Now that you’ve decided to turn your creativity to the art of sewing, getting started may feel a little daunting. Over time, you’ll pick up plenty of basic sewing tips and tricks to help you refine your skills and grow in confidence. But if you can’t wait to get started, here are 10 essential sewing tips for beginners to set you on the right (sewing) foot!
10 Basic Sewing Tips
1. Choose the Right Fabric For Your Project
It’s easy to be drawn to a fabric because of its beautiful colour, soft texture, or eye-catching pattern, but choosing fabric based on looks alone can lead to frustration. Different fabrics behave in different ways, ( they either stretch or stay stable) and using the wrong type can make sewing more difficult. It can also affect the final fit and drape of your project. For the best results, stick to the fabric recommendations on your pattern—they’re chosen to ensure your finished garment turns out as intended.
2. Choose the Right Sewing Machine Needle for Your Fabric
At first glance, sewing machine needles may all look the same, but there are different needles for different fabric types. Using the wrong type of needle can cause skipped stitches, fabric snags, or even broken threads. For example, ballpoint needles are ideal for knits as they glide between fibres rather than piercing them, while sharp universal needles work best for woven fabrics. Always check your fabric type and choose the appropriate needle to ensure smooth stitching and professional-looking results.
Quick Sewing Needle Guide
Universal Needles – These are a general sewing machine needle suitable for most woven fabrics
Ballpoint Needles – Great for sewing stretch fabrics.
Jersey Needles – Ideal for sewing cotton jersey fabrics.
Jeans Needles – These robust needles are just what you need for sewing denim.
Check out some more information on how to choose the right sewing needle here.
3. Practice on Scrap Fabric
Before diving into your main project, take a few moments to practice on scrap fabric—ideally, the same type of fabric you’ll be using for your final piece. This allows you to get a feel for your machine, test different stitch types, and adjust your tension settings as needed. It’s especially useful if you are working with new fabrics, fancy stitches, or unfamiliar techniques. Testing things out on scrap fabric first helps you avoid mistakes and feel more confident before working on your actual project
4. Understand Seam Allowances
Your seam allowance is the extra fabric between the stitch line and the raw edge of the fabric. Seam allowances can be finished with an overlocker or a zig-zag stitch to prevent the raw edge from unravelling. Most patterns include a standard ¼-inch to ⅝-inch seam allowance. Make sure to follow the given seam allowance for neat and professional-looking results.
5. Use Washi Tape as a Seam Guide
Getting perfectly straight seams can be tricky when you’re a sewing beginner. Instead of relying solely on the markings on your machine, place a strip of washi tape at the correct seam allowance width on your machine’s throat plate. This gives you a clear, visible guide to follow, making it much easier to sew straight without constantly checking your needle position.
6. Use a Clear Quilting Ruler
A clear quilting ruler is a game-changer when it comes to measuring and cutting fabric accurately. The built-in grid lines make it easy to line up edges, check seam allowances, and keep everything straight. It’s especially handy for marking hems or cutting fabric strips with precision. For the best results, use it with a rotary cutter—it’ll make your cuts cleaner and your sewing life so much easier!
7. Start and End with Long Thread Tails
Ever had your machine eat your fabric at the start of a seam? This often happens when there isn’t enough thread under the presser foot. To avoid this, before you start sewing, hold onto both the top and bobbin thread tails for the first couple of stitches. This prevents them from getting pulled into the machine and keeps your fabric from jamming or puckering.
8. Press As You Sew
A key to achieving a professional-looking finish is perfectly pressed seams. Getting into the habit of pressing your seams right after sewing helps them lay flat and crisp, and gives your project a polished look. Pressing as you go is far more effective than waiting until the end, as some seams become tricky to reach once the sewing project is fully assembled.
9. Maintain Your Sewing Machine
Like any other piece of machinery, you have to clean and maintain your sewing machine to keep it in tip-top condition. Lint and dust buildup can affect your sewing machine’s performance so be sure to clean the bobbin area often if you start sewing more frequently. You can oil the machine if needed, but always take your machine to a reputable sewing machine repair centre. And remember to change needles frequently to keep stitches smooth and even.
Here’s a quick visual to help you when its time to clean your sewing machine:
10. Leave your Tension Alone!
When it comes to sewing tips for beginners, this one was priceless for me. One of the biggest mistakes new sewists make is blaming tension for every sewing issue. Uneven stitches? Loops on the back? Thread breaking? It must be the tension—right? Not always! More often than not, the real culprit is an incorrect needle, the wrong type of thread, or even fabric that isn’t suited to your machine settings. Before adjusting your tension dial, double-check that you’re using the right needle and thread for your fabric, that your machine is threaded correctly, and that your bobbin is wound properly. In most cases, your machine’s default tension setting works just fine—so resist the urge to fiddle with it unless you’re sure it’s the issue!
Some Words of Wisdom for Sewing Beginners
I hope these sewing tips for beginners will set you on the right path. When you get the sewing bug, it’s easy to become obsessed, and you may want to run before you can walk. But like any skill, sewing takes time, patience, and plenty of practice. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t turn out perfect right away, every mistake is a learning experience. Start with simple projects, celebrate small wins, and enjoy the process. The more you sew, the more confident and skilled you’ll become!
If you want to get to grips with some sewing terminology, check out this A to Z list of sewing terms, and learn all about fabric types in this guide to 30 types of fabric. Happy sewing!
