Grab a Comb... For Your Sewing Machine?

There are all kinds of cool sewing hacks that can make your life easier.

Here are a few that I’ve picked up from other sewists, tested and keep using myself.

One of them could solve the exact problem you’re having.

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Tools and materials:  

• Clear sticky tape
• Sheet of paper
• Needle and thread
• Wide-toothed comb
• Pins
• Seam ripper

1. Stop delicate fabrics from slipping

Sewing delicate fabrics is always a challenge.

However this hack has saved my sanity many times.

Place a strip of clear sticky tape over the stitching line in front of your needle.

Sew through the tape and fabric.

The fabric will stay flat and won’t bunch up or slip.

When you’ve finished, just peel the tape away for a perfect seam.

2. Painless needle threading

Fold a square of paper in half diagonally.

Place your length of sewing thread inside, against the fold, with the end of the thread level with the corner of the paper,

Push the corner of the paper through the eye of the needle.

Tear off the corner of the paper to expose the thread, and pull it through.

Thread your needle first time, every time. This hack works on sewing machine needles too!

3. Easy peasy folded edges

For this hack, you’ll need a wide-toothed comb and some sticky tape.

Tape the comb to the fingerplate in front of the needle, keeping the first tooth free of the tape.

Feed your hem or strap over the tape and under the first tooth.

The comb will hold the folded fabric securely and help feed it through smoothly.

4. Neatly snipped buttonholes

After sewing the buttonholes, place a pin across each end of the stitching.

Slice between the pins with your seam ripper or snips.

The pins will stop you cutting through the ends of the buttonholes by mistake.

Easy sewing hacks

Have you seen any of these hacks before?

Are you going to try them for yourselves?

Let me know how you get on in the comments below.