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These are many of the sewing basics you will need to start sewing clothing, home goods, and bags. You’ll learn about different sewing techniques, sewing tips, sewing tricks, sewing hacks, and sewing tutorials to be able to sew and to sew well.
With these sewing 101 tutorials you’ll learn how to sew clothes and basic sewing stitches. These sewing basics are really geared towards apparel sewing, but lots of these techniques are used in all sewing crafts and practices. You’ll also learn about zippers, hemming, finishes seams, and much more!
Learning to sew is like learning to color. At first they tell you to color in the lines. It’s not because they don’t want you to break the rules. You need to learn to color in the lines to learn how to control your crayon. Learn these basic sewing rules not because you can’t break the rules, but you need to learn what rules you can break and what sewing rules make all the difference in a project.
I love sewing and teaching others how to sew. Sewing is a skill that needs motivation, but I believe anyone can sew if they just try and keep trying. Once you learn to sew it can be so empowering for you in all parts of your life. I remember teaching someone how to insert a sleeve for the first time. She felt so confident and capable!
Use these sewing tools to master your sewing machine and learn how to sew your own clothing that makes you feel confident and capable.
Learn how to applique on stretch fabric. This sewing technique works great for knit fabric. It’s easy as long as you have the right supplies! I am so excited to show you my latest swimsuit. This is something based on an idea I have had for over a decade, and I finally created it. I…
Adding details like ruffles to your sewing project can make it just a little extra special. Do you know how to sew ruffles without gathering? It’s called a flounce, and it’s so easy to sew! Learn more about all the basic sewing stitches you need to sew clothing. What is a Flounce? A flounce is…
Learn how to sew an invisible zipper without an invisible zipper foot. It makes sewing invisible zippers easy and professional! I love the look of invisible zippers. When I started working at a tailor shop back in college my boss taught me this trick. We were using industrial sewing machines and couldn’t use an invisible…
Learn how to fix a zipper if the pull comes off if you are inserting a zipper into a sewing project or if you have a garment that’s finished and the zipper breaks. Sometimes you’re sewing a project with a zipper and you cut the zipper shorter to the right length. You keep working and…
Learn how to sew a collar with a special sewing technique to keep your collar from flipping up. The collar lays flat and looks professional. I love wearing and making button up shirts. They can be classic or modern, simple or unique, solid or patterned. Because of my different backgrounds in sewing, I have learned…
Learn how to grade seams by either trimming vs grading. It reduces bulk inside enclosed seams for a professional look. Trimming and grading seams are different but equally important basic sewing skills. Learn the difference between them, how to grade seams, and why to trim seams. It’s a way to reduce bulk, and it’ll make…
Learn how to match stripes when cutting out striped fabric with a sewing pattern. There are simple tricks to make your stripes look amazing! Stripes are classic and fun to wear. Sewing stripes is a great sewing technique to learn, but it’s important to learn how to match stripes so that your sewing project can…
A great sewing skill to help your sewing look professional is knowing how to use a double needle. It’s a simple technique, but it’s hard to master unless you have some sewing tips for using a double needle on your sewing machine. I have been using a double needle for many years, and I’ve tried…
Learn how to hem knits three different ways and which one is my favorite. Each works for different fabric for the perfect hem. I have been sewing with knits for a long time. I fell in love with knits when I was still in college and realized how forgiving sewing with knits was, and there…
Learn how to sew pintucks a couple different ways. Pintucks are a classic and sophisticated way to add details to a sewing project. There’s something about pintucks and seersucker that are so classic, and they just feel like summer. Since I made a new dress with pintucks I thought it would be the perfect opportunity…
Learn how to gather fabric three different ways and when to use each one. Gathering is tricky but an important sewing technique to know. At the end of the post I compare different fabrics when they are gathered, different gathering ratios, and gathered fabric cut on different directions. In all my samples I sewed I…
Learn how to sew a button on pants after it’s fallen off or when you are sewing a pair of pants. This is an easy, quick, and strong way to sew on a button. There might be lots of tutorials on the internet for sewing on buttons, but I thought I’d share how I do…
Learn how to gather fabric when sewing to make beautiful ruffles and gathered skirts. Gathering is a basic sewing skill that is used often! In this tutorial I’ll show you how to gather fabric. Gather is a basic sewing stitch but it is fun and pretty. It makes things look feminine and fun. I love…
Learn how to sew a clean finish for finishing the raw edges of a seam. It is a classic and professional seam finish using a sewing machine. A clean finish is a classic way to finish a seam and works great with a domestic sewing machine. It takes a little longer than other seam finishes,…
Topstitching is a decorative stitch on the face of the fabric. Even, straight topstitching makes homemade sewing look more proffessional. Topstitching is done 1/4″ from the seam. I use the #1 foot and follow the edge which is 1/4″ away. Make sure you sew on the top so that you can see where you’re sewing….