If you know anything about me at all, you’d know that sewing is a passion of mine. I think that being able to sew is an awesome skill to have and a brilliant hobby for anybody to fall in love with. 🥰
Which is why I can’t stop talking about it!
But you may not already know this: I do remember (not so long ago) when I was a complete sewing newbie. I hadn’t even touched a sewing machine until I’d already had 3 kids of my own.
And I remember being VERY nervous the first few times I sat down to sew. I mean, what if I pressed something wrong? What if I broke something? What if my fabric went sailing sideways out of the machine and I just ruined everything?!?
Because I think that sewing is so fantastic and I want to help you to feel more confident when you sit down at your own sewing machine (without fear of pressing the wrong thing!), in this post I am sharing a bundle of helpful sewing tips and hacks that you may never have heard before.
Are you ready to enjoy your sewing time with more confidence and less stress? Then take a few minutes to read through this list of sewing tricks before you take hold of your sewing machine!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Whether you have just opened the box of your first ever sewing machine or whether you are an “old dog” wanting to learn some new tricks, you’re sure to discover some helpful tips here that will save you time, stress, and perhaps even a couple of sewing machine needles 😅.
If you are super-dooper brand new to sewing, you might like to take a look at some other beginners help. I’ve published loads of other sewing tips that you’ll definitely use (such as sewing tools you need, types of fabric, and understanding sewing patterns). Get started HERE.
Sewing Machine Tip 01: Make sure you have enough thread on the bobbin before starting to sew
You know that saying “out of sight, out of mind”? That can be a problem with your sewing machine bobbin, hidden away inside the machine.
If you don’t deliberately check whether there is enough thread on your bobbin before starting to sew your fabrics together, you might be shocked to discover that you’ve actually been sewing with air rather than thread. Take it from someone who has done this enough times… it sucks!
Check the thread on your bobbin before starting. Don’t forget to also make sure that the upper thread spool will get you though the next rows of stitches too!
Sewing Machine Tip 02: Best way to wind thread on the bobbin
To wind new thread your bobbin, you’ll need to attach it to a special rod located on the top of the sewing machine and join it up with a spool of the coloured thread you wish to use. Because every sewing machine is a little different, read your machine’s instructions to learn the right position and directions to set up each piece.
But the trick to ensuring the bobbin is wound neatly and evenly with the correct tension, without getting tangled, is to insert the end of the thread through that little hole on the top rim of the bobbin, before starting the winding process. Click HERE to see more.
Sewing Machine Tip 03: Use the correct sewing machine needle
There are lots of different types of needles that you can use in your sewing machine. Be aware though, not all are designed to work with all types of fabric. If you want to sew with denim, you’ll need a different needle to if you want to sew a jersey knit skirt.
Pay attention to what fabric you’d like to sew with and choose the right needle for that project!
A bonus reminder: replace your sewing needle often! Some people swear they use a new needle for each and every sewing project. I change my own sewing machine needle after 2 or 3 projects. There is no magic number I can give you about exactly how long you can use a sewing needle for. But I’m betting 11 months is NOT that number! 😅
Sewing Machine Tip 04: Practice stitching a variety of lines and shapes
You’ve got fabric you’ve fallen in love with and want to get started on your that sewing project, but you’re not sure you’ve really got the hang of using your machine? Practising sewing a variety of lines, curves and corners NOT using that fabric is a great option.
Try using paper instead! You won’t waste expensive fabric and you can keep trying and practising using your sewing machine as much as you want! Take a look at this bundle of sewing practice worksheets HERE.
Sewing Machine Tip 05: Test sewing stitches on scrap fabric
These days sewing machines have a wide variety of stitches to choose from. Some even have over 100! There are certainly a handful that you can’t live without (think: straight stitch and zig zag stitch, for example). But how do know how they’ll look stitched on your fabric? Test!
Grab a swatch (small piece) of the fabric you want to use or a similar scrap of fabric and just start playing around on your machine until you find a stitch type and size you’re happy with. Then start sewing your project for real!
Sewing Machine Tip 06: The safest way to pin fabrics together
There are a number of ways you can hold your fabric pieces together for sewing, pins being the most common.
Sewing machines can usually handle sewing over pins in your fabric (although some purists would be horrified for me to say so 😅). BUT only if you place the pins correctly.
Hold your fabric pieces together by inserting the pins perpendicular to the fabric edge NOT along the fabric edge. The sewing machine needle will hop over pins that are laying across the direction of the stitches, but most likely splinter and fly around the room if it has to try sew down the length of a metal pin 🙈. And that’s not even taking into account the potential damage to your precious sewing machine!
Sewing Machine Tip 07: Hold the thread tails out of the way when starting to sew
Before you start sewing, you’ll notice the ends of the 2 threads inserted in the sewing machine: the upper thread which is threaded through the sewing needle and the lower thread, from the bobbin.
To keep these 2 threads from getting tangled in the stitches or even getting caught under the throat plate, simply hold the ends of these threads and gently pull them at an angle upwards and backwards away from the needle as you start sewing. Once your machine has made a couple of stitches, you can lay them over the rear of the machine and happily carry on sewing!
Sewing Machine Tip 08: Use the foot pedal without wearing shoes
If you are attending a sewing class, chances are pretty good that you’ll be sewing with shoes on your feet. But have you tried removing your shoes when sewing in the privacy of your own home?
Sewing barefoot or wearing socks, you’ll notice a higher level of sensitivity and control over the foot pedal. This might be just the trick to help you get a better feel for all the subtle sewing machine speeds that come between zero and full turbo!
Sewing Machine Tip 09: How to easily sew a straight line
If you need to sew a straight line of stitches and don’t feel convinced you’ll get it quite right, try marking the seam allowance directly on your sewing machine.
You can use pencil or pen to actually draw on your machine. Alternatively, you could affix a strip of tape (e.g., washi tape or painter’s tape) to your machine. Or even a rubber band!
Simply measure your sewing project’s seam allowance distance (e.g., 1 cm, 3/8 in.) to the side of the needle and mark / tape around the sewing machine arm. Then when sewing just keep the fabric edge aligned alongside your chose marking!
Sewing Machine Tip 10: Backstitch to prevent stitching come undone
To prevent your lovely stitching work slowly coming undone, at the start of a new line of stitches and at the end before cutting the threads, be sure to do a few backstitches.
As the sewing machine needle and thread move back over the 2 or 3 stitches you just created and then forward over them again, the entire row of stitches will be reinforced and not run the risk of coming loose!
Sewing Machine Tip 11: The trick to sewing a perfect square corner
Once you’ve got the hang of sewing straight lines and even curves, how will you make your sewing machine turn a much tighter curve? Say, a sharp 90-degree corner, like the type you see on cushion covers? Easy!
Let’s say your sewing project has a 1 cm seam allowance and you want to sew around a corner. Continue stitching and stop when you get 1 cm from the end of the fabric. Make sure that the sewing machine needle is still in the fabric. Leave the needle but raise the presser foot. Spin the fabric around so that the row of stitches is now pointing out to the left of the needle. When you are happy that the fabric is laying squarely, lower the presser foot and start stitching again.
Don’t forget to admire your excellent square corner! 😉
Sewing Machine Tip 12: Easily sew through thick layers of fabric
There will be times when you need to sew over several layers of fabric and you can actually feel your sewing machine straining to get the sewing needle up and over the mound of layers. If the sewing machine is really having trouble, the fabric won’t feed through anymore and the sewing needle will just keep bobbing up and down, sewing on the same spot. Urgh.
This is because the presser foot isn’t sitting level and needs a helping hand upwards.
You don’t need to buy any fancy gadgets (although there are some online). All you need to do is grab a small piece of scrap fabric and fold it until it is approximately the same thickness as the fabric layers you are working with. Lift the presser foot and push this folded scrap fabric underneath the back edge of the presser foot so that it almost meets up with the rear edge of the sewing machine needle. Lower the presser foot and you’ll see it will be sitting level. Now, go ahead and continue sewing!
Sewing Machine Tip 13: Clean your sewing machine regularly
Bunny rabbits are really cute (I should know, we’ve had a few!). But dust bunnies in your sewing machine are not!
You can always get your sewing machine professionally serviced to be sure all of the insides get cleaned out. But there are absolutely some basics you can take care of yourself.
And one of them is clearing out dust and lint that accumulates in astonishing amounts just under the throat plate of your sewing machine. Read your instruction manual how to take this plate off and make sure to give it a good clean in there, including your bobbin capsule. A drop of 2 of oil in the right places is also a good idea to keep the parts running smoothly.
Your sewing machine will thank you and not quit working unexpectedly (and inconveniently) halfway through your next project!
So, even though I’ve given you an unlucky (superstition! Bah humbug!) 13 top sewing machine tricks, I hope that they help make your sewing experience a happy and enjoyable time.
Do you have any other sewing hacks and tricks you swear by? Share them with us in the comments section below!
