Like Christine, I also use a glue stick and press it instead of waiting for it to dry. I normally buy the store brand clear washable glue sticks in the back to school sales in the summer/early fall. They are very affordable and easily washed out. I have a small mini M&M’s container that I keep my glue stick in that keeps the glue from drying out. The other unused ones are stored in a Ziploc bag. That said, ever since I realized that I could hand baste with two threads a little away from the stitch line, and then just clip the knot and pull out the thread and reuse it for basting again, I find myself basting more. With pre-threaded needles at hand, I’m more likely to baste and it saves washing out the glue. Both are good options. I would say that the glue stick works better in areas where you might appreciate some stabilization like knits as it stiffens the fabric a bit. I do often wind two bobbins before starting a project, especially if it is a color that I use a lot like white, off white, or navy. I also tend to use the bobbin thread for hand stitching at the end of a project. Those leftover bobbins in odd thread colors make great basting thread.
Thank you for adding your thoughts to the conversation! You make the hand basting sound so easy and convenient. I have a fe what’s needles in the little caddy by my machines. I might have to pre thread some and use your technique of just clipping the knot. I’m interested to try the glue too though. Izzy added that she uses double sided tape over glue. I’ve apparently been underusing adhesives in my sewing 😂
Hi Erin! It was fun watching you read thru these and making sense of some of them in real time. It was helpful to see you talking thru and explaining some of them versus just reading them quickly off and moving on down the list.
Thanks Michelle! I was hoping the reaction and processing would be a little more interesting. I did have to cut out a LOT of silent scrolling though. Some people really got going back and forth on the topics! lol
I have a large window in my living room and I have used that to trace patterns before. It was life saving! I mostly purchase PDF patterns so I just print the pattern for each size I need. As for batch cutting, I have a candy corn dress listed on Etsy (that is very popular). I will cut up to 10 at a time and then head for the serger and I can get about 2 and a half dresses done in a day (when there are no kids in my home, I babysit my grandkids and they seem to never leave.) Thank you for sharing those hacks. I bought a metal bolt tray from harbor freight for like $7 (6 inch diameter) for my pins and needles. I have an industrial so it is magnetized to my machine. I got so tired of my grandkids dropping my needles all over the floor. LOL That was probably the best thing I have purchased to date. I look forward to your next video.
Another vote for window tracing! I’ll have to try it out. The candy corn dresses sound really cute, and it sounds like you have them down to science (as long as the grandkids give you space lol). Thank you for sharing about the bolt tray! It seems like harbor freight has everything a sewist could need- from pattern weights to pin trays 😂
If you hit the glued seam with a hot dry iron and you can sew right away. It is an inexpensive tool. I do have to admit I prefer the sewing glue stick mostly because it is a smaller stick.
Okay, I’m sold. I’ve got to try this trick. It sounds like pattern matching will be MUCH easier. I’ve just been so paranoid about it gumming up my machine.
Hi Erin. Great tips! I love the tracing over a glass table but, I don’t have one. I have used the sliding glass door tip or a large window. Also the floss works great for gathering. I also like using a bright contrasting color thread for my gathering stitches. That makes it easy to find the bobbin thread. I have a spool of neon orange that I accidentally ordered. I came up With that one on my own. 😊 ❤ Diann
Hi Diann! Thank you for your tips and support of some of the ideas. I’m doing some gathering on a dress for Brady today and I need to remember to grab the floss and try it! I love the neon orange idea 🤗
Hi Erin. I use my bobbin to sew anything that needs sewing. Miriam from @StitchObsessed has a viral video on using elmers glue to baste her quilts. I tried it, and it does not gum up your machine.😊
Hi Erin thanks for doing this. I have been known to tape down my devil 😈 fabric when I’m cutting out a project. You know the one that will not sit still?😅 I use my glue stick to baste the top of my sewn and ironed seams . When I attach the other pattern piece to it, the seam doesn’t flip to the wrong side. I have a magnetic knife holder attached to the wall above my cutting table. That is where my scissors live. ❤🧵📍 Have a happy fourth. 🎆🎇
I’m going to have to do the same next time I have a shifty fabric! I’ve never thought of taping it into submission, but I love it 😂 Glue basting sewn seams is GENIUS. The last minute flip before it goes under the needle is 😡😡 Thank you for adding your ideas! Have a great Fourth of July!
I've been using the glue sticks for years. In one of Palmer and Pletsch's first books there was a suggestion about using glue (permanent) for some.things. I didn't like the permanent glue. Fast forward to about 10 years ago, buying supplies for the new school year. I thought I was order a dozen glue sticks But it was a dozen packages of a dozen each. 144 glue sticks. Had to use them for something. Turns out I really like them. Especially for things like zipper"basting" or holding turned facing down until I can tack or top stitch. I have heard not to use the purple stick because the purple chemical can discolor fabric. I've never had a problem but I might think twice if it was a gauzy white fabric. Still, I love glue sticks as a sewing tool.
144 glue sticks 😳😳😳 that would’ve been quite the surprise! Thank you for the amplifying information about uses for it. I’ve gotten so far as putting a glue stick on my sewing table. Now I have to be brave enough to use it 😂
@@ErinSews Good place to start is to hold down the other side (inside facing) of the waistband, collar stand, or even bias binding especially if you are topstitching from the outside and need to"catch" the facing. you can't see it if you mess it up. Since I prefer old fashioned lap zippers, I like it for zippers with only 2-3 pins instead of pinning the whole thing. I also use them to put together home printed pdf-not as permanent as tape but will take a lot of abuse. How well they stay together depends on storage method not usage
I’ve recently started using glue sticks for my PDF patterns and it’s less messy than I thought it would be. I’m usually sticking them together around my toddler so I have to work fast and I was worried she’d get messy but it hasn’t been an issue. Thank you for the description of how you use the glue! I’m going to try it next time I have to stitch in the ditch for sure. I have so much trouble catching the back side and keeping everything even.
Hi! There's that pretty gingham dress! 😍 Hmmm. Okay, feeling my age again 😏 There are very few occasions where I would sew a woven sleeve in flat. I can be quite militant about this sometimes 😆 That's just me. I often handbaste before machine sewing the sleeve in. But I'm very happy with the results, and I'll probably keep doing them that way. One particular pattern nearly sent me round the bend though with flat construction instructions. 🙃 And I wasn't the only one.... The pattern just wasn't cut for it. Re French seams on set-in sleeves, check out Sew Sew Live's tutorial for that, it works well , and I hope it's still there. 👍 I did measure different parts of my hand and arm quite a long time ago, that way I always have a way to measure most things wherever I am. I am definitely a minimalist where tools are concerned. 🤓 My 'needle minder' has often been my sofa/chair arm/shirt sleeve if I'm away from the pincushion where they live haha. I hope you've had a great 4th, and thanks so much for this roundup! 😁
Thank you for the tip to check out Sew Sew Live’s tutorial! I’ll go save it to my watch later playlist so I can try to do French seams like a grown up at some point 😂 I did learn early on (like set-in sleeve number one) to always baste first. Collars too. I can’t be trusted to sew them in well on the first try. The hand measurement idea is GENIUS! I can eyeball anything under an inch pretty well, but not perfectly and having a “built in ruler” sounds very handy (hehe get it. Because it’s your hand…)
@@ErinSews 😆😆 Besides the precision, it's a little easier to sew the armhole seam without all those pins getting in the way. I think I tried a french seam at the armhole a couple of times, but found them bulky in the fabric I was using. So I usually serge the s/a there. And you're right, it would be helpful at the collar 😜 I haven't been doing that! I think it may have something to do with how many times I end up having to take out stitches to re-do them without those cute little tucks. 🤔
My biggest self imposed rule (it’s not a hack) is to trace store bought patterns instead of cutting out the pattern tissue paper itself. It means I’m able to keep all sizes intact (I sew for my grandkids a lot and need the different sizes) plus my tracing paper is sturdier than the tissue paper therefore less likely to tear. I have used specific pattern tracing paper, the back side of wrapping paper, the brown paper that Amazon uses in their packages, and gift tissue paper (in a pinch)
It’s a good rule! I cut my patterns down to the biggest size so that the pieces are more maneuverable, but after tracing off some A0 patterns, I think I might switch to tracing my big 4 also. It’s not as annoying as I kept thinking it would be. It does add more bulk to my storage system but it’s not unmanageable so far.
@@ErinSews I buy rolls of tracing paper from Amazon, but really anything works. If you can see through it, you can put your store bought patterns under it and trace it. If you can’t see through it, put store bought patterns on top then trace on the tissue pattern with a sharpie. It’ll bleed through onto your new paper
I had to laugh at some of these « hacks » - do that many people lose their scissors or other tools in their sewing room?? 🤣 I have found that double-sided tape is magical for things like zipper installation and to help with perfectly matching seams (without the need to hand baste). I bought 4 huge rolls of the stuff on Amazon and use it all the time. I tried glue sticks and just find that stuff messy. And I now need to go and fall down that rabbit hole on Reddit!
I also thought it was crazy how many people had to tie things to themselves or their machine. I didn’t even read them all! I will say I bought a new seam ripper the other day because I lost my favorite one. I 100% assumed Brady had spirited it away, until I emptied the scrap catcher on my serger and found it at the bottom 🫣. I still don’t think I need magnets everywhere though 😂 Christine convinced me to try the glue, and your double sided tape sounds dreamy too. Looks like I’ll be picking up a lot of adhesive items. The comments about setting in sleeves are worth a read! I haven’t cared enough to research it on my own previously, but now I’m more curious about it. I want to make the same pattern twice and put the sleeves in both ways to see if it actually feels any different.
Like Christine, I also use a glue stick and press it instead of waiting for it to dry. I normally buy the store brand clear washable glue sticks in the back to school sales in the summer/early fall. They are very affordable and easily washed out. I have a small mini M&M’s container that I keep my glue stick in that keeps the glue from drying out. The other unused ones are stored in a Ziploc bag. That said, ever since I realized that I could hand baste with two threads a little away from the stitch line, and then just clip the knot and pull out the thread and reuse it for basting again, I find myself basting more. With pre-threaded needles at hand, I’m more likely to baste and it saves washing out the glue. Both are good options. I would say that the glue stick works better in areas where you might appreciate some stabilization like knits as it stiffens the fabric a bit.
I do often wind two bobbins before starting a project, especially if it is a color that I use a lot like white, off white, or navy. I also tend to use the bobbin thread for hand stitching at the end of a project. Those leftover bobbins in odd thread colors make great basting thread.
Thank you for adding your thoughts to the conversation! You make the hand basting sound so easy and convenient. I have a fe what’s needles in the little caddy by my machines. I might have to pre thread some and use your technique of just clipping the knot.
I’m interested to try the glue too though. Izzy added that she uses double sided tape over glue. I’ve apparently been underusing adhesives in my sewing 😂
Hi Erin! It was fun watching you read thru these and making sense of some of them in real time. It was helpful to see you talking thru and explaining some of them versus just reading them quickly off and moving on down the list.
Thanks Michelle! I was hoping the reaction and processing would be a little more interesting. I did have to cut out a LOT of silent scrolling though. Some people really got going back and forth on the topics! lol
I tape my pattern to the sliding door on a sunny day and trace them out. My back appreciates it.
I’ll have to try that! Is it hard to get the giant pattern sheets taped up? They’re just so unwieldy (even on the floor!)
I have a large window in my living room and I have used that to trace patterns before. It was life saving! I mostly purchase PDF patterns so I just print the pattern for each size I need. As for batch cutting, I have a candy corn dress listed on Etsy (that is very popular). I will cut up to 10 at a time and then head for the serger and I can get about 2 and a half dresses done in a day (when there are no kids in my home, I babysit my grandkids and they seem to never leave.) Thank you for sharing those hacks. I bought a metal bolt tray from harbor freight for like $7 (6 inch diameter) for my pins and needles. I have an industrial so it is magnetized to my machine. I got so tired of my grandkids dropping my needles all over the floor. LOL That was probably the best thing I have purchased to date. I look forward to your next video.
Another vote for window tracing! I’ll have to try it out.
The candy corn dresses sound really cute, and it sounds like you have them down to science (as long as the grandkids give you space lol).
Thank you for sharing about the bolt tray! It seems like harbor freight has everything a sewist could need- from pattern weights to pin trays 😂
If you hit the glued seam with a hot dry iron and you can sew right away. It is an inexpensive tool. I do have to admit I prefer the sewing glue stick mostly because it is a smaller stick.
Okay, I’m sold. I’ve got to try this trick. It sounds like pattern matching will be MUCH easier. I’ve just been so paranoid about it gumming up my machine.
Hi Erin. Great tips! I love the tracing over a glass table but, I don’t have one. I have used the sliding glass door tip or a large window.
Also the floss works great for gathering. I also like using a bright contrasting color thread for my gathering stitches. That makes it easy to find the bobbin thread. I have a spool of neon orange that I accidentally ordered. I came up
With that one on my own. 😊 ❤ Diann
Hi Diann! Thank you for your tips and support of some of the ideas. I’m doing some gathering on a dress for Brady today and I need to remember to grab the floss and try it! I love the neon orange idea 🤗
Lots of good tips, Erin!
Glad it was helpful! I’m planning to tty some of them soon
Hi Erin. I use my bobbin to sew anything that needs sewing. Miriam from @StitchObsessed has a viral video on using elmers glue to baste her quilts. I tried it, and it does not gum up your machine.😊
Thanks for the tip! I need to baste a quilt in the next few days so I’ll have to try it.
Hi Erin thanks for doing this. I have been known to tape down my devil 😈 fabric when I’m cutting out a project. You know the one that will not sit still?😅
I use my glue stick to baste the top of my sewn and ironed seams . When I attach the other pattern piece to it, the seam doesn’t flip to the wrong side.
I have a magnetic knife holder attached to the wall above my cutting table. That is where my scissors live. ❤🧵📍
Have a happy fourth. 🎆🎇
I’m going to have to do the same next time I have a shifty fabric! I’ve never thought of taping it into submission, but I love it 😂
Glue basting sewn seams is GENIUS. The last minute flip before it goes under the needle is 😡😡
Thank you for adding your ideas! Have a great Fourth of July!
I've been using the glue sticks for years. In one of Palmer and Pletsch's first books there was a suggestion about using glue (permanent) for some.things. I didn't like the permanent glue. Fast forward to about 10 years ago, buying supplies for the new school year. I thought I was order a dozen glue sticks But it was a dozen packages of a dozen each. 144 glue sticks. Had to use them for something. Turns out I really like them. Especially for things like zipper"basting" or holding turned facing down until I can tack or top stitch. I have heard not to use the purple stick because the purple chemical can discolor fabric. I've never had a problem but I might think twice if it was a gauzy white fabric. Still, I love glue sticks as a sewing tool.
144 glue sticks 😳😳😳 that would’ve been quite the surprise! Thank you for the amplifying information about uses for it. I’ve gotten so far as putting a glue stick on my sewing table. Now I have to be brave enough to use it 😂
@@ErinSews Good place to start is to hold down the other side (inside facing) of the waistband, collar stand, or even bias binding especially if you are topstitching from the outside and need to"catch" the facing. you can't see it if you mess it up. Since I prefer old fashioned lap zippers, I like it for zippers with only 2-3 pins instead of pinning the whole thing. I also use them to put together home printed pdf-not as permanent as tape but will take a lot of abuse. How well they stay together depends on storage method not usage
I’ve recently started using glue sticks for my PDF patterns and it’s less messy than I thought it would be. I’m usually sticking them together around my toddler so I have to work fast and I was worried she’d get messy but it hasn’t been an issue.
Thank you for the description of how you use the glue! I’m going to try it next time I have to stitch in the ditch for sure. I have so much trouble catching the back side and keeping everything even.
Hi! There's that pretty gingham dress! 😍 Hmmm. Okay, feeling my age again 😏 There are very few occasions where I would sew a woven sleeve in flat. I can be quite militant about this sometimes 😆 That's just me. I often handbaste before machine sewing the sleeve in. But I'm very happy with the results, and I'll probably keep doing them that way. One particular pattern nearly sent me round the bend though with flat construction instructions. 🙃 And I wasn't the only one.... The pattern just wasn't cut for it. Re French seams on set-in sleeves, check out Sew Sew Live's tutorial for that, it works well , and I hope it's still there. 👍
I did measure different parts of my hand and arm quite a long time ago, that way I always have a way to measure most things wherever I am. I am definitely a minimalist where tools are concerned. 🤓 My 'needle minder' has often been my sofa/chair arm/shirt sleeve if I'm away from the pincushion where they live haha. I hope you've had a great 4th, and thanks so much for this roundup! 😁
Thank you for the tip to check out Sew Sew Live’s tutorial! I’ll go save it to my watch later playlist so I can try to do French seams like a grown up at some point 😂 I did learn early on (like set-in sleeve number one) to always baste first. Collars too. I can’t be trusted to sew them in well on the first try.
The hand measurement idea is GENIUS! I can eyeball anything under an inch pretty well, but not perfectly and having a “built in ruler” sounds very handy (hehe get it. Because it’s your hand…)
@@ErinSews 😆😆 Besides the precision, it's a little easier to sew the armhole seam without all those pins getting in the way. I think I tried a french seam at the armhole a couple of times, but found them bulky in the fabric I was using. So I usually serge the s/a there. And you're right, it would be helpful at the collar 😜 I haven't been doing that! I think it may have something to do with how many times I end up having to take out stitches to re-do them without those cute little tucks. 🤔
My biggest self imposed rule (it’s not a hack) is to trace store bought patterns instead of cutting out the pattern tissue paper itself. It means I’m able to keep all sizes intact (I sew for my grandkids a lot and need the different sizes) plus my tracing paper is sturdier than the tissue paper therefore less likely to tear. I have used specific pattern tracing paper, the back side of wrapping paper, the brown paper that Amazon uses in their packages, and gift tissue paper (in a pinch)
It’s a good rule! I cut my patterns down to the biggest size so that the pieces are more maneuverable, but after tracing off some A0 patterns, I think I might switch to tracing my big 4 also. It’s not as annoying as I kept thinking it would be. It does add more bulk to my storage system but it’s not unmanageable so far.
@@ErinSews I buy rolls of tracing paper from Amazon, but really anything works. If you can see through it, you can put your store bought patterns under it and trace it. If you can’t see through it, put store bought patterns on top then trace on the tissue pattern with a sharpie. It’ll bleed through onto your new paper
Thank you! That’s really helpful 👍🏻
I had to laugh at some of these « hacks » - do that many people lose their scissors or other tools in their sewing room?? 🤣 I have found that double-sided tape is magical for things like zipper installation and to help with perfectly matching seams (without the need to hand baste). I bought 4 huge rolls of the stuff on Amazon and use it all the time. I tried glue sticks and just find that stuff messy. And I now need to go and fall down that rabbit hole on Reddit!
I also thought it was crazy how many people had to tie things to themselves or their machine. I didn’t even read them all! I will say I bought a new seam ripper the other day because I lost my favorite one. I 100% assumed Brady had spirited it away, until I emptied the scrap catcher on my serger and found it at the bottom 🫣. I still don’t think I need magnets everywhere though 😂
Christine convinced me to try the glue, and your double sided tape sounds dreamy too. Looks like I’ll be picking up a lot of adhesive items.
The comments about setting in sleeves are worth a read! I haven’t cared enough to research it on my own previously, but now I’m more curious about it. I want to make the same pattern twice and put the sleeves in both ways to see if it actually feels any different.
@@ErinSews Yes! I was thinking the same thing re: set in sleeves. I’m super curious about that!