fabric as you sew - as long as the edge of your fabric is running straight next to the guide, then your stitches will be straight. We love using a magnetic seam guide that sticks directly onto the stitch plate, and you can easily reposition it as needed.

If you don't have a seam guide, you can use Washi tape for a similar effect. Stick the tape vertically across your stitch plate according to your seam allowance and then run the edge of your fabric along the tape as your guide. Washi tape can be removed without leaving a gummy residue too!

3. How To Sew A Zip

Sewing zips can seem intimidating, but the process isn't as scary as you might think! Take the two pieces of fabric you will be joining and place them on top of each other, aligning the edges that will hold the zip. Pin them together and then sew a basting stitch down the length, then open the fabric pieces and then open the seam and press flat with your fingers.

Lay the zipper down your open seam with the zip facing away from you and pin it into position. Sew around the perimeter of the zipper in one consistent stitch - pivot the material as you work to achieve this. Then use an unpicker or a seam ripper to remove the original baste stitch you created at the start!

4. How To Sew A Buttonhole

You can't just rip a hole into your fabric to use as a buttonhole - making a strong and durable buttonhole will ensure your clothing or accessory stays closed when it needs to! Start by attaching a buttonhole foot to your machine, then adjust your machine so you can create a satin stitch. Satin stitch down the length of the buttonhole, set the stitch width to double the previous width and then sew the bottom of the buttonhole. Reset the length back to the first stitch and stitch up parallel to the first stitch, then double the length again to stitch the top of the buttonhole.

Finish by opening the area between your satin stitches (the middle of the buttonhole) using dressmaking scissors or an unpicker. Be careful not to damage the top or bottom of your new buttonhole when doing this!

5. How To Gather Fabric

Gathered fabric is great for use as a pretty accent to so many pieces of clothing, and gathering fabric is an easy skill to master. Begin by sewing a straight stitch all the way along the fabric you want to gather. Use a wider stitch length, as this will make the 'gathering' process at the end much easier, and leave a long tail at the end. Then sew another straight stitch parallel to the first, again leaving a long tail.

Grab and pull at the front threads you left long, keeping a hand on the fabric as you do so. Continue to pull the thread and work the fabric with your hand as it starts to gather. Pulling the fabric in the opposite direction of your pulling will help the process.

Master The Basics Of Sewing With Spotlight

Ready to start sewing with your new sewing techniques? Make sure to check out our amazing range of sewing fabrics and sewing supplies online or at your nearest Spotlight store today.