10+ Sewing Hacks that Will Make your Life Easier!

This post includes affiliate links (thanks for your support!). Check out all AppleGreen Cottage sewing tips here, especially these how-tos:

• 10+ smart sewing tips you should know if you sew.
• flannel sewing tips - guide for beginners
• or try out these Top 15 FREE Tote Bag Patterns
• and these TOP bag making tips!
• Also check out the beginner's guide - learning to sew.

If you have been following my blog, you already know that my favorite thing to write about is little clever sewing tips. Also, nearly all of my own sewing patterns include at least a few smart tips to make a sewing project super easy and fun. I wanted to collect a few of my favorite tips in one place - here!

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So let's have a look at a few tips and hacks I wish I had learned about ages ago. They are here to save a lot of your time and make sewing even more fun.

Sewing Hacks

Let's take a look at these 10+ sewing hacks and make your life and sewing easier. Let's check them out, one by one:

Easy Seam Guide Hack

This is the easiest way to mark the seam allowance on your sewing machine, using something as simple as a rubber band. Video (if you don't see it, disable your ad blocker 🙂

Use rubber bands around the base of your sewing machine to make a seam allowance guide. It works on any machine, even my heavy duty domestic machine There are other options, like a proper seam guide - but nothing beats simple and easy if you haven't got proper tools!

Revamp your sewing game with this easy sewing machine hack, and follow us on tiktok for more sewing hacks!

How To Shorten Zippers - Easily!

Shorten that zipper in no time - and make it pretty! Use this hack to make an actual coin purse:

One Totally Unprofessional Sewing Hack

This fabric patch WILL stay put, I can guarantee you.

While browsing, what about getting a free pattern from AppleGreen Cottage when you join our mailing list?

A Batting Scraps Hack

Use this clever money-saving hack when making this cute little pouch:

How To Clip Corners …Effectively

Finally - nice, sharp corners on all of your sewing projects!

An easy cure for the ugly bulk when sewing several layers together. I use this tip on all my bags, especially with my latest favorite, this Enya Wallet pattern here:

Get Enya Pattern HERE.

Dislike Backstitching? A workaround!

Do you have trouble backstitching accurately? Like there are two seams once you've backstitched? Or, even if you manage to sew directly over your previous stitch, it ends up in a thick seam that won’t get flat, no matter how hard you try pressing it.

Here's a solution: adjust your stitch length to an extremely short setting for the initial and final inch of each seam. (like, 0.1 length in metric, very high stitch density) It will hold securely - but without any bulk from backstitching.

Perfectly Matching Placements of Buttons And Buttonholes?

Are you struggling with how to perfectly match the placement of buttons to buttonholes? Easy solution: first, make buttonholes - and only then mark the spots for buttons through buttonholes. then sew a button onto the perfect spot - so easy!!

The Easiest Way To Do This HEM

The double-fold hem might be by far the most useful hem to learn for household sewing. See how to make it super easy using this clever tip!

Binding Hack - My Favorite!

Always good to know if you either quilt or just like making placemats or cute little mug rugs:

This little trick will make your quilt binding look just as perfect, but with less effort. You'll love it!

Easiest Way To Add A Seam Allowance

This is the easiest way I know how to add a seam allowance to your sewing project: two pencils and a rubber band is all you need! Now place pattern paper - or even your fabric with the right side down - and start tracing the pattern with one pencil.

The other pencil will automatically draw a parallel line approximately ⅜" or 1 cm away from the original line. You can vary the size of the seam allowance by using a pair regular-size or thick pencils.

This is how you create a seam allowance for a pattern that was created without one, like this earwarmer pattern.

How To Sew Pleats - The Clever Way!

Using a fork to help you sew perfect pleats every time - what a useful sewing hack! See the original post by Sweet Red Poppy here.

The Easiest Way To Hem Jeans

How to hem your jeans and retain the original hem! The easiest jeans hemming trick here 

Super Quick Bobbin Storage Tip

Put those rubber bands to good use!

However, if you are looking for a longer-lasting solution, bear in mind that elastic bands could leave traces and residue on thread on time. A reader of AppleGreen Cottage newsletter has drawn my attention to that, thank you! There are a few clever homemade bobbin storage alternatives, and this one by Sassy crafter looks like my favorite - and it is a quick make too, involving just some clear plastic tubing ¾ in diameter - I love this little budget trick too.

This Ladder Stitch is easier than you'd think!

See how to sew an invisible stitch to make a highly functional, strong, and invisible seam - it only takes a few minutes to learn that. Once you do, you'll use this stitch on all your hand sewing projects - and you'll never look back!

Elastic Waistband Trick

Keep Your Pins in Place

For a really professional look of your sewing creations!

And you'll never need to search for those stray pins anymore.

How To Sew Rick Rack

And the best part is - no pinning is needed with this rick rack sewing hack! Can you believe it!?

How To Take Out Straight Pins All At Once

A real time-saver, this one 🙂

Super Easy Way to Trace A Sewing Pattern

I've been using this useful life hack all the time. One of my favorites!

I hope these clever sewing hacks will help you unlock the full potential of your sewing machine. They have made my sewing easier for sure - cheers to easy sewing! Save these how-tos for later: