Last Updated on June 9, 2020 by MakeThingsReal
It is a known fact that sewing is a skill; the more you practice, the better you can craft sewing patterns. This article is a collection of tips for sewing amateurs, have a good read.
Learn how to thread a needle
Before you can craft sewing patterns, the first thing you should learn as a tailor is how to thread a needle. Observe a well-threaded needle (you might take a photo) and unthread it. Rethread using the picture you took, practice this as many times as you can. 
Leave the thread guide up
This tip is very important. As soon as you start to craft sewing patterns, the thread guide which is right above the needle has to be in its higher position. Failure to do this makes the needle unthread immediately you turn the handwheel.
Craft sewing patterns by hand
Make sure everything is perfect while you start by doing the first 1-2 stitches turning your hand wheel anti-clockwise, so you can ascertain if the needle is running smoothly in the fabric; check if your fabric thickness is a problem, also avoid thread jams, doing this will accurately define the first stitch placement.
Keep the needle down
Whenever you craft sewing patterns in a corner, you need to move the fabric a little or you have to pull out a pin, never stop with your needle up. Leaving the needle down and pivoting in the fabric, will help you to achieve a perfectly aligned seam.
Rethread when things go bad
This tip is also important, try rethreading the spool and bobbin whenever a thread is too tight or too loose in your seam; also, rethread if you find out that your machine is skipping stitches–most times rethreading solves your problem.
Check thread type
Since there are different types of thread, it is a rule to use the same type of thread in both bobbin and spool. You shouldn’t have much of a problem if you use different colors in your upper and lower thread but make sure they are from the same family to prevent thread jams or breakages.
Clean your machine.
Sometimes when we craft sewing patterns we are stopped for whatever reason. For you to have a machine that functions at all time, cleaning it regularly is highly important. You can achieve this by using a brush to dust out lint hidden inside your sewing machine. Note that you should never use canned air to blow out lint; it could leave back moisture in the bobbin case thereby causing the metallic parts to rust. Also, check your sewing machine manual to see if you can unscrew something to clean your machine thoroughly and if you have to oil it and where.
Learn how to sew a straight line
While you craft sewing patterns, do not look at your needle; concentrate on what you are sewing. Being steadily in movement, can’t be a focal point for your eyes, it would be confusing. Measure your seam allowances distance from the needle and mark the one you need on the needle plate creating a seam guide. Try keeping your fabric edge aligned to your improvised seam guide, and then you have yourself a straight seam.
Practice on scraps first
Do not throw away the scraps of your fabric when you craft sewing patterns, keep them because they will be useful for practicing your stitching.
Nobody can sew perfectly on the first attempt; even a professional seamstress will choose to try a particular stitch on scraps before going on the garment, nobody wants to ruin a precious fabric.
Clothing usually has one or more closures so that they can fit well and buttons are examples of such closures. Although sewing a buttonhole may seem intimidating at first, paying close attention to how it has been done and constant practice will make it easier. Take time to make sure the placement of your buttonholes are all lined up correctly so that you will be pleased with the result.
Check the amount of thread on the bobbin
Based on Murphy’s law, if you have to guess exactly when the thread of your bobbin will finish, you can be sure that it will happen right in the middle of complicated stitching, and you will notice it only after 30 cm of unlocked stitching. Always check your bobbin before you craft sewing patterns to know if you need to thread it up.
Learn how to fix a zipper
This is also a scary task. But zippers are not so bad; you need to practice fixing them often before you can become an expert in sewing them in.
Learn how to sew darts and pleats
Darts are commonly used in design to provide shaping to a garment especially in the bust area. Learn how to mark, sew and press them perfectly. Pleats are also used on garments to provide shape or texture.
Control your speed on the pedal
It is better to move slowly on the pedal especially as a beginner, do not push your foot down the pedal. A simple tip that can help is to place your naked foot on the foot pedal, this way, you will have more control compared to when your shoes are on.
Do not skip a good press
Another important thing to learn is how to press seams properly when you sew; it always makes a difference. You should never cross a seam with another one if the first is not pressed.
Learn how to do a topstitching
Topstitching is any decorative stitching that is sewn on top of the garment. First, use thread that matches your fabric well because it will blend into the fabric better and small mistakes will not be easily noticed. Second, you need to practice a lot using scraps of your actual fabric.
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