Save -Time Sewing Tips

This will be a series of posts that will show you how to save time sewing. It is a collection of tips, tools, and techniques that will help you sew more effecently with short cuts, and new ways to do old tasks.

We all are part of a society that is geared around our clocks. We have so much more to do in so much less time than generations ago. The day of "June Cleaver" sitting on her couch each night with nothing to do but hand sewing...is gone. The woman of today has to squeeze every second out of every day.
Sewing, to some, is something they just don't have time for. But for others, like myself, we need to get 'into' your sewing to relax and aborb ourselves into a world of creativity in order to survive the craziness of everyday life.

Planning is essential in saving time....
Shop with a plan, Sew with a plan.

The key to planning is managing your time. If you wait till you have a full day to sew, it never happens. Plan, on your calendar, a scheduled time to sew. Even if you only have 1/2 hour each day before you leave to pick up the kids, use it to do one more step on your sewing project rather than having another cup of coffee. 15 minutes a day adds up fast.

Manage your sewing in stages: Design, Prep, and Construction. Concentrate on finishing one stage completely before you start another.

When deciding on your pattern, preshop the pattern companies online.It is much more productive. Have a second pattern choice already chosen in case the store is out of you first choice. Double check your size choice on the back of the pattern by compairing measurements to avoid mistakes.

Shop for several projects at a time WITHOUT CHILDREN. You will make fewer mistakes and make quicker decisions.

Purchase everything you need for each project down to the thread, zippers, hook and eyes. You will waste precious time if you have to run to the store for your forgotten notions. Store everything for that project together in one large baggie so you have it all at hand.
Purchase an extra spool of thread to make sure you won't run out in the middle of your project.

When cutting, cut out two projects at the same time. That makes clean up fast. Consider making two garments from the same pattern using different fabrics.

Take your pattern instruction sheet with you while you are sitting, waiting at ballet practise or at the doctor's office. Review each step in you head so you will be familiar with it before you start.


Happy Sewing!!

More Info About Certificate Program

* If you are not a new sewer, I may need to evaluate your sewing skill to insure you are properly placed. Your cirriculum may need to be tailored to best meet your needs.

*New/ Additional classes may be added to Cirriculum at any time. Keep checking!!!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

As my many years of sewing has gone on, I have developed many "Favorites".I have tried and tested many, believe me, and these are what I recommend.

Please blog me with your Favorite Things and I can add them to this blog too.

Here they are:

My Favorite Sewing Websites-

www.besewstylish.com
www.sewing.org
www.everythingsewing.net
www.amybutlerdesigns.com
www.taunton.com/threads
www.sewnews.com
www.homesew.com
www.voguefabricstore.com
www.threadart.com- for embroidery things-great prices for thread!
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My Favorite Sewing Books-

'The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing' by Singer

Actually the entire line of Singer Books are Great! (you know I'm not crazy about Singer
sewing machines, though)
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My Favorite Iron:

Reliable-Velocity-my newset iron-LOVE IT!!
It allows you to iron with low heat and still have FULL steam.
Better than Rowneta


my Fave used to be:  Rowenta DX8800 Professional model
online-www.shoprowenta.com for $99.00
also available at Lowe's
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My Favorite Interfacings-

For Woven Fabrics-Pellon Shape Flex
good deal online at www.shoppellon.com- keyword- shape flex
10 yard bolt for $26.99 ($2.69 per yard)
Also available at Hancock's for $3.99 per yard (when they have it, that is)

For Knit Fabrics-Pellon Easy Knit Fusible Tricot-
online at www.shoppellon.com-keyword-easy knit
10 yard bolt for-$24.99
great for underlining, interfacing all knits

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My Favorite Notions-

"Collins" Washaway Wonder Tape-double-sided tape
fantastic for applying zippers and trims
available at Hancock's and Hobby Lobby

"Ultra-Pro" Seam Ripper
the Best!
available at Sew Much Fun off of Veteran's Highway-$10.99
online- www.havelssewing.com/c18950.html-$9.99

"Allary" Chalk Cartridge Set -marking pen
available at Hancock's

"Clover" Chaco-Liner Marker-
also for marking and available at Hancock's and Sew Much Fun
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MY Favorite "Misc" Things in my Sewing Basket

Freezer Paper - to use as a stabilizer (the shiny side irons on and sticks to stabilize)
also use to copy patterns

Parchment Paper- use as a press cloth and to protect the ironing board when using fusibles

Scotch Tape- to repair rips in my patterns and to hold buttons in place while I sew them on

"Bandaid-Spots"-those little round bandaids- to stop bleeding from a pin prick
and to use as a quick 'thimble'

Chop Sticks- great to use to push out those corners

A Pair of Jewelry Pliars- to pull out stubborn pins and needles
and to hold your machine needle in place when you change it

A Nail File- to keep from snagging you fabric with a rough nail

10 Ways To Improve Your Sewing

1.Get Properly prepared to sew, physically and mentally.
Don't sew when you are rushed or don't feel well. It won't be your best
work. Wait till you have the time to enjoy what you do.
Read instructions ahead of time to familiarize yourself to the steps.
Steps will seem easier if you have seen them before.
Make sure your tool are in top shape. Sewing machine is cleaned and oiled.
You have a new needle in your machine.
Your scissors are sharp.
Check your stitch to make sure your 'in balance'.

2.Cut and mark CAREFULLY.
Highlight your cutting lines so you don't make mistakes.
Cut your fabric with long, even cuts.
Mark what matters: use different color chalk to distinquish
large and small dots from your pattern pieces.

3. Eliminate Internal Bulk.
Clip and trim ALL curved seam allowances
Grade seam allowances on heavy fabric.( GRADING-is where you trim seam
allowances at different levels, one closer to the seam than the
other, to reduce bulk).
To avoid turning under fabric on edges, whenever possible, use a flat finish
such as zig zag or serging.

4. Double check all work.
After each step you finish double check your work. Make sure seams are lined
up properly, no tucks are visable, all seams are smooth. This will
save time and you can avoid alot of ripping out.

5. Don't be afraid of "HAND SEWING'.
It isn't a bad word. Many times it is easier and
better to hand baste a seam together than to use the machine. Sewing a
hem by hand almost always gives better results than by machine
hemming. Take your time and do the best job you can.

6. Give new gadgets a try.
Gadgets can make sewing so much easier and more fun. Each time there is a
notions sale try something new. Try a Point Turner or a new kind of
marking tool.

7. Clip to the Stitch: Don't stitch to the clip.
When the pattern tells you to clip to a dot(for example at a "v" neck)and
then stitch to it, you could encounter fraying threads or lose sight
of the end of the clip under the presser foot. Instead, make the dot
and then sew to the dot first. Clip after you sew to get
much better results.

8. Deal with HARD-To-Sew seams in smaller bites.
If you have a difficult seam to sew, sew the hardest section first to make
sure everything lines up properly, then go backwards from there to
finish the seam.

9. IRON. IRON. IRON.
Iron each step as you go. Don't wait till you get completley done with a
garment to press. This step is one of style="font-style:italic;">the most important things I can
suggest to you. Purchase the best iron that you budget can allow. It
will pay off in the long run.

10. Only purchase fabric that appeals to your senses not just your pocket book.
No matter how much money you spend or save, if you don't love the
fabric you sew with, you won't love the garment you make. Your seams
could be perfect;The fit-fantastic...but if you don't like the color,
design, or feel of the fabric, you won't like to wear it.

Pattern Suggestions for Sew Much More

Look for a pattern in the Mccalls or Simplicity pattern book that resemble this type of styling.

It needs to have a zipper and waist facings (No waistband).

Email me if you have questions.

Sew Much More Class Photos