TIP

1. Pre-wash and spray starch fabrics, prior to beginning each sewing project. If your finished project will be laundered, pre-wash & dry your fabric using the same laundering methods. Then, spray starch fabrics, prior to beginning each sewing project with spray starch, or use scent-free & flake-free Starch Savvy.

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2. Press Fusible Interfacing in place using a damp EZ-View Pressing Cloth and Fine Mist Spray Bottle – following manufactures instructions. Or, use a damp flour sack dish towel from the kitchen drawer.

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3. Instead of using straight pins to secure pattern pieces to fabric, use Pattern Shape Weights. Or, use canned goods from the kitchen cupboard!

Or, make your own DIY pattern weights with washers from the hardware store, and scrapbook paper & Mod Podge–from the craft store!

TIP

4. Use a Seam Guide for sewing straight seams. The reusable and repositionable guide sticks to the bed of the sewing machine, and is also great for stitching outer curves, inner curves, and top-stitching!

Or, remove the backing paper from a stack of Sticky Notes–and stick to sewing machine bed!

TIP

5. Begin stitching seams on an “anchor cloth” [small fabric scrap], then smoothly stitch onto project seam – backstitching at beginning and ending of each seam. And be sure to change your sewing machine needle with every new project, or process!

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6. Stitch Knit seams with a zigzag wobble stitch. Set sewing machine for a zigzag stitch with slightly narrow width, and slightly longer stitch length. The seam will have give, yet will appear as a straight-stitched seam on outside of garment!

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7. Insert a Seam Stick [or wooden dowel] into sleeve, or small project areas, when pressing seams.

Or, handstitch a wool rectangle fabric scrap around a rolled magazine – and create a DIY “seam roll”!

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8. Eliminate bulky elastic waistband seams! Instead of seaming elastic ends, pull elastic ends through casing opening, “kiss” elastic – meeting short ends, and zigzag-stitch elastic to a rectangle fabric scrap. Trim away excess fabric, before inserting back into waistband.

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9. Press up even hems with a Hot Ruler.

Or, cut strips from a file folder – the same width as your hem width – and use as a pressing guide!

TIP

10. Clean and maintain your sewing machine according to your sewing machine manual. Turn off and unplug machine, and remove lint from bobbin case with a mini lint brush. Make a DIY mini brush by folding a short section of chenille stem an inserting into a repurposed coffee stir-straw!

Then blow out remaining lint with canned air from the office supply store – or, use a repurposed empty, clean & dried, dish soap bottle!

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How do you copy a piece of clothing?

Copy Your Clothes!.

Step 1: What You Need. - A garment that fits well to copy. ... .

Step 2: Start Copying! Choose a pattern piece to start with, and begin tracing. ... .

Step 3: Keep Copying. Continue this process for the whole garment. ... .

Step 4: Assess Your New Pattern. ... .

Step 5: Sew It Together. ... .

Step 6: Finishing Touches. ... .

Step 7: Done!.

How do you make a pattern out of an existing garment?

Gather your materials..

Choose the right garment..

Prepare the garment..

Trace the garment on paper..

Add seam allowance and markings..

Cut out the pattern..

Test the pattern..

Make adjustments..