I get asked a lot about how I get my projects to look so neat. Truth is there is no hidden secret. Aside from correcting visual errors, there are a couple of simple things that will take your sewing from homemade to tailor made.

      Below are 8 simple, tried, and true ways to improve your sewing:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT FABRIC

Fabric choice is important when creating something. Every fabric has its own unique characteristics. No matter what you’re sewing, the wrong fabric choice can destroy the way it looks. Professional patterns include suggested fabric choices for this reason. If you are not using a pattern or don’t know what fabric to choose, most fabric stores have associates willing to help or a filter online to guide you.

PRE-WASH YOUR FABRIC

Do you really have to? The answer is YES! This is because certain fabrics, such as flannel, will shrink. So, to avoid things fitting poorly or puckering it’s best to wash the fabric before constructing anything.  Be sure to pay special attention to manufacturer’s recommendations for wash settings. If that is not available wash fabric as you plan to wash the fabric when it’s finished.

CUT CAREFULLY

Cutting matters! There is general rule in sewing and that is measure twice, cut once. Cutting directly affects the way you sew your pieces together. If your pieces aren’t even, then your whole project will be off. You can also cut off too much which would render it useless. Moreover, cutting too little can create unnecessary bulk.

USE THE RIGHT NEEDLE

There’s a reason why there are so many different types of needles in sewing. While you may be able to use a universal need for most projects, the appearance of your final project will greatly improve with the right needle. I’ve discussed different types of needles here, but the most common needles are universal, ballpoint, sharps, embroidery, and denim. Not using recommended needles may cause your needle to break and your fabric to snag, pucker or become damaged.

TAKE YOUR TIME

If nothing else. Take your time. Rushing a project is not going to yield your best results. You can insure this by making sure you have time to sew. Starting a project when you don’t have that much time, is asking for sloppy work. If you are crunched for time, it’s best to pace your sewing and save what is left for another time. Rushing also increases the likelihood of pulling your fabric as you sew and sewing inaccurately.

PRESS AS YOU GO

I must admit, I have been guilty of not always following this myself, but things really do look better pressed.  You don’t need a high-end iron to have nice, crisp edges and seams. A basic iron, a board and a little time are all you need. If your iron has a steam setting, be sure to turn it off when ironing delicate fabrics.

FINISH YOUR EDGES

This is a must for getting a professional look. I’ve seen a few items sold without finished edges and it automatically made the garment look inferior. When tempted to leave your edges raw, resist and finish it off. You will thank yourself later. Raw edges will continue to fray and look very noticeable, not to mention it could undo your seams if it continues. Knit is just about the only fabric that doesn’t fray, but it too won’t look as professional if left undone.

MACHINE MAINTENANCE

I get mixed reactions when it comes to machine maintenance. Some people rather not pay the cost to have tune-ups done on a machine that doesn’t cost that much to begin with. I totally get that. If you’re not going to have your machine professionally serviced, then I recommend taking extra precautions to cover your machine and remove any excess lint and thread. Sewing machines can be finicky at times and the result of terrible stitching can be as simple as lint being caught inside. 

There it is. Simple, yet effective strategies to elevate your sewing to the next level. Leave a comment below if this list has helped you or if you have something else to add.