Once I find a pair of jeans that fit right, I do almost anything to never throw them out. Luckily, this mostly involves patching holes as they spring up. Here are some tips for better patches:

• When the hole is in an awkard place for something decorative or bright, I’ll use a scrap of fabric cut from the hem, facing, bottom of sleeves, or pocket interior so it will blend almost perfectly
• Reinforce high-wear areas (elbows, knees, etc.) with an inside patch
• Repair the hole/tear quickly, before it gets bigger
• Stabilize smaller holes from the inside, then cover the outside with decorative buttons or stitching

I love trying different feet for my sewing machine, it’s always an adventure and I learn a lot. My latest find is the Pearl & Piping Foot from Baby Lock.

I recently used this foot to attach a string of beads to a project I’ve been slowly working on. My confidence had me overly hiped about how easy this would be — I can do it in no time, this will only take a second! Little did I know…

After several needle breaks, jamming the machine (which causes an awful noise), and all of my patience, I finally finished. Here is what I learned:

• Reduce the pressure on the presser foot (you can do this in the settings for you machine, consult you manual for assitance)
• You made need to raise the presser foot, depending on the size of your beads/pearls/piping
• Use a zig-zag stitch that is slightly wider than your beads/pearls/piping
• When going around corners and making turns widen or lengthen your stitch
• Sew slowly, it isn’t a race
• Consider wearing safety eyewear, just in case you do break a needle (or in my case, three) — you don’t want it to fly back and hit you in the eye (or in my case, the cheek and nose)

Anyone who sews knows the occasional frustration of finding the perfect pattern, but being unable to find the perfect fabric.

Fabric stores and quilt shops abound with wonderful fabrics from terrific designers in every color of the rainbow. Still, you can walk away from you search without finding what you’re looking for.

Sometimes it pays to think outside the box when it comes to fabric!
For instance, did you know that bed sheets could be used as yardage? Vintage sheets are my favorite because of their lovely floral, geometric, or striped designs, and are tightly woven so that the fabric usually doesn’t need much ironing, if any at all. The fabrics usually get softer with each wash and have little or no pilling when they’re well made.

Sheets can be found at all kinds of places. Department and big box stores usually carry several designs in different colors. When you find these on sale, you’ve probably spent less for “fabric” than you would have if you’d purchased it from a fabric store.

Don’t overlook places like thrift stores, yard sales, and estate sales for great sheets for sewing. I’ve found next-to-new king size sheets at thrift stores for as little as $1.00. These fabrics are great for all kinds of projects where you’d use a cotton fabric, but they’re also excellent for making a mock-up or muslin of a pattern to check for fit.

Sheets come in other fibers besides the standard 100% cotton or a Permanent Press blend. Flannel sheets can be used to make cozy shirts for cold weather, loungewear (I wouldn’t recommend them for sleepwear because they are not flame retardant.), baby blankets, or even stuffed animals or pillows for children.

Silk, satin, or satin-like sheets can also be very versatile and won’t break the bank if you buy them on sale. They make great linings for jackets or vests, slips, scarves, pillows, accessories such as an eye mask, or are even a great texture for a baby’s taggie blanket.

If you purchase a new set of sheets for a project, you may have more than one print to work with. Cut the elastic and seams off of the fitted sheet so it will also lay flat and will be easier to work with. If you don’t need the pillowcases for yardage, consider making pillowcase dresses for your favorite little girl.

For as versatile as they are, sheets aren’t the only “outside-the-box” source for fabric.

Find a full-skirted prom or bridesmaid’s dress and make a tree skirt for Christmas by measuring up the skirt to the measurement you’d like your tree skirt to be. Cut off the bodice after measuring. Add a casing with a drawstring, and you have a unique addition to your Christmas décor!

Your wedding dress can easily be made into a Christening gown for baby that can be passed down through generations and will have a sentimental connection because you wore it for your wedding. If you can’t stand the thought of doing this to your dress, you can also find dresses at thrift stores, consignment shops, or even online at places like eBay!
How about other fabrics such as leather or vinyl?
A vinyl tablecloth that’s available new for a few dollars can become a cushion for an outdoor chair, the backing for a baby’s bib, the lining for a changing pad, or a wet-sack to keep in your diaper bag for those unexpected messes you need to take home for the laundry.

The cost of new, authentic leather is shocking if you haven’t priced it before. A few weeks ago I found a brown (real!) leather jacket at a yard sale for $.25! Yes, just one quarter! I’m not sure what it’s going to become just yet, but it will be taken apart and used for a special project.

Keep an eye out for other items in your home or on sale that you can repurpose!
Those sheers you are taking down from your living room windows would make a terrific tutu or princess costume for an imaginative little girl.
Grandma’s quilt that has seen better days can be sectioned and made into pillows so that each member of the family can have a memento.
Men’s shirts can easily be made into doll clothes or dresses for little girls or ties for little boys. Do an online search for “girls dress from man’s shirt” or “free tie pattern” to find directions for projects like this.

Everyone who sews can easily combine frugality, recycling, and creativity. Don’t be afraid to look at any type of garment or textile for uses beyond what is “normal”!

Anyone who sews knows the occasional frustration of finding the perfect pattern, but being unable to find the perfect fabric.

Fabric stores and quilt shops abound with wonderful fabrics from terrific designers in every color of the rainbow. Still, you can walk away from you search without finding what you’re looking for.

Sometimes it pays to think outside the box when it comes to fabric!
For instance, did you know that bed sheets could be used as yardage? Vintage sheets are my favorite because of their lovely floral, geometric, or striped designs, and are tightly woven so that the fabric usually doesn’t need much ironing, if any at all. The fabrics usually get softer with each wash and have little or no pilling when they’re well made.

Sheets can be found at all kinds of places. Department and big box stores usually carry several designs in different colors. When you find these on sale, you’ve probably spent less for “fabric” than you would have if you’d purchased it from a fabric store.

Don’t overlook places like thrift stores, yard sales, and estate sales for great sheets for sewing. I’ve found next-to-new king size sheets at thrift stores for as little as $1.00. These fabrics are great for all kinds of projects where you’d use a cotton fabric, but they’re also excellent for making a mock-up or muslin of a pattern to check for fit.

Sheets come in other fibers besides the standard 100% cotton or a Permanent Press blend. Flannel sheets can be used to make cozy shirts for cold weather, loungewear (I wouldn’t recommend them for sleepwear because they are not flame retardant.), baby blankets, or even stuffed animals or pillows for children.

Silk, satin, or satin-like sheets can also be very versatile and won’t break the bank if you buy them on sale. They make great linings for jackets or vests, slips, scarves, pillows, accessories such as an eye mask, or are even a great texture for a baby’s taggie blanket.

If you purchase a new set of sheets for a project, you may have more than one print to work with. Cut the elastic and seams off of the fitted sheet so it will also lay flat and will be easier to work with. If you don’t need the pillowcases for yardage, consider making pillowcase dresses for your favorite little girl.
For as versatile as they are, sheets aren’t the only “outside-the-box” source for fabric.

Find a full-skirted prom or bridesmaid’s dress and make a tree skirt for Christmas by measuring up the skirt to the measurement you’d like your tree skirt to be. Cut off the bodice after measuring. Add a casing with a drawstring, and you have a unique addition to your Christmas décor!

Your wedding dress can easily be made into a Christening gown for baby that can be passed down through generations and will have a sentimental connection because you wore it for your wedding. If you can’t stand the thought of doing this to your dress, you can also find dresses at thrift stores, consignment shops, or even online at places like eBay!

How about other fabrics such as leather or vinyl?
A vinyl tablecloth that’s available new for a few dollars can become a cushion for an outdoor chair, the backing for a baby’s bib, the lining for a changing pad, or a wet-sack to keep in your diaper bag for those unexpected messes you need to take home for the laundry.

The cost of new, authentic leather is shocking if you haven’t priced it before. A few weeks ago I found a brown (real!) leather jacket at a yard sale for $.25! Yes, just one quarter! I’m not sure what it’s going to become just yet, but it will be taken apart and used for a special project.

Keep an eye out for other items in your home or on sale that you can repurpose!

Those sheers you are taking down from your living room windows would make a terrific tutu or princess costume for an imaginative little girl.
Grandma’s quilt that has seen better days can be sectioned and made into pillows so that each member of the family can have a memento.

Men’s shirts can easily be made into doll clothes or dresses for little girls or ties for little boys. Do an online search for “girls dress from man’s shirt” or “free tie pattern” to find directions for projects like this.

Everyone who sews can easily combine frugality, recycling, and creativity.

Don’t be afraid to look at any type of garment or textile for uses beyond what is “normal”!

Here is a great sewing time saver. This little ring holds your wound and unwound bobbins so they are ready and easy to find when you need them. Wind several bobbins before you start a larger project and you will not have to stop to wind a bobbin! Wind a bobbin in several basic colors and you are ready in the event of a needed quick repair too!

Check them out Here

Increase your sewing comfort with ergonomic sewing tools. Ergonomics is the science of designing tools to make your life easier while sewing… improve efficiency, reduce discomfort, fatigue and risk of injury.

I’m sure you’ve all seen these types of tools, I bet your significant other might have a few. But, have you ever tried using them? Sometimes it makes it more uncomfortable, than comfortable. Why? Because everyone’s hands are different, and man-hands are not the same as our delicate woman-hands. So, make sure to hold or test the ergonomic tool before purchasing.

The bottom line, if your hands are cramping and back is aching, then give some of these tools a try:
- Sewing tool kit
- Sewing Table and chairs
- General tools

Be careful of the tracing or dressmakers’ paper you use. Dressmakers’ paper has a coated side and leaves a mark on your fabric when you wheel over the lines. These lines are hard to remove, so choose the color of the paper wisely. Yellow tends to be the strongest color and may bleed through your fabric.  Always use white on white (anything else will bleed).

Once you’ve selected the right paper cut your fabric with right sides together. Then layer your stack so the paper is on the bottom with the colored side up, your fabric is on top of the paper, and the pattern is on the top of the stack.

Trace around your pattern making all necessary marks. Then use the marks on your bottom layer of fabric to mark your second layer. Cut your peices and you’re ready to go!

Is your foot control sliding away from you while sewing?  To stop your foot control from traveling away from you, put a piece of Sure-Grip drawer liner underneath it. The gripper material helps to keep it in place on carpet or wood flooring.

And, if your machine vibrations are driving you nuts, put a piece of it under your machine as well — it will grip tight and help prevent those not so good vibrations.

Sure-Grip drawer liner is readily available a home improvement stores or large supermarkets.

Twin needles are commonly used for decorative stitching and also hemming knits. Twin needles have two numbers in their sizing.  The first number indicates the space between the needles.  The second number is the size of the needle.  So add some spark to your next straight stitch project, use a twin needle or be adventurous and try a triple!

Check out twin needles http://www.nancysnotions.com/category/supplies/needles.do

Twin needles can also be used for embroidery, if you have a running stitch type of design. These embroidery designs are perfect for twin needle and are from Designer’s Gallery Sashiko Interactive