If you are now learning to sew, then you know it can be a lot of fun, but also very frustrating! Indeed, sewing takes some patience and plenty of practice to get good. If you need help with keeping things steady under the machine, here is some insight on how to sew a straight edge without difficulty.
A guideline is something that even professionals use. Indeed, after enough time and practice, most people will learn to gauge measurements and distances that they use frequently, such as seam allowances. However, it always helps a little extra to have some sort of guideline to determine how accurate the measurement is.
One technique to help stitch in a straight line is to mark the line on the fabric being sewn. This can be done using a tailor's chalk, which is visible during a project and is easily wiped off without damaging the fabric. It is always best to use a color that is easily noticeable, but not so much so that it would be a problem if any remained on the fabric. Some people also choose to mark the wrong side of the fabric just to be safe. This marked line can then be followed right under the needle as the stitch line.
There is also a type of paper that works similarly to chalk by placing it under the fabric and using a tracing wheel to draw out the pattern and transfer the markings directly onto the fabric. Both this and tailor's chalk can be a risk for some fabrics. As such, many professionals choose to trace the sewing lines with thread. Even though this particular technique is definitely more time consuming, it is without a doubt one of the most accurate methods.
In order to trace using thread, you stitch by hand a running stitch using long stitches that will stay in place during handling, but will pull out easily once you are done. This is great for long term projects that require a lot of handling, where chalk could get rubbed off. It is also great for people who need to use very differently colored thread in order to be able to see the lines properly.
Tracing a pattern with thread can be done on one layer of fabric or through two layers. Doing so using two or more fabric layers is basically stitching pattern pieces together loosely. This technique - basting - is one used to finalize fitting issues before giving a garment its final stitching under the machine. This process saves a lot of bother further down the line if a mistake is made and stitches need to be pulled out.
You can sew a straight edge without marking your fabric in any way, too. Using a magnet as a guide is a quick, easy and effective way to work for every project. You simply place the magnet where you want the edge to fall and then line up the edge to the magnet when stitching.
It is difficult to go wrong with a magnetic guide, but for those who don't like having the bulk of the magnet in the way or for home machines that have plastic parts, placing a long piece of tape vertically across the machine bed where necessary acts as a perfect guideline for stitching. Follow a perfectly straight line by lining the fabric edge up to the tape edge while stitching.
A guideline is something that even professionals use. Indeed, after enough time and practice, most people will learn to gauge measurements and distances that they use frequently, such as seam allowances. However, it always helps a little extra to have some sort of guideline to determine how accurate the measurement is.
One technique to help stitch in a straight line is to mark the line on the fabric being sewn. This can be done using a tailor's chalk, which is visible during a project and is easily wiped off without damaging the fabric. It is always best to use a color that is easily noticeable, but not so much so that it would be a problem if any remained on the fabric. Some people also choose to mark the wrong side of the fabric just to be safe. This marked line can then be followed right under the needle as the stitch line.
There is also a type of paper that works similarly to chalk by placing it under the fabric and using a tracing wheel to draw out the pattern and transfer the markings directly onto the fabric. Both this and tailor's chalk can be a risk for some fabrics. As such, many professionals choose to trace the sewing lines with thread. Even though this particular technique is definitely more time consuming, it is without a doubt one of the most accurate methods.
In order to trace using thread, you stitch by hand a running stitch using long stitches that will stay in place during handling, but will pull out easily once you are done. This is great for long term projects that require a lot of handling, where chalk could get rubbed off. It is also great for people who need to use very differently colored thread in order to be able to see the lines properly.
Tracing a pattern with thread can be done on one layer of fabric or through two layers. Doing so using two or more fabric layers is basically stitching pattern pieces together loosely. This technique - basting - is one used to finalize fitting issues before giving a garment its final stitching under the machine. This process saves a lot of bother further down the line if a mistake is made and stitches need to be pulled out.
You can sew a straight edge without marking your fabric in any way, too. Using a magnet as a guide is a quick, easy and effective way to work for every project. You simply place the magnet where you want the edge to fall and then line up the edge to the magnet when stitching.
It is difficult to go wrong with a magnetic guide, but for those who don't like having the bulk of the magnet in the way or for home machines that have plastic parts, placing a long piece of tape vertically across the machine bed where necessary acts as a perfect guideline for stitching. Follow a perfectly straight line by lining the fabric edge up to the tape edge while stitching.
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Teach your kids how to sew a straight edge by following our instructions online. To get started today visit our useful website at http://sewingkids.org.
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