You using the lip balm gave me an idea. I have a beeswax candle that I use to wax thread, but it gets stuff stuck all over it while it rolls around in the bottom of my sewing box. Using an empty lip balm tube to melt some wax into would result in a more compact amount of beeswax that can't pick up dust and debris.
For the yarn one, you can make it easier not to accidentally sew through the yarn, and keep in line with the seam allowance, by using a beading foot (or a cording foot, depending on the design of cording foot). They have a little channel along the centre to guide the yarn, so you don't have to concentrate on keeping as many things lined up. It also means you can use a narrower zigzag without risk of catching the yarn.
I use this trick also with a pintuck foot. I have recently started doing 2 rows of it though which makes a really stable gather that looks more historical.
Dental floss can be used instead of yarn and it’s stronger plus it’s easier to not sew through it. Another suggestion is to substitute crochet cotton for the yarn. It’s also very strong and thinner so it’s easier to not stitch through.
I use my hair as a needle threader if I'm really in a pinch, and I don't even need to pull a hair off, just use the tip to fold it into a U and pull it through the eye of a needle, works like a charm and the hair is still intact.
I love fork pleats - it's the only way I do pleats now! And it's worth thinking about getting different forks for this: for tiny pleats, you can use a little cocktail/appetizer fork, and for big ones, there are spatula sized forks (my mom has at least one in her kitchen). It doesn't even need to have more than two tines, so any kind of two pronged utensil can work :)
When it comes to threading needles, if you are having a problem, turn the needle around and try threading it from the other side. The eye is punched into the shaft in one direction and it makes sense that it would be easiest to thread the needle going in the same direction.
The “top stitched” zipper is actually known as a centered zipper application. The best way to do it is to machine baste the seam, then press it open and most importantly, press the seam flat from the right side. Place the zipper teeth on top of the seam, in the center. Hand baste the zipper or tape it down to make sure the teeth stay in the center. Turn the fabric over and center a piece of 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide tape down the seam to where the zipper ends. Sew along the tape on the right side of the garment to the end of the zipper. Pivot to sew across the zipper, then pivot again to sew up the other side of the tape. Remove the basting stitches. There should be equal width “lips” hiding the zipper. Until recently, most everybody used centered zipper applications. The lapped zipper method that you are accustomed to is actually older (pre 1960’s). Perhaps it was revived because of the popularity of vintage sewing.
I learned to sew in the '90s, and in my area, invisible zippers were not really a thing, so that was the "traditional" method for me :) I occasionally use it still, but mostly for the pockets and bags.
As soon as I saw the sewing stapler I was like "oh no!" 😂 I got the same one for Sinterklaas, and had the exact same disappointing experience, so I returned it. I had a battery operated one too, that one actually worked surprisingly well! That one has a bobbin, but you still need to properly tie it by hand when you're done, since you can't sew backwards and it will unravel otherwise. Lots of people leave bad reviews with those, but I assume that's because most people don't care to read the instructions for such a simple machine. I followed them and it worked great! I'm considering ordering a new one actually.
11:25 i use this to sew in all my zippers! However to sew the top part neatly you need to sew it last! Start about an inch below the top of the zipper and sew both sides, then unpick enough to slide the zipper pull down to sew the top inch or so! It works really well that way!
Also it does require practice to get the zipper even and centered, but worth it to me, I find that a topstitched zipper is also more durable and I like the look too! But all to their personal preference!🥰
It's my go-to method. Also, I use scotch-tape to hold the zipper in place while sewing. Just tape across the seam as often as you would pin. I find it makes it come out more evenly.
My favorite sewing hack ever is from a Nancy Zieman book, where she collected hints from viewers. Sadly, I can't credit the person who sent it in to her. But it is when sewing by hand with doubled thread. We tend to be taught to put the folded end through the eye and then create a knot at the cut ends. Instead, try putting both ends through the eye of the needle! When sewing, you can then loop the folded end of the thread, and there's no visible knot at your starting point. I've been using this for years now, and can't tell you how useful it is, even for just a simple little tip.
I have a batterypowerd handheld "stapler" and it didnt work at all but then I found some video that had the tip to loosen the needle and pull it down some mm and then tighten it again. The thred needs, as you saw, go down around a hook. Try to adjust the needlehight so it goes down deeper and try again.
For the gathering, I usually do one row of running stitch by hand with a stronger thread. I don't have to tinker with the machine settings and it's a good way to run away from the machine noise. The more you do it, the faster you get, for me, two 140cm panels now take maybe 30 minutes? The more time-consuming and annoying part for me is marking pinning the 1/4 and 1/2 points on the gathered and fitted pieces and actually matching them up (feels like forever if I use more than 2 full-width panels).
When you were using the tape, I assumed you were going to tape the bottom. That's what I would probably use it for so that the pleats don't move on the bottom if I'm sewing against them. But I'd be worried about residue on the fabric. There's very not sticky painters tape meant for delicate surfaces which is what I would probably use if I used this
I got a battery-operated chain stitching machine in the 90s and the problem I had with it is I need three hands to use it, two hands to hold the fabric taught and one hand on the machine. I did use it to reinstall the zipper in my sleeping bag by standing on the edge of the sleeping bag, and it's still there, so it works, it's just really hard to handle.
When I gather, I use a heavier thread in my bobbin, and loosen the tension on the top, so the thread won't break. I find the yarn hack difficult to remove from the gathers once you've sewn the seam, and the time it takes basically evens out with the time it saves over the two rows of basting. The zipper insertion "hack" is my go-to method for inserting a centered zipper, the top stitching is pretty usual for a standard zipper insertion, rather than an invisible zip. I baste the zipper portion of the seam so it's easy to unpick. It is definitely easier with a zipper foot, though.
I personally think that sewing two gathering rows would be less fiddly and annoying than trying to line up the yarn. But I've never had issues with my gathering thread breaking. If you're gathering huge lengths of fabric it's better to divide it into quarters and sew four separate bits of gathering stitch, etc.
Here's a bit more about the chain stitcher, beyond what I can see in the comments so far. Always chomp firmly, so that the hook can engage. Always move the gadget along the fabric in the direction the hook points, so that it doesn't drop the thread loop. I bought mine mainly out of curiosity, like you did, but also in the slight hope of using it for hand basting. I have trouble using it on light fabrics, because it drags so hard when it slides along.
This was a great video. Thank you. I zigzag over dental floss instead of yarn to gather. I don’t think the zipper application was a hack though? Lapped or invisible are other applications, but centered zippers are to me the most basic zipper application. I’m going to look at some of my patterns (not vintage) but I think a lot may use the centered application. Love your videos.
That method of sewing a zipper--basting the seam closed and then pinning the zipper in place over the seam--is how I was taught to sew a zipper in Home-Ec class back in the 1980s.
With the fork pleats, you could probably go to a thrift store or yard sales and find BBQ forks, party serving forks, or other sized forks to do larger pleats at a low price.
I'm really confused that no one else seems to recommend you the "fold over and pinch" method of threading the needle - it's so much easier (and don't require any tools)! Method: you lay the thread over the needle (so there's a tail of 10+ centimeters on the other side), pinch with you left hand thumb and pointer finger around the needle (right where the thread bends around it), remove the needle - you should now be able to see just the top of the bend between you fingertips, then place the eye of the needle over the bend and push down - the bend of the thread goes through and you can unpinch you fingertips and use them to grab the bend (which is now a small loop) and pull. It might take a few practise runs before you get the hang of it, but then it works like a charm (and eliminates a whole lot of frustrated squinting). You can also use this pinching method with just the tip of the thread, which is particularly useful for when threading multiple threads at once, but using the bend is the easiest for threading a single thread (no stragly end bits getting in the way). The reason this pinching method works is because 1) you're eliminating a whole lot of wobbly hand movement and potentially tricky hand-eye-coordination and depth perception since you're not trying to match two items up in thin air (this way you don't have to "aim"), and 2) since there's barely any thread visible above the pinch, the thread can't deflect (holding it this close to your fingers stabilises it), and because it's effectively doubled it's even more stable (don't worry, it'll go through the eye just fine).
Not only do they exist but they were invented such a long time ago that there are millions to be found in thrift stores or on eBay. The old ones work exactly the way the new ones do and they can be had for about $5 in a box of old machine feet.
Oops, first you should google “sewing machine ruffler attachment” and see what one looks like. There’s lots of adjustment settings and ways to use it so take a look and watch a video. Even though it looks like a medieval torture device (more like a threshing machine) it’s worth trying all of the ways it can be used.
Thanks for sharing these hack tests. I saw a vlog a year or so ago by Bella Mae Designs about using a fork to make pleats. When she needed smaller or larger pleats, she used smaller or larger forks.
The yarn hack is my go to gathering technique, but I usually use floss or in a pinch just thread. The double row of gathering stitches is tedious at best.
I find the idea of using painters tape intriguing. Could be good for stabilising thin or stretchy fabric as well. If it doesn't gum up the needle and rips off easily, that's a hack worth sharing!
I think I'd avoid sewing over it. I sewed directly next to the tape in this video and that of course prevents the needle from getting sticky. For more delicate fabrics you could use washi tape instead of painters tape, that would be more gentle!
@@Loepsie Oh, thanks for the warning. I thought, you had sewn over it and it had ripped where perforated. Dental floss is great for the gathering thing, btw. Quite thin, but very strong!
Years ago I had a mini sewing machine, not from that particular shop but it looked similar. It worked fine, I don't have it anymore so I can't give any advice on how to make your model work, but I do remember that the effort it took to sew a garment (I had sewn an entire dress, from your infinity dress pattern haha) and the pain in my hand afterwards was definitely not worth it, I'm glad we have a regular sewing machine now!
Some of these hacks, while suspicious, actually seemed useful! The fork pleat hack was fascinating. For that handheld machine, it could be an alignment issue with the hook? Our shops here sell I think a battery-operated one that actually has a bobbin so maybe the little handheld one is just a cheap ploy?
Ooh these are interesting to see them tried out. Some of them I knew, and the zipper hack I use to make sure my invisible zippers are symmetrical - I baste the seam where the zipper goes, line it up and baste the zipper into the seam allowance (but not the right side of the fabric), then undo the seam basting and stitch the zipper the normal way. Allows for pattern matching beforehand, you know exactly where the zipper is going to be, and no pins or holding the zipper in place while sewing. I also love the fork pleat method, I use that allll the time.
A little trick when threading needles is to bring the needle to the thread and not the thread to the needle. I don't know why it works, but it does. I've threaded many small quilting needles using that method. Also, if you look at both sides of the eye of the needle, you will see that one side is bigger.
I don't know if the painter's tape makes much sense for the pleats. I mean, if you don't wanna take every single pin out as you sew, you could just move the pins further left and then you'd still be pinning the bottom of the fabric, but you wouldn't need the pins to go underneath the foot. But the fork pleats are nice! Especially because you don't need to pre-pin the pleats, you can just roll as you go. It gets easier once you fall into a rhythm. I find that straighter forks, with even prongs, work best!
The zipper hack is just a standard way to insert an invisible zipper, and you're supposed to sew the zipper just to the seam allowance, so the stitches are not visible from the outside.
What do you mean with the stiches are not visible from the outside? If you are sewing the zipper on top of the seam that you're going to seamrip, you are always going to see those stitches... I also think the 'standard' way to install a zipper is by opening it first... I think this hack is bullocks :)
@@Darenim You press the seam open, the seam allowance is two flaps laying on the fabric. Pin the closed zipper centered on that seam and sew (but only to the seam allowance, turning your project so that one seam allowance and one side of the zipper is on one side, and all the other fabric, other seam allowance and other half of the zipper is on the other side). Repeat for the other side. No stitches are showing on the right side of the project and zipper is very neatly hidden.
Done the yarn one ages ago but it fails often becouse the yarn breaks. And if thread don´t want to stay together for put in the needle hole just wet it with saliva or something,just some moist that keep it together and a new cut with sharp scissor
Yes, I was thinking this. The small sewing machine would fit in your suitcase or bag when you are traveling, and would come in handy for mending if you happen to rip a seam open while on a business trip, for example, and you couldn't just leave it unmended until you get home.
dental floss is much easier to use than yarn. The centered zipper is the way we learned in home ec back in the 80's. You need to get a zipper foot and also, your stitching should be from the front, not the back.
I picked up that exact same sewing stapler a few years ago and mine worked much more consistently so I think yours is wonky. There is also a trick for finishing the seam so it doesn't unravel as soon as you stop. But since you have to squeeze it for every stitch my hands got tires too fast for it to be useful.
The zipper hack is actually how i was taught to put in zippers! I'd go up each side as far as I could go without hitting the pull, then once i ripped the seam I finished the rest of the seams.
As soon as I saw that handheld sewing machine was from the Tiger store I was like "yeah, that's gonna be crap" lol. Not exactly a store for, like, good crafting things 😅
My gathering hack is just to keep my stitch length long and my tension a bit high. You can get automatic gathers and just make sure to leave a long tail of thread so you can widen it just in case the tension was too high
Now I need to look up other methods of doing zippers. That "hack" is how I learned to do zippers in sewing class forty five years ago. I've never done them any other way.
Hi Lucy, I have the same mini sewing machine from the same shop and it works, in the beginning of pandemic I have sewn several "respirators" with it. It was hidious work but I managed, I had similar problems as you at the beginning but i found a way, i am sorry i can not remember for the life of me what helped :D if needed it can do but handsewing is the same speed i think :D i bought real sewing machine since than so i dont even know where it is and i dont want to use it ever again :)
Those little 'staple' stitchers are only good for a popped seam or a ripped hem, and then only if you magic the thing just right. The little battery ones seem to be a bit more reliable but only just a little. There are some micro machines that run about 20 USD that look like little standard machines. I have one I take traveling (cos player).
If that's not how you insert a zipper, then how do you do it???? That's the most basic way to insert a zipper and the first way I was taught at school.
I literally insert ALL my zippers using that method! I haven't done a zipper any other way in *years*. I learned it first from a coolirpa video! I haven't tried the fork pleat hack myself, but I heard about it from a Bella Mae video a year or so ago. I'd been interested in trying it myself!
I just sew over my pins 😂 also confused how else you install a zipper as I’ve only ever done it the way you showed in this video so I’ll be googling that now 😆
Regarding that tiny sewing machine: it's probably meant to produce a chainstitch. It's normal for it to unravel, you have to secure the end right away. Oh, I see, you already got to the same conclusion 😅 I have a vintage Singer 401G 'Slant-O-Matic' (gotta love that name) from the early 60s. It's one the earliest sewing machines, that could produce decorative stitches (by inserting varying plastic discs into the machine body) and switch to making a chain stitch as well. Very rare for a domestic sewing machine. A chain stitch is pretty stretchy and great, if you want more then a loose basting stitch, but expect to have to unravel the seam at some point. But anyways, too bad, the little toy one doesn't work probably 😐
I’ve been using the lip balm to aid in needle threading for a while. I have never tried it for waxing the full length of a thread, but for simply keeping the fibers from separating while threading a needle it works alright. It was interesting to see it properly tested as thread wax.
Oh that’s a really good idea too! I’ve always got at the 6-7 lip balms within reach at any time, I’m definitely going to have to try that, both for threading and sewing!
The hack with the tape confuses me a bit, because I learned that I can always sew over fabric with pins. So you can later or during sewing take the pins out. You don’t have to stop seeing when removing a pin.
Sewing over pins can cause your needle to damage or break if you hit the pin. If the needle breaks, the tip could go flying and hit you in the face/eye. I've broken needles on pins a few times already and have stopped sewing over pins since!
And if your needle doesn't break, every time it actually hits a pin, the needle is slightly bended around it. Over time, it will be bent so much that it hits parts inside your sewing machine (where it catches the lower thread), which then can cause further damage to your machine. I once had my needle stuck inside because of that and then break. I had to take my sewing machine apart completely to find the broken tip of the needle. I then learnt that this is exactly one of the reasons why you DON'T sew over pins. If you care for using your sewing machine for a while, that is.
my favorite unintentional but very circumstantial hack is that i got a beeswax candle and the wick is too short so it doesn't burn, but its the sticky kind instead of the flaky kind, so it lasts way longer as thread wax. i cut off a little section and i've been using it for like a year now. its barely 1/8th of the candle, also it smells like honey
There's a YTer by the name, I think, of _Half Soy Bean_ who has a tutorial on how to make a modern update to a traditional Korean skirt. She uses the fork method for pleating. It apparently, will somehow work, no matter the width of your fork? One of those projects on the to-do list. The chain stitch is suppose to be secured by a knot at the beginning or end, otherwise the thread will pull out. It's something you have to do by hand. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
I'm self taught and the zipper hack was actually the first way I learned how to do zippers. I guess I was 26 years old when I found out that it's actually a 'hack' rather than the normal way to do it haha.
I really didn’t think the zig zag gather would work cos it sounded like more effort than two rows to straight stitch. My sewing machine hates doing zig zag stitch for some reason. She screams at me and bobbin thread is always looser. I’ve tried every level of tension and she still does it.
Hello! I have the same machine as you, Brother innovis a150, I think it’s even possible they are from the same store as I’m also based in the NL 😅 and I’ve seen only one place selling (at least online) Anyway, long story short, my brother came with a normal zipper foot as well as an invisible zipper foot :) maybe you should check with whoever sold the machine to you :)
Couldn't you just sew the zipper on the seem allowance, or does this make the hack not usefull anymore? I mean if I insert a invisible zipper I do the same, I have a seam that I iron flat and sew it first on the left then on the right side, folding the fabric aside.
Oooh great idea! I don't even speak dutch, but variety is the spice of life😆 I think there was some dutch with english subtitles in last year's christmas content... Lucy and BF were cooking if I recall.
The zipper "hack" is not really a hack. This is actually how a "slot seam" zipper is done in my 1953 "Clothing Construction" book which was the textbook for my 1972 clothing construction class at university. Using an invisible zipper was fairly uncommon when I first learned to sew, as were plastic zips. Another option was to do a "lapped" zipper that only had one flap covering it. Old things are new again...LOL
Bella Mae did a video on fork pleats: th-cam.com/video/m1NcYd79nWI/w-d-xo.html At a little over four minutes in she even shows doing them at the machine so that you don't need pins! That would definitely take some practice.
You using the lip balm gave me an idea. I have a beeswax candle that I use to wax thread, but it gets stuff stuck all over it while it rolls around in the bottom of my sewing box. Using an empty lip balm tube to melt some wax into would result in a more compact amount of beeswax that can't pick up dust and debris.
That's a great idea!
Gonna steal this idea for my bookbinding wax 100%!
@@KatieM786 Awesome! I hope it helps!
Genius!!
so good!
For the yarn one, you can make it easier not to accidentally sew through the yarn, and keep in line with the seam allowance, by using a beading foot (or a cording foot, depending on the design of cording foot). They have a little channel along the centre to guide the yarn, so you don't have to concentrate on keeping as many things lined up. It also means you can use a narrower zigzag without risk of catching the yarn.
Ohh that sounds perfect!
I use this trick also with a pintuck foot. I have recently started doing 2 rows of it though which makes a really stable gather that looks more historical.
Dental floss can be used instead of yarn and it’s stronger plus it’s easier to not sew through it. Another suggestion is to substitute crochet cotton for the yarn. It’s also very strong and thinner so it’s easier to not stitch through.
Yup, I've used floss before and it was so easy to remove it after.
I saw that from a tutorial by Gertie (for my first skirt that I made).
Brilliant ! TY
I used to use unwaxed dental floss as beading thread when the "beading thread" I bought wouldn't fit through my beading needles!
I use my hair as a needle threader if I'm really in a pinch, and I don't even need to pull a hair off, just use the tip to fold it into a U and pull it through the eye of a needle, works like a charm and the hair is still intact.
I love fork pleats - it's the only way I do pleats now! And it's worth thinking about getting different forks for this: for tiny pleats, you can use a little cocktail/appetizer fork, and for big ones, there are spatula sized forks (my mom has at least one in her kitchen). It doesn't even need to have more than two tines, so any kind of two pronged utensil can work :)
I agree. I tried true fork pleats on a skirt on a whim and it was so easy and neat.
When it comes to threading needles, if you are having a problem, turn the needle around and try threading it from the other side. The eye is punched into the shaft in one direction and it makes sense that it would be easiest to thread the needle going in the same direction.
I also find needling the thread works better than threading the needle.
The “top stitched” zipper is actually known as a centered zipper application. The best way to do it is to machine baste the seam, then press it open and most importantly, press the seam flat from the right side. Place the zipper teeth on top of the seam, in the center. Hand baste the zipper or tape it down to make sure the teeth stay in the center. Turn the fabric over and center a piece of 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide tape down the seam to where the zipper ends. Sew along the tape on the right side of the garment to the end of the zipper. Pivot to sew across the zipper, then pivot again to sew up the other side of the tape. Remove the basting stitches. There should be equal width “lips” hiding the zipper. Until recently, most everybody used centered zipper applications. The lapped zipper method that you are accustomed to is actually older (pre 1960’s). Perhaps it was revived because of the popularity of vintage sewing.
That's how we learned in the 80's in home ec. My favourite now is hand picked.
I learned to sew in the '90s, and in my area, invisible zippers were not really a thing, so that was the "traditional" method for me :) I occasionally use it still, but mostly for the pockets and bags.
The yarn hack actually seems really useful! I have issues with gathering so will have to give it a go ☺️
My grandma taught me to slightly wet the thread with my mouth when threading a needle, you guys don't do that? It's easier than hairspray:)
Snipping it to a fresh end helps if spit is insufficient :)
yeah I was taught to lick it :p
Yeah that's what I do seems a lot easier and you don't end up with a mess trying to avoid getting hairsprai everywhere
As soon as I saw the sewing stapler I was like "oh no!" 😂 I got the same one for Sinterklaas, and had the exact same disappointing experience, so I returned it. I had a battery operated one too, that one actually worked surprisingly well! That one has a bobbin, but you still need to properly tie it by hand when you're done, since you can't sew backwards and it will unravel otherwise. Lots of people leave bad reviews with those, but I assume that's because most people don't care to read the instructions for such a simple machine. I followed them and it worked great! I'm considering ordering a new one actually.
When I was younger my grandma bought one and it never worked. They look darn cute, tho.
11:25 i use this to sew in all my zippers! However to sew the top part neatly you need to sew it last! Start about an inch below the top of the zipper and sew both sides, then unpick enough to slide the zipper pull down to sew the top inch or so! It works really well that way!
Also it does require practice to get the zipper even and centered, but worth it to me, I find that a topstitched zipper is also more durable and I like the look too! But all to their personal preference!🥰
I've seen others use the zipper hack. They used a basting stich for the rippable seem and of course matching thread.
It's my go-to method. Also, I use scotch-tape to hold the zipper in place while sewing. Just tape across the seam as often as you would pin. I find it makes it come out more evenly.
My favorite sewing hack ever is from a Nancy Zieman book, where she collected hints from viewers. Sadly, I can't credit the person who sent it in to her. But it is when sewing by hand with doubled thread. We tend to be taught to put the folded end through the eye and then create a knot at the cut ends. Instead, try putting both ends through the eye of the needle! When sewing, you can then loop the folded end of the thread, and there's no visible knot at your starting point. I've been using this for years now, and can't tell you how useful it is, even for just a simple little tip.
I've been doing that for sewing on buttons for years--it makes it so much easier to get them started!
@@Chappysmom I use it for buttons, too! It comes in so handy! :)
I have a batterypowerd handheld "stapler" and it didnt work at all but then I found some video that had the tip to loosen the needle and pull it down some mm and then tighten it again. The thred needs, as you saw, go down around a hook. Try to adjust the needlehight so it goes down deeper and try again.
For the gathering, I usually do one row of running stitch by hand with a stronger thread. I don't have to tinker with the machine settings and it's a good way to run away from the machine noise. The more you do it, the faster you get, for me, two 140cm panels now take maybe 30 minutes? The more time-consuming and annoying part for me is marking pinning the 1/4 and 1/2 points on the gathered and fitted pieces and actually matching them up (feels like forever if I use more than 2 full-width panels).
When you were using the tape, I assumed you were going to tape the bottom. That's what I would probably use it for so that the pleats don't move on the bottom if I'm sewing against them. But I'd be worried about residue on the fabric. There's very not sticky painters tape meant for delicate surfaces which is what I would probably use if I used this
I got a battery-operated chain stitching machine in the 90s and the problem I had with it is I need three hands to use it, two hands to hold the fabric taught and one hand on the machine. I did use it to reinstall the zipper in my sleeping bag by standing on the edge of the sleeping bag, and it's still there, so it works, it's just really hard to handle.
When I gather, I use a heavier thread in my bobbin, and loosen the tension on the top, so the thread won't break. I find the yarn hack difficult to remove from the gathers once you've sewn the seam, and the time it takes basically evens out with the time it saves over the two rows of basting.
The zipper insertion "hack" is my go-to method for inserting a centered zipper, the top stitching is pretty usual for a standard zipper insertion, rather than an invisible zip. I baste the zipper portion of the seam so it's easy to unpick. It is definitely easier with a zipper foot, though.
I personally think that sewing two gathering rows would be less fiddly and annoying than trying to line up the yarn. But I've never had issues with my gathering thread breaking. If you're gathering huge lengths of fabric it's better to divide it into quarters and sew four separate bits of gathering stitch, etc.
i bet burts bees would be perfect for the lip balm hack, considering the first ingredient is beeswax
Here's a bit more about the chain stitcher, beyond what I can see in the comments so far. Always chomp firmly, so that the hook can engage. Always move the gadget along the fabric in the direction the hook points, so that it doesn't drop the thread loop.
I bought mine mainly out of curiosity, like you did, but also in the slight hope of using it for hand basting. I have trouble using it on light fabrics, because it drags so hard when it slides along.
This was a great video. Thank you. I zigzag over dental floss instead of yarn to gather. I don’t think the zipper application was a hack though? Lapped or invisible are other applications, but centered zippers are to me the most basic zipper application. I’m going to look at some of my patterns (not vintage) but I think a lot may use the centered application. Love your videos.
That method of sewing a zipper--basting the seam closed and then pinning the zipper in place over the seam--is how I was taught to sew a zipper in Home-Ec class back in the 1980s.
With the fork pleats, you could probably go to a thrift store or yard sales and find BBQ forks, party serving forks, or other sized forks to do larger pleats at a low price.
I'm really confused that no one else seems to recommend you the "fold over and pinch" method of threading the needle - it's so much easier (and don't require any tools)!
Method: you lay the thread over the needle (so there's a tail of 10+ centimeters on the other side), pinch with you left hand thumb and pointer finger around the needle (right where the thread bends around it), remove the needle - you should now be able to see just the top of the bend between you fingertips, then place the eye of the needle over the bend and push down - the bend of the thread goes through and you can unpinch you fingertips and use them to grab the bend (which is now a small loop) and pull.
It might take a few practise runs before you get the hang of it, but then it works like a charm (and eliminates a whole lot of frustrated squinting). You can also use this pinching method with just the tip of the thread, which is particularly useful for when threading multiple threads at once, but using the bend is the easiest for threading a single thread (no stragly end bits getting in the way).
The reason this pinching method works is because 1) you're eliminating a whole lot of wobbly hand movement and potentially tricky hand-eye-coordination and depth perception since you're not trying to match two items up in thin air (this way you don't have to "aim"), and 2) since there's barely any thread visible above the pinch, the thread can't deflect (holding it this close to your fingers stabilises it), and because it's effectively doubled it's even more stable (don't worry, it'll go through the eye just fine).
Bella Mae's Designs on TH-cam Has a whole fork pleating tutorial
Invest in a gathering pressure foot. Or a ruffler attachment. You will be so glad you did! It makes perfectly even gathers everytime.
I did not know these exist :o wow
Not only do they exist but they were invented such a long time ago that there are millions to be found in thrift stores or on eBay. The old ones work exactly the way the new ones do and they can be had for about $5 in a box of old machine feet.
Oops, first you should google “sewing machine ruffler attachment” and see what one looks like. There’s lots of adjustment settings and ways to use it so take a look and watch a video. Even though it looks like a medieval torture device (more like a threshing machine) it’s worth trying all of the ways it can be used.
Thanks for sharing these hack tests. I saw a vlog a year or so ago by Bella Mae Designs about using a fork to make pleats. When she needed smaller or larger pleats, she used smaller or larger forks.
The yarn hack is my go to gathering technique, but I usually use floss or in a pinch just thread. The double row of gathering stitches is tedious at best.
I find the idea of using painters tape intriguing. Could be good for stabilising thin or stretchy fabric as well.
If it doesn't gum up the needle and rips off easily, that's a hack worth sharing!
I think I'd avoid sewing over it. I sewed directly next to the tape in this video and that of course prevents the needle from getting sticky. For more delicate fabrics you could use washi tape instead of painters tape, that would be more gentle!
@@Loepsie
Oh, thanks for the warning. I thought, you had sewn over it and it had ripped where perforated.
Dental floss is great for the gathering thing, btw. Quite thin, but very strong!
When using wax, you need to run it under the iron. It melts the wax in the thread and strengthens it as well as keeping it from tangling.
Years ago I had a mini sewing machine, not from that particular shop but it looked similar. It worked fine, I don't have it anymore so I can't give any advice on how to make your model work, but I do remember that the effort it took to sew a garment (I had sewn an entire dress, from your infinity dress pattern haha) and the pain in my hand afterwards was definitely not worth it, I'm glad we have a regular sewing machine now!
Some of these hacks, while suspicious, actually seemed useful! The fork pleat hack was fascinating.
For that handheld machine, it could be an alignment issue with the hook? Our shops here sell I think a battery-operated one that actually has a bobbin so maybe the little handheld one is just a cheap ploy?
Ooh these are interesting to see them tried out. Some of them I knew, and the zipper hack I use to make sure my invisible zippers are symmetrical - I baste the seam where the zipper goes, line it up and baste the zipper into the seam allowance (but not the right side of the fabric), then undo the seam basting and stitch the zipper the normal way. Allows for pattern matching beforehand, you know exactly where the zipper is going to be, and no pins or holding the zipper in place while sewing.
I also love the fork pleat method, I use that allll the time.
I do the yarn gather, but using dental floss! It’s strong, narrow and you can reuse LOADS of times
A little trick when threading needles is to bring the needle to the thread and not the thread to the needle. I don't know why it works, but it does. I've threaded many small quilting needles using that method.
Also, if you look at both sides of the eye of the needle, you will see that one side is bigger.
the zipper "hack" was the only way i was taught to sew in a zipper back in the 80s. i've had to learn other ways to get different effects.
I don't know if the painter's tape makes much sense for the pleats. I mean, if you don't wanna take every single pin out as you sew, you could just move the pins further left and then you'd still be pinning the bottom of the fabric, but you wouldn't need the pins to go underneath the foot. But the fork pleats are nice! Especially because you don't need to pre-pin the pleats, you can just roll as you go. It gets easier once you fall into a rhythm. I find that straighter forks, with even prongs, work best!
Our Lucy, skillful and adorable as always.
The zipper hack is just a standard way to insert an invisible zipper, and you're supposed to sew the zipper just to the seam allowance, so the stitches are not visible from the outside.
What do you mean with the stiches are not visible from the outside? If you are sewing the zipper on top of the seam that you're going to seamrip, you are always going to see those stitches... I also think the 'standard' way to install a zipper is by opening it first... I think this hack is bullocks :)
@@Darenim You press the seam open, the seam allowance is two flaps laying on the fabric. Pin the closed zipper centered on that seam and sew (but only to the seam allowance, turning your project so that one seam allowance and one side of the zipper is on one side, and all the other fabric, other seam allowance and other half of the zipper is on the other side). Repeat for the other side. No stitches are showing on the right side of the project and zipper is very neatly hidden.
Done the yarn one ages ago but it fails often becouse the yarn breaks. And if thread don´t want to stay together for put in the needle hole just wet it with saliva or something,just some moist that keep it together and a new cut with sharp scissor
Try dental floss. It's thin, but near impossible to rip apart!
Maybe the small sewing machine is for emergency fixes on hems and things like that just until you can properly fix it at home
Yes, I was thinking this. The small sewing machine would fit in your suitcase or bag when you are traveling, and would come in handy for mending if you happen to rip a seam open while on a business trip, for example, and you couldn't just leave it unmended until you get home.
dental floss is much easier to use than yarn. The centered zipper is the way we learned in home ec back in the 80's. You need to get a zipper foot and also, your stitching should be from the front, not the back.
I picked up that exact same sewing stapler a few years ago and mine worked much more consistently so I think yours is wonky. There is also a trick for finishing the seam so it doesn't unravel as soon as you stop. But since you have to squeeze it for every stitch my hands got tires too fast for it to be useful.
I actually use the yarn hack, but with cooking twine instead. I've never looked back (to basting stitches) since!
The zipper hack is actually how i was taught to put in zippers! I'd go up each side as far as I could go without hitting the pull, then once i ripped the seam I finished the rest of the seams.
As soon as I saw that handheld sewing machine was from the Tiger store I was like "yeah, that's gonna be crap" lol. Not exactly a store for, like, good crafting things 😅
That method of sewing in a zipper was the way I was taught in sewing class at school.
My gathering hack is just to keep my stitch length long and my tension a bit high. You can get automatic gathers and just make sure to leave a long tail of thread so you can widen it just in case the tension was too high
Now I need to look up other methods of doing zippers. That "hack" is how I learned to do zippers in sewing class forty five years ago. I've never done them any other way.
Haha. I just commented the same thing! It’s weird how techniques come in and out rotation and “old” ones become new again 😂
This sounds like fun! There are so many horrible sewing hacks on 5-minutes crafts :D
Hi Lucy, I have the same mini sewing machine from the same shop and it works, in the beginning of pandemic I have sewn several "respirators" with it. It was hidious work but I managed, I had similar problems as you at the beginning but i found a way, i am sorry i can not remember for the life of me what helped :D if needed it can do but handsewing is the same speed i think :D i bought real sewing machine since than so i dont even know where it is and i dont want to use it ever again :)
Those little 'staple' stitchers are only good for a popped seam or a ripped hem, and then only if you magic the thing just right. The little battery ones seem to be a bit more reliable but only just a little. There are some micro machines that run about 20 USD that look like little standard machines. I have one I take traveling (cos player).
If that's not how you insert a zipper, then how do you do it???? That's the most basic way to insert a zipper and the first way I was taught at school.
Wondering the same. Only method I've used.
I literally insert ALL my zippers using that method! I haven't done a zipper any other way in *years*. I learned it first from a coolirpa video!
I haven't tried the fork pleat hack myself, but I heard about it from a Bella Mae video a year or so ago. I'd been interested in trying it myself!
I just sew over my pins 😂 also confused how else you install a zipper as I’ve only ever done it the way you showed in this video so I’ll be googling that now 😆
check out The Closet Historian, she does a lot of hidden zippers
I always sew in my Zipper that way. I don't mind the top stitching
The zipper hack is how I usually sew zippers. I learned it from a 1940s sewing pattern I once used. Now I'm wondering what is the usual method! Haha
Can't wait for the house update!
Regarding that tiny sewing machine: it's probably meant to produce a chainstitch.
It's normal for it to unravel, you have to secure the end right away.
Oh, I see, you already got to the same conclusion 😅
I have a vintage Singer 401G 'Slant-O-Matic' (gotta love that name) from the early 60s. It's one the earliest sewing machines, that could produce decorative stitches (by inserting varying plastic discs into the machine body) and switch to making a chain stitch as well. Very rare for a domestic sewing machine.
A chain stitch is pretty stretchy and great, if you want more then a loose basting stitch, but expect to have to unravel the seam at some point.
But anyways, too bad, the little toy one doesn't work probably 😐
I’ve been using the lip balm to aid in needle threading for a while. I have never tried it for waxing the full length of a thread, but for simply keeping the fibers from separating while threading a needle it works alright. It was interesting to see it properly tested as thread wax.
Oh that’s a really good idea too! I’ve always got at the 6-7 lip balms within reach at any time, I’m definitely going to have to try that, both for threading and sewing!
With a chain stitch you need to stitch in the thread ends, otherwise it will unravel.
I wonder if you could use a candle instead of lip balm for the thread wax hack…
Lovely
I love sewing
The magic with the zippers is that you can move the slider out of your way up and down as you sew. :)
I bet the tape pleats hack would work better if you tape the top and bottom sides of the fabric to hold it from both sides
The hack with the tape confuses me a bit, because I learned that I can always sew over fabric with pins. So you can later or during sewing take the pins out. You don’t have to stop seeing when removing a pin.
Sewing over pins can cause your needle to damage or break if you hit the pin. If the needle breaks, the tip could go flying and hit you in the face/eye. I've broken needles on pins a few times already and have stopped sewing over pins since!
And if your needle doesn't break, every time it actually hits a pin, the needle is slightly bended around it. Over time, it will be bent so much that it hits parts inside your sewing machine (where it catches the lower thread), which then can cause further damage to your machine. I once had my needle stuck inside because of that and then break. I had to take my sewing machine apart completely to find the broken tip of the needle.
I then learnt that this is exactly one of the reasons why you DON'T sew over pins. If you care for using your sewing machine for a while, that is.
Wow lovely one
my favorite unintentional but very circumstantial hack is that i got a beeswax candle and the wick is too short so it doesn't burn, but its the sticky kind instead of the flaky kind, so it lasts way longer as thread wax. i cut off a little section and i've been using it for like a year now. its barely 1/8th of the candle, also it smells like honey
For the rest of the candle, you could try cutting away the wax around the short wick to make it longer🤔
Différent methods of doing things
Great video just found them ..
I had a battery operated hand held sewing machine and it never worked either! So annoying
There's a YTer by the name, I think, of _Half Soy Bean_ who has a tutorial on how to make a modern update to a traditional Korean skirt. She uses the fork method for pleating. It apparently, will somehow work, no matter the width of your fork? One of those projects on the to-do list.
The chain stitch is suppose to be secured by a knot at the beginning or end, otherwise the thread will pull out. It's something you have to do by hand.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
No matter the size of the fork, it will always work so long as your fabric length is 3x the size of your desired finished product length.
@@sunshinesmiles5386 The magic of forks...
My mom got a little portable sewing machine too, and it didn't work for her either. She said it looked like a Barbie toy 😂😂
@ the fork: Little Mermaid vibes 😂
I found this for the staple sewing machine "Easy Sewing for Beginners" it's on youtube.
I'm self taught and the zipper hack was actually the first way I learned how to do zippers. I guess I was 26 years old when I found out that it's actually a 'hack' rather than the normal way to do it haha.
It's not a hack, it's just one of the many techinques to install a zipper...
I really didn’t think the zig zag gather would work cos it sounded like more effort than two rows to straight stitch. My sewing machine hates doing zig zag stitch for some reason. She screams at me and bobbin thread is always looser. I’ve tried every level of tension and she still does it.
Great video.
Hello! I have the same machine as you, Brother innovis a150, I think it’s even possible they are from the same store as I’m also based in the NL 😅 and I’ve seen only one place selling (at least online) Anyway, long story short, my brother came with a normal zipper foot as well as an invisible zipper foot :) maybe you should check with whoever sold the machine to you :)
Couldn't you just sew the zipper on the seem allowance, or does this make the hack not usefull anymore? I mean if I insert a invisible zipper I do the same, I have a seam that I iron flat and sew it first on the left then on the right side, folding the fabric aside.
Have you ever considered making a video in Dutch with English subtitles? I would love to see that!
Oooh great idea! I don't even speak dutch, but variety is the spice of life😆 I think there was some dutch with english subtitles in last year's christmas content... Lucy and BF were cooking if I recall.
@@TT-_- I remember seeing that, I love languages so I'd take more Dutch any day!
The zipper "hack" is not really a hack. This is actually how a "slot seam" zipper is done in my 1953 "Clothing Construction" book which was the textbook for my 1972 clothing construction class at university. Using an invisible zipper was fairly uncommon when I first learned to sew, as were plastic zips. Another option was to do a "lapped" zipper that only had one flap covering it. Old things are new again...LOL
I thought this was the normal way to sew non invisible zips.
I sew my zippers that way 🤣 I hand baste it in place first then put it under the machine
i cant believe some of this works 😆😆
Super video
Nice
❤️
I use the zipper hack almost every time I use a zipper.
Good
good
I"d worry that any oil in the lip balm might stain the fabric.
That's how I learned to do a zipper.
Bella Mae did a video on fork pleats: th-cam.com/video/m1NcYd79nWI/w-d-xo.html
At a little over four minutes in she even shows doing them at the machine so that you don't need pins! That would definitely take some practice.
Kk
Has any one told you look like katelyn from Evan and katelyn
I don't think Skill Share is free, is it?
It’s not, but Loepsie’s code gives the first 1000 people a free month of it
Nice