All About Sewing

07/25/2026

What do those two little color bands on sewing machine needles mean?
One tells you the type of Schmetz needle. The other tells you the size. Very useful once the needle is out of its package and those tiny numbers on the shaft are almost impossible to read.
Do you use the color bands, keep every needle in its original case, or reach for a magnifying glass? 😄
I put the complete Schmetz color-code guide in the comments.

07/24/2026

What takes up the most time when you sew?
3-hour project. Three weeks later. Sound familiar? 😄
Sometimes the sewing isn’t what takes so long. It’s winding bobbins, changing thread, searching for tools, walking to the ironing board, and stopping to fix little problems.
I collected more than 30 shortcuts that can save time without rushing or skipping important steps.
The article is in the comments.

07/24/2026

07/23/2026

How do you pin? Perpendicular to the seam? At an angle? With the pinheads to the left of the presser foot—or to the right? And why do you prefer that way?
And while we’re talking about pins—do you use different pins for different fabrics and projects? Glass head, ballpoint, silk, quilting, short, long, fine, or thick? I added my guide to the different types of sewing pins in the comments.

07/22/2026

“I must know all the little sewing tricks by now,” I thought when I started my page.

Oh, how naive I was… 😄

Since then, I’ve learned so many new tips from comments, emails, and conversations in my sewing group.

I’ve actually collected many more than 20, but some belong in other articles. These 20 are short, practical tips you can try right at your sewing machine.

Some may be new even to experienced sewists.

How many do you already know? Link in the first comment.

07/20/2026

❓What do you use when two seams really need to match?
Pins? Nested seam allowances? A little glue? Or do you hold everything in place and hope for the best? 😄
I have a simple tip I use for clothes and other sewing projects. It’s mostly not for quilting.
I’ll share it in the comments.

07/20/2026

What’s the oldest thing in your sewing space—a machine, fabric, or tool? Do you still use it, or do you keep it because it means something to you? Add a photo to your comment if you have one! 🥰

07/18/2026

Some sewing mistakes are loud — like a snapped needle or a popped seam.

Others are sneaky. A dull needle that skips stitches. A mystery thread that snaps mid-seam. A neckline that quietly stretches out of shape.

This article is all about those behind-the-scenes problems. I share 21 mistakes that cause more trouble than they should — and how to avoid them without overthinking every stitch.

It’s not about sewing perfectly. It’s about sewing smarter, noticing what causes issues, and making fewer messes along the way.

No judgment. Just real tips, clear advice, and maybe a laugh or two (because interfacing does melt when you press it glue-side-up).

👉 Read the post — and see how many sound familiar.

07/15/2026

“This should be simple,” I thought.
It was one of my first necklines, and I had all the confidence of someone who didn’t know better yet.
The pattern looked good. The pieces matched. I stitched the seam and turned it right side out.
YIKES.
The curve was wavy. The fabric had stretched. Pressing helped a little, but not enough.
That’s when I learned that curved seams need a few extra steps. Stitch length, clipping, trimming, pressing, and the right tools can make a big difference.
So I made a guide with 21 tips for sewing curved seams — necklines, armholes, rounded edges, and all those places where a straight-seam mindset does not help.

If curved seams give you trouble, the guide is in the first comment.

07/14/2026

Some T-shirts are too long to wear loose… and have too much fabric to tuck in.
They bunch around the hips, cover too much of the jeans, or end at the widest part of the body.
Sometimes removing just a few inches makes the whole outfit look better.
In my article, I show 6 ways to shorten a T-shirt, including how to keep the original hem and a method that doesn’t require sewing.
What method do you prefer for shortening a T-shirt?