I don't have beeswax so I use a small unscented white candle (a tealight) to wax my thread. It works just fine. My tip is to thread several needles and wax and iron them in batches so you don't have to stop and do it every time your thread runs out.
I went down a rabbit hole looking into how to sew my own clothes because the women's clothing today is not my cup of tea. I really like the modest look of edwardian fashion. But I don't want to buy a sewing machine before I'm sure this is something I'm going to seriously purse. I like the idea of hand sewing. I don't mind it taking longer to complete peices.
I did not know the topless tailors thimble was a thing but as someone who forgoes thimbles because of their nail comfort that is a complete game changer.
I just want to say when I said give it 8-10 hours I meant 8-10 hours for it to start to feel okay and not super awkward and fiddly, not to stitch as fast as I do in this video. That took month of practice. . Have any more hand sewing tips? Comment them! I’d love to read about y’all’s experiences and what you’ve found works
This was so great, I had recently started using a thimble and had found hand stitching a bit easier (so like...I hated it, instead of hating it with the burning passion of a thousand suns) but I hadn't realised I was holding my needle and thimble wrong or how it was supposed to be one motion! I haven't quite figured out the thimble angle (when I try to use the thimble only to push the needle through the fabric the needle slips off my thimble at least half the time) but I can definitely see how this could speed up my hand sewing! I'd love a tutorial on different stitches, and also on hand gathering, which I want to try but don't 100% know how to do!
thank you! the first half of pushing the needle though the fabric can be done partly with the thumb and pointer finger so it doesn't have to be exclusively with the thimble but as you said you can probably find different angle to hold the thimble compared to the needle that will work better. I hope your hand sewing experience continues to improve!
And if you're super lucky, you walk into goodwill, and pick up a decent size box of vintage wartime needles and thimbles and vintage corsetry supplies for afew dollars...(check the tins, always check the tins!)
love this video! I'm a leather thimble lover, personally. metal thimbles are hard to find small enough for me, and I like the feeling of control that I get with a more flexible thimble. also being able to feel what I'm doing more clearly means I don't have to look at my sewing so much, which is nice if I'm trying to watch a show while sewing :)
I have so many lovely videos to reference when it comes to stitches, but this is the information I was missing, such as how long of a thread is typically used when hand sewing. Thanks so much, Ora!!
I can't attach pictures to comments unfortunately but you can find it by googling "herringbone stitch" its used in embroidery but it can also be used in s variety of other ways such as invisible hems, flexible joins, attaching a lining to a very delicate dress, finishing raw edges on tailored garments, and many other things. In a tutorial I would not only talk about how to do the stitch itself but also how one might use it.
@@Ora_Lin Ooh I'd definitely watch that tutorial if you made it! I like the Hows and Whys in something like this, it makes it so much easier for me to learn and understand. Much like this video! Which I'm totally saving for when this sudden heatwave finally leaves next week 🥵🥵 My brain is melting out of my ears 😵💫 Thank you for sharing this video! Hello from Montreal, Canada! 🇨🇦👋
After I tried ironing waxed thread I never looked back! That is like totally different thread to work with! 😍 I do have metal thimbles but I prefer a leather thimble (I make it myself and wear it out. Not the best quality leather but it'll do) It was great to watch your experience with hand sewing. Thanks for sharing 🤗
Needle size/brand: I really like the Clover "Black Gold" size 9 sharps. (The 10s are slightly too small to thread easily). Amazon has them (UK anyway) although they are via a second seller.
How do you decide when to hand sew versus machine sew? I love hand sewing, but there're several parts where I thin I'd rather machine sew. Wonder if you've ever had a video on making a garment in which you combine hand sewing and machine sewing.
Hi! most of the garments I make combine hand sewing and machine sewing. I'm a believer that most things can be done just as well by hand and machine (although some things like invisible hemming require special machines). I common way of splitting it is to do constructions seams by machine and finishing by hand. There is no right or wrong way! Do whatever works for you, your preferences, skill set, and schedule!
This might be a silly question, but using a single thread, how do you stop it from coming out of the needle when you pull it? It’s the one thing stopping me from getting in a real flow when I sew, because I always end up having to use my other hand, or put it down and pick it up or something.
Not a silly question! There are a few factors that go into it, the size of the eye of the needle is one of them. A smaller eye will be harder for the thread to slip through which makes a big difference IMO. Also waxing thread makes it hold a shape when bent (not strongly but enough to be able to tension the thread without it slipping) Waxed thread that hasn’t been ironed with be the most grippy, but I find that ironed waxed thread is also less prone to slipping through the eye of a needle than unwaxed thread. Hope that helps!
Also I’ll add that the way you tension the thread plays a part. Having a few fingers in contact with the thread like the way that I showed will add a small amount of friction that helps to prevent the thread from slipping (as opposed to simply pulling the needle out with your thumb and pointer finger)
I find the length of the end matters a lot. I like it to be more than a hand long. Basically, most of your thread is doubled up, just not the last three or four inches next to the fabric. Then, when you tension, your fingers are in contact with both the "loose" thread and the one attached to the fabric. That will help it staying in the needle.
@@odsmey Yes, _this!_ This is what I noticed when she was showing how different people tension their thread! She was pulling her needle and thread away from the fabric, but she wrapped her other fingers *around* the thread - which I hadn't noticed until she showed that some people don't do that! That's when I got it! 🤯 That's definitely gonna help my hand sewing, not having to worry so much about losing the thread & trying to awkwardly pinch it at the end of the needle! 😅
I don't have beeswax so I use a small unscented white candle (a tealight) to wax my thread. It works just fine. My tip is to thread several needles and wax and iron them in batches so you don't have to stop and do it every time your thread runs out.
Thank you for sharing! I tend to wax in batches too, between 5-15 precut threads at a time but I've never tried prethreading them before
I went down a rabbit hole looking into how to sew my own clothes because the women's clothing today is not my cup of tea. I really like the modest look of edwardian fashion. But I don't want to buy a sewing machine before I'm sure this is something I'm going to seriously purse. I like the idea of hand sewing. I don't mind it taking longer to complete peices.
I did not know the topless tailors thimble was a thing but as someone who forgoes thimbles because of their nail comfort that is a complete game changer.
Happy I could introduce you to them!
Off topic but your hair and makeup look immaculate in this
I just want to say when I said give it 8-10 hours I meant 8-10 hours for it to start to feel okay and not super awkward and fiddly, not to stitch as fast as I do in this video. That took month of practice.
.
Have any more hand sewing tips? Comment them! I’d love to read about y’all’s experiences and what you’ve found works
Your hair is beautiful!
This was so great, I had recently started using a thimble and had found hand stitching a bit easier (so like...I hated it, instead of hating it with the burning passion of a thousand suns) but I hadn't realised I was holding my needle and thimble wrong or how it was supposed to be one motion! I haven't quite figured out the thimble angle (when I try to use the thimble only to push the needle through the fabric the needle slips off my thimble at least half the time) but I can definitely see how this could speed up my hand sewing!
I'd love a tutorial on different stitches, and also on hand gathering, which I want to try but don't 100% know how to do!
thank you! the first half of pushing the needle though the fabric can be done partly with the thumb and pointer finger so it doesn't have to be exclusively with the thimble but as you said you can probably find different angle to hold the thimble compared to the needle that will work better. I hope your hand sewing experience continues to improve!
And if you're super lucky, you walk into goodwill, and pick up a decent size box of vintage wartime needles and thimbles and vintage corsetry supplies for afew dollars...(check the tins, always check the tins!)
love this video! I'm a leather thimble lover, personally. metal thimbles are hard to find small enough for me, and I like the feeling of control that I get with a more flexible thimble. also being able to feel what I'm doing more clearly means I don't have to look at my sewing so much, which is nice if I'm trying to watch a show while sewing :)
I've read that you can use a plier to make a metal thimble smaller.
I have so many lovely videos to reference when it comes to stitches, but this is the information I was missing, such as how long of a thread is typically used when hand sewing. Thanks so much, Ora!!
Thanks for showing this I would love to see other tutorials on different stitches.
any particular stitches you'd like to see?
@@Ora_Lin what is a hairingbone stitch?
I can't attach pictures to comments unfortunately but you can find it by googling "herringbone stitch" its used in embroidery but it can also be used in s variety of other ways such as invisible hems, flexible joins, attaching a lining to a very delicate dress, finishing raw edges on tailored garments, and many other things. In a tutorial I would not only talk about how to do the stitch itself but also how one might use it.
@@Ora_Lin ok, I will check it out on Google, thanks.
@@Ora_Lin Ooh I'd definitely watch that tutorial if you made it! I like the Hows and Whys in something like this, it makes it so much easier for me to learn and understand. Much like this video! Which I'm totally saving for when this sudden heatwave finally leaves next week 🥵🥵 My brain is melting out of my ears 😵💫
Thank you for sharing this video!
Hello from Montreal, Canada! 🇨🇦👋
After I tried ironing waxed thread I never looked back! That is like totally different thread to work with! 😍 I do have metal thimbles but I prefer a leather thimble (I make it myself and wear it out. Not the best quality leather but it'll do)
It was great to watch your experience with hand sewing. Thanks for sharing 🤗
I'm with you on that. What kind of leather do you you to make thimbles?
@@Ora_Lin It's just off cuts from furniture industry, bought at an online craft store
Needle size/brand: I really like the Clover "Black Gold" size 9 sharps. (The 10s are slightly too small to thread easily). Amazon has them (UK anyway) although they are via a second seller.
Honestly, your sewing tutorials and advice are amazing! They always work great for me!
im so happy to hear that🥺
I'd love to see your 2023 version of this!
That video would look very similar to this one, my techniques have largely stayed the same!
@@Ora_Lin Very cool! I bought your Sophie pattern, looking forward to it :D
I just picked up hand sewing this year and this was exactly what I needed, thank you for sharing! I love how clearly you communicate :^)
Your explanation of the simplified movement was so useful, thanks!
Thank you for this
Thanks, this video was super helpful!
I'm glad to hear it❤️
Thanks for this! Always love your videos. Also, you are having a fabulous hair day in this! Love the look!
Thank you! It was day two curled and heavily hairsprayed hair… I decided to embrace the crunch
Thank you for all the information. I am glad I found your channel! Love your content!
Thank you for a very informative video!
How do you decide when to hand sew versus machine sew? I love hand sewing, but there're several parts where I thin I'd rather machine sew. Wonder if you've ever had a video on making a garment in which you combine hand sewing and machine sewing.
Hi! most of the garments I make combine hand sewing and machine sewing. I'm a believer that most things can be done just as well by hand and machine (although some things like invisible hemming require special machines). I common way of splitting it is to do constructions seams by machine and finishing by hand. There is no right or wrong way! Do whatever works for you, your preferences, skill set, and schedule!
Thanks! I loved this video. Have a lovely day
Why thank you💕
Thanks 😊
Needles from England, Europe, and Japan are the best.
^^^^yes
This might be a silly question, but using a single thread, how do you stop it from coming out of the needle when you pull it? It’s the one thing stopping me from getting in a real flow when I sew, because I always end up having to use my other hand, or put it down and pick it up or something.
Not a silly question! There are a few factors that go into it, the size of the eye of the needle is one of them. A smaller eye will be harder for the thread to slip through which makes a big difference IMO. Also waxing thread makes it hold a shape when bent (not strongly but enough to be able to tension the thread without it slipping) Waxed thread that hasn’t been ironed with be the most grippy, but I find that ironed waxed thread is also less prone to slipping through the eye of a needle than unwaxed thread.
Hope that helps!
Also I’ll add that the way you tension the thread plays a part. Having a few fingers in contact with the thread like the way that I showed will add a small amount of friction that helps to prevent the thread from slipping (as opposed to simply pulling the needle out with your thumb and pointer finger)
@@Ora_Lin thanks for the tips! I'll need to practice more
I find the length of the end matters a lot. I like it to be more than a hand long. Basically, most of your thread is doubled up, just not the last three or four inches next to the fabric. Then, when you tension, your fingers are in contact with both the "loose" thread and the one attached to the fabric. That will help it staying in the needle.
@@odsmey Yes, _this!_ This is what I noticed when she was showing how different people tension their thread! She was pulling her needle and thread away from the fabric, but she wrapped her other fingers *around* the thread - which I hadn't noticed until she showed that some people don't do that! That's when I got it! 🤯
That's definitely gonna help my hand sewing, not having to worry so much about losing the thread & trying to awkwardly pinch it at the end of the needle! 😅
Waxed thread...kind of like dental floss.
Thanks😊