Sewing Tips and Techniques

Welcome to Sew Essential! If you’re exploring sewing machines, the Brother Innov-is A50 might just be your perfect match. As experts in sewing, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, from picking the right machine to mastering its features. Today, let’s take a closer look at the Brother Innov-is A50—a versatile, feature-packed, computerized sewing machine designed for both beginners and experienced sewists. Continue reading →

As a specialist sewing machine dealer for over 19 years we've helped many customers to overcome stitch quality problems. In our experience the vast majority of problems can be easily resolved at home by following these 7 tips. Continue reading →

Shirring is such an effective sewing technique to master and is actually much easier to sew than you might think. In this blog post I'll show you step by step how to sew shirring and give you my top tips for achieving neat, professional results. You can also watch my video to take you through the process. Continue reading →

Learning to sew buttonholes is a great way to expand your sewing knowledge and create sewing projects you can be really proud of. Sewing machines either come with the option for a one step buttonhole (see our step by step tutorial for how to sew a one step buttonhole here) or a four step buttonhole. In this article we will show you step by step how to sew a four step buttonhole. Continue reading →

Overlockers aren't just for finishing seams and in this video I'll show you 7 clever tips to take your overlocker skills to the next level. If you've ever struggled to sew a neckband without a bulky bit at the end or wrestled with tricky sewing tasks, like turning through a rouleau strap, this video and blog post is for you. Continue reading →

Sewing jersey garments, especially on an overlocker, can be a scary business, but learning how to sew a simple jersey dress or Tshirt is easier than you might think and so worth it. In this video I'll show you step by step how to construct Simplicity 8982 including all the tapes and interfacing products I use to help you achieve great results every time. Continue reading →

Sewing an invisible zip can seem like an intimidating task with a number of problems to overcome. How do you avoid that nasty bubble at the end of the zip and what about sewing around the zip pull at the end? In this tutorial we'll show you a magical method that will solve all of these sewing problems and guarantee great results every time. Continue reading →

Darts are such an important part of so many sewing and dressmaking projects. Not only do they give the garment shape they are also usually highly visible and therefore it is a good idea to strive for a professional finish. In this video I'll show you my top dart sewing tips. Continue reading →

If you're working with a fabric that frays easily or want a super professional finish to the seam allowances of your garment a French seam can be a great option, but just how do you sew the armhole? In this handy video tutorial I take you step by step through the process and give you lots of general tips for sewing and setting in sleeves too. Continue reading →

Whether you're an experienced sewer or a complete beginner there are some super useful tips for hemming or shortening jeans in this handy video tutorial. I'll show you how to shorten jeans accurately when cutting off the excess fabric and an alternative method that keeps the original hem intact and can be used as a temporary measure for children's jeans. Continue reading →

Last week I learned a great little tip for finishing a neckline facing without overlocking the raw edge. It is a super simple technique and takes a little more time, but if you're a sucker for a neat finish like me or making something special it might just come in rather handy. Continue reading →

Sewing a yoke on a shirt or dress creates some interesting detail and a professional looking finish, but what about the inside? Some sewing patterns suggest sewing a yoke on the inside and outside, usually hand stitching the internal yoke. Well here's a technique that allows you to machine stitch the whole shebang and feel like a total sewing ninja. Continue reading →