{"id":377,"date":"2013-04-22T02:20:17","date_gmt":"2013-04-22T06:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedailysew.com\/?p=377"},"modified":"2016-08-03T11:25:23","modified_gmt":"2016-08-03T15:25:23","slug":"10-essential-tips-for-stress-free-hand-sewing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-essential-tips-for-stress-free-hand-sewing\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Essential Tips for Stress Free Hand Sewing"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>1. It&#8217;s a Needle, Not a Harpoon<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-378\" title=\"Needle Size\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Needle-Size.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Needle-Size.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Needle-Size-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Use the smallest needle for the weight of your fabric. Smaller needles give you better control over your stitches. Heavier weight and tighter weave fabrics need a strong needle but still choose the smallest strong needle you have.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Darker Thread Blends in Better<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-379\" title=\"Darker Thread\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Darker-Thread.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Darker-Thread.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Darker-Thread-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When choosing which color thread to use remember that dark colors recede so the darker thread will blend in better than the lighter thread.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Long Thread Will Tangle<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-380\" title=\"thread too long\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/thread-too-long.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/thread-too-long.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/thread-too-long-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Cut your length of thread no longer than 30&#8243;. Long lengths of thread just tangle and knot. Avoid this frustration no matter how tempting.<\/p>\n<h3>4. First End Off = First End In<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-381\" title=\"thread a needle\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/thread-a-needle.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/thread-a-needle.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/thread-a-needle-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The end of the thread that comes off the spool first is the end that should go through the eye of the needle. The end of the thread that has just been cut from the spool should be knotted. One of my professors taught me this. The thread will knot and tangle less if you follow this simple rule. I don&#8217;t know why it&#8217;s true but it works.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Super Quick Knot<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gnhC9u8UE4k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>6. Fray Check Your Knot<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-385\" title=\"fray check knots\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/fray-check-knots.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/fray-check-knots.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/fray-check-knots-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Fray Check is made to stop fabrics from fraying but it also keeps knots tied. Wait, is my super quick knot lame? No, but when I&#8217;m sewing on a button, or zipper, or sewing a seam that tugging might happen, I use a belt <em>and<\/em> suspenders. Fray Check that knot.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Hide The Knot<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-386\" title=\"Hide the Knot\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Hide-the-Knot.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Hide-the-Knot.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Hide-the-Knot-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Slip the needle into the inside of your seam allowance when you start to sew. This will hide your thread knot under the seam allowance. This protects the knot from any rubbing which may eventually undo the knot. It also protects your delicate skin from the knot (like the Princess and the Pea). Besides, it&#8217;s a knot, you don&#8217;t need to show it off or even see it.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Save Time By Making Multiple Stitches<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TbUoV_enFt8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>9. Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-387\" title=\"Stitch Tension\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Stitch-Tension.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Stitch-Tension.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Stitch-Tension-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Try to keep the tension on your stitches tight enough so the thread lays flat on the fabric and loose enough so the thread does not pull or pucker the fabric. Too loose and the excess thread could get caught on something and break and too tight the thread will leave puckers in the fabric and could break under tension.<\/p>\n<h3>10. A Quick Knot To Finish With<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w-AxMe0NoH8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>The Result<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-388\" title=\"Even Stitches\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Even-Stitches.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Even-Stitches.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Even-Stitches-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Take the time to make your stitches evenly spaced and consistent in size. Hand stitching may seem like a pain but another word for hand stitched details and finishes is couture techniques. It&#8217;s all how you look at it and if you&#8217;re sewing for yourself than you deserve couture details in your garments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. It&#8217;s a Needle, Not a Harpoon Use the smallest needle for the weight of your fabric. Smaller needles give you better control over your stitches. Heavier weight and tighter weave fabrics need a strong needle but still choose the smallest strong needle you have. 2. Darker Thread Blends in Better When choosing which color [&hellip;]&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-essential-tips-for-stress-free-hand-sewing\/\" class=\"post-read-more\">Read more&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":379,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[274,275],"tags":[42,49,58,4],"class_list":["post-377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beginner-sewing-tips","category-sewing-tips","tag-beginner-tips","tag-hand-stitches","tag-knots","tag-sewing"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Darker-Thread.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EZxn-65","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":654,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377\/revisions\/654"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}