I’ve been sewing for 25 years, not counting my childhood when I made numerous hand stitched bean bags which always leak their contents. (My stitches were the same size as the beans. Who knew? Where was the Girl Scout leader in charge of this activity? But I guess I could count this as my first lesson: use large beans. No lentils.)
As a teen, I helped and watched my mom sew for me. She had a heavy duty Pfaff which required an occasional talking down to and some swearing to get any project done. (Lesson two, I suppose: save choice words for sewing time)
Eventually, I got really serious about sewing and paid a lot of money to major in fashion design where I really learned to sew – perhaps more than I learned to design. (Go, Rams!) Years of mistakes and successes, and life’s detours and here is my brief list of what I’ve learned about sewing:
1. Trust your sewing knowledge. You may know of a better way or technique than the pattern instruction suggests.
2. Sometimes taking the time to hand baste makes a seam or zipper placement quicker in the long run. (No ripping out mistakes and redoing)
3. Sometimes it’s faster to set a zipper in by hand. (Love that prick stitch)
4. Sew over machine buttonholes twice for a better-looking, beefier, buttonhole. (May not be necessary for newer machines)
5. Do not open buttonholes with a seam ripper. Use a buttonhole cutter or very pointy, small scissors. (I have torn through the end with a seam ripper: another reason to learn “Sew over buttonholes twice”.)
6. Sharp seam rippers are the most awesome thing ever. Replace them every few years.
7. Quality fabric and thread are worth the money. They are more enjoyable to sew on/with and the finished project looks better.
8. Don’t take the pattern size chart personally. It doesn’t mean to make you feel bad. Measure yourself then measure the pattern and pick the best size from there – but leave room for ease. (Thank you, Joi Mahon, for this lesson)
9. Making a muslin (a test garment for fit), or at least paper fitting a pattern, will save your sanity the first time you sew a particular pattern. It helps you refine the fit and clarifies the sewing process. Take lots of notes on your pattern, pattern envelope or instruction sheet to make sewing easier the next time.
10. Never sew when tired or panicked. That’s just asking for trouble.
11. Just say no to people who ask you to fix a zipper or hem their pants (unless they are family or your best friends). Have a name of a local alterations place to refer them to. It always takes more of your time than you think it will and you’ll rightfully deserve more money than they want to pay. There will be resentment in the air if you say yes to their request. Your time is better spent on your own mending pile – or drinking tea and watching TV.
There is still more to learn about sewing and I’m looking forward to it. Of course, when I’m actually learning that lesson (aka – learning from a mistake) there may be a few swear words thrown about – Thanks, Mom, for teaching me how to sew with passion 😉
What lessons have you learned? Share your wisdom in the comments below.