If you are a regular STW reader, you know how much I love life hacks posts. So, when I came across these brilliant sewing tips, I couldn’t resist putting together a whole post of my favorites. I love that almost all of these clever sewing tips are basically free too because they often use household items you already have laying around your house. You are seriously going to want to share these with all your crafty friends!
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1. Store your bobbins in a foam toe separator
I have a bunch of these foam toe separators lying around the house, so I was excited to see this awesome hack to use them for bobbin storage. I never would have thought of this, but they fit perfectly! (via Sew 4 Home)
2. Use Washi tape as a sewing guide
I loooooove Washi tape! It is so versatile and adorable with all the fun patterns. So, not only is this a functional sewing hack to use it as a guide on your sewing machine, but it also dresses it up with it’s cute, colorful patterns. (via A Girl and a Glue Gun)
See it in action…
3. Sharpen your scissors with sand paper
There is nothing worse than a dull pair of scissors. They make messy cuts and are a total pain in the butt. So, you can easily sharpen your sewing shears by cutting through sand paper for the perfect edge every time. No special tools needed. (via U-Create Crafts)
4. Organize your bobbins in an ice cube tray
If you have more bobbins than you know what to do with, a clean ice tray can make the perfect storage vessel. After all, how many of us actually use these plastic ice trays anymore? I love how they arranged them by color too. (via Pinterest)
5. DIY Magnetic Pin Dish
Next on our list of sewing tips, upcycle an old dish you have lying around the house into this adorable and super inexpensive pin dish using just some glue and a magnet (buy them here). (via Sarah Janes Craft Blog)
6. Use pipe cleaners in coffee stirrers to clean the fuzz from your sewing machine
This makeshift sewing machine cleaner is perfect to get in every hard to reach nook and cranny of your sewing machine when cleaning it out.
Watch how to use it:
7. Pick up loose sewing thread with hair rollers
Rather than having to pick up each and every one, quickly roll your lint roller with handy velcro hair curler attached to get them all in one pass! (via Sewlicious Home Decor)
8. Keep notes with dimensions on your fabric scraps for easy usage
I hate to waste fabric scraps, but when you go to use one it is a pain in the but to figure out which ones are the right size for what you need. Instead, jot down the dimensions on a post-it or scrap of paper so that you can easily pick out the right size next time. (via The Craftsy Blog)
9. DIY Embroidery Hoop Thread Organizer
Here’s yet another fun idea for organizing your sewing supplies. Don’t you think this would make an adorable wall decoration for your craft room too? (via U-Create Crafts)
10. Non-slip Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Pad
If your sewing machine is in a room with hardwood or tiled floors, you know that it can sometimes start to slip further and further away while you are sewing. To solve for this and prevent back ache, you can make one of these non-slip sewing machine foot pedal pads. (via So Sew Easy)
11. Suction cup soap dish for sewing supplies on the side of your sewing machine
You can pick one of these cute little suction cup soap dishes up at the grocery or dollar store to make the perfect, convenient storage for easy access to your frequently used sewing supplies. (via Sew Many Ways)
12. 2nd spool holder hack for your double needle
To make those perfect double seams you see on clothing hems, you need a double needle. However, some sewing machines do not come with a 2nd spool holder. Don’t worry though, you can make your own in minutes with this sewing hack. (via Make It Love It)
13. How to Oil and Clean Your Sewing Machine
We shared a hack above to create a quick and easy cleaning brush to quickly clean out your sewing machine. But, for a deeper clean and oiling, check out this awesome post complete with a video tutorial. (via Easy Sewing for Beginners)
14. Mom hack for child proofing your sewing shears
Let’s face it, kids like to get into everything. Especially the things you don’t want them to. So, you can use this hack to use a combo lock to childproof your extra sharp sewing scissors and keep your little ones safe. No using mom’s scissors to cut Barbie’s hair.
15. Use binder clips when binding a quilt
I have tons of extra binder clips at home, so this is the perfect way to put them to good use. It works even better than clothes pins that aren’t as strong and can sometimes still allow the fabrics to shift.
16. Double pencil hack for marking seam allowance
Some patterns don’t come with a seam allowance, which can be a real pain in the butt, especially on curves. So, you will be so happy you saved this idea on your sewing tips list. (via The Craftsy Blog)
17. DIY Shape Sewing Mannequin
When sewing homemade clothes, you don’t want them to look boxy and ill fitting. You want them to look tailored and custom made, which is no easy task especially without someone to try on the clothes and see how they hang. So, the next best thing is to have a fit mannequin like this one that is custom made to your measurements! (via Handimania)
18. DIY Clothing Labels for Hand Sewn Projects
Especially if you are selling your finished products on Etsy, these custom DIY clothing labels are adorable and make your hand sewn items look so professional. (via Duhbe)
19. Make 2 marks on the side of your thumb to gauge stitch length
You can save so much time with this next hack on our sewing tips list: turn your thumb into a ruler that you will always have “handy” (sorry I couldn’t resist hehe). (via Pinterest)
20. No more stubborn straight pins
Store our straight pins in an extra bar of soap you have to make them much easier to pin your fabric. By coating the ends they glide right through like a hot knife through butter. (via Make It and Love It)
21. How to Tape, Cut & Store Sewing Patterns
Keep your PDF sewing patterns organized and easy to access and you will get so much more use out of them! You can even add tips & notes on any modifications you made. I promise your future self will thank you! (via Do It Better Yourself Club)
22. Measuring Tape Neck Strap Sewing Caddy
How fabulous is this measuring tape neck strap sewing caddy? It is so practical and adorable, which will always be our favorite combination. Scissors, straight pins, a measuring tape all at your finger tips. This would be an amazing gift for all your sewing friends. (via Sew 4 Home)
What to Read Next: 16 Clever Gardening Tips & Tricks You Can’t Miss for ideas like this one…
Whether you are a beginner or sewing expert, I hope there was a tip you found useful! Which of these sewing tips was your favorite? Please share some of your own hacks in the comments below and feel free to pin these sewing tips to refer back to later:
