8 of My Best Sewing Tips and Hacks for Beginners

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.

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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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How To Sew a Scrappy Fabric Quilted Zipper Pouch

The Easiest Way To Clean the Bottom of an Iron / Simple Hack

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[eman]

I learned from an elderly aunt that was a seamstress that had two stitches on her sewing machine, straight and zigzag. She said that no matter the fabric you are sewing never start on the end. To prevent bunching, come down 1/4 inch sew backwards to the end, then forward. Perfect every time.

[Sue-ecun]

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.

[jacquelinebouffebouffe]

The tip about the scrap piece of fabric to start off was fantastic!! Bunching up at the start of a row of stitching was so frustrating before! Simple and effective! Also the tip about rereading the machine when things are going wrong….. it works 😊

[eneidagarcia]

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

[paulabildson]

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.

[maritzakincaid]

It took me many years to learn the lesson to just STOP if you're frustrated & nothings going right. Inevitably, the next day, turns out it was no big deal & easily fixable. I am finally a convert.

[nancycronin]

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. 😊

[ireneterpstra]

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

[julien]

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

[privateinfo]

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

[gamadebdegamadebde]

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!

[nancynprice]

😂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.

[vivienbrowne]

I really like your videos. You explain things simply and without wasting time on fluff. The camera angle is always good and it's in focus so that i can see what you are doing. Also, there is no annoying music in the background! I learnered about that button from this video. Awesome!

[LizzyM]

I’ve been sewing for over 40 years and I didn’t know that tip for hemming jeans. Thank you.

[angelarobichaud]

I've been sewing for over 25 years (and now teach it to others) and even learned a few things from this video. Very helpful. Thanks!

[helenweatherby]

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

[lalagamma]

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

[KM-dzrc]

I sew infrequently and usually hemming or repairs. Excellent tips, particularly hemming jeans - thank you

[gailandrews]

I’ve been sewing for years, a hefty weight and quilters rule really are game changers. I had no idea what the little black button was 😅 so thank you 🙌 loved your tutorial ♥️

[jennihubby]

Great tips, thank you! I’ve been sewing for 50 years, mostly self-taught. I learned a few new tricks here. Keep up the great work!