Welcome to DAY 9 of our 12 Days of Christmas celebration!
For our 9th Day Of Christmas giveaway, we are doing a GIVEAWAY of one $100 JOANN Gift Card to one lucky winner. The gift card can be used towards any item available on their website or retail location. Woot, Woot!
Maybe you'll use your gift card to buy a few supplies to use on your next pattern hack! Need some ideas? Well, we have a full collection of Pattern Hack tutorials available in Sewing With Cinnamon! You'll find them sprinkled through many of the courses and a few on the SWC Youtube channel too!
Here's a peek at one of my favorite pattern hacks! The Starlight Gala Blossom Mash-up! Love the look of this dress? The Tiffany blue silk dupioni is so amazing! We used the Opening Night Luxe Kit to make this dress!
There are so many pattern hack video tutorials available in Sewing With Cinnamon and the new platform make it so easy to watch at any time from anywhere!
Hoodie Denim Jacket
Fur Lined Denim Jacket
Fold Over Waistband Mini Skirt
Pleated Hight Waisted Jeans
Silk Road Dress - LJ Hack and the Snowman Appliqué Hack
Staw Tote Pattern Hack
Simple Sleeves Pattern hacks
Banded Beret
Classic Peacoat (no pleats in back)
Koala Hoodie (Crafty Lil Turkey)
Holiday Dress - Creating A Ruched Bodice
Blossom-Starlight Gala Mash-up
So-Cal Beach Vibes
and so many more...
Plus you can find a large variety of pattern hack blog posts right here on Pixie Faire! Click here: Pattern Hacks to see the collection.
ENTER TO WIN A $100 JOANN Gift Card!
Toenter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!
Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the gift card. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Pixie Faire and Sewing With Cinnamon.
Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win the prize!
Entry method #1, comment on this blog post finishing the following sentence…
“My best sewing tip is ________.” Tell us why :)
Comments must be left (on this blog post) by midnight (pacific) on Monday, 1/2/2023.
The widget will be updated the following day with the first name of the winner. The winner will be contacted at the email provided when entering.
Additionally, by commenting, you agree to allow us to use your comments for future promotional activities. In other words – we might quote you when we are putting together new testimonial pages. If you’re not okay with that – don’t leave a comment.
Okay, good luck, and if we’ve forgotten anything we will modify and/or update this post as needed.
We hope you enjoy our 12 Days Of Christmas Celebration. We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and wish you a happy holiday season, and a terrific new year!
Happy New Year!
Cinnamon & Pixie Faire Team
100 Comments
Joann Elsey
January 02, 2023
Take your time and enjoy!
Nancy S
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is instead of making snips with straight scissors, use your pinking shears. This is especially helpful around neck openings and arms. It saves so much time, and your clips are nice and even.
Michele Q
January 02, 2023
My sewing tip is that the ball side of the stitch ripper is the side to use to slide along the seam you are removing. I also hold the threads back when starting a seam.
Ruth
January 02, 2023
My best sewing 🧵 tip is get ready to sew: gather fabric, threads, choose trims, buttons, snaps, hooks, eyes, Velcro and turning devices for small parts corners and stoke up your iron. Happy sewing 🪡
KatieQ
January 02, 2023
My sewing tip is to keep the directions and all of the necessary fabric and trim in a bag while not directly working on your project. It can be as basic as a zip lock plastic bag or a zippered bag that linens or clothing came in. When working on small items such as doll clothing and accessories, it is easy to drop or misplace a piece it you don’t keep what you need in one place.
NANCY
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is have a full bobbin!
Mollie Bradford
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to make a mock up of a pattern in scrap fabric if you’ve hacked the pattern at all. I love doing my own pattern hacks, but occasionally things don’t go together the way I expected and sometimes I waste my good fabric picking out seams. Now I remember to make one in scrap first to see if it works the way I expected.
Shirley
January 02, 2023
I always press the seams open after I sew them. I can match up the seams a lot easier. I have a sleeve ironing board that makes ironing doll clothes a lot easier. I like to use my quarter inch presser foot that helps when sewing the small seams.
Judith Ann Allen
January 02, 2023
My tip is measure 2x and cut 1×.
Mary C
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to read the directions to be sure you understand the process and collect all the materials needed before you start.
SashieGirl
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is: To Prepare before you start to sew a project. Have the machine clean, load a bobbin, gather your patterns and review them, collect fabrics, threads, tools so you can keep sewing once you begin.
Happy stitching.
Sherry McCosh
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to always finish your seams with either and over-lock stitch or a similar stitch on your sewing machine. It makes the clothing much neater and when it is washed it does not fray or ravel and it looks much more finished.
Sue D
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is reading through all of the instructions first and gather all the supplies.
Deanna
January 02, 2023
I agree with Donna, my best tip is to not procrastinate. Now to practice that is harder!
Marilyn
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to take your time and iron when instructions say to.
Jennifer
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to read through all instructions first. I’ve messed up a few times because I didn’t do this, realized I missed something, and had to back track.
Kristen
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to have a small trash can RIGHT by the sewing machine for thread and snips, rather than having to sweep them later. It’s not terribly exciting but is essential :)
candy
January 02, 2023
I have learned so many great tips since belonging to Sewing with Cinnamon. If I have to pick one, I have been using on my latest project it is to sew a small scrap first to hold the threads so that the threads don’t make a tangly mess.
Laurie
January 02, 2023
Use the correct needle in your sewing machine. I learned that it truly makes a difference in how well your sewing turns out, to use the correct needle for the fabric you are sewing.
Janice
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is shorten the stitch length.
Melinda
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is . . . ALWAYS read all the pattern instructions first!
Geraldine
January 02, 2023
Don’t have food or drink near your sewing project. You may ruin your work if you accidentally spill on it. Some stains are really hard to get out.
Barb
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to join a sewing group (like Sewing with Cinnamon). When you are struggling, a place you can go and ask questions or search through previous conversations can be a real lifesaver!
Melissa
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to use a little clover iron to press open seams while you sew.
Ramona
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to enjoy sewing when you have even a few minutes and not wait until you have a huge block of time – because that time may never come.
Teena
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to practice new techniques on scrap materials before using them in a project. Never assume you’ll get it right the first time—practice first so your skills are where you need them to be when you sit down for your project. Ask me how I know this. ;)
Barb
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is never assume anything! Remember to measure twice, cut once, put things back so you can find them, double check needed supplies before shopping., etc.
Barbara S.
January 02, 2023
I like the coffee filter… stabilizing when stitching seams… That best. No more stretched out necklines/shoulders, etc…. Also great to use to trace your design in order to stitch onto fabric. Great fly stitching pattern…
Donna
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is … always press your seams as you sew!
Nel
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to gather everything you need and have it all at hand before you begin a project.
Sheri
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to keep a seam ripper handy. IFYKYK
Renee B
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to shorten the stitch length on your machine for sewing doll clothes, especially when going around the neck openings. Shorten your stitch length to 1.5.or 2.0. You will get a much smoother neck seam when turning.
Beth P
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is: instead of pivoting when sewing points, such as on collars, sew off the edge both directions, then fold on the seamlines to turn. Makes perfect points every time!
Msrti
January 02, 2023
make copies of your sewing patterns and then keep them in the top loading sheet protectors in a notebook. Easy to find, use and replace if you lose a piece
cheryl
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is: If you sew for dolls or anything that is small buy your fabric in person because online you cannot tell how big the print is on the fabric. You may end up with something too big and you can’t use on your project and that can cause a delay you just can’t afford.
Terri silva
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is “Change your needle…often!l
HERLA sue
January 02, 2023
My sewing tip is: do something that YOU enjoy doing—-sewing clothes for dolls—for your dolls or for other kids you know or to donate to poor children who have very little—-and possibly providing them with a doll and clothes to go along with it—-a great feeling for BOTH the giver AND the receiver…….Happy New Year in JESUS!!!!!
Nancy
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is whichever one I just read or heard. I love getting new tips to make things sew better and have a better outcome.
Denise Darby
January 02, 2023
my favorite sewing tip is to use coffee filter for knits or small pieces of fabric to keep them out of the feed dogs.
Linda E
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to always put everything you use back in its place after using it-doing this saves you time looking where that scissor went, where that seam ripper is, where the sewing gauge is………it is so much less frustrating not to be always looking for things!!
Allison T
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is giving the sewing machine a boost with the hand wheel when starting to sew a seam. It saves a lot of wear and tear on your machine.
Maureen
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is fitting, fitting and fitting some more. I’m always adjusting patterns and changing them around and if I don’t fit as I go along I am really sorry. Cut the pattern our of muslin and make it up first before you cut into the beautiful piece of fabric!
Debbie
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to cut clear vinyl tubing into “slices” the width of bobbins then make another cut in order to be able to wrap the piece around the bobbin thread to hold the loose ends in.
Soozee
January 02, 2023
I would say clean your area and take out everything you need to sew or have it close and handy.
Donna Kozar
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to just get started, Don’t procrastinate,
Beth C
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to use coffee filters underneath knits or small pieces that may be pulled into the feed dogs.
Maureen
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to have a small iron, to get into those small spaces!
Cathy
January 02, 2023
“My best sewing tip is to read through your pattern before starting a project and then be sure you have everything needed to complete the project.
Anne
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is read through the instructions before you begin a pattern.
Karen
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to read instructions before beginning any project and press as you go. Basting also helps on slippery fabrics. If you read, baste, and press, you will have a professional garment.
Elin
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is: if you are making doll clothes, get yourself a Dritz Mighty Steam iron.
It’s the perfect size! I love it! Sewing little clothes has gotten so much easier.
Sheilah
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is use the finest supplies you can afford and keep that seam ripper close by!!
Kara
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to trim your excess threads as you go so you don’t have a lot of tails at the end.
Julia
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is have fun! When you are doing a project and it isn’t fun, it won’t come out well and it will take forever to finish! Have fun whatever you sew/stitch!
Debbie West
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is….. to sew whenever you can!!! Even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time. Eventually you will have the satisfaction of completing the project.
Cynthia P
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to use swing clips for long sections. Also prewash, the last two pieces of cotton fabric print I washed had a lot of dye released.
Savannah
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is don’t skip steps.
Julie
January 02, 2023
I purchased a “Clover Press Perfect” by Joan Hawley and it is an excellent tool for turning up measured amounts of fabric all the way around a skirt, sleeve, etc. It is a “Hot Hemmer” and can be used with your iron to measure while you press! Absolutely love it!
Sherry R.
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to have fun
Jo
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is when turning small fabric tubes, be sure to sew one end closed, then slip a straw inside the tube. Use a small dowel or chopstick to push the sewn end into the straw and slide the fabric over the straw. Works so easy every time.
Nancy McAllister
January 02, 2023
My tip is to make sure you use a new sharp needle! Also keep your machine clean. Even a slightly dull needle will give you trouble.
Zoe T.
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to not give up when making something seems too hard and also iron your hems in place when they’re round before sewing them
Bonny
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to place all pattern pieces on your fabric before you start cutting. You can save material by playing with the placement of pattern pieces. Be sure to watch your grain lines and, patterns on the fabric.
Laura
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to use hemostats to turn fabric. it makes things so much easier.
Tanya
January 02, 2023
Take your time and enjoy the process. Trying to speed up never results in a quality finish!
MAUREEN
January 02, 2023
My best tip…have that iron ready to go so that you press all seams, darts etc as you sew.
Catherine
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is don’t let mistakes get you down, and if you make more than three mistakes in a row take a break, stretch, get a snack, and come back refreshed and focused.
Carol M
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is: READ THROUGH THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU CUT OUT THE PATTERN OR BEGIN SEWING!
MaryHope
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip has to be to iron and starch the fabrics before cutting out the pattern. Use a mister for the starch and then it will go on evenly. Starched fabrics and a new needle with each project makes sewing a straight, 1/4” seam easier. Also, clean the bobbin area each time you sit down to sew!!
Lisa
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is holding/placing a piece of paper – printer or tracing – behind the needle covering the hole in which fabric gets “sucked” down into.
Cindy
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to break down any project into bite-sized pieces if you work and have little time for sewing. If you look at the whole project, you may not ever tackle it, but break it down into a bunch of little projects and you’ll see you can get it done.
Marty Cox
January 02, 2023
Two tips I do always is to prewash & dry my fabric before I cut anything out. If the fabric is going to shrink, I want it to do it before cutting out my pattern pieces. The other tip is to iron as I go the seams, etc to make the garment look good when it is completed.
Lorraine M
January 02, 2023
IT is important to clean your bobbin case often, in order to keep perfect stitching. I use a cheap dollar store fluffy makeup brush to dust off lint on my sewing machine, and I use one of those sticky rollers to pick up threads and lint. Just tear off the roller sheet and a new sticky sheet is ready to go. Press after each step for professional results!
Ann
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to use a steam iron and press, press, press. It really makes a difference with your finished product.
Diane
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is using small bits of fabric to start sewing a seam, it helps to keep the machine from swallowing the fabric. I keep scraps of fabric, about 3/4" wide and a few inches long, folded over and pressed by the sewing machine. When I’m sewing a seam, I sew over them first (starting in the center then, when I’m at the edge, I stop and slip the fabric pattern piece under the presser foot to continue sewing. I try to have multiple seams ready to sew at once so I can go right from one to another without cutting the thread. I just cut them apart after the last one before pressing.
Kathy
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is using a walking foot when sewing knit. A total game changer!
Gwyn
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to make a note of the date and the type of needle I have inserted and paste it to the front of my machine.
Diana
January 02, 2023
While everyone else is saying to use coffee filters under fabric, which you later have to tear out, which pulls on the stitches, I use a regular piece of paper right NEXT to the needle, so that the needle doesn’t even go through the paper. This way, you can reuse the same piece of paper and not worry about pulling on the stitches.
Joan
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to use parchment paper or coffee filters when sewing small seams to keep the fabric from being pulled down into the center space. Thank you to my sister, Judy, for teaching me this!
Jackie
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to use sharp scissors. One tine I didn’t and the little jacket and lining looked as if I’d cut them with my teeth. In the end the jacket finished up well and the doll hasn’t ratted me out. But it would have been simpler and smoother if I’d done it right in the first place.
Colleen
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is use coffee filters under thin fabrics & knits to prevent getting them “eaten” by the dog feed….
Jackie
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to use sharp scissors. One tine I didn’t and the little jacket and lining looked as if I’d cut them with my teeth. In the end the jacket finished up well and the doll hasn’t ratted me out. But it would have been simpler and smoother if I’d done it right in the first place.
Jackie
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to use sharp scissors. One tine I didn’t and the little jacket and lining looked as if I’d cut them with my teeth. In the end the jacket finished up well and the doll hasn’t ratted me out. But it would have been simpler and smoother if I’d done it right in the first place.
Kari L. Bjorklund
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip isTo stay organized and put things away-makes it much easier to efficiently accomplish what you want! To create!
Linda N
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is using a coffee filter on knits or light weight fabrics where you might have the material get pulled down into the bobbin area.
Sarah
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is always use pins to keep your pattern from shifting.
Susan
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to pre-shrink fabrics by washing and drying before cutting out the pattern. Not only does it remove the factory sizing, it also softens the fabric and the drying shrinks the fabric a bit. There is nothing worse than washing a completed doll outfit and then having it shrink.
Laurie
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to iron, iron, iron.
Sissy Lingle
January 02, 2023
“My best sewing tip is to request a few of those cloth-like napkins some restaurant have. They are sturdy enough to sew on the machine, you can trace doll patterns through them and the patterns you make with them last and last.
mary
January 02, 2023
I LOVE THIS DAYS QUESTION! Thank you, I am learning so many things reading all my fellow pixie faire contestants comments! I want to say My best sewing tip is always wash your red fabrics before you make your project… or always iron as you create your projects…. or use a thin bar of old dry soap for marking dark fabrics…. they are all good ones, but my all time favorite tip is do a simple study on sewing machine needles, how they are made, the purpose of the different tips, materials used for shanks and the size of the eyes, groove, blade, scarf on the needle as well as the size of the hole they make, all of it matters. Way more joy in sewing as this knowledge will save time, frustrations and disappointments galore.
Barb
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to put a piece of tissue paper between the fabric and the feeder feet. It helps to keep the fabric from bunching up and makes stitching easier on smaller patterns.
Carla
January 02, 2023
My favourite seeing tip is using coffee filters or tissue on knit fabric , I was always so stressed seeing knit but have learned tips to help. Also , ban roll techniques on delicate hems.
NancyH
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to listen to the experienced sewers. They can really give easy and helpful shortcuts and methods for procedures that seem complicated.
Carol
January 02, 2023
my tip is to not be afraid to use tape when sewing slippery material
Michele
January 02, 2023
Frequent pressing as you complete each sewing step has always been one of my most important sewing tips. Later discoveries include all the ways you can use coffee filters as sewing aids and using craft foam as a hump jumper!
Theresa
January 02, 2023
My best tip is having a small ironing board, like ones for sleeves, or the ones from Pixiefaire, and an iron on the table next to the sewing machine, so I can press all the seams in between steps. Saves time and keeps me from skipping the ironing step.
Grace
January 02, 2023
My favorite sewing tip is to sew slowly (not rushed), carefully, and patiently so as to avoid mistakes and setbacks, but also be willing to seam rip threads and start over if need be.
Barbara
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip for making doll clothes is to use a 1/4" presser foot.
Donna Landreth
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is to press all seams and hems because it makes a beater project when you are done sewing. Thank you Cinnamon for the awesome giveaways.❤️😘
PJ
January 02, 2023
My best sewing tip is be creative with embellishments on garments.
Joann Elsey
January 02, 2023
Take your time and enjoy!