Instead of stuffing a pincushion with steel wool, buy those tomato pincushions with the small strawberry attached. The strawberry is filled with emery (the same substance that is on fingernail files) and it will sharpen your needles and pins. Just stab the strawberry with your needle over & over for a few seconds.

"Your purchase help us to pay our bills, buy our foods" what a real and very transparent youtuber! Xoxo

For marking or for pins, make sure the soap is NOT Dove, or moisturizing - the oils in the soap will stay in the fabric as grease stains!

Don't get the spraying the thread......in the old days my mum would put the thread in her mouth....same result less fuss

2:19 AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT LICKS THE THREAD old school but it works every time

I remember being told by a needlework teacher to rub soap along the cut edge of fabric that is fraying badly as it stops the fraying. It certainly worked on the garment I was working on.

Many women in Russia, since being poor still use soap for making marks and it really works well. Also, you can use soap as a beeswax for your thread while handsewing, give it a try.

I need that wax 😳I had no idea there was a way to avoid the tangles

I remember my grandma using chapstick for the threads. Anyways it's my first time here but I love that you genuinely try to understand the hacks with a open mind instead of most KZfaqrs that don't even try to do it right being all dramatic for views. Keep up the good work!

If you need to condition your thread, you can run it over the bar of soap or a plain white candle in the same manner as the bee's wax. It's worked for me for years.

I was today years old when I realized the end of coolirpa spells April

Someone should invent pleating forks of different sizes.

the bar of soap works for keeping your pins from rusting or cleaning them off. Stick a bar in a sock to use it. Once it's too broken up to use for the pins, you can use it in the shower, as is! ;)

I use bees wax for thread conditioner and find it to be more environmentally friendly. I also use soap scraps as a fabric marker. It's a nice way to use up those little pieces. Instead of ribbon to turn skinny straps I use string. I haven't used the fork pleat method and always have wanted to try it; no pins is a plus.If you wanted to make a big pleat use a hair pick. FYI: I would love a video on environmentally friendly sewing tips/uses and a video on using up scrap fabric.

I’ve been sewing for more than 50 years and still loved these hacks. You’re a great teacher, I can see why you have so many subscribers. A needle threading tip I learnt is that needle eyes have a front and back. Thread easily goes through the front, but not the back. Hairy thread needs waxing first. Pressing the end in wax before threading is what I’ve done instead of the hairspray, but hairy thread is usually a cheap one, and breaks easily. Using silk is cost effective because normally doesn’t need to be doubled for strength. It sews quickly, saving time. Lately I’ve been using a mechanical threader to save my eyes, but the needle still has to be front-facing for the thread to go through. If your thread isn’t going through the eye, don’t worry about trying to see the difference between front and back, just turn the eye around and the thread goes right through.

"Alright! Who used my sewing fork for spaghetti!"

Loved the fork idea. I've been sewing for over 50 years. And that's a new one for me. Thanks.

The purpose of sticking pins into a bar of soap is so the pins will glide more easily into the fabric and has nothing to do with sharpening the pins.

Roll the foil in a sausage like thing. I like to refer to it as a crotch sausage. Also works for the front curve.

My grandmother taught me the ribbon trick when I was 10! That as 50 years ago and still turning my ribbon turn trick

Number ten is my favorite. I just started sewing last week and my main objective is skirts and dresses. For the life of me, I could NOT get a proper pleat. I was so annoyed I had to step away from my machine. So I am excited to give this a try later. This is the first video of yours I've seen and am looking forward to viewing more.

Thanks for trying the hacks! I’m liking the ribbon to turn the skinny straps, and the pleating with a fork hack!

Soap was harmed in the making of this video

As a child I threaded needles for older sewers whose eyesight was failing. Haha, not always a spare child around so I use a needle threader that came with a needle pack. Re using hairspray, please have a thought for the environment when reaching for a can to spray atomised plastic around. Thanks! I’m really enjoying these videos, you are an excellent presenter April!!

"but you can't use [a fork] to make a big pleat" my first thought was "try a hair pick?" and then i did a google search and saw an image of someone trying this so it might be do-able :D

2:56 “Ops I Hope didn’t get on the camera!” ....Too late! we all who was watching the video and ended with hair spry on the eyes 👀 🤣🤣🤣🤣!

Be careful shaving so you get only the pills and not the fuzz you want on your nice wool! Here is where a store bought battery powered clothes shaver might be a good idea.

The foil to mark for crotch depth!!! there is a blue ruler just for stuff like that. If you have to use the foil mark it on cardboard keep the cardboard one and you will never have to do it again.

you can use dollar store emergency candles for thread wax if you need to save $.

You are delightful! My favorite was the string! Since I have been sewing since the stone age it is great to see a NEW idea that is useful Thanks. Keep going Girl!!!

I love the one about creating gathers using a cord and Zig Zag stitch. Gathering is my arch nemesis so this will be very helpful. April, thank you for testing these and showing them. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos. Big fan!

For the soap, set aside end pieces from the shower, or use the soaps given in hotels...

2:22 there's a tool for that. It's a "needle threader." Should come in most sewing kits.

Excellent, this is all very useful, I really liked the fork one and the ribbon for the straps and the thread conditioning

Very useful tips,April. Thanks.I particularly liked the use of soap for pins,the wax to avoid tangling of thread and the fork for pleating.I will add these in my sewing box !!

The ribbon turning method would have been very appreciated about 35 years ago when I was sewing little sundresses for my then toddler daughter! I think the idea of using soap as a fabric marker is actually pretty genius. Also, it seems like I remember seeing the pleating with a fork hack years ago, but I've never tried it. Cool video! Thanks! Blessings!!!! 💜💜

the thread conditioner is so smart!! I have some beeswax, oils and containers so I'll play around and create my own blend 😍 Thanks for sharing! 🌱

🌸 soap used to mark fabric was used for yrs and yrs Remember my granny doing this I bet most of these tricks are from someone’s grandmother Threading needle, use beeswax to keep point tip stiff, hairspray is just modern twist but not as good In my granny’s sewing box she kept some beeswax to wax the thread before she sewed anything

Ok now I really want to make a pleated skirt just to try the fork thing! That and I really want to just tell people I made a skirt with a fork 😂

I just stumbled upon your channel and love it!!! Ive been sewing over 50 yrs and my grandmother used soap to mark and that what i learned. I started using dental tape with zig zag for longer gathering projects such as a bed skirt. I also will use it to ease in sleeves! The fork for pleats is a new one and what an awesome idea. and I always use the strawberry on my pincushion to sharpen my needles. I still have the beeswax and holder my grandmother gave to me in the 60's!!!!! Almost gone but it lasts for ever!!!!

I finished sewing a wrap top tonight💚🌈 I love sewing, I’ve been sewing ever since I was 17

I'm totally gonna use the soap as fabric marker trick! Didn't know about thread conditioner, that sounds very cool too.

I've been seeing for a few years now but only ever from a pattern. Last night I decided to make a dress for scrap for my 18th birthday (which is today) with some of the methods I've seen you use in your videos and it turned out sooo nice. I'm so impressed. Thank you for the tips 🥰

Love the ribbon trick for thin straps. Thank you for taking the time to pass all these tips on.

Instead of Hair Spray, Beeswax, or Conditioner just use a piece of candle. For thousands of years a bit of candle to treat the thread. Yes, I do mean Thousands or years. A bit of candle wax has been known and documented since Biblical times. Those tomatoes that have been traditional pincushions have the baby tomato filled with sand. That is to sharpen the needles, just push in and pull out a dozen or more times. My Dad used to call me an Ol' Sew n Sew.

you could probably make box pleats with the fork thing, that would look like bigger pleats, honestly pleats and hemming circle skirts are so time consuming (for the projects i make) that im actually going to try this

Omg the ribbon for the straps and the fork pleats are genius!!! And your pleats looked so good!!!

I really love the fact that you tried these hacks out first. The thread was is great for me, painters tape or rubber band method is my best friend now, live how you did the skinny strap too.

The bar of soap for your pins does work. Mothers used to do it all the time for diaper pins. Couple things: leave the wrapper on and just use it as a pin cushion.

Tip #10 "Repeat this process..." Don't you mean... repleat?

Great that you tested these out for us April! I like the fork pleat hack and the thread conditioner...the ribbon to turn straps is genius too!!

I’ve been hand sewing for years and always have trouble with my thread bunching and knotting. Thank you so much for the wax/conditioner tip, I’ve never heard of that before! 😁

I don’t sew at all, but I’m in love with your videos haha.. 💞

my favorite was the same as yours, turning the strap out. I tried, only once, to turn a fabric casing out and it was a massive fail. Thanks for sharing the tips

Like the ribbon hack for turning straps, too. Also like the hairspray hack and the zig-zag stitch over cording in order gather fabric easily. Thanks for all. Each of them has some advantage for someone out there

I always look forward to watching all of your videos!!

About your favorite hack, there is another way for turning even smaller straps(or wider too) with thread and a neeadle by sewing it on one of the ends and then pulling the needle threw the tunnel ( with the sharp tip facing the sewed part) then pulling it threw the other end as you did. The only con is that your thread may ripoff,so you have to use a stronger one. And this is one of my favourites too, because I dont have a loop turner.thank you for the demonstration 😍💕💕

I liked these hacks and I will use them. I just started sewing a few weeks ago and they'll be useful for me. #9 (string under zig-zag for gathering) can work if you tie a not at one end of the string and pull the other. When you reach the wanted size after gathering, tie another knot at the other end too. :)

Love the fork pleating idea and the rubber band on the machine for eyeing your line

Absolutely love the ribbon hack!! I make bowties and making the neck strap is very time consuming. This hack will help tremendously! I also like the fork for pleats! Great video!! Thank you for sharing😊

for smaller pleats I use a fondue fork. I had a broken one with no handle and now it is part of my sewing kit.

Yay! Your channel helped me a lot when I made my Sailor Jupiter costume.

Loved the fork and cording gather for heavy fabric. Thank you!

Just found your channel today...I'm enchanted by your innovative and fascinating talent!

ForProper bees waxing thread: Bees wax requires the waxed thread be pulled under a hot STEAMFREE iron to melt the bees wax into the fibers of the thread. ThIs eliminates the roughness mentioned. The Thread MAgic is great but silicone based and can grease-stain and f- up certain fabrics like pure silk and satin and heirloom batiste projects.

Pincushion and wax thread are nice hacks. I've known of that using forks to create pleats, but never tried it yet~

LOVE the soap marking!!!!!💜💜💜

i loved all the hacks you posted and talked about please keep up the good work thanks for the tips

I don't hand sew a lot but I love using thread magic when I do

Beeswax! Thank you for solving the mystery of what was that thing in my Grandmother’s sewing kit!

I'm new to your channel. I liked running the thread through the thread conditioner or beeswax, de-peeling clothing with a razor, zig-zag for drawstring, turning straps inside out and my very favorite pleating with a fork. Great job 👏!

Excellent ideas. Can't wait to have time to sew. I only heard of a few of these ideas beforehand. Thanks for sharing

OMG!

When you hit 2m you could do an auction on some of the pieces you made on this channel. It'd be a really cool way to celebrate

I find the cord for gathering, the fork for pleating and ribbon for strap quite helpful. Thank you.

I have not been watching your channel for very long maybe last 3-4 months but I enjoy your presence I like how you explain things and this last Pinterest thing actually gave me a couple of ideas or the fact that my grandmother please very cheap cuz we conditioned our thread with candle wax

-- If you don't have the thread magic or the bee's wax, you can use a very very thin layer of Vaseline on the thread and that also helps condition the thread and keep it from fraying. If your thread is bunching up while you're hand sewing, it means you have too much twist in the thread. Let the end of the thread hang (make sure you don't lose the needle). Lightly hold the thread with your thumb and forefinger and run your fingers down the thread to the needle a couple of times and this will make the thread untwist. Resume sewing. No need to cut the thread and start again. -- As for the foil trick, there is a better product out there that is specifically made for such things. It's called a flex curve and it's used in drafting patterns. They cost around 12 - 15 dollars. It's basically a foam rubber tube with a rod of lead inside. It's forms to what you want it to and isn't as flimsy as the foil, so it keeps it's shape better. It's also heavy so it stays put as you trace around it on paper or fabric. -- For dull needles and pins you can resharpen them. Remember the old Tomato pin cushions with the little strawberry attached to it? Well that strawberry has a purpose. It's filled with emery sand. You can stab your needles and pins in it repeatedly to resharpen the tips of them. Try to find one with a as large of a strawberry as you can. The bigger it is, the less chance you're going to have in accidentally stabbing your own finger in it. Or hold a smaller one in some needle nose pliers to keep your fingers away from it. Also, when you pin or sew new fabric that hasn't been washed yet, that fabric has sizing sprayed on it from the factory. It's like a starch to help the fabric look nice and crisp on the bolts in the stores. That sizing gets on needles, pins and scissors. It tends to gum up those surfaces making needles and pins harder to slide through fabric and scissors dull. You can remove this sticky dulling coating with Brake Cleaner. Go to the automotive section of a store and buy a spray can of Brake Cleaner. When home, spray some on a rag and wipe down the blades of your fabric scissors, it will remove that coating that makes the scissors dull. wipe down your needles too. Stab your pins in it as well. Be careful when discarding the rag as that brake cleaner is flammable. It does evaporate leaving no residue on your scissors, pins and needles, they will all be very clean. It also helps to prevent rust. I used to work in a Walmart in the Fabrics section and that is what I used on my own scissors when I would cut swaths of fabric there. I didn't use the store's community scissors because they were abused with bad blades. I had my own pair that I kept in my locker at the end of my shift. I also kept my Brake Cleaner in my locker. I did clean the community scissors. It helped but it can't make up for abused blades. Be nice to your fabric scissors, and no not use them on paper! Use craft scissors for that.

The foil was my favourite as pants are always a challenge to fit perfectly. Great video :)

I was always told to use glycerin soap to help the needles and pins glide more efficiently, seemed to work temporarily! I love the fork idea!

Wowser! I loved the magic/beeswax hack, and forking pleats--looking forward to trying them most. Great channel.

Could you use a larger serving fork to make a wider pleat if you wanted to? I think that could work. I love that hack

This fork hack is my fav! Now my forks have more responsibilities than helping me feed😂. Thanks April.

Very good tips !!! Thanks. I liked the use of soap piece,thread anti knotting wax.

Liked the ribbon to help turning the straps and the fork to make pleats! Thanks for sharing!

Using soap to mark fabric isn't a hack -- it's a time-honored traditional tool of tailors!

when using bee was it works to iron the thread to melt the wax into it. do this on scrap fabric as to not leave residue on your iron board.

Love those hacks, and as I have a fork-like bow maker from my paper craft tools, that will be perfect for the pleating at all different sizes - right up to really big pleats!

THAT STRAP TURNING THING OMFG I NEEDED THAT SO FREAKING MUCH THANK YOU!!!!

I liked them all, except the razor one. I did that once on a shirt, (favorite), and I ended up cutting a large hole in the shirt. (Sad.)

I love the razor hack. It’s always so damn satisfying to see my sweaters go back to normal

YES! The strap tip was mind blowing!

The ribbon & skinny strap hack was a favorite! I'm definitely using this soon.

Oh my gosh!!!!that dress is so cute !!! Do you have an diyvid fot that?thank you

You can buy a 'flexible' ruler...it is 36" long and is invaluable for custom measuring 3D!

I liked the gathering tip and the pleating tip too. Also, I collect those little hotel soaps, or the trial size ones and I run me thread through it and it conditions it fairly well. Thank for the video. 🤗👍

Thanks for the video. Great job demonstrating tips!

The soap would also work as thread conditioner and to stiffening the thread when threading a needle.

Instead of wax, I've used clear deodorant! Twist up and run the thread along the side of the deodorant stick. Great video, April!

My mother used the ribbon for pulling small straps inside out when i was a kid. That was back in the 80s lol it works great. Im glad you found that old school hack. 😉🤗

Like the honesty about where you use the money you earn! You really have business acumen aaaaannd personality!