While there are many techniques and stitches associated with textile work, it only takes a few to get started. These fundamental skills are necessary for sewing, crafting, mending, and making with textiles. They are not hard to learn and master if they are well taught and consistently practiced.
Preparing the Fabric
Pre-wash, dry, and iron your fabric before cutting or sewing. This step pre-shrinks the fabric, and removes any chemicals or finishes that may be applied to the fabric during manufacturing. Using pre-washed and ironed fabric will yield a more professional result.
Measure and Mark
When you are sewing or working with patterns, measuring is vital. Use a measuring tape, ruler or pattern to measure and keep your work consistent and symmetrical. Mark the fabric you are working with using chalk or washable markers, to avoid cutting or sewing the wrong areas. Measuring prevents mistakes and saves fabric.
How to Cut Fabric
Accuracy with scissors or a rotary cutter matters here too. Cutting along the grain line on the pattern and on the fabric is important. Matching patterned fabrics can be a nightmare, so pay attention. Sharp scissors and rotary blades make clean cuts, reducing fraying. Take your time when cutting, if you rush, you can easily make a mistake.
What is fabric grain? Fabric grain refers to the orientation of the warp and weft threads in relation to the selvages of the fabric. If you cut a pattern piece without regard to the grain line and place it at an angle to the selvage, your garment will distort and not hang correctly on the body.
The term grain line is used to describe the direction threads are woven in fabric. For example, when you are sewing, if you cut your patterns on the grain line, you will end up with a garment that holds its shape better and will be more stable. If you cut off the grain line, you may end up with a garment that has been stretched out of shape. If you are a beginner, using the grain line will help your finished projects look more polished.
Basic hand-sewing.
Basic hand stitches like the running stitch, backstitch and slip stitch are good to know for mending or small handwork projects. They can help you develop the fine motor skills necessary to make even, regular stitches.
How to Do Machine Stitching
Knowing how to work a sewing machine includes understanding how to control the length of the stitch, the tension of the stitch and the speed of the machine. Always begin with a basic straight stitch and practice on an extra piece of material. Knowing what each setting on your machine will do helps avoid wobbly seams and snapped threads.
Basic and Decorative Seam Finishes
Seams are used to attach one piece of fabric to another, and for that reason they need to be secure and tidy. Finishing a seam can keep it from fraying, and just learning the basics of how to create a seam will ensure that your work stays intact as you use it and wash it.
Pressing and Ironing
Don’t underestimate the importance of pressing. I know it can be a pain, but ironing your seams as you go really helps with both accuracy and finish. Pressing ensures that your fabric lies flat, which in turn makes it easier to sew and helps you sew more accurately.
Pinning and holding fabric.
Pins and clips are used to hold pieces of fabric together while sewing. Correct pinning prevents fabric from moving out of place. Mastering pinning along a seam line will assist in accurate sewing.
Choosing Your Thread and Needle
Also, it is very important to select the appropriate type of thread and needle as it will greatly impact the quality of the stitches, as well as the longevity of your fabric. For example, use fine needles for light weight fabrics and use more robust needles for heavier fabrics. Use thread that is comparable in weight and color to the fabric to make the garments stronger and look nicer.
Now, it is time to test our new pattern on scrap fabric.
If you are a beginner, I recommend trying out a technique on scrap fabric first. Practicing on scraps gives you the freedom to try a technique without worrying about messing up. You can use scrap fabric practice to get a feel for the technique, and build muscle memory before you use it in a project.
Skills can be developed in stages.
It is always a good idea to practice different skills on scrap fabric before moving on to your actual project. As with anything, it is much easier to learn basic methods before moving on to more complex ones. The more you practice, the easier it will become.
Creating Consistent Results
The more you do it, the better you will get at it. Concentrate on making your stitches even, your cuts smooth, and your prep work accurate. Eventually, it will become second nature.
Building Confidence With the Basics
Knowledge of fundamental textile techniques can be an effective aid for the beginner, helping her to proceed in a purposeful and assured way. Armed with adequate preparation, cutting, sewing, and finishing skills, she can feel less threatened by the work and, therefore, more capable of expressing herself creatively and eventually developing her skills further.