The Last Stitch | Top Five Sewing Mistakes I made as a Beginner Sewist @Thelaststitch | Uploaded December 2017 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
Yes, we sewists make a lot of mistakes. And as beginners, it's even harder to know what to do. But don't worry, you are not alone and in this video, I share some of the (many) sewing mistakes I’ve done over the years!
Seven sewing mistakes I did as a beginner sewist
thelaststitch.com/2016/10/sewing-mistakes-beginner-sewist
Sewing things that I should remember, but I just can't
thelaststitch.com/2017/08/sewing-things-remember-just-cant
When I started back in the 80’s sewing information was scarce and many in my parent’s generation had dismissed the sewing tradition of past generations and moved on to more modern interests. Especially information on sewing with knits was nearly impossible to find, at least here in Sweden.
1. WOVEN AND KNIT FABRICS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE
I’m sure some of might think “duh!” right now. Well it took my years to figure that seemingly easy principle out!
Some examples of those failed attempts
Trying to make fitted a draped wrap top in woven rayon (hey rayon feels soft, so why not!)
Making a cardigan in woven jacquard wool (a wool fabric with a pattern that looks like a knit equals a sweater fabric, right?)
A fitted raglan sweater using a woven wool mohair fabric (if it’s mohair, it must be a knit, never mind that it has zero stretch…
2. DON’T TRY TO MAKE A GARMENT SMALLER BY SKIPPING THE SEAM ALLOWANCE
While the sides will be smaller, I failed to understand that all curves, such as the neckline, crotch and armscye will actually be bigger if you don’t add seam allowance. Took me a while to figure that out!
3. I AM PETITE AND NEED TO ADJUST MY PATTERN ACCORDINGLY
What, me, short?!? And to add to this issue, the difference between my waist and upper hip/tummy is 20 cm (8 inches) and if I don’t shorten the bodice, the smallest part of a fitted garment will end up right on my tummy. Took me years to figure out why garments were so tight over my abdomen.
5. INTERFACING AND FUSIBLES ARE ACTUALLY VERY USEFUL, DON’T SKIP THEM
In the beginning, for some unknown reason, I only used them for waistbands and cuffs, thus my button plackets, collars, pockets and fly shields all looked shapeless and wrinkly.
5. Lift the presser foot before threading the machine
✂️ Shop my sewing books and patterns
shop.thelaststitch.com
📘 Order my latest book Master the Coverstitch Machine
thelaststitch.com/master-the-coverstitch-book
🏃♀️ Get my book Sewing Activewear
thelaststitch.com/sewingactivewear
✂️ Shop my favourite sewing tools
amazon.com/shop/thelaststitch
Sign up to get a quick guide to the best sewing machine stretch seams
thelaststitch.com/knit-sewing-machine-stitches
✂️Find me on the Internet✂️
My blog: thelaststitch.com
Instagram: instagram.com/laststitch
Facebook: facebook.com/laststitchsew
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.se/thelaststitchsew/
Amazon Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases that are disclosed as Amazon affiliate links.
Yes, we sewists make a lot of mistakes. And as beginners, it's even harder to know what to do. But don't worry, you are not alone and in this video, I share some of the (many) sewing mistakes I’ve done over the years!
Seven sewing mistakes I did as a beginner sewist
thelaststitch.com/2016/10/sewing-mistakes-beginner-sewist
Sewing things that I should remember, but I just can't
thelaststitch.com/2017/08/sewing-things-remember-just-cant
When I started back in the 80’s sewing information was scarce and many in my parent’s generation had dismissed the sewing tradition of past generations and moved on to more modern interests. Especially information on sewing with knits was nearly impossible to find, at least here in Sweden.
1. WOVEN AND KNIT FABRICS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE
I’m sure some of might think “duh!” right now. Well it took my years to figure that seemingly easy principle out!
Some examples of those failed attempts
Trying to make fitted a draped wrap top in woven rayon (hey rayon feels soft, so why not!)
Making a cardigan in woven jacquard wool (a wool fabric with a pattern that looks like a knit equals a sweater fabric, right?)
A fitted raglan sweater using a woven wool mohair fabric (if it’s mohair, it must be a knit, never mind that it has zero stretch…
2. DON’T TRY TO MAKE A GARMENT SMALLER BY SKIPPING THE SEAM ALLOWANCE
While the sides will be smaller, I failed to understand that all curves, such as the neckline, crotch and armscye will actually be bigger if you don’t add seam allowance. Took me a while to figure that out!
3. I AM PETITE AND NEED TO ADJUST MY PATTERN ACCORDINGLY
What, me, short?!? And to add to this issue, the difference between my waist and upper hip/tummy is 20 cm (8 inches) and if I don’t shorten the bodice, the smallest part of a fitted garment will end up right on my tummy. Took me years to figure out why garments were so tight over my abdomen.
5. INTERFACING AND FUSIBLES ARE ACTUALLY VERY USEFUL, DON’T SKIP THEM
In the beginning, for some unknown reason, I only used them for waistbands and cuffs, thus my button plackets, collars, pockets and fly shields all looked shapeless and wrinkly.
5. Lift the presser foot before threading the machine
✂️ Shop my sewing books and patterns
shop.thelaststitch.com
📘 Order my latest book Master the Coverstitch Machine
thelaststitch.com/master-the-coverstitch-book
🏃♀️ Get my book Sewing Activewear
thelaststitch.com/sewingactivewear
✂️ Shop my favourite sewing tools
amazon.com/shop/thelaststitch
Sign up to get a quick guide to the best sewing machine stretch seams
thelaststitch.com/knit-sewing-machine-stitches
✂️Find me on the Internet✂️
My blog: thelaststitch.com
Instagram: instagram.com/laststitch
Facebook: facebook.com/laststitchsew
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.se/thelaststitchsew/
Amazon Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases that are disclosed as Amazon affiliate links.
