Whatever your level of sewing ability here are ten helpful hints for the New Year to take your sewing and dressmaking forward into 2015.
1. Keep your workspace clean and tidy
If it’s been a while since you cleaned up your work surface, picked up all of the pins and dusted under the sewing machine, then maybe its time for an early spring-clean. Get into the habit of putting everything away after each project and then starting a fresh with each new one.
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2. Get your sewing machine and serger/over locker serviced regularly
Find your local machine service shop and book in for an annual overhaul, just like you do with your car, this way things should run smoother making sewing on your machine much more enjoyable.
3. Make sure you have the right tools for the job
Get kitted out. If your equipment is old and damaged then it might be time to upgrade. Get nice sharp scissors and a tape measure with both metric and imperial numbers. You could also treat yourself to a new machine foot or two so you can tackle new and more advanced techniques like a concealed zipper foot or one for piping.
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4. Finish off all those unfinished projects
Make a considered effort to complete any sewing you haven’t got around to finishing off. Maybe you just need to get a hem stitched up or the buttonholes put into a shirt. Use this New Year and a new start to get it all done and start afresh.
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5. Don’t buy any more fabric
Well not for a while anyway. Sort out what you have in your fabric collection, l bet you have some gorgeous gems hidden away that have been forgotten about. Make the decision to be kind to your wallet and use what you have before adding to the pile. I know that this will be hard because I can’t walk past a fabric shop without going in.
6. Know your measurements
When sewing clothing it is important to know your measurements, or those of the person you are making the garment for, it ensure a good fit. Make sure you have the correct size pattern and don’t be afraid to make alterations to it to make it fit your body size and shape. Take your measurements regularly; don’t assume you are always the same size.
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7. Improve your skills or learn a new one
No one knows it all. It can be fun to educate your self a little. There are plenty of resources out there on the Internet blog sites and you tube. Bookshops are full of guides and instructional manuals and if you can stretch to it you could sign up to a sewing course, many community centres and colleges offer day and evening classes at reasonable rates. You may also meet like-minded people to share your sewing exploits with.
8. Don’t cut sewing corners
Give your projects the proper time and attention they deserve. After all you have paid out good money for the pattern and the fabric and thread etc. Plan before you start, if you know time is an issue then come back to it when you can between your other commitments, don’t spoil your efforts by working when tired or making do with the wrong colour lining.
9. Wear what you make
If you have a wardrobe/closet full of garments you have made but they never see the light of day, then its time to change that. 2015 is the year you can start wearing your creations. You have invested your time, money and effort into these clothes; this leads on to the last of our New Year resolutions
10. Be proud of your efforts
Wear your hand made couture with pride. You will never walk into a room and have that embarrassing situation where two of you are in the same dress. You will be unique and individual. Boast about your efforts and enjoy the compliments.
Happy sewing year.