Not Doing These 11 Things? You’re Slowing Down Your Sewing Progress!
Bianca Silva
Are you sewing project after project but still feel like your skills aren’t improving? You are not alone! I felt the same way...even after completing over 100 projects in my first couple of years.
The secret wasn’t learning more techniques.
It was building better sewing habits.
11 Habits To Make You a Better Sewer
1. Try Something New with Every Project
Don’t shy away from a challenge.
You weren’t born knowing how to sew!
Try new items like tote bags, zippered pouches, skirts, even trousers. And experiment with new techniques: topstitching, buttonholes, interfacing…the possibilities are endless.
2. Don’t Take On Other People’s Sewing Fears
Just because someone else finds something hard doesn't mean you will.
My first garment was leggings. Were they perfect? No. But they taught me so much. If you want to make trousers, make them! Ignore the noise and follow your curiosity.
3. Pause and Look Things Up
When you hit a term or technique you don’t understand, stop.
Don’t guess.
A quick YouTube search can save you hours of frustration and help you actually learn.
4. Take Your Time
I used to rush through projects during my baby’s nap time, sometimes sewing two to three garments a day! But speed isn’t everything.
Slow down, read instructions, and focus on quality over quantity.
5. Read Your Sewing Machine Manual
I know...it’s not exciting. But your machine may have hidden features or tips that can make sewing easier and more precise. It’s worth a read!
6. If It Goes Wrong, Figure Out Why
Mistakes are gold. Instead of getting frustrated, ask: was it the tension? The fabric? A cutting issue? The best improvements come from figuring out what didn’t work.
7. Practice on Scraps First
Always test your stitches on scraps from your current project. I’ve ruined beautiful fabric because I didn’t test first, especially with buttonholes! A quick test can save the entire project.
8. Press As You Go
Your iron is your sewing machine’s best friend. Pressing every seam will give your projects a crisp, professional finish. I used to skip this step, and trust me, the difference now is huge.
9. Keep Your Space Organized
It doesn’t need to be perfect, but a tidy space is less stressful and helps you stay in the creative flow. In the early days, my space was so cluttered that I avoided sewing altogether. Now I make it a habit to reset my space before I start.
10. Don’t Be Afraid of Your Unpicker
Unpicking isn’t failure, it’s a second chance. I’ve unpicked the same seam four times before. And each time, the result got better. Embrace it. It's part of the process.
11. Document Your Projects
This habit changed everything for me. I now track the start and finish date, the size I made, adjustments, fabric used...everything!
It helps me improve with every project and makes it easier to repeat or tweak designs later. It also showed me that I’m sewing less, but enjoying it more.
Final Thoughts
Building strong habits can take your sewing from frustrating to fulfilling.
You don’t need to sew more, you need to sew better.
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx