Discover Five Essential Sewing Secrets for Beginners

Five Must-Know Sewing Tips for Beginners

Welcome to your go-to guide for sewing tips that will save you time and prevent frustration. As a seasoned sewing instructor, I’ve seen countless beginners struggle with common issues that can easily be avoided. Here are five essential secrets that every new sewist should know!

1. Prevent Unthreading Issues

One common frustration for beginners is the sewing machine constantly unthreading. This happens when the needle isn't positioned correctly before starting a stitch. Always ensure the take-up lever is at its highest point before you begin stitching. This small adjustment can save you from rethreading your machine repeatedly.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle with tangled threads and spools of red and green thread in the background.

2. Avoid Fabric Getting Stuck

Stretch fabrics often get stuck in the needle plate, especially at the start of a seam. A simple fix is to hold the thread tails firmly to the back as you start stitching. This prevents the fabric from bunching up and getting stuck under the presser foot. For more detailed instructions, check out our full guide on handling stretch fabrics.

Close-up of hands using a sewing machine to stitch intricate pink lace fabric with delicate beadwork.

3. Utilize Hidden Storage in Thread Spools

Did you know that some thread spools have hidden compartments? You can store needles in these compartments, keeping them handy for hand stitching. This clever design also helps to keep your thread from unraveling.

Wooden spool of vibrant red thread for sewing and crafting projects.

4. Use the Seam Ripper Efficiently

The seam ripper is an indispensable tool, but many don’t know how to use it effectively. Instead of using the pointed end to rip each stitch, use the ball-tipped end. Insert it into the seam and push through the stitches, which will quickly cut them without damaging the fabric.

Precision seam ripper with protective cover and sharp blades for easy thread cutting and seam removal.

5. Leverage the Presser Foot Button

The button on the side of your presser foot isn’t just decorative. It’s designed to help you sew over thick seams by leveling the presser foot. This feature prevents uneven stitches and makes sewing through bulky fabrics much smoother.

Vintage Pfaff sewing machine with fabric under the needle, set against a blurred green background.

Bonus Tips for Better Sewing

  • Threading Needles with Ease: If you have trouble threading needles, try turning the needle around. The eye of the needle is often easier to thread from one side than the other.
  • Using Tissue Paper for Knits: Place a piece of tissue paper under your fabric when sewing knits. This prevents the fabric from being sucked into the feed dogs and tearing.

For more in-depth tutorials and tips, check out Makeify for a community of passionate sewists!

Back to blog