5 Things You Didn't Know Your Sewing Machine Could Do!

[@SpiritBear12]

When you make a button hole on thin fabric, esp if it's a single layer of fabric, you should put a thin piece of tear away interfacing on the back side of the fabric. This helps to stiffen the fabric and give the button hole better structure and supports the fabric inside the button hole stitching. Then when you're done stitching it, tear away the excess interfacing.

[@piscesrain8882]

SpiritBear12 thanks for that tip !

[@lyricwritertoo]

Absolutely. All zig zag wants to go back to the circle shape. A thin fabric wont hold it out flat. I discovered blue print tracing paper, took some rolls off my husband, it works great and only thing I use now. It’s stiff to not let pencils tear it but tears off easy like a postage stamp when sewn. And very cheap. I still have the same two rolls form the 80s! Can also trace on top to do free motion, like making a monogram. I dont have computerized. I only do free motion on regular machines.

[@bhavanapatel4025]

@@lyricwritertoo very helpful video

[@laceandbits]

And in dressmaking a buttonhole is (almost) never made on a single layer of fabric. There would be two layers, the garment plus facing, and usually interfacing as well. The only time one would be made on a single layer would be to make a slot on a bag for a cord, or on the waistband of something like drawstring trousers and then the buttonhole would usually be supported by a square of facing on the back.

[@nimeryaspawnbrd1049]

Also, a fairly good sewing machine already has its own combination for buttonholes amongst the regular stitches, so one can avoid fidgeting with traction, tension and a lot of other technical stuff you don't want to screw with 😜 Same goes for the "drawing" with the cord... oh, and for making it even easier, there are a number of embellishing feets that are meant to be feed with various cords, ribbons, strands of pearls/sequins to guide them correctly while sewing. Check out the options for your machine's brand

[@TinHeart]

I love the way you say "It can be difficult, but just be persistent." That's like the best example of being empathetic but also motivating.

[@evelynj.amponsah8417]

Glad to see a man who know his way around a sewing machine, i,ve been sewing since 9 and I have a business, I have 5 sewing machines and 2 servers, love my servers, Getting ready to purchase a Embroidery machine from a friend of mine at a steal. Maybe do a few vlogs using the serger. Glad I found your channel. Thxs for sharing.

[@wolfiesun9404]

I'm a cosplayer and the scarlett johanson tip was insanely helpful for any future light up body suit ideas. THis is crazy

[@ElizabethJones-pv3sj]

I'd imagine the consequences of accidentally hitting the luminescent strip with a needle would be bigger than a piece of ordinary string, I'd get a proper cording foot or hand sew it for more control.

[@LacedWithOreos]

Thank you for being concise and having nice, crisp close ups. Very easy to follow~

[@googlethis313]

My mom was my first sewing teacher. And (In my day)we had home-economics classes in school. Which took it a step further. But no one ever showed me what that ,or any other, was for! 🤦🏻‍♀️...and I’m unsure as to why I never asked.🤷🏻‍♀️ Basically what I’m saying is I’ve hand rolled edges for Way to many years! Thanks for the knowledge!

[@ycftokyo]

Well hand-rolled is luxury these days !

[@catscompany735]

I have been sewing since I was 6 years old! I started sewing by making Barbie Doll cloths by hand since I didn't have a sewing machine! I was 12 when I got my first machine! I'm in my 60's now &'own 3 sewing machines! I have owned several over the years and each and every time I bought a sewing machine, the store where I bought them gave lessons on how to use it and how it can be used, in great detail! The stores also offered extra lessons, for free! Also every machine I have and have had came with very nice and very detailed descriptions of each and every pressure foot and what they are used fir and what they can be used for, along with a book full of other instructions for the machine! There are sewing lessons available all over. Any fabric store can give you info on where these lessons are available! I have even paid for lessons when I felt I needed them! When any one buys a sewing machine they need to ask for lessons and instructions for the particular machine they are buying! They should never leave the store not knowing what the machine is capable of! If the store can't provide this, don't buy there! No one should leave a store not knowing everything about their machine, or they should be told to come back for lessons! If you buy a sewing machine and don't know what everything is, that's your fault! I can't believe this guy had to put this kind of completely basic instructions on here!

[@MaureenSpaulding]

Some great tips in this video and pouncing is something that I use constantly! I will add that there is a sewers chalk pouncer you can get at the fabric store but powder does work too. I HIGHLY recommend you use a tailors chalk or pencil to trace out the design because as you work with it the design gets brushed off and distorted. Also you may have noticed as they were couching the yarn down (that was a Dr Who design if you were interested) they were keeping too much tension on the yarn making the design pucker. Keep just enough tension on the yarns, ribbons or threads as you sew over them to keep them under the needle. It's a great way to monogram towels, bags and pillowcases without an embroidery machine. You will notice that they use an embroidery hoop for most things in the video but I am not a fan of this for some things. You can't use it on every fabric because it will leave a mark you can't get out, like on velvet or fabric with a nap. I will use it for embroidery on a standard machine because of the need to steer the fabric in so many directions. If I were working with velvet though I would put a sticky backed interfacing in the hoop. It's much like Contact paper which I have used in a pinch, in that it's plastic or webbing with a paper on one side which when removed exposes an extremely sticky surface. Once you hoop a piece of this with the paper on, use a pin to score an X on the paper and peel it off exposing the sticky side. Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, across where you want to embroider and press the center fold on the sticky paper. Open it up to press and smooth it out onto the paper. I then place a tear away plastic interfacing called Solvy on top of the fabric because it keeps the threads from sinking into the nap. This is torn away CAREFULLY once completed and you can trim it off if there's tiny pieces that won't come away. Insert into the machine and do the sewing. Once completed, remove from the machine and carefully tear away the extra sticky paper on the back as well as the Solvy and use tiny scissors to get any excess that doesn't tear away. For button holes I use iron on interfacing on the wrong side of fabric that is cut slightly larger than the marked area. Most button packets (the stripe of the front of the shirt where you are going to have the row of button holes) will need to be interfaced anyway but I use slightly stiffer pieces where the holes will be sewn. Test this on a scrap piece of the fabric and if it shows through where the edges are pressed, use a double layer of painters tape. The excess will tear away easily once stitched but the little bit caught under the stitching won't show but will help maintain a nice looking buttonhole. The other option is to stiffen the fabric with a wash away fabric stiffener. This works well for most of the projects in the video. I almost always prewash my fabrics to avoid shrinking after all the work getting things to fit right but once washed fabric is often left too soft to work with. You'll need to iron out the fabric anyway so I add spray starch to add body back to the fabric. If you let it dry and do several passes you can get a nice stiff fabric to use in projects like these that will soften right back up upon washing.

[@furryfromfinley3602]

not to mention hoops can stretch the fabric and distort the final image, also some machines come with an extension plate wich is mighty helpfull and reduces the need for hooping, most button homes are interfaced and multi layers of the one fabric where as buttons are ither same as button hole of have a peice of fabric or another smaller button behind for reinforcing, and tear away is awesom stuff thanks for all the tips and tricks for the pile fabrics, will need to try them all for future projects

[@creatrixZBD]

Maureen Spaulding thanks, great comment. :)

[@notebookluvr]

Maureen Spaulding probably easier to just make your own video 😌 i would definitely watch it!

[@wendyfay16]

I've often seen another piece of fabric 'lining' between the buttonholes & the facing on the other side ... same goes with many buttons ... as opposed to needing to use a smaller button on the back of a larger one.

[@Meg0860]

so many great tips, do you have a youtube channel?

[@kateedwards2191]

Oh wow! I’ve been sewing for 35 years and still learned so much from your tutorial! I subscribed and am eager to learn more!

[@georgettesledge6079]

I NEVER KNEW MY MCHINE COULD DO SO MUCH.. YOUR A GREAT TEACHER I WILL KEEP LEARNING FROM THIS TUTORIAL, AN SHARE IT WITH OYHERS👍👍👍👍👍

[@darlenenelson215]

nice video, love seeing a man do these things. Great job😊

[@create2009]

Thanks!

[@418indiansummer]

Great info, I subscribed

[@Joxcie]

This is an extraordinary stunning video, filled with originality and completely avoiding clickbait. Really great! Thank you for the inspiration and easy understandable tutorial

[@christinachen1152]

I like e idea of placing pin at end of sewn button hole b4 ripping. Great idea👍 Thanks.

[@LunaLaLove33]

I think you should relaunch your channel man - your info is highly understandable and you have many great can do videos!

[@janicegibbons205]

Elyse Johnson, Is he not doing this anymore? I had just subscribed😩. Than yoo for the heads up.💞

[@lindakiker1963]

i think the men on these videos about sewing are GREAT.....so easy to follow

[@Charlotte-wp9rf]

I still use my 59 year old Singer, with the same attachments he has, but his machine is a lot newer. I don’t dial-a-stitch... it has 8 fashion discs, zigzag, blind hemming stitch, blanket stitch, scallop, squares, etc...and I love it. I’ll use it until it wears out.! It has made a lot of clothing for my girls and myself over the years. Great for monogramming also. Very nice video. Thank you.

[@kathiego233]

I agree with Vexey Teh - Awesome. I've been sewing and embroidering by machine for a number of years and rely on a fancy machine that uses electricity. Wow with this information a person who owns an antique treadle sewing machine, that only sews a straight stitch, could do these items without relying on electricity. Very cool! Thank you for sharing this!

[@ioleguest8614]

In the hoop machine embroidery

[@terryrossman647]

Thank you, Matt for showing the process of cutting that is accurate and fast. I am so glad that I found you and Donna! I am new to quilting and have learned so much from the best!!! Thank you both again!

[@bikrgran]

The one thing that really helped me was the hemming foot. GREAT way to evenly start the hem. Starting was always a bugger-boo for me. THANKS!

[@nanadx3]

This is awesome. I'm a 65 year old woman and no one has ever shown me how to make a button hole. Mystery solved! Thank you so much!

[@sunflowerlover9344]

wow. I never quit understood how to use that small hemming foot. found all tips very interesting

[@Crushonius]

actually he used it wrong

[@tranquilityyogapilates2946]

Me too, going to use it from now on, thanks - great little tip

[@grcarthew7234]

Quite right. The whole point of a rolled hem is that it's rolled. That's just hemmed. With the foot loaded correctly (it is a pain in the backside but coaxing it with a pin helps) you will end up with a small, neat rolled hem.

[@mabelbrooks9881]

Sunflower Lover and hq

[@mabelbrooks9881]

Crushonius jxpwvnm M

[@alexiscarlsenwenzel8939]

I assumed I would know most of these things, and I really was suprised at a few of these. Thanks for the more clever uses!

[@anavah4yeshua580]

Wow! This just showed up in my feed & I watched out of curiosity. For months I have been trying to figure out how I can get a certain picture on a black sweatshirt. The punching technique has solved my problem! Thank you!!

[@hummerklein2567]

Yes it just popped up on mine also while my friend and I were on the phone and she asked if I could mail her some lace for her jeans and she said she wanted a design and wala Pop there it is .

[@donnaberk1289]

Thank you for this post! I have just returned to sewing and need to update my basic skills. Your video is easy to follow, kudos! 👍👍👍👍

[@screeningmimi]

Thank YOU!!! That is the first demo using the hemming foot, that makes sense to me. I realize that speaks more to my general lack of an attention span, than of the skills of others who have tried, but you did a terrific job!

[@JuliaNeubauer]

Neat!! Thanks. My students engaged more after watching demonstrations. Videos are the next best thing to live demos.

[@InAHollowTree]

The rolled hem feature blew my mind. I'm never doing that by hand again!

[@imasteelrose]

Thank you for the rolled hem demonstration. I am going to try it today!

[@laurelturnbull]

well thank you,I have never iin all mý sewing years ever realized you can use your machine without the foot,looks so much easier to do all these things,thanks again.

[@gerithebiker]

Dude, you are a sewing artist! That freehand embroidery is jawdropping!

[@dollyknockers]

What a great video. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and skills.

[@m.v.1230]

thank you, I've never seen any of these techniques. loved your video. Super glad i came across this video by chance.

[@MaiTran-hf2gs]

This is the great tutorial to me. I bought a second hand household sewing machine,I had no ideas about doing buttons holes. Thank you very much for very detailed instructions.

[@happysculler]

who'd have known?! I love the simplicity of these techniques! ... of course it must be how it was done before all our incredible high-end machines (which I have some of) existed!

[@denisewilliams2960]

Wow God Bless You. I was just talking to my daughter about learning how to do embroidery on my sewing machine. It has it but I can't figure out how to do it. I'm more of a show me person and I can do it, rather than read it and learn. I say this to say thank you so much, I think I got it now.

[@nancyloomis3046]

This is a helpful video for beginning sewists. And your video/audio is super clear which really helps. Good for people who cannot afford more expensive machines...let's them know that they can do creative projects even with a basic machine.

[@stephaniebrady31]

OMG!!!!!! I have been thinking I needed to save for a machine that also embroiders!!! I can embroider NOW!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

[@ChandraRogersakaCrazedQuilter]

I know this response is almost a year old, but I thought I'd let you know there is a foot you can use for embroidering that'll offer you a bit more protection for your fingers. It's sometimes called a darning or free motion foot.

[@kellypatterson9456]

You're the Bob Ross of sewing for people who have never sewn in their lives!

[@joeyraemac]

O. M. G. I have searched for a video like this to no avail... I seriously thought I'd have to save up for an embroidery machine but you've totally just rocked my world!!! Thanks!

[@loisthurston7769]

Wonderful tutorial! I didn't know about that rolled hemming foot. And the tip on doing the buttonhole was great!

[@shellylafleur7456]

This was so helpful. Thank you. I've been sewing for years and have never tried some of these.

[@lindadechow3703]

Thank you so much for demonstrating that rolled hemmer. I have been wanting to try it out and watching you, with all the tips you gave really helped me get the courage to try it. Stitching that box in free motion is sheer genius! Thank you once again. All of your suggestions are excellent.

[@LacedMetal]

Seriously awesome and encouraging! Thank you for sharing these techniques. I found the embroidery and button hole especially helpful. I have a very basic machine, and no money to upgrade. Now it may be possible to get some prototypes made on my meager budget.

[@MrOramato]

Which Gender Pronoun is proper for a Dude who knows this stuff ? Oh, don’t get your hose in a bunch. At least I watched half of it.

[@themockingjay94]

My sewing machine can play guitar?!?!?

[@zxbcv]

Me: Mom can you sew my ripped shorts? Mom: Sure honey :)) **suddenly hears heavy metal in the sewing room**

[@aratneerg3699]

Lol

[@denaleesdreams]

I applaud you, Sir. You possess a brilliant set of skills! I could not sew a straight stitch without help!!

[@nikkiw9564]

Oh wow! I have been sewing for years and did not know what pouncing was, nor yarn sewing! Pouncing seems so simple, as it has been done with simple stenciling... why didn't I notice that... !! .. Great ideas. Thank you.

[@irisbriggs9869]

Love how you done the button hole I will be having ago at trying that.thanks for the easy to follow instructions.

[@Bbpierced]

WHOA!! No clue how I stumbled on your video but WOW! Thanks for being so precise on explaining the tips. My 12 year olde LOVES to sew too & I’ll be showing her this channel so she can show her sewing club at school. Thank you again.

[@janicebartmess9950]

Gotta love a man that sews, knits, embroiders, quilts, etc.

[@alicesuchanoff1253]

THIS WHOLE TUTORIAL IS AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!I'm saving it and sending it my quilting buddies. Thank you !!

[@DonnaAskins]

Well done! I have always detested working with my buttonhole foot and am looking forward to trying this method instead. Also, many many thanks for the pouncing ideas. I have used a chalk pouncer for quilting stencils and never realized it could help me with many other projects. Ignore the unkind comments -- you're doing good in the world.

[@tinafreethy9571]

I have a buttonhole foot that works fine. However, there is always more than 1 way to do something esp with sewing so appreciate the other way to make a button hole. I definitely need to try the embroidery method. I love the way the patch turned out and need to try that too! Thanks for sharing!

[@rebeccaparks1100]

This is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing! So excited to try this.❤️

[@avicennitegh1377]

wow - how to explore the potential of my basic sewing machine -- thanks so much for the crisp, clear demonstrations, instructions and you're such a cutie!

[@magdalenap.5276]

You are a genius :D I had no idea that any kind of sewing maschine has such a potencial!

[@tctreanor7437]

So AWESOME!! Thank you for posting this video! I hate button holes and normally do anything but that because of them. This makes it so easy! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@create2009]

Thanks for the post! I worked hard on this video, it's really nice to see people benefiting from it!

[@raquelgomez9457]

Awesome video! Now I know so much more I'll be able to do on my sewing machine! Thanks for sharing your video.

[@lonjemariesfashions5117]

I have always strayed away from buttonholes, this will make me not afraid of them ,thank you very very much!!!!

[@kariscains5198]

This has been in my suggested for awhile but I kept looking at the guitar and thinking "eh. Doesn't really look like sewing don't think I'm interested." I was SO wrong. That was incredibly interesting and informative. Stuff I hadn't seen before. Thanks for making this video!

[@WendyHopper]

Those are some pretty impressive sewing machine skills you have there. I have never gotten that rolled hem foot to work; now I think I stand a chance. Thanks!

[@bluesky742]

Wonderful video. Learned things I never knew how to do! As a 75 year old the 100 year old gives me hope!

[@jaaziel9]

Excellent job in explaining. very informative. I had been sewing for over never years, and never seen clear instructions on how to use the roll hem tool until your video. Thanks for detailed, thoughly explained video.

[@winstonchaychel]

I LOVE freehand embroidery. I picked up a big box of foot attachments from a thrift store for $1 that even had a ruffling foot in it 💖

[@deborahgiles8214]

Pretty cool freehand buttonhole. That's the first time I've seen that done.

[@janicemaceachern1004]

hahaha...I learned to sew a buttonhole with a zig zag foot, almost exactly the same way you did, back in 1973/1974! I really like to do it myself. I prefer my sewing machines with as few options as possible. I feel more creative that way. I loved my old Singer treadle machine.

[@sross1952]

I tried to follow a video online on how to use the hemming foot....a half hour later and a lot of frustration, I gave up. Your video really helped me and I have subscribed. Thank you so very much!

[@jeannemarie9466]

For the initial narrow hem, insert, by hand or with your machine, a 'thread tail' a few inches long, and use it to guide your fabric (lightly pull it behind the needle). It took a bit before I learned this tiny hint, but incredibly helpful, & very easy. Clip it, and go! Happy stitching!

[@carolekwok2593]

wow, I like the videos alot. They are really practical and easy to follow. Keep them rolling!

[@deltaboy767]

I absolutely LOVE your videos, your tutorials are so thorough concise. And your voice is very calming and relaxing.

[@Lobstrique]

hey, that was great! too bad you don't have much views yet. it's so hard to find sewing videos on youtube which are actually helpful

[@create2009]

Thanks Maria!!! That means a lot, I worked hard on this video!

[@prominecraftgirl1922]

Mary Mary q

[@maryulrich1391]

Mary

[@cherylyoung2056]

+Ikrash Umair of my

[@bikinggal1]

17g now

[@kathydavenport3152]

These are helpful ideas; and you did a great job demonstrating so it's easy to understand. Thank you!

[@chloerailsback4386]

Button holes were always so hard! thanks for showing me the easy way to do things!

[@tariblevins955]

This was super informative! Thank you

[@DLTapped]

Just starting to sew again after a lapse of 30 years or so. Was never good at it, just made the odd few bits. Really useful video--thanks.

[@Jade-zx8md]

Making buttons holes has always been something I’ve been afraid to do. You made it look so easy! I’ll have to try this trick!

[@denisegreen8023]

Very cool! This was so informative, easily followed and understandable, Short, sweet, and to the point. Well done! Love the way you teach! gratitude and respect. Namaste

[@amberneal8034]

the button hole trick! amazing life changer thank you! still trying to figure out the embroider with a sewing machine part.

[@hannahmccallum3016]

I THINK I FELL IN LOVE! You do everything so gracefully, and once I saw your face, a smile lit up :3

[@JesusisKing222]

I feel like I was given the keys to knowledge watching this! Thank you so (sew?) much!!!

[@caralinehowden2951]

This is how all of us oldies made a button hole on machines that didnt have the attachment, I would also say that if you turn your seam ripper up the other way which it is designed you would have no chance of poking yourself. That is what the knob on the end is for. On a lighter note nice to see a man sewing for a change, I almost grabbed a coffee to enjoy the show, haha

[@laurabarber6697]

At first I was like what a man's voice! And then you show me this amazing rolled hem trick! I subscribed thank you!

[@horsey3892]

If you are ever in London wander down to Savile Row and see who the tailors are, just think of the late great Alexander McQueen.

[@rongablue]

Excellent, clear, no nonsense tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

[@lisagardner1317]

I love your ideas, the only thing i knew of is the button hole one! I have used the darning foot. I like that you use the hoop, so much easier to keep the fabric steady! Thanks!

[@vcarrollparkhill]

Thank you for your clear and understandable audio track to this great tutorial!

[@moltr99]

These are great! Thank you for taking the time to share ideas we can use our regular machine to create.

[@TheEnglishladyskitchengarden]

This is probably the most useful video that I have watched this year.

[@denisewinant6366]

I love the pin in the end of the buttonhole tip....I never thought of that....DUH.

[@dlebrun1963]

I have struggled with button holes for 30 years. They are my kryptonite. Thank you so much.

[@terriblewillen1092]

This was exactly what I needed. Liked and subscribed

[@misunflowerstyle906]

this was so amazing! i have to watch it again. Maybe i can learn to combine my love of lettering with my skill for sewing. i hope this is as easy as it looks.

[@nynurse2]

Great tips!!! Thank you!

[@Alayses]

My machine has a button hole option, so I'll use that, but the embroidery tip... I'll definitely test that one!

[@alimahthecrochetniqabi6871]

I'm new to sewing but this video has some awesome hacks and I will be trying them especially the button hole. Thanks for sharing

[@stephanieswtchks800]

Where have you been all my life? Thank you💖

[@catgrin]

Totally useful video! All of the provided examples were things usable in many ways, and both the video work and instructions were clear. Subscribed!

[@beauxmimi77]

Fabulous video! Incredibly clear, concise instructions! While I already know how to do these things--it is so refreshing to perhaps learn some tips or refresh my memory of certain helps! Your pictures are clear, your voice is fabulous and the step-by-step instructions are wonderful! Thank you a thousand times over to a huge fan!!!! AAAAAA+++++++ Hope you have a terrific week! Subscribed!

[@alex224godzilla7]

Just learning to sew and everyone else has made even button holes look complicated!! You made them easy and now I might try them. I am also going to lose the foot and mend a ton of jeans by darning!!! I know what i was doing wrong!!!! Tons of money saved by that one tip!!!

[@bunberrier]

That was a very educational set of demos. Well done!

[@bonniebartloe9898]

Hi that button hole looks super! I never thought it could be so easy without an attachment I'm going to subscribe for sure thanks a lot. I'll be watching your other videos as well

[@185Diannah]

I loved tips in this video, very informative. I learned a little more to help with my sewing projects, especially creating small hems that was a hook, line, and sinker for me.