10 Sewing Hacks from Pinterest!

[@kathleenbrady9087]

For marking or for pins, make sure the soap is NOT Dove, or moisturizing - the oils in the soap will stay in the fabric as grease stains!

[@AshHeaven]

XD Dove claims that they are not even soap, so I suppose so.

[@MissFunnyBunneh]

good tip! Thank you

[@lornaharkin2126]

Yeah soap isn't good

[@harryportfelikartakredytow8907]

Omg thanks I was literally about to cut off a piece of my dove soap haha

[@ilianagray2762]

I wish I knew this 4 years ago lol

[@19tata91]

"Your purchase help us to pay our bills, buy our foods" what a real and very transparent youtuber! Xoxo

[@lornaharkin2126]

She has zero shame

[@rehooten]

I like her. She is a good artist!

[@lestranged]

Instead of stuffing a pincushion with steel wool, buy those tomato pincushions with the small strawberry attached. The strawberry is filled with emery (the same substance that is on fingernail files) and it will sharpen your needles and pins. Just stab the strawberry with your needle over & over for a few seconds.

[@coolirpa]

Omg I didnt even know what the strawberry was for! Thanks for sharing haha. Also I think the steel wool in the pincushion is just another way to keep all of your pins in and sharpen while using them instead of just sharpening them as you go ? :D

[@dsan5825]

lestrange never knew that!

[@wanderingsoul881]

Can I make an emery pincusion using sand?

[@lestranged]

@@wanderingsoul881 I think ordinary sand (like from the beach) has rounded corners on the grains from all the ocean pounding. Emery is a special type of sand with sharper corners so it is more abrasive.

[@SweetTea-Stephens]

I have one of those and I didn’t know what the small strawberry was for. Thank you

[@sewsomuch2289]

Don't get the spraying the thread......in the old days my mum would put the thread in her mouth....same result less fuss

[@annienewman8312]

that is how i was taught.

[@qazplm3845]

Yeah, and if you’re doing it for someone else who finds that gross you could just use water as well

[@sewsomuch2289]

@@qazplm3845 Yeah that's fair

[@raraavis7782]

Sew So Much Ikr? You don’t even need to be taught really...you just do that automatically.

[@belindacoba5158]

@@raraavis7782 Yep, I do that too, but I just cut the tip first making sure is even with no loose fibers.

[@lindagear9014]

I remember being told by a needlework teacher to rub soap along the cut edge of fabric that is fraying badly as it stops the fraying. It certainly worked on the garment I was working on.

[@ngoral14]

Many women in Russia, since being poor still use soap for making marks and it really works well. Also, you can use soap as a beeswax for your thread while handsewing, give it a try.

[@moncielvariable]

The soap marker is also a good way to use your soap when it's too small to use as a soap.

[@mashafab2504]

Well, I'm not poor at all, but for black fabric I use only soap- it's like family tradition))))

[@daalelli]

@@moncielvariable Having a use for the small soap is the best part!

[@mrbeansfan9036]

Мэри Попинс Mary Popins lol))) interesting choice of name

[@annacherry6035]

Я делаю тоже самое! Научилась у мамы с детства. Спасибо что упоминули!.

[@leelee1749]

I remember my grandma using chapstick for the threads. Anyways it's my first time here but I love that you genuinely try to understand the hacks with a open mind instead of most KZbinrs that don't even try to do it right being all dramatic for views. Keep up the good work!

[@minipainter2]

I’ve been sewing for more than 50 years and still loved these hacks. You’re a great teacher, I can see why you have so many subscribers. A needle threading tip I learnt is that needle eyes have a front and back. Thread easily goes through the front, but not the back. Hairy thread needs waxing first. Pressing the end in wax before threading is what I’ve done instead of the hairspray, but hairy thread is usually a cheap one, and breaks easily. Using silk is cost effective because normally doesn’t need to be doubled for strength. It sews quickly, saving time. Lately I’ve been using a mechanical threader to save my eyes, but the needle still has to be front-facing for the thread to go through. If your thread isn’t going through the eye, don’t worry about trying to see the difference between front and back, just turn the eye around and the thread goes right through.

[@gracewilson6476]

I never heard this before. Thank you for sharing this tip!

[@dthurley8490]

If you need to condition your thread, you can run it over the bar of soap or a plain white candle in the same manner as the bee's wax. It's worked for me for years.

[@MrKerfuffle96]

Lip gloss can work as well :)

[@3012630126]

Old school sewists run the threaded needle and thread through their scalp hair- the natural oils make the thread and needle slip through fabric like it was “buttaah”.

[@celiajarvis3168]

Candle wax should do the trick also without expending $11 or $5 on bee wax. Candle wax also makes the thread stronger.

[@megans6660]

I need that wax 😳I had no idea there was a way to avoid the tangles

[@coolirpa]

Haha! I didn't know I would experience thread tangling so often while hand sewing! I'm so excited to not have that problem this year :P

[@CSmith-tn8nv]

I was taught to heat set the beeswax between tissue paper layers. It takes the stiffness right out and the wax saturates the thread. You just lay iron down on top of the paper enfolding the thread and pull the thread through the 2 paper layers under the iron.

[@maywenearedhel]

I just use a flower-shaped wax melt. It works and makes the thread smell nice too.

[@sarahdeason493]

@@CSmith-tn8nv ... A small flat iron designated for sewing could be used for that and many other sewing tasks. Seems would really come in handy often, be convieient and small enough to not take up much space...I like that idea A lot !!!!

[@queenraven007]

try candle

[@Stacy_Sunshine]

the bar of soap works for keeping your pins from rusting or cleaning them off. Stick a bar in a sock to use it. Once it's too broken up to use for the pins, you can use it in the shower, as is! ;)

[@sagepreaumx9903]

I use bees wax for thread conditioner and find it to be more environmentally friendly. I also use soap scraps as a fabric marker. It's a nice way to use up those little pieces. Instead of ribbon to turn skinny straps I use string. I haven't used the fork pleat method and always have wanted to try it; no pins is a plus.If you wanted to make a big pleat use a hair pick. FYI: I would love a video on environmentally friendly sewing tips/uses and a video on using up scrap fabric.

[@kitkathrin8457]

Check out Annika Victoria, she gives a lot of tips on how to use up scraps/be less wasteful with your materials, she also explains a lot about where to find second-hand fabrics.

[@sagepreaumx9903]

Thanks for the referral.

[@samanthaanngraham3130]

I'd love to see more stuff like this too. I follow Annika as well. She's fantastic (I think her and April did a colab at one point 😁)

[@Veksiful]

My mom is a tailor and she always used soap scraps as a marker.

[@tambranicolekendall9288]

@@kitkathrin8457 I love Annika's videos as well as April's.

[@coolirpa]

Let me know if you'd like to see more videos like this. Also, sorry about the noise from mic in some parts! I think my hair was hitting it -_-. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@anaanaya4346]

It would be really helpful, due to, not all hacks are possible to do or are useless. It would be great if you could do more videos like this and also include the 5 minutes hacks, specially those that recommend to use glue on your clothes XD. Gettings 🤗

[@vivianh1138]

I would LOVE it if you did more videos like this! I really enjoyed this one, it was super helpful!! And I will definitely be trying these hacks! :) thanks, April!!

[@brendajuan8463]

The dress in the background is soooo cute!!!! Is there a video for it?

[@RosieHip24]

@@brendajuan8463 watch her gingham dress video

[@brendajuan8463]

Autumn Williams ooh that's what it's called, thanks!! :)

[@robynlaube1024]

Roll the foil in a sausage like thing. I like to refer to it as a crotch sausage. Also works for the front curve.

[@Rally1ification]

Crotch sausage....... Lol

[@marysandersmacfadyen2675]

Loved the fork idea. I've been sewing for over 50 years. And that's a new one for me. Thanks.

[@rnicholson4135]

As a child I threaded needles for older sewers whose eyesight was failing. Haha, not always a spare child around so I use a needle threader that came with a needle pack. Re using hairspray, please have a thought for the environment when reaching for a can to spray atomised plastic around. Thanks! I’m really enjoying these videos, you are an excellent presenter April!!

[@AshHeaven]

I personally think that using hairspray every time you want to thread a needle is wasteful. There are other simpler and less expensive options. It is one “life hack” that sounds like more trouble than it is worth.

[@squidwardsclarinet457]

OMG samee XD

[@Bexinmo]

Someone should invent pleating forks of different sizes.

[@rachellovesyarn9106]

I wonder if you could use something like a hair pick/comb for making wider pleats? The method does seem really handy!

[@anhtopoftheworld]

You could try 3D printing one for yourself!

[@Bexinmo]

A pick would work!

[@paintpink7300]

You should invent it. That sounds like an Esty shop waiting to happen.

[@sivabouse]

They already exist. I'm studying sewing and at my school we have pleating forks in probably 10 different sizes :)

[@Puppy52]

Thanks for trying the hacks! I’m liking the ribbon to turn the skinny straps, and the pleating with a fork hack!

[@coolirpa]

puppy52 my two faves!

[@Puppy52]

Thank you for liking and pinning my comment! Am I dreaming? XD

[@sapphirecamui6447]

i liked those hacks the most as well. but all seemed interesting, useful, and like they actually work.

[@YehoodToob]

My favourites too

[@daveywaves5325]

Hack-ack-ack-ack! That needs to be sung by Disturbed!

[@ambertriplett6929]

Number ten is my favorite. I just started sewing last week and my main objective is skirts and dresses. For the life of me, I could NOT get a proper pleat. I was so annoyed I had to step away from my machine. So I am excited to give this a try later. This is the first video of yours I've seen and am looking forward to viewing more.

[@judyreynolds305]

My grandmother taught me the ribbon trick when I was 10! That as 50 years ago and still turning my ribbon turn trick

[@laurawood7143]

I was today years old when I realized the end of coolirpa spells April

[@Liv-dh6tn]

Aprilooc

[@xanimmamedova4924]

Me too 😃

[@beccawells8618]

🤔😯🤯

[@ihateyouall7026]

I just subbed and I knew 😂😂

[@mimiarbgonz619]

It's her name, just "Cool April" spelled backwards.

[@kathyjohnson2043]

you can use dollar store emergency candles for thread wax if you need to save $.

[@tambranicolekendall9288]

As someone mentioned further up the thread, it has to be 100% natural wax or it can deteriorate the thread and if oils are present in the emergency wax it can ruin your fabric.

[@AshHeaven]

Dollar Tree has plain tealights. You can just avoid any colored or scented candles.

[@CK9mum]

I love the one about creating gathers using a cord and Zig Zag stitch. Gathering is my arch nemesis so this will be very helpful. April, thank you for testing these and showing them. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos. Big fan!

[@jackierutkowski4876]

You are delightful! My favorite was the string! Since I have been sewing since the stone age it is great to see a NEW idea that is useful Thanks. Keep going Girl!!!

[@susankraft77]

The ribbon turning method would have been very appreciated about 35 years ago when I was sewing little sundresses for my then toddler daughter! I think the idea of using soap as a fabric marker is actually pretty genius. Also, it seems like I remember seeing the pleating with a fork hack years ago, but I've never tried it. Cool video! Thanks! Blessings!!!! 💜💜

[@loristrout4741]

The foil to mark for crotch depth!!! there is a blue ruler just for stuff like that. If you have to use the foil mark it on cardboard keep the cardboard one and you will never have to do it again.

[@marytapia8024]

Excellent 👍

[@karenhardy6629]

Like the ribbon hack for turning straps, too. Also like the hairspray hack and the zig-zag stitch over cording in order gather fabric easily. Thanks for all. Each of them has some advantage for someone out there

[@MissAmesha]

2:22 there's a tool for that. It's a "needle threader." Should come in most sewing kits.

[@stephaniemckinley1559]

my sewing machine does it for me

[@i.kreates2592]

@@stephaniemckinley1559 which brand is it exactly?

[@roscoeadams2206]

Kendi Yvonne mine does too, mines a singer

[@batya7]

Magnifying eyeglasses help too!

[@Liv-dh6tn]

Best things ever. I always buy needles with the included at no extra cost. ♡

[@grandmakatemakes]

The bar of soap for your pins does work. Mothers used to do it all the time for diaper pins. Couple things: leave the wrapper on and just use it as a pin cushion.

[@schickshimmy]

Way back when, we made pin cushions by wrapping a bar of soap in fabric...

[@BonnieLeeTexGirl]

The purpose of sticking pins into a bar of soap is so the pins will glide more easily into the fabric and has nothing to do with sharpening the pins.

[@SpiritBear12]

Correct, soap wont sharpen anything.

[@AshHeaven]

XD That makes a lot more sense.

[@missusingle]

Tinfoil ball *will* tho...

[@seemarajderkar3019]

Very useful tips,April. Thanks.I particularly liked the use of soap for pins,the wax to avoid tangling of thread and the fork for pleating.I will add these in my sewing box !!

[@lutacos]

you could probably make box pleats with the fork thing, that would look like bigger pleats, honestly pleats and hemming circle skirts are so time consuming (for the projects i make) that im actually going to try this

[@annafatima]

My first thought exactly! The size of a fork flipped box pleat (?) should work great.

[@ForeverOneSpirit]

I find the cord for gathering, the fork for pleating and ribbon for strap quite helpful. Thank you.

[@martinatoseva9043]

About your favorite hack, there is another way for turning even smaller straps(or wider too) with thread and a neeadle by sewing it on one of the ends and then pulling the needle threw the tunnel ( with the sharp tip facing the sewed part) then pulling it threw the other end as you did. The only con is that your thread may ripoff,so you have to use a stronger one. And this is one of my favourites too, because I dont have a loop turner.thank you for the demonstration 😍💕💕

[@Biancalovestosew98]

I finished sewing a wrap top tonight💚🌈 I love sewing, I’ve been sewing ever since I was 17

[@3012630126]

ForProper bees waxing thread: Bees wax requires the waxed thread be pulled under a hot STEAMFREE iron to melt the bees wax into the fibers of the thread. ThIs eliminates the roughness mentioned. The Thread MAgic is great but silicone based and can grease-stain and f- up certain fabrics like pure silk and satin and heirloom batiste projects.

[@NiKKey411]

2:19 AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT LICKS THE THREAD old school but it works every time

[@cristydavis6894]

I always do that...no need for all the other hacks lol

[@amygregg1658]

Agree!

[@alyssa_faith]

Yup. If you’re doing it for something non-personal i probably wouldn’t put my spit on it, but something personal ? Heck yeah! 😂

[@AshHeaven]

I think everyone does it, but I try not anymore to because it causes minuscule rusting of the needles’ eyes.

[@chloe2258]

@@AshHeaven you.. lick the thread. It shouldn't be soaked

[@ThaCinna42]

Wow that fork trick is incredible. Gonna keep that in my basket of sewing tricks

[@edeealove]

for smaller pleats I use a fondue fork. I had a broken one with no handle and now it is part of my sewing kit.

[@genevievesylvester5968]

I just stumbled upon your channel and love it!!! Ive been sewing over 50 yrs and my grandmother used soap to mark and that what i learned. I started using dental tape with zig zag for longer gathering projects such as a bed skirt. I also will use it to ease in sleeves! The fork for pleats is a new one and what an awesome idea. and I always use the strawberry on my pincushion to sharpen my needles. I still have the beeswax and holder my grandmother gave to me in the 60's!!!!! Almost gone but it lasts for ever!!!!

[@utoobr10]

"Alright! Who used my sewing fork for spaghetti!"

[@sarahdeason493]

utoobro ... Very Funny !! Great laugh/ Thanks !

[@meacadwell]

Oops, sorry, I won't do it again until next time.

[@kellydukepoo2450]

Not me! My sister did it!!! 😊

[@jenniferrathjensdlrt3661]

LOL!!

[@alyssaduong6485]

Sorry, I just can’t resist spaghetti! I just grabbed a fork

[@kjsturch]

I've been seeing for a few years now but only ever from a pattern. Last night I decided to make a dress for scrap for my 18th birthday (which is today) with some of the methods I've seen you use in your videos and it turned out sooo nice. I'm so impressed. Thank you for the tips 🥰

[@jamieevans1387]

my favorite was the same as yours, turning the strap out. I tried, only once, to turn a fabric casing out and it was a massive fail. Thanks for sharing the tips

[@buslady6695]

I have a set of the plastic tools that can make that job easier. It has 3 different sizes.

[@seriouslymusically2340]

Love the fork pleating idea and the rubber band on the machine for eyeing your line

[@pegasusquilts]

Be careful shaving so you get only the pills and not the fuzz you want on your nice wool! Here is where a store bought battery powered clothes shaver might be a good idea.

[@SoulSearch11110]

I agree

[@AshHeaven]

I think Conair has a nice one.

[@monkeymanstones1]

Nope. Use a pumice stone. A razor cuts the limited hairs (fibers) away till you have a bald spot on your cloth. A pumice stone detangles the pills instead.

[@lisafeldmann9863]

I use a 100 Grit nail file which is used for acrylic nails.

[@monkeymanstones1]

Primarily a pumice stone untangle's the knots which form (the pills are just knotted up fibers of the fabric/hair) and completely eliminate pilling until the garment is generally back to it's original, untangled shape/condition. A pumice stone which isn't overly coarse is your absolute best friend in such cases.

[@cathybodi5223]

LOVE THE RIBBON THRU A STRAP HACK! IT ALSO WILL STABILIZE THE STRAP FROM BECOMING ROUNDED.

[@ramblerjam]

I'm totally gonna use the soap as fabric marker trick! Didn't know about thread conditioner, that sounds very cool too.

[@abigaelrarts2257]

Omg the ribbon for the straps and the fork pleats are genius!!! And your pleats looked so good!!!

[@sunitafisher4758]

🌸 soap used to mark fabric was used for yrs and yrs Remember my granny doing this I bet most of these tricks are from someone’s grandmother Threading needle, use beeswax to keep point tip stiff, hairspray is just modern twist but not as good In my granny’s sewing box she kept some beeswax to wax the thread before she sewed anything

[@Oldebookworm]

Gail Fisher yes, these are ‘old’ hacks. Been sewing for 50 years myself. But, so few people learn to sew from experienced family sewists that these younger sewists need to learn them. And this is a good way to spread the knowledge.

[@taiachea3097]

This was a fun and educational video. Some hacks were actually new to me and i loved the zigzag cord and the soap as marking chalk the best. For the straps, i personally just sew normally and then make a notch at the end so a bobby pin can slide through, then i run the bobby pin through the straps to turn them inside out. You don’t have to worry about stitching the ribbon down

[@CelineAdobea]

the thread conditioner is so smart!! I have some beeswax, oils and containers so I'll play around and create my own blend 😍 Thanks for sharing! 🌱

[@WeenokaChavers]

I really love the fact that you tried these hacks out first. The thread was is great for me, painters tape or rubber band method is my best friend now, live how you did the skinny strap too.

[@MissRebekah1974]

Instead of Hair Spray, Beeswax, or Conditioner just use a piece of candle. For thousands of years a bit of candle to treat the thread. Yes, I do mean Thousands or years. A bit of candle wax has been known and documented since Biblical times. Those tomatoes that have been traditional pincushions have the baby tomato filled with sand. That is to sharpen the needles, just push in and pull out a dozen or more times. My Dad used to call me an Ol' Sew n Sew.

[@NoRevengeNeeded]

😂

[@robinkinley6851]

Be careful, if you press on thread that’s been treated with beeswax, it could leave an ugly stain when it melts on your fabric, especially a solid color...

[@hume6900]

If you are making your own pincushions fill them with crushed walnut shells unless you have an allergy to nuts. The walnut shells act like the emery in the strawberry attached to the tomato pincushions. They are generally easier to find as pet supply stores carry them for putting in the bottom of rabbit cages, you can also find them at fabric or quilt shops.

[@MissRebekah1974]

@@robinkinley6851 Maybe that's why candle wax was used more than beeswax. That stuff is a little pricey, save it for the wood furniture. It smells great and gives wood a wonderful finish that feels nice and has a warm sheen to it. Aunt B

[@pearldouglas8487]

Totally gonna use the string for turning thin strips of fabric and the pleating. Great ideas

[@sammywashere123]

Soap was harmed in the making of this video

[@craftykirsty277]

I love the idea to use a small ribbon to turn straps! Definitely going to try it!

[@gabiemiller]

"but you can't use [a fork] to make a big pleat" my first thought was "try a hair pick?" and then i did a google search and saw an image of someone trying this so it might be do-able :D

[@TwoWitchyMoons]

Or a serving fork, they're definitely muuuuuch larger.

[@suzielurie4738]

That's a brilliant idea. It's plastic so a little flexible but it would work!!

[@bordershader]

I'm a bit freaked out by this 'hair pick', don't know if it's because I have short hair, or it's a US term, never heard of it but the only reason I can think you'd need to pick at your hair is to get rid of nits so I'd have to use a tonne of disinfectant before letting it touch my fabric! 😄😄😳🤢😁😁

[@SaikoTaiko]

@@bordershader Maybe buy a new one and only use it for sewing?

[@erinalexander2269]

@@bordershader hair pick is just another word for comb with longer prongs. Instead of multiple short prongs it has less longer prongs

[@sjjones2004]

I was always told to use glycerin soap to help the needles and pins glide more efficiently, seemed to work temporarily! I love the fork idea!

[@Oloreanwa]

I liked these hacks and I will use them. I just started sewing a few weeks ago and they'll be useful for me. #9 (string under zig-zag for gathering) can work if you tie a not at one end of the string and pull the other. When you reach the wanted size after gathering, tie another knot at the other end too. :)

[@siiritammisalo5131]

THAT STRAP TURNING THING OMFG I NEEDED THAT SO FREAKING MUCH THANK YOU!!!!

[@BratBustersParenting]

The foil was my favourite as pants are always a challenge to fit perfectly. Great video :)

[@bordershader]

Definitely, but I'd draw a cardboard template from the foil so you don't have to keep wasting foil 👍

[@eviolinarts5014]

Omg the ribbon hack was so satisfying to watch

[@Fancylooks]

Excellent, this is all very useful, I really liked the fork one and the ribbon for the straps and the thread conditioning

[@joanrossington6932]

Love the ribbon trick for thin straps. Thank you for taking the time to pass all these tips on.

[@thetipsyrabbit5758]

You can buy a 'flexible' ruler...it is 36" long and is invaluable for custom measuring 3D!

[@SageWhite-Rose]

I liked the gathering tip and the pleating tip too. Also, I collect those little hotel soaps, or the trial size ones and I run me thread through it and it conditions it fairly well. Thank for the video. 🤗👍

[@naemi1985]

I don’t sew at all, but I’m in love with your videos haha.. 💞

[@raragrace5040]

I’ve been hand sewing for years and always have trouble with my thread bunching and knotting. Thank you so much for the wax/conditioner tip, I’ve never heard of that before! 😁

[@SpiritBear12]

-- If you don't have the thread magic or the bee's wax, you can use a very very thin layer of Vaseline on the thread and that also helps condition the thread and keep it from fraying. If your thread is bunching up while you're hand sewing, it means you have too much twist in the thread. Let the end of the thread hang (make sure you don't lose the needle). Lightly hold the thread with your thumb and forefinger and run your fingers down the thread to the needle a couple of times and this will make the thread untwist. Resume sewing. No need to cut the thread and start again. -- As for the foil trick, there is a better product out there that is specifically made for such things. It's called a flex curve and it's used in drafting patterns. They cost around 12 - 15 dollars. It's basically a foam rubber tube with a rod of lead inside. It's forms to what you want it to and isn't as flimsy as the foil, so it keeps it's shape better. It's also heavy so it stays put as you trace around it on paper or fabric. -- For dull needles and pins you can resharpen them. Remember the old Tomato pin cushions with the little strawberry attached to it? Well that strawberry has a purpose. It's filled with emery sand. You can stab your needles and pins in it repeatedly to resharpen the tips of them. Try to find one with a as large of a strawberry as you can. The bigger it is, the less chance you're going to have in accidentally stabbing your own finger in it. Or hold a smaller one in some needle nose pliers to keep your fingers away from it. Also, when you pin or sew new fabric that hasn't been washed yet, that fabric has sizing sprayed on it from the factory. It's like a starch to help the fabric look nice and crisp on the bolts in the stores. That sizing gets on needles, pins and scissors. It tends to gum up those surfaces making needles and pins harder to slide through fabric and scissors dull. You can remove this sticky dulling coating with Brake Cleaner. Go to the automotive section of a store and buy a spray can of Brake Cleaner. When home, spray some on a rag and wipe down the blades of your fabric scissors, it will remove that coating that makes the scissors dull. wipe down your needles too. Stab your pins in it as well. Be careful when discarding the rag as that brake cleaner is flammable. It does evaporate leaving no residue on your scissors, pins and needles, they will all be very clean. It also helps to prevent rust. I used to work in a Walmart in the Fabrics section and that is what I used on my own scissors when I would cut swaths of fabric there. I didn't use the store's community scissors because they were abused with bad blades. I had my own pair that I kept in my locker at the end of my shift. I also kept my Brake Cleaner in my locker. I did clean the community scissors. It helped but it can't make up for abused blades. Be nice to your fabric scissors, and no not use them on paper! Use craft scissors for that.

[@MadameRosaFortuneTeller]

thanks for all that info!

[@myriamcardona984]

Thanks for taking the time to share all this valuable info. GRACIAS

[@NiamhCreates]

The last hack... with the fork... is LIFE-CHANGING. 😮😲

[@sofiasalzano9151]

I don't hand sew a lot but I love using thread magic when I do

[@coolirpa]

nice! I curious to thread an entire bobbin using it

[@laurabarbato3204]

Loved the fork and cording gather for heavy fabric. Thank you!

[@rockmusicisperfection2791]

Tip #10 "Repeat this process..." Don't you mean... repleat?

[@faithmarie1881]

Rock Music Is Perfection damn that was smooth

[@rockmusicisperfection2791]

Thanks haha

[@alleghany999]

Who cares.

[@AshHeaven]

Smooth like those pleats

[@lindaorosco2428]

I really, REALLY like the idea of using a cord to turn a narrow casing! I'll also try using a zig-zag stitch for gathering, too. And although I don't do much pleating, using a fork is genius!

[@GweebusDayLaHubcap]

Ok now I really want to make a pleated skirt just to try the fork thing! That and I really want to just tell people I made a skirt with a fork 😂

[@coolirpa]

Gweebus Daylahubcap haha!!! You must 😂

[@NiamhCreates]

That was my favorite hack!

[@IAmNotYourProblem]

I make school girl skirts this way all the time! What I do is I use the fork and iron it, and do that down the skirt, then sew it all at once. The metal of the fork means I won’t burn anything as I’m ironing with it. I like the crisp pleat look, so this is my go too! If I use my pins I end up bending them or melting the plastic end!

[@AshHeaven]

Same, I will even embroidery forks onto the skirt.

[@nancyshaner8548]

Loved these hints. To sharpen pins and needles you can use a fine emery cloth and you can buy emery sand to fill a piece of fabric, like the strawberry that used to hang from a pin cushion. Those used to be filled with emery sand. With the emery cloth you can just rub the needle or pin end over it to sharpen or to remove burs.

[@Ilovevintage77]

Could you use a larger serving fork to make a wider pleat if you wanted to? I think that could work. I love that hack

[@ThreadheadTV]

I have to believe you could!

[@christina1wilson]

I use buttonhole thread when I use the zig-zag gathering method and it has always worked well. Smaller thread than what you used and easier to hide and miss accidentally sewing it down while zig zaging.

[@Marlene5018]

2:56 “Ops I Hope didn’t get on the camera!” ....Too late! we all who was watching the video and ended with hair spry on the eyes 👀 🤣🤣🤣🤣!

[@janethcastaneda3810]

I liked your video because I love Pinterest but it’s hard to find what really works out of all the options. So I feel like you did the work for us. Thank you.

[@cynthiat3261]

For the soap, set aside end pieces from the shower, or use the soaps given in hotels...

[@teward36]

My mother used the ribbon for pulling small straps inside out when i was a kid. That was back in the 80s lol it works great. Im glad you found that old school hack. 😉🤗

[@haycjones]

When you hit 2m you could do an auction on some of the pieces you made on this channel. It'd be a really cool way to celebrate

[@pegasusquilts]

Best description of the fork pleating technique I've seen, and I've seen a lot! You are the only person who mentioned how to use the same fork to make a different size. Got me thinking--maybe a tiny seafood fork for little pleats or a big serving fork for big ones? You can find all kinds of odd sizes at discount and second hand stores. I guess the length you end up with depends on how close the pleats are to each other. If they touch perfectly it would be 1/3 what you start with?

[@d.v.crystal5589]

Beeswax! Thank you for solving the mystery of what was that thing in my Grandmother’s sewing kit!

[@oliviakilpatrick]

YES! The strap tip was mind blowing!

[@miriamwilson3561]

Yay! Your channel helped me a lot when I made my Sailor Jupiter costume.

[@coolirpa]

That's awesome!! :)

[@pjfoltz8810]

Liked the ribbon to help turning the straps and the fork to make pleats! Thanks for sharing!

[@PastPresentNow]

when using bee was it works to iron the thread to melt the wax into it. do this on scrap fabric as to not leave residue on your iron board.

[@chinqupinchatter9485]

Like the honesty about where you use the money you earn! You really have business acumen aaaaannd personality!

[@Miyanlovee]

Pincushion and wax thread are nice hacks. I've known of that using forks to create pleats, but never tried it yet~

[@valerieconover6373]

I’ve used #9 for years! We called it the “curtain rod” method, in my costume shop. We used a heavier thread, in a contrasting color, so it’s easy to see while your zig-zagging, so you don’t accidentally stitch it. Then once you stitch the gathering down, you can remove and reuse the thread. I use it for heavier fabrics and bigger projects, but it certainly isn’t appropriate for ALL projects. Thanks for sharing these, April! I liked the spaghetti strap hack, too!

[@virginiameyer4862]

I liked them all, except the razor one. I did that once on a shirt, (favorite), and I ended up cutting a large hole in the shirt. (Sad.)

[@samaraisnt]

I've done that too and I've never heard anyone talk about it.

[@stellac3047]

Was it not flat? Those safety razors can cut skin too if the skin isnt taut.

[@TheAbbyDream13]

The zig-zag stitch and cording to make gathers was the first method I learned for gathering fabric. 2 basting stitches always tended to snap for me. I use quilter's thread as my cord when I have to hand gather things. It's so satisfying to pull out the cord after the gathers have been sewn in place

[@titimacaulay3398]

This fork hack is my fav! Now my forks have more responsibilities than helping me feed😂. Thanks April.

[@ellabear8983]

THAT DRESS IN THE BACK!!! GAGGED!

[@styledbygabi]

Okay whoa thanks for the foil hack bc I have strayed away from making pants bc it never works for me and I feel like it might actually help

[@NayLouise24]

It's a game changer! 5 out of 4 has a great blog on how to use it to change your patterns.

[@cjtramm8]

Turning the strap and using the fork are something I think will be very useful. Thanks

[@jatoha]

The soap would also work as thread conditioner and to stiffening the thread when threading a needle.

[@smallfootprint2961]

The pleating with a fork is a very good idea. Have to measure how many pleats you need in the space you have. The other one I like a lot is, turning a narrow strap with a ribbon. Very cool. Thanks, April... Lynn