8 of My Best Sewing Tips and Hacks for Beginners

Рет қаралды 83,294

Күн бұрын

In this sewing tutorial, I show you 8 of my best sewing tips and hacks that are great for those who are beginners and for those who have been sewing for a while. #janhowell #youmakeitsimple
These tips and hacks will make your sewing experience so much easier and less stressful.
0:00 Introduction
00:49 How to keep your rotary cutting ruler steady
1:57 How to start and end seams the right way
3:54 How to sew over bulky seams
8:16 Handy ways to use masking tape and painter's tape
8:39 Topstitching tips
9:25 How to keep your sewing machine pedal from moving
9:49 Funky stitch... re-thread your sewing machine
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-- LINKS -- (When available, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission)
5 lb. Hand weight - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/l44N
Hump Jumper - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/Vt7y
Rotating Cutting Mat - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/HmCz
Fusible Feece - Amazon (paid link)geni.us/FqMT
Olisio IRON - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/dZi6
ROTARY CUTTER/RULER- Amazon (paid link) geni.us/ATm7mH
Fabric CLIPS - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/TDTvm
Wool Pressing Mat - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/dpBPVj

Пікірлер: 217

@eneidagarcia2709 3 күн бұрын

I am new to your channel and new at sewing at the age of 70.

@Sue-ec6un 12 күн бұрын

My best advice to new sewers is...when you have become frustrated, just turn the machine off and walk away. Come back tomorrow, start from the beginning, thread your machine over again...check your settings and try again. Frustration BUILDS into anger, and nobody enjoys that which makes them angry all the time. And when it finally works correctly, don't be shy about patting yourself on the back a little...everything takes time and practice to improve, so take your time, practice and enjoy the process.

@SusanSmith-hl3iv 11 күн бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤ Yes! Sometimes you just need to just walk away….

@SusanSmith-hl3iv 11 күн бұрын

❤ I always learn something new from you. Today it was the serger tails. So simple! Thanks for all your videos. So informative and you get right to the point. Good close up camera work makes it easy to see what to do. Thanks for all your posts. 😊

@roslyngraf1737 11 күн бұрын

Exactly. No stressing. 😊

@quiltr141 10 күн бұрын

Absolutely!!

@teresafarrell6457 10 күн бұрын

Thank you. 👍

@paulabildson157 11 күн бұрын

These were great tips, Jan! Thank you. One thing I learned after I had been sewing for awhile is that if you store your sewing machine with the presser foot up, you are putting stress on the mechanism and it could wear out faster. Take a spare piece of fabric (with a little thickness preferred), stick it between your feed dogs and presser foot, and leave the presser foot down. The fabric will also protect your feed dogs from wear.

@saraaronzon4562 11 күн бұрын

Thanks so much for this tip!

@thecarjacful 7 күн бұрын

This is what I was taught by my mum ove 50 years ago and I still do it today 👍🏻🧵🪡

@julien7935 11 күн бұрын

For bulky seams, I just use an ice cream/lolly pop stick, or two, and works brilliantly. Obviously rather cheap too LOL :)

@nancycronin601 12 күн бұрын

Am 74 and have been sewing since I was 10 or so. About half the tips were things I did not know and will definitely use. Thank you so much. Love your channel. 😊

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

Thanks. You are so kind!

@dorothydeiratani5093 12 күн бұрын

Great ideas .I think the weights are a great idea. I esp .like your tip on starting and ending seams !

@sharontrumble4872 9 күн бұрын

I agree with the first commenter…I am 75 and have been sewing since 7th grade ..my mom’s best friend was a home economics teacher and I was her summer project I guess. Most of these tips are new to me, too! Thank goodness you shared the one with the 5 pound weight….thought it was just me not applying enough pressure on the long ruler.

@ireneterpstra1366 13 күн бұрын

I want to add that a jean needle is a must for sewing denim.

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

yes, thanks for sharing

@gamadebdegamadebde 13 күн бұрын

I had no idea what that little black button on the dresser foot was for. Now I need to play with it. Thank you Jan for another great tip that I did not even know I needed to learn!

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

@nancynprice2023 11 күн бұрын

😂I’ve been using my hand weights for yrs for this purpose. When I go to my work room I tell my husband that I’m going to Work Out! Love your ideas.

@helenweatherby1694 9 күн бұрын

My best tips. Prewash your fabric. Iron every seam. Tacking stitches are life savers.

@privateinfo1711 12 күн бұрын

I've been sewing for 59 years. I wish I'd known these tips! Thanks!

@johannechampagne7332 12 күн бұрын

Never knew what that black button on the presser foot was for! Thank you.

@nancynprice2023 11 күн бұрын

That was also a new one to me.

@lindaeastin4646 5 күн бұрын

You are doing a great job. Thank you for posting all the hints and solutions.

@marissamelvin5249 2 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

@mregister3945 11 күн бұрын

Thank you for these great tips! 😊❤ I've told my Granddaughters "mistakes" can become "unique designer" additions. 😊 Others normally don't notice errors.

@Debbie72601 Күн бұрын

So true, I can drive myself crazy trying to get it perfect and then realize the person I'm giving it to will not notice the stitching. As long as it holds up through use aand washing!

@saraaronzon4562 11 күн бұрын

When I make a mistake, I chuckle and laugh! It seems to help me avoid frustration.

@dianneunderwood8456 12 күн бұрын

I used an extra grip (to open jars) to put under my foot pedal as I didn't have any rubber mesh at hand. And have found the painter's tape very helpful for many projects to help get the straight seams! Thank you for your tips and here's a general guide to help with needle tension, presser foot tension and stitch length: The thicker the fabric, increase needle tension, decrease presser foot tension and increase the stitch length. The thinner the fabric, decrease needle tension, increase presser foot tension and decrease the stitch length.

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing!

@saraaronzon4562 11 күн бұрын

Great idea!

@louizabell9905 9 күн бұрын

Love the bulky seams tip as well as how to start seams on thin and fleecy materials. And I finally know what the the black button is for! Thank you Jan!

@debcobb9739 12 күн бұрын

A tip I use when sewing slippery fabric is to place the fabric under the presser foot about a half inch from the beginning of the seam. Hold the threads and take a few stitches backwards and then forwards...I find the fabric doesn't get eaten by the feed dogs.

@SparkyOne549 12 күн бұрын

I use a piece of fabric as a leader and ender, never get fabric sucked into the machine just like she does.

@judymorris214 8 күн бұрын

Joy Bernhardt said to check you out.I will follow you.Joy is a good teacher also.You might enjoy her.

@susanakfogel8217 5 күн бұрын

I have been sewing since I was nine years old and I’m 74! I always learn something new. I have the foot with the black button on my Janome and I knew it was designed to help ease the needle over a thick fabric, but I could never figure out how how to make it work and now I know how it will work thank you.❤❤

@karenj4641 11 күн бұрын

Lots of great tips. I never thought to use tape on the fabric to sew a straight line. Thank you for sharing with us.

@lalagamma4452 12 күн бұрын

Great tips and tricks! Today's Quote: "Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love." - Brené Brown. Huge hugs. Namaste 🐞🐞🐞

@carlindatrenholm6586 2 күн бұрын

I learned the hand weight trick from Donna Jordan. Best hack so far. Serger tip is a good one as well, thanks for sharing.

@corlisslove4610 5 күн бұрын

You have been sooo helpful to me!! I appreciate your channel and thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️

@MrsBennett67 12 күн бұрын

Great tips! I’m 56, have been sewing most of my life and out of the 8 tips, there were only 3 I’ve known about and personally used. Thank you for sharing! 😊

@Hacker3588 8 күн бұрын

New to sewing and enjoy these videos. Thanks so much for your effort and time!

@user-fj5qf7gt6n 3 күн бұрын

Nice tips. I do mostly patchwork now but have sewn lots of clothes too. I have always used a leader for sewing (scrap of fabric before going on to the seam) as taught to me by mom when I started sewing in the 70's. Now I have two small scrap squares for a second quilt project to use as leaders so my leaders have a use after. Also I recently saw freezer paper strips ironed onto a bias edge of a quilt to stabilize before adding a border. This may have applications in clothes where you don't want to stay-stitch.

@helenstrange2482 3 күн бұрын

Thank you. Some good tricks Jan!

@lesleygilbert1945 11 күн бұрын

Some great tips. I did the 're-threading' one the other day and it worked. I like the idea of folded cardboard as a 'humper' which allows for different thicknesses 🤩

@courtenaylove 5 күн бұрын

The hand weight!! Tried it today and my life is changed!! Thank you!

@VickiKolman 13 күн бұрын

Along with rethreading the machine, another good tip is to change the needle. I don’t know how many times one or both of these things has helped!

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

so ture, thanks for sharing

@lisacorbin4477 12 күн бұрын

The leveling button!! 10 yrs with my machine and I had no idea. Thank you!

@robinmazariegos1 3 күн бұрын

That was very helpful! Thank you so much.

@denisetebbs2742 7 күн бұрын

So glad that i found your channel. Brilliant tips that will make me get my machine out again. I'm a novice and just gave up after all the things in this video happened! Thank you so much for sharing. Denise from England 😊

@debbiehall4155 13 күн бұрын

My favorite tip was about the hand weight. I have hand weights, now I will keep one in my sewing area. You just never know what can be helpful! I’ve been using the leader and ender trick for a while, it’s one of the best tips I’ve ever learned. I’ve had the issue of skipped stitches when I sew denim, I will try the folded cardboard. And the trick about the rubber fabric under the foot pedal is so smart and so easy, thank you! These were all very helpful.

@gamadebdegamadebde 13 күн бұрын

I saw the hand weight trick on another quilting tutorial a few years ago and have used it ever since. It is great for arthritic hands like mine, you will love it.

@lovly2cu725 12 күн бұрын

i ordered a hand weight

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

@magdaw1844 2 күн бұрын

Dziękuję i pozdrawiam.

@veritasca24 2 күн бұрын

Lots of good tips, thanks.

@Tla81 9 күн бұрын

When I worked my way through college in a custom drapery shop. I loved it more than school. I finished school. My mom was a professional sewer along with the neighbor across the street with small kids. I babysat often. They both taught me how to sew since I was 12. I’m 61 now. The wonderful lady I worked for taught me that the first time she instructed me on sewing a certain item, you whip up a string of the item, such as flanged pillows, ❤for a period of time and later you move onto another project for a while. When then come back to the original item, you forget the minor steps. She told me she would teach it a second time and the person would never forget how to do it!

@christinem281 6 күн бұрын

Very clear and helpful thank you

@jeanetteburch1435 11 күн бұрын

Totally agree with the hand weight! I had my thumb joint replaced a year and a half ago. I bought 10 lb. hand weight to help with cutting fabric while I was recuperating. I still use it, because I have found that my cuts are more accurate. Just like you said, "game changer."

@buzzi2k 12 күн бұрын

Brilliant tips, especially the neat overlocking tails one!

@michellehollihan4896 3 күн бұрын

Thank you!! Excellent!!

@DonnaBush-ul3gg 12 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for explaining the hump jumper!

@wandacarr668 7 күн бұрын

Love the serger tip!

@healthjourneystories6892 10 күн бұрын

Best tips video I’ve seen! Thank you!

@mrsbecky2 12 күн бұрын

Excellent! Thank you!!

@ChristynO 3 күн бұрын

That weight on the ruler rotary tip was golden! Thank you!

@rolltidechic1984 8 күн бұрын

OMG THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS!!!!!!

@lynneferraccio8843 11 күн бұрын

I use the weight on the ruler! Love it!

@carolyndrawdy3416 11 күн бұрын

Great tips! Love using the 5 lb. Weight!

@lindaskinner5887 10 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing these tips.

@dianec1712 12 күн бұрын

Ty. You always tech me something. You are appreciated

@cherylrinaldi1713 10 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for all these useful tips

@debbietanner9172 8 күн бұрын

Thank you for the great tips!❤

@jeric2773 13 күн бұрын

Your tips on dealing with serger tails was very helpful! Thank you.

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

Awesome, glad it was helpful.

@allisonstevens7141 11 күн бұрын

I had no idea about the levelling up button and my machine has this. Thank you Jan ❤

@ritafairclough6470 9 күн бұрын

Very helpful everyday tips!

@sandyphillips2467 11 күн бұрын

Brilliant thank you

@sandramichaud8033 12 күн бұрын

Hump jumper with cardboard or nail file, and the serger tail were most helpful. Always appreciate your videos. Thanks!!!❤

@joannsanchez8764 12 күн бұрын

Thank you so much Jen those tips were very helpful 🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️

@barbaraosborne5126 7 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for the tips. 😊

@triplewinlin5576 11 күн бұрын

Always great information, Jan!

@missymccoy8157 4 күн бұрын

Thank you very much ❤

@MaryJaneCambria 10 күн бұрын

Thank you, great tips ❤

@mimihaines2891 12 күн бұрын

Thank you. Very helpful. Love the hand weight trick.

@sharonwhite8075 10 күн бұрын

Thank you for these wonderful tips.

@sewforthandsewon 12 күн бұрын

Thank you! I didn't know about the black button on my J foot. I'm going to use it today! ❤

@alexandrabattaglini9448 9 күн бұрын

This is great. Thank you!

@elaineforan4751 11 күн бұрын

These are all useful and practical. Thanks so much.

@beverlyosborn5240 5 күн бұрын

Great tips 👍🧵❤️

@deborahsmith5357 12 күн бұрын

Thank you! I learned something new today. The serger tips were so helpful!

@MrsPatJones 6 күн бұрын

Very helpful. Thanks

@mariamullin4031 11 күн бұрын

Great tips , thank you

@blairconger240 5 күн бұрын

They really are great ideas!

@rebwolfe2702 8 күн бұрын

Great tips! Thanks

@vinnirodriguez6906 12 күн бұрын

Thanks! Loved this info! 😃

@susanthompson2278 4 күн бұрын

Thanks for the tips😮😅

@JessicaLopez-fe5si 11 күн бұрын

Awesome hacks and tips!

@user-ij9nc7sx5b 11 күн бұрын

thank you for the great tips.

@user-pm7uk1vd9h 9 күн бұрын

Thanks for the great tips❤

@karenbrunette6314 7 күн бұрын

Fabulous tips thank you

@darlenedengler7755 5 күн бұрын

Awesome tips!!!!!!

@clarepurtill1790 12 күн бұрын

Great tip ideas, liked the weight on a ruler, I thought I was the only one that couldn’t cut straight with a ruler! T he button on the J foot is new one and starting and finishing seam on the serger was great. That you for all this info. you always check me through with great tutorials.

@ChristinesCraftTable 10 күн бұрын

Thank you! Great tips!

@hannahcoleman2940 10 күн бұрын

Thank you 🙏💚☘️

@PathsOfReason 10 күн бұрын

Thank you 👍

@marvam1414 11 күн бұрын

Thank you so much

@doriswhitegiver9334 11 күн бұрын

Thank you Jan for the great tips especially the one on the little black knob on the side of the presser foot. I had no idea lol

@joweston7036 11 күн бұрын

Love your help and advice. You are so clear and helpful. Thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge 👍

@cindychoquette8090 7 күн бұрын

Very helpful, thank you 😊

@vivianjones9130 13 күн бұрын

Jan, thank you for all your tips. I have learned a lot of tips from watching you. ❤❤

@JanHowell 12 күн бұрын

Thanks. You are so kind!

@joellen6956 9 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for your tips! Using the weight on the ruler is brilliant. Also helpful is your tip about re-threading the machine if the stitches start causing a problem. You have saved me future stress on these things when sewing.

@alexandrabeka7905 5 күн бұрын

I always wondered about the black button on the side of the foot! I knew there must a reason and a purpose for it! Thank you! One of the most useful videos I came across! 🎉