Sewing is a very important skill that has almost been completely forgotten by the majority of people over the years. There was a time when just about everyone (especially women) knew how to sew. Not only were many people able to sew and make complete outfits, but most were able to mend and fix basic things. Although sewing is not quite as popular and widespread of a skill as it used to be, it is making a comeback these days. If you are an avid sewer or an aspiring sewer, these tips and tricks will make your experience easier, more enjoyable, and more efficient.

Keep Your Buttons on for Longer With Nail Polish

You probably wouldn't think that nail polish is the best thing when it comes to sewing and you may not even be able to think of how it could be used in sewing. However, it can be extremely handy in the world of buttons as it helps to keep the buttons sturdy on your clothing. You just need some transparent nail polish to paint on the threads and you are good to go.

The nail polish helps to keep the threads from fraying and keeps the buttons secured for a longer period of time.

Always Keep Your Scissors Sharp

If you are a seamstress or a tailor, or if you even know someone who is, then you probably know one of the most taboo things that you can do is to use their fabric scissors for anything except the cutting of fabric or thread. That is because one of the simplest things you can do to make your sewing life easier is to ensure that your scissors are always sharp.

Sharp scissors make the process of cutting fabric a lot easier and ensure that you can evenly and perfectly cut all those edges, especially with difficult to work with fabric.

A Little Beeswax to Prevent Tangling of Threads

Anyone who sews knows that threads can be some of the most frustrating things to deal with when you are sewing. Unfortunately as thread is a pretty essential part of sewing, there is little that can be done to prevent this entirely. However, there are a few tips and tricks that you do to help relieve the intensity of the situation. Using beeswax is one of the most common ways to prevent crazy threads everywhere.

You may have even seen a piece of beeswax in your sewing kits from time to time and wondered why it was included. Now you know and should start using it!

A Simple Stitch Can Hold Your Drawstring in Place

Who doesn't love a nice and cozy sweatshirt? They are versatile and comfy and are most people's go to outfit choice in the cooler months of the year. One of the most annoying things though is when the drawstring for the hood comes undone or comes out completely. It can be hard to rethread it through the opening and get it to be perfect again. One simple stitch can prevent all of that frustration!

All you have to do is sew one row of stitching in the middle of the back of the opening. It will keep the strings in place but still allow you to adjust the front as needed.

Gather Clothes Easily With Crochet Thread

Gathering is a fun technique that you can use when you are sewing. It is created by using a long stitch on the machine and then pulling the thread, thereby pulling the fabric together. This works well on thin fabrics, but on thicker fabrics, you run the risk of the thread breaking. To prevent this, use a thicker thread like crochet thread and you will be safe from potential breakage.

It is a quick and easy thing to do to save you time of restarting your gathering process if the thread breaks.

Make Your Own Fabric Weights

Cutting out your fabric can be one of the most time consuming parts of any sewing project. After all, you are messing around with endless pins and making sure that those thin pieces of paper don't go flying all across the room at the sight of any little breeze. A simple solution for this is the well known fabric weights. If you don't have any official fabric weights though you can make your own with a few bolts.

Bolts are heavy enough to help you keep the papers in place without breaking the bank as official paper weights can be expensive.

Get Yourself a Pair of Pinking Shears

One of the most annoying parts of sewing is deciding what to do with all of the seams of the garment. Most store bought items use a serger to finish the edges of the fabric so that they don't fray, however a serging machine can be expensive and most hobby sewers don't want to invest in one. French seams are quite a hassle on occasion and that leaves the best option of pinking shears.

Pinking shears can be used directly on the loose pieces of the fabric seams and create a pretty zig zag effect that prevents fraying. It is not quite as secure as a serger, but it does the trick cheaply, quickly, and easily!