December 26, 2018

Welcome to Day 2 of our 12 Days Of Christmas celebration! Today we are giving away 2 dresses to one lucky winner! The 2 dresses included in this giveaway are designed to fit 18-inch dolls such as American Girl®. They are ready-made and will be shipped to you after the giveaway has ended. If you are interested in the sewing patterns for these dresses, please click the links below to learn more.

Giveaway Update: Congratulations to Teresa Bergan! You've won the beautiful dresses featured in today's giveaway, and have been contacted by email.

Bonus Fun For For Everyone! Today we are highlighting our 18-inch Doll Modern Dresses Pattern Collection at Pixie Faire. Simply add two patterns from this collection to your shopping cart, and enter discount code: DAY2BOGO in the discount box at checkout to get one of the patterns for FREE! This coupon code will be good for one day only and one use per customer, so don't miss out!

The beautifully handcrafted dresses featured are:

A sweet floral Peyton's Pretty Dress by Laura Griffith of Love From Lola
A chic yellow and grey Knot What I Expected Dress by Amy Walker of Seams To Streams

To enter the giveaway for the two handcrafted dresses, simply respond to this post and complete this sentence:

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is..."

Comments must be left (on this blog post) by midnight (Pacific), 12/26/2018.

One entry per person.

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. Must be 18 or older to enter. 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 Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire.

The winner will be chosen randomly from the comments received and contacted through the email provided in the comment.

We will choose a winner and update this post tomorrow to let everyone know who won.

Okay, good luck, and if we’ve forgotten anything we will modify and/or update this post as needed.

Happy New Year!

Cinnamon & The Liberty Jane / Pixie Faire Team

100 Comments

Taryn

December 26, 2018

Favorite sewing tip :
Sew a thin ribbon to one end of a tube that needs to be turned .. dress ties , apron ties ,

Loretta Orf

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to use fabric glue to tack down small trip so it doesn’t slide when you are sewing it on.

Judy Wall

December 26, 2018

My favourite sewing tip is to walk away when frustrated

Andrea Murphy

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to press seams. The garment seams lay better and it has better shape when seams are pressed flat.

Maryann

December 26, 2018

Someone above said it bit it was to reuse old clothes for doll clothes. Even really old clothes have some part that is useful.

Amanda

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is using a generic, cheap coffee filter under knits to help guide the garment through the feed dogs of the sewing machine.

Linda

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip… is to keep my machine clean and a new needle after 8 hours of stitching. It keeps everything running smoothly!

norma

December 26, 2018

My tip is to have enough light to see good and do not sew when you are tired and have other things on your mind.

Mary

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip, is to keep your eyes open when shopping with hubby at the auto store! I’ve found great cubby storage containers as well as a shop magnet on a handle that’s sturdier than the one bought at the sewing store! Of course my sons had broken it the first day playing like it was a saber…, so the sturdy one is necessary… haha!!

Delores

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to pin rather then pick

Martha

December 26, 2018

Glue a pin cushion to the lid of a pint mason jar. The jar is heavy enough to stay upright when sticking in pins and you can store odds and ends inside like safety pins or small misc closures like snaps or velcro. I think they make great useful giftsa as well.

Vicki v

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to stop procrastinating and get to work on your project. It’ll never get done if you don’t start

Nina Kastner

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is make sure you have enough time to sew and stop if you’re tired.

Julie

December 26, 2018

I love all these great tips already posted. One of my favorite new tips is one given in the Sewing with Cinnamon class for working with those pesky, thin, slippery, hard-to-control knit fabrics. Put a piece of coffee filter paper underneath, sew & carefully tear away.

Tanya

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using Unique Stitch. There are times when you just can’t make a seam or stitch down something, So I take a toothpick and spread a tiny bit of Unique Stitch. Dries clear, and is pliable and holds thru washings. You can also us it instead of Fray Check if you are out, or you don’t want it to show!…try it!

Amy

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to check over all the directions before you start to make sure you have everything you need!

Liz

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to step away when you are frustrated.

Phyllis

December 26, 2018

Putting a small safety pin on each end of the elastic helps pull through the casing without worrying you might pull too far.

Linda J Baker

December 26, 2018

My sewing tip is to enjoy the process. Doll clothes takes us back to our youth…remembering how much fun it was then can only enhance how fun it is as an adult!

Christine S.

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to stop and rest when you get tired, because that is when you make mistakes.

Ruth

December 26, 2018

Favorite tip…always clip those tiny curves.

Jena K.

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is…use a little applique iron to get into the tiny spaces and corners to iron everything out!

Joyce Thomas

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is using scraps of upholstery fabric to make blessing bags for hygiene products.

Joanne

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip or trick is to reuse beautiful minimally used clothes to recycle for doll clothes.

Joyce Baki

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is use your iron! Iron the seams as you go. It will make the process easier and you can see any challenges before you get too far into the project.

Debbie Delcorio

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is good lighting.
All these tips are great and I know I will be using quite a few of them Thank You Pixie Faire for all you do.Have a Happy and Blessed New Year.

Debi

December 26, 2018

My best tip is to relax and enjoy the process of making. After all its suppose to be fun.

Brittany

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is measure multiple times! You can always remark it, you can’t recut it! Haha

Nancy

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use pinking shears instead of clipping curves on doll clothes arms, necks, etc.

Marsha

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to inspect each seam before going to the next step. It is easier to correct then. than later.

Carole

December 26, 2018

Use mini clothes pin when sewing bias tape around the edge of a project.

Patricia Allen

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip or trick is I take a piece of duct tape and fold with sticky side up and stick.my loose threads on it so they don’t get on the floor and mess up vacuum.

Deborah Fields

December 26, 2018

You’ll get more even gathering on a skirt if you do it in 2 or more sections (depending on the width to be gathered). Be sure to section evenly first!

Denise

December 26, 2018

One of my favorite tips is when clipping an outer curve, clip at an angle (45 degrees) to the stitching instead of straight in (90 degrees), as most illustrations show. It actually makes the fabric lie better once you turn it to the inside, and is less lumpy.

Laura

December 26, 2018

to defer to an others expertise and pay the price they ask for that desperately wanted doll article of clothing that I can not make.

BrendaK

December 26, 2018

So many of my favorite tips are already mentioned but I can mention two. I like to use clear, colorless thread for stitching hems and Velcro. Use your pinking shears to trim curved seams around neck and armholes to instead of clipping. This removes extra fabric so that when facings, etc. are turned the fabric lies flat and smooth!!

Bunny

December 26, 2018

always backspace at the beginning and end of every seam.

Jennifer Zelazny

December 26, 2018

My tip is wind more bobbins than you think you will need for any sewing project before you start sewing.

Liza

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to have good lighting.

Deb Phillips

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip to my self every time i sew is not to sew in a hurry-thats when i mess up and definitely not when i am tired..

Kendra

December 26, 2018

I can’t think of anything off hand but thanks to all the ladies for their tips….some of them were ‘OMG why didn’t I think of that!!" lol…Thank you everyone and Pixie Faire :)

Sam

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to use more pins then you think you need, that way the closer the pins, the less chance of creating bubbles,ripples on uneven edges. Definitely gives everything a more professional finished look.

Elaine

December 26, 2018

My favorite trick is to spay the back of pattern pieces before putting them on the fabric. This holds them securely without having to use pins.

Marilyn

December 26, 2018

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is having a small waste bag handy to catch the thread scraps. Just a small bag will do.

Joan Longbrake

December 26, 2018

I like to trim all seams then use an heirloom seam binding rather than sergering reduces bulk in these small items

Gail

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to use Pilot brand Frixion pens to mark the placement of darts, buttons, etc. These pens are great and come in several different colors. The really nice part about them is that the ink will totally disappear when exposed to heat! I do mean TOTALLY disappear! I used to use the purple disappearing marker until I found the Frixion pens! The purple pen won’t always disappear, but the Frixion pens do. If you do use the purple marker tho, you can apply white vinegar to a q-tip and hold it over the purple ink and it will make it all go away!

Pamela duxbury

December 26, 2018

My favourite sewing trick is to plug everything into a strip and make sure the light is out when you leave the room.

Kittie

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is…Sew A Seam Press A Seam…To get a professionally sewn garment, you must spend as much time at the ironing board as you do at the machine.

Myrna Goddard

December 26, 2018

What totally different dresses. Both adorable. I have learned over time to take my time. I used to rush through an outfit, struggling with errors and spending a great deal of time tearing out threads. Now, especially if it is a new pattern I try to do it in sections and spread over a few days when possible. I find that it more often turns out right the first time and less time ripping out seams.

Dianne Mann

December 26, 2018

I had a favorite until I read the one above mine……now it’s the one to use the interfacing at the beginning of a seam. Great help!!

Donna Waterson

December 26, 2018

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is Using invisible thread to sew on trim or Velcro

Laurie

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use tissue paper to prevent some fabrics from dragging along on the sewing machine.

Mary

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is when you are cutting out fur fabric, lay down a piece of translucent tape over the cutting line, and cut line out down the middle of the tape… cut fur no longer flies all over the place

Heidi

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to keep a magnet with a handle (found in the notions racks at fabric stores, such as Joann’s) in a sewing cabinet drawer to pick up the pins that have a tendency to drop to the floor while sewing. Just wave the magnet around on the floor underneath and near the sewing machine and the magnet will catch most of the pins. This saves time having to look all around the floor or carpet for dropped pins.

Dorothy

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to always make sure the size of the fabric print matches the size of the doll!

Snirley

December 26, 2018

My tip is to wash your fabric before cutting out the pattern. some fabric needs ironing after washing. I use spray starch when ironing. It helps when sewing the pieces together.

Lisa

December 26, 2018

“My favorite sewing tip or trick is to follow the pattern cutting instructions carefully to make sure you have enough fabric."

Karen

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is iron interfacing onto pattern you use often they last longer.

Marianne

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to always read and read directions before starting. Sometimes I read them out loud! Loved reading everyones tips. I going to start using some them right away.

Carol Ann Hughes

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tope is to tape slippery fabrics together before attempting to sew.

Marcy Mahle

December 26, 2018

My favorite Sewing Tip or Trick is to keep all designers patterns together. Each individual pattern is in a page protector and all the designers patterns are kept in a File cabinet under their name.

Brenda K.

December 26, 2018

My tip is to use fabrics with a print that is in the right scale for a doll dress.

Inga

December 26, 2018

My favourite sewing tip is to always have a sharp needle!! Change it often.

Allison Ambrose

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to ignore the backstitch feature! It’s more trouble than it’s worth, so i just do it manually!

Judith

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to trace patterns on template plastic and cut them out. They are easy to use and reusable.

stephanie sheridan

December 26, 2018

I like to cut out several patterns then go to town sewing.

Deborah

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to 1/4" double sided quilting tape to secure zippers to avoid slipping and ensuring perfect placement of all seams.

MILICA

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is to musing make sure you have sharp needle before using sewing machine.

Cheryle Turner

December 26, 2018

My favourite sewing tip or trick is to line the little tops and tops of dresses so that I don’t have to fuss with bias tape or rolled and sewn hems around the neckline. I line cotton dresses and tops with a lighter weight cotton, and knit tops and dresses with a lighter weight knit. I sew all around, then just flip it all and press.
By the way, there are lots of tips here, I’ve read them all and I’ve learned a trick or two! 😉

Marjorie Barrett

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to cut out several outfits at a time, storing each in a separate baggie labeled with the pattern name. When I have a few minutes to sew, I can do so without having any design decisions to make and with minimal clean up.

Cindy

December 26, 2018

To have two sewing machines if you are switching between threads often. My Mom gave me her old one that is heavy duty but only does straight stitches…it was really handy for making the jean jacket!

Linda

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is… if you have a favorite tissue paper pattern use clear plastic that is thick enough to not be flimsy. Lay the pattern on a flat surface and place plastic on top of pattern. Use a permanent ink pen to copy the pattern, including all the darts and markings onto the plastic. Cut each piece and save for future use.
Use a tracing wheel and sewers carbon paper to transfer darts and notches.

Sue

December 26, 2018

Label all your supplies when going to a class. Return labels make an easy way to label and keep track of your tools.

Louise Coffield

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip or trick is to cut several pieces of different fabrics from each pattern piece so when I start sewing, I will be able to go easily from one outfit to the next. It helps if the different fabrics are color co-orindated so I do not have to keep changing thread colors. I also press everything and every seam as I sew which is much easier than pressing the seams of small outfits later for the finished look.

Linda

December 26, 2018

I keep a pot holder in my sewing room. I can roll up a pot holder to use as a small tailors “ham”. I insert it in small places such as a cuff or sleeve band to press it nicely. I place it under a collar to press The collar . The pot holder is soft and insulated and well suited to sewing doll clothes.

Dawn

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to always wash your fabric so that te dye does not tranfer to the doll.

Laura T.

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using iron-on adhesive for hemming neck, sleeves, etc. on the tiny seam allowances of knit fabric patterns. Saves me from so much frustration!!

Stephanie C.

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing trick is to use my serger to sew together as many of my seams as possible especially on knits and fraying fabric. :)

Marilyn

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip to take your time and stop sewing when you’re tired.

Lori

December 26, 2018

My favourite sewing tip is to look for sewing notions, fabric, thread, buttons etc at garage sales and thrift stores. I find wonderful things for little cost to nothing

Nancy

December 26, 2018

Always press. The iron is your best friend.

Shari De Maeyer

December 26, 2018

My favourite sewing tip is to buy fleece blankets to make doll jackets, jogging pants and coats. They are inexpensive and you get a lot for your money.

Debi

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is not to sew unless you really want to. If you feel like it isn’t fun, you won’t do a good job.

Lita

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use Pixie Faire pattern! You can’y go wrong.

Carol

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to use a fabric glue stick when applying Velcro. Apply a little glue to backside of the Velcro and place on fabric and hold with those wonderful clips, wait a little while and sew. No more Velcro sliding when sewing.

Barbara Gold

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip or trick is to have all supplies I will need in one place before I begin to cut out a pattern. I live 1 1/2 hours away from a Michels/Hobby Lobby etc. type store. Sometimes Wal-mart just doesn’t have what I need.

JJ

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is using a smaller diameter rotary cutter to cut smaller pieces. Like 18 mm etc

Terri silva

December 26, 2018

Favorite tip….zigzag over kite string to gather a skirt!

Sumaira Khan

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is check twice or thrice to make sure you’re sewing the right sides.

Fonya

December 26, 2018

My tip is to cut the pattern pieces carefully. They fit together better if you cut them well.

Inma

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is not to worry if you have a directional print when making a circle skirt. Just add 1/4 inch seam allowance to one of the sides of the pattern before cutting the fabric. The skirt will have two side seams and your directional fabric won’t be upside down in the back,

Crystal

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip or trick is to keep Thread Heaven or beeswax close at hand for things like sewing on buttons or snaps. I also use very fine fishing line sometimes if I know the button or snap will get a lot of use.

Teri Dix

December 26, 2018

I love really full skirts on my doll dresses, so I use a 60" strip of sheer fabric, and at least 45" of cotton….. so cute !! Of course I use 2 rows of gathering threads..

Larie chandler

December 26, 2018

My tip is to always press as you go. To save time I try to make several outfits I about the same color, where I don’t have to change my thread all the time.

Pat

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to carefully read the directions all the way through first. Not jump in knowing (thinking) what I should do and then go back and figure out what I should have done. Experience is not always your best friend.

Sondra

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is pressing as you go, and keeping seams neat as you sew. It really makes a difference in the finished look of the piece.

Lauralee Hensley

December 26, 2018

to use fusible interfacing because it doesn’t slide and makes the item look more professional when complete.

Cindy

December 26, 2018

My favorite tip is to read other people’s tips and tricks. I’m above beginner stage, but not much. I learn a lot from reading tips from more experienced sewers.

Stephanie Edberg

December 26, 2018

My favorite top is to make sure the cats are in another room, it’s hard to see with the kind of help they give!

Nancy

December 26, 2018

My favorite sewing tip is sewing two rows instead of one for gathering. I think it makes the gathers look fuller. My other fave tip is to press as you go, it really makes the work look neater.

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December 26, 2018

Recent Articles

12 Days Of Christmas - Day 2 December 26th 2018

To enter the giveaway for the two handcrafted dresses, simply respond to this post and complete this sentence:

100 Comments

Taryn

Loretta Orf

Judy Wall

Andrea Murphy

Maryann

Amanda

Linda

norma

Mary

Delores

Martha

Vicki v

Nina Kastner

Julie

Tanya

Amy

Liz

Phyllis

Linda J Baker

Christine S.

Ruth

Jena K.

Joyce Thomas

Joanne

Joyce Baki

Debbie Delcorio

Debi

Brittany

Nancy

Marsha

Carole

Patricia Allen

Deborah Fields

Denise

Laura

BrendaK

Bunny

Jennifer Zelazny

Liza

Deb Phillips

Kendra

Sam

Elaine

Marilyn

Joan Longbrake

Gail

Pamela duxbury

Kittie

Myrna Goddard

Dianne Mann

Donna Waterson

Laurie

Mary

Heidi

Dorothy

Snirley

Lisa

Karen

Marianne

Carol Ann Hughes

Marcy Mahle

Brenda K.

Inga

Allison Ambrose

Judith

stephanie sheridan

Deborah

MILICA

Cheryle Turner

Marjorie Barrett

Cindy

Linda

Sue

Louise Coffield

Linda