My BEST tips to FINISH your Sewing Projects

[@ginaolive4853]

I don’t have a bookcase of shame. I keep my projects in art bin boxes and stack them up so I have a Tower of Terror!!

[@brendastevens8325]

Thats great idea lol

[@Pricklepuss1347]

Things I've learnt: 1- Make it year in advance or the night before/on the way to the event. THERE IS NO INBETWEEN 2- Make sure you've done the necessary rituals to placate the sewing machine. Praise the Omnissiah 😂 3- Those plastic clip things instead of pins save so much time!

[@hollyingraham3980]

#1 is the absolute truth. I have ridden to so many events with costumes spread over all the knees while hems were finished by the sea stresses in transit. But I absolutely consider clips only suitable for leather. For other fabrics, I find them too bulky and heavy and therefore clumsy, and much slower than pins.

[@aimee-made]

I am Team Clips! Are they for everything? No. But I use them A LOT. They really upped my sewing game. When I’m dealing with fussy steps like adjusting gathers or putting in a zipper, I’ll often clip it, THEN pin it (and in the case of zipper, maybe even hand-baste). Viva the Clips!

[@Pricklepuss1347]

@aimee-made clips have their place

[@nriamond8010]

I don't like clips because they put so much extra weight onto the fabric and then it slips from my sewing table so much easier. But for certain projects like stiff fabrics, they are perfect!

[@marcialemaster8684]

Tip #2 is so important. Sewing was the only time I was allowed to swear when I was a kid because Mom understood the frustration. Sewing is easy and hard and frustrating and rewarding. Swear it out and keep going.

[@jmsmom67]

Oh my god! I love that! It’s so true!

[@cinemaocd1752]

I love that your mom let you swear while sewing.

[@pdproductions5129]

I so needed to hear all of these tips! Especially #10. I'd gotten to the point of trying to figure out the best way to unload my fabric stash (and yarn and bead stash, etc etc...) cause trust me, I don't have a mere bookshelf of stuff, but more like the whole dang garage. And if you quote me, I'll deny ever having said that! And more unfinished projects than...I dunno anyway, thank you, Stephanie, for the pep talk.

[@aliciacharline]

LOL, I always knew exactly what was happening when my mom said, "spit, spit, spit, spit, spit" it always meant a snapped thread or a broken needle or a thread jam

[@frankiewilliams2815]

​@aliciacharline My grandmother used to mutter under her breath and we always knew to steer clear of her for a bit afterwards.

[@YetAnotherJenn]

I have a time out corner. Sometimes I go there and sometimes it is the project! 😂

[@spicybrown75]

😂😂😂

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

sometimes the project needs to think about what its done and sometimes it us!

[@stillhuntre55]

This is so great! My hand and back pain means I "chip away" at my projects! I came across your Instagram reel about allowing yourself to go slow, as long as you're still moving forward and I almost cried I was so relieved. One tip I'll share: once I learned to look at my seamripper as an ERASER - and realized that even professional artists don't get angry at themselves because they needed to use THE ERASER... I made peace with having to seamrip sometimes!

[@KlingonPrincess]

I love the idea of seam ripper as eraser!

[@l.baughman1445]

Brilliant!!! 🎉🎉🎉❤

[@kamikazekumquat4760]

In crochet and knitting, when anyone in my fiber group wants to quit, we put said project in time out. It gets to go into a prison bag and think about what it's done. Take a break. Work on something else. Come back to it a few days or a week later. Usually, by that time, it feels like the project finally wants to cooperate, when it's really we just took a breath and came at it with fresh eyes. I figure it can work for all fiber-related projects.

[@JenInOz]

I don't batch sew because it's my way of avoiding getting stiff from sitting too long. After every seam or dart I stand up, walk a few steps to the ironing board, and press what I've sewn.

[@emilybaumann5835]

Same! I once read, "Sew a seam. Iron a seam," and it has helped me tremendously.

[@annettebroomhall8617]

One tip that I have to do if I want to get back to a project, is to undo the mistake BEFORE I throw it in the time out space. Knowing I face unpicking first before sewing is the death of that project, even though in general, I don't dislike unpicking. Go figure.

[@jn9850]

Great tip!!

[@missvioletnightchild2515]

My tip: make sure you wind a whole bobbin, or two if you have a spare, of the thread you're using for your project. You don't wanna be running out of bobbin after an hour, especially if you're in the swing of things. Oh and make sure you have enough thread and/or the right color in the first place 😅

[@debbiearmentor3644]

At the start of a project I wind 3 or 4 bobbins. Two things I hate, running out of bobbin and not knowing and needing to spin a new bobbin to finish a project.

[@SewCraftyGardening]

​@@debbiearmentor3644 Exactly what I do

[@Ellulellu]

Also every time you start sewing, check the bobbin in the machine, how much is left and if little, pay attention to it bc it sucks to sew a seam and then realise you have run out 😅

[@crinolinegremlin]

Stephanie: vintage patterns are tougher than you think me, thinking in fear of unprinted patterns because I still don't understand how they work: yes, yes they are Stephanie: the paper is so much better than modern me: ....... ah

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

I had laser surgery Tuesday that removed the scar from my left eye). Hopefully in the next six months my eyes will be working together (and I can see colors better). I was very happy to find that my pupils were the same size this morning. My left eye was freaking people out. I should be able to go back in my sewing room soon (and finish some of the things I started). Have you noticed that bugs do not eat the old pattern tissue paper? Silverfish will eat the envelopes and instruction sheets; but they leave the tissue paper alone. Some of the professional pattern makers (that I have watched) use a light weight cardboard to make their patterns. They hang those patterns to save time and to prevent damage to their patterns. I have some of my patterns hanging in the master closet waiting for me. Right now I am afraid to try and use a rotary cutter. I need to change the blade; but, I'm not that dumb. It's not going to hurt me to wait.

[@gigglepantsiii9350]

A tip I would have loved to have when I started out (that was partially covered in the video) is don't let the siren call of new gadgets lure you in when you first start! You don't need 4 different rotary cutters in two different sizes right away, you don't even need pinking shears or different sized fabric shears when you first start. Sometimes it feels like the available gadgets and tools slip into your basket or cart because you can tell yourself 'it'll be useful later' (Yes this is a very specific example why do you ask?) Also if you do use a rotary cutter make sure you have something underneath your fabric that is either a cutting mat or something you don't mind getting scratched up in the process, please protect your dining table from such horrors

[@SewCraftyGardening]

And be mindful of your fingers, always cut away from you. Those blades are seriously sharp.

[@Rumade]

I'm so disorganised that I lose my gadgets all the time anyway 😭 needed my brand new bodkin yesterday and couldn't find it, so went back to using a chopstick like old times

[@RobinT346]

2 things I have learned/ am learning. 1. sew the things you want to and probably will wear. (or that bring you joy) I have some friends who love sewing LARP costume but never sew everyday clothing. Sewing costume makes me sad for some reason, but I love sewing my own clothes and find it really satisfying. And whilst I love the look of a lot of vintage dresses, that's not my style, I won't wear them I could sew them but it ultimately isn't satisfying or motivating. But I good pair of trousers (modern or vintage) or a boxy shirt? now we're talking! 2. urgh. pay attention to the small details. The notches and pattern marks will actually help you and lead to a better finished product. stay stitching is useful. sometimes you can skip things. Sometimes you just get such a pleasing result when all your pieces and seams and pleats etc line up perfectly it's absolutely worth the "faff" 3. pay attention to fabric choices. Some of this you learn through doing and seeing how different fabrics work, but choosing the correct weight and drape of fabric for a project makes such a difference. They don't have to be expensive or fancy, they can be second hand or cute bedsheets. But choose with care.

[@hollyingraham3980]

💯

[@Ella-iv1fk]

number 3 is so hard when you have to buy fabric online and don't know what the recommended fabric types mean

[@JackyHeijmans]

I make costumes and wear them every day, I just love them. Yea, my neighbours look at me weird, but eh, they think I am nuts anyways. 😁

[@melissashiels7838]

I would add a proviso to "batch your actions" and that is, *don't* batch if you need a brain break. If you just spent 2 hours doing eyelets or buttonholes and are losing the will to live but are only half-way through - do something else for a bit! There's a saying "A change is as good as a rest". As long as you're still making progress you can go back to the tedious task with a different energy.

[@brynnbruijn-hansen8287]

Great tips - would you PLEASE PLEASE do a video explaining how on this green earth patterns are folded and how to re-fold the pieces when you are done - I wind up randomly folding the darn things and putting them in large Manila envelopes because they are now 5x as bulky as the were when I started 😤😩

[@andreacalisi4699]

on #6: Get yourself a swivelly/wheely chair and put your ironing board at the same height as your sewing table, at a 90 degree angle. That way you just have to roll/swivel your chair and you can iron! Roll/swivel back and keep on sewing!

[@kitterzy]

I can attest to this brilliant tip! I’ve used this set-up for years because of disability that makes it difficult to stand.

[@velvetvert9431]

@@kitterzy Me too! It's so nice and it doesn't break up my workflow at all.

[@jacquelynsmith2351]

I tell my nieces #2 all the time. She didn't want to learn to knit or crochet because she kept messing up. And then I said "well crap" while working on a knit next to her, and her jaw dropped. Yep, I screw up too! I once spent 2 hours taking 2 rows out of a Shetland lace project because I dropped a stitch in a way that I couldn't fudge it.

[@ladyduffield]

This is SO ME. I literally have 9 projects going on right now. Getting bored with the red dress? Move on to the log cabin quilt. Bored with that? Move on to the skirt my Mom wants me to alter. Oh look! Mood has a cargo pants pattern I want to make! AAHHHHH!!!

[@maryde7]

I love your tips! I am a strong believer in putting a project in time out (ranging from one hour to overnight) so it can think about its actions.

[@jenniferstone2567]

I signed up for the Walkaway challenge you did a couple of years ago, I just finished it earlier this year. Haven't worn it anywhere yet, so no photos, but so glad to have finished it. So proud of myself, as it's the first dress I've made.

[@susangridley8354]

Great tips! But I need to throw this out here. Selvedges may or may not shrink in the same way as the rest of the fabric. I would be cautious about using them as a straight edge in garment sewing. 😊

[@hollyingraham3980]

I have been sewing since 1966, including 20 years as a professional costumer. I have been told several times to cut off selvedges. I never have. I have never had the garment hang funny, twist, or, now, have them shrink oddly. Did you ever see this? In what sort of fabric did it happen? How was it cleaned? My invariable habit of washing all incoming fabric to preshrink it may have saved me from this fate, as well as dry cleaning ornate costumes, and being addicted to cold water gentle washing as a way of life. If you beat garments long in near boiling water, yeah, weird stuff happens sometimes. But if you aren't washing canvas work clothes with dried red mud and lice, why would you do that? As a hand weaver, I absolutely rely on selvedges to keep garments together.

[@katwitanruna]

@@hollyingraham3980Sewing since 1972. I also ignore grain lines. Bad me. Drove my Home Ec teacher nuts. Especially when the wrap skirt I’d made looked good and hung the way I wanted. I think the prewashing is key. I don’t recall ever seeing a selvage shrink differently from the rest of the weave and I’ve sewn with almost every single kind of fabric made commercially. (I did HS drama costumes in the 90s, saw a lot of fabric. 😝)

[@Notlost-lj9qt]

Love the zodiac dress! I agree with your tips. Batching when sewing has helped me actually press everything instead of getting lazy.

[@Historyofstitchery]

Using selvedges is viewed as a sin in fashion school “it changes the drape” (this is technically true), but I have seen many dresses that were made with selvedges in museums. One dress specifically had the selvedges kept in as it was a Marc Chagall print released by Fuller Fabrics and designed by Claire McCardell. Use the selvedges!

[@martihurford]

Appreciate the tips. It goes without saying that at some point all projects (be it sewing, knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, etc) will get cocky and think it’s in charge. That’s when it’s time to put the project in Time Out. It can be for a day, a week, a month, a year or longer. The point is that when you pull the project back out, do so with authority (and maybe with some newly learned techniques/skills) and passion so it will acquiesce to your request once again.

[@tammymcc327]

I have been sewing for over about 50 years and I still don't finish projects,. I have several projects that are not finished. Three of them are outfits I was making for my son's wedding. I did get one done to wear! But still have three to fix up for some type of an event. Always sewing in Chaos!

[@suzanneirving7257]

Just taking a break from sewing a dress from a 1944 DuBarry pattern with vintage fabric from around the 50’s.As a long time sewist I agree with all your tips. ❤❤❤

[@terrysuemakesvideosforyou9940]

Great tips!!! These tings will really help on your sewing! I do not know how many times that I have screamed and thrown my project across the room, and then continued on. I also really look at the directions when I cut out the pattern pieces. Study everything before you cut it out. Then let it sit at least over night. Then look at it again. I have been sewing so long that the vintage patterns were my new patterns! If it is messed up you can almost always fix it!! And do not be afraid to repurpose you sewing projects. Like turning a dress that you made and don't wear into a skirt or something else. Happy sewing!!!! I hope that you have a good week!

[@obscure1992]

Great video as always! I started sewing 7 months ago. As someone who does vintage inspired drag, it was really hard to find stuff in my size, thus starting my sewing journey! I’m proud to say that I have gone from taking 2 weeks to finish a dress down to about 3 days now!

[@ArticWolf82]

I have a trunk (and pile on top) of shame instead of a bookcase. This has inspired me to go make some progress on some UFOs. I have significant nerve damage in my dominant hand/arm, so I've had to learn to take things very, very slow. I give myself at least 3x longer than most people will say it takes them to do a pattern, and that's just in sheer 'working' hours. It's okay to go slow. There are some days my progress is cutting out one pattern piece and that's it. Or even just prewashing fabric and folding it. But it's forward progress and I'm happy with it. The second thing I think is important, I got it from a different channel about a different craft altogether (woodworking), is this: Stop pointing out your mistakes on the finished product. A channel vlog about the making of the thing is one thing; absolutely show how to fixed a mishap creatively (that interfacing trick is awesome and I'm so going to use it at some point). But once it's finished and out in the world and people are seeing it in person, stop pointing out your mistakes. The vast, vast majority of people aren't going to notice or they are going to think it's a design feature and choice. And, ultimately, not pointing out mistakes will make you feel better about continuing to do the work in making the things. Embrace and celebrate your finished product as it is.

[@HenryClan2012]

Great tips. It all comes down to finished is better than perfect.

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

The biggest thing I have learnt from my years of sewing is that knowing more techniques does not mean you will be faster at finishing a project, it will take longer because you know understand why all the extra bits, like pressing and staystictching, and undersewing matter and you know that extra time will mean the project looks as good as you imagined it will!

[@barbaraleaweaver-mercado1820]

Thank you for these tips. I only threw one project away this year though I tried many times to salvage it. I was sick about it, but the fabric was horribly mangled seam rippers were tearing more fabric than the seam. Couldn't even cut it into quilt blocks.

[@connie6545]

"JUST keep going!" I have rediscovered that I LOVE to sew--hemming, sewing on buttons, etc.; NOT so much. Thanks for the pep talk!! I really needed it.

[@barbaraferron7994]

A drapery maker advised cutting off the selvedge because the drape hangs better without it.

[@dale3404]

The selvedge is usually tightly woven and will draw up, causing puckering. Wash a cotton fabric and you’ll see what I mean.

[@kieraoona]

as an experienced sewist, I have hit the "want to throw it across the room" stage before. Keep going! Feel your feelings, maybe put it in a time out bin, but finish the thing! In my case, I just grab the seam ripper, take a deep breath and carry on

[@RobinEvans-g4c]

I have a 1940's singer and it is the best sewing book I have ever seen.

[@ritasantiago1917]

I definitely use the selvage edge. I make dresses with gathered skirts A LOT and I just totally ignore the skirt pattern piece now, I just cut out two lengths of however long I want the skirt to be, sew them together and then gather the top! Usually gives me a little more gather than the pattern called for which I like. Also totally agree on the vintage patterns. I have used my favorite one about 6 times now and it is holding up great!

[@Rumade]

I've been sewing on and off since 2004 when I was 14 and still make mistakes ALL THE TIME. Yesterday I was making an eyemask, which I thought would take me 1hr. I used spray adhesive to stick fleece padding to one side of the mask. Then was sewing the two sides together and voila... I had put right side to wrong side. No worries, I'll peel the fleece off. Oh, now the fabric is sticky! I'll use nail polish remover! Oh... it dissolved the colour finish off my pvc tablecloth... I did manage to save it in the end, but come onnnnnnn

[@cinemaocd1752]

Literally about to leave for shopping trip at annual textile garage sale. This was a much needed message. Was working on some historical hand sewing this a.m. and was so annoyed that I did a whole bunch of work that I had to rip out because I'd sealed a pin inside a seam! An hour and half of work down the drain, but lesson learned about checking for your pins before you move on to the next step!

[@tinawallace2668]

Tip 10 has helped me to justify my finishing something that's I'm stitching from 18 months ago. I have restarted it and realized that what I was scared of doing next to it wasn't as hard as my brain had decided it was. Thank you again. And hello to little marshmallow

[@nerdaccount]

I love your tips on how to sew. It matches my chaos so well. Mind you I'm more at the beginning of my sewing journey, but your style and tips always comfort me! THANK YOU!

[@katwitanruna]

#2 I have been sewing since 1972. I still make mistakes. I still make mistakes making a garment I’ve made a gazillion (and I mean gazillion) times before. My tip at these points is to stop, walk away and do something totally different. Even if you’re in a time crunch it’ll be infinitely easier then keeping on keeping on keeping on.

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

I love the camoes from the helpful assistants. If they're anything like mine, they're _so. helpful._

[@brendasorenson6186]

As others have said, it's OK to stop and step away from your project if it's doing crazy things! Things will look and go so much better after a short break! (Works for a load of things besides sewing & crafting!) Love your ten tips! And ripping out seams? In embroidery & other fiber arts, we call that the Frog Stitch because you rip-it, rip-it! 😂

[@lauriekoehler530]

Some great tips. I had lost my sew-jo so I made something silly, a “golf bag” for a golf outing centerpiece. It was fun and silly and no one cared if it was perfect. I am also a lover of Pair eyewear. It’s so much fun showing off the toppers when someone compliments my glasses. Now to the sewing room! ❤

[@sophiesong8937]

Here are 2 tips I swear by: 1. Keep all the notions, cut pieces, matching thread, pattern and bobbin for a project in its own box (i use a4 document storage boxes that stack) that way you never get held up by having to refind something you had ready. 2. Make the tedious components first- for me this is things like straps and belts, that are often last in the instructions, but are boring to sew and annoying to turn. Get these done in the initial excited push of starting the project, and then when your motivation wavers toward the end, they will be there, ready!

[@dariapack8906]

I finished a project today. It's a baby yoda dress for my daughter's birthday. It turned out super cute.

[@emilybaumann5835]

As a beginner who is seeing herself progress, the whole "you're going to make mistakes, so take a break" bit is a truth to live by! Sometimes it takes walking away from a project for a bit to have the patience to undsrstand it.

[@donnacoleman4624]

Great tips! The only things I would add is, be sure to choose the right fabric for your project! Refer to the list of fabric options on the pattern envelope. Also, learn about different fabrics and how they behave. Utube has lots of info on that subject. I've been sewing for many years and yes, I still make mistakes and there's no shame in that. I've stopped trying to finish my projects asap. Ive learned to slow down and enjoy the process and that helps me reduce errors. ❤❤

[@jonesyzajkolove]

I am really loving Motivational Stephanie! You have no idea how helpful this is. Like i wanna get out of work as quick as possible and work on my half finished pile. Alas im working a double

[@kathywiseman7944]

I love how that dress looks on you. Thanks for the tips. ❤

[@chloebee80085]

I always love when you post. You really help me get back into sewing whenever you do. I also immediately bought a vintage singer sewing book after I watched the video. Here’s hoping I finish this project I just started haha!

[@mackenziedrake]

These apply to any kind of sewing, if not life in general. I recently started quilting, and one of the temptations is to buy all the cool new tools and toys to do what my grandmother did with scissors, a tape measure, and whatever paper and cardboard she had at hand. Some things are different -- I'm not doing this without a sewing machine -- but you don't have to buy all the things to get started. Thanks!

[@blazertundra]

Love all the tips. Personally, I have the vintage Vogue Sewing Manual from the 1960s and it's still immensely helpful with modern patterns that don't explain the process well.

[@Sjp374]

Thank you for this. My 10yo and I are knee deep in a tough 50’s blazer project for Halloween, and we needed this.

[@StarrytheArtist]

You can circumvent the finish the seam tip if you have a serger/overlocker and do all the pattern piece edges before you even start sewing them together. I do this because I broke the fabric scissor sin of using my scissors on things like paper, aluminum cans and wire thus making the cuts I do make not terribly clean.

[@katyc.8663]

I want a nice blouse pattern. I've been modifying patterns to make it. (I'm on a different pattern than the one I started on and even mocked up) I keep reminding myself to keep my eyes on the prize when I just want to rush or quit. Take a couple of days and come back to it. I did to a few small projects in those days because I *wanted* to make them. It helps keep me going. I have beautiful fabric I want to use and I want to do it right. I love using selvage if I can. :D I never thought about #9. Good to know. I do have a sewing guide from the 50s (I think).

[@mayve42]

Tip number 2 is so real!!! I was making a romper for my grandson and I managed to attach the entire back panel, including seam finishings, backwards not once but TWICE! But you know what? He still looks adorable in it and no one but me knows that the placket in the back is backwards! 🤦🏼😂🤣

[@beckymiller1840]

😂😂 back and forth and back and forth = boots and pants and boots and pants in my chaos brain ❤❤❤

[@emmanash6699]

the description of modern pattern tissue was hilarious - I was actually planning to invest in some spray adhesive to stick my tissue to some butcher's paper

[@crystilmurch5659]

These are so genuinely good! And many of them were unexpected. Agree with all of them 100%!

[@sandydaniels2668]

I couldn’t agree more with you about current patterns. I can’t even get them opened up and I’m tearing them. Ugh!

[@julsbendandi9374]

I love this video! (And I love the dress! ❤❤❤) Ever since I became a finisher, I enjoy sewing so much more! I still have WIPs hiding in different parts of my sewing space, but there are a lot less! Finishing is always worth it - even if you toss it as soon as. It helps me to move on and finish the next project with so much more energy and fun! Btw… anybody have suggestions for what to do with seasonal wips? I was batch sewing and didn‘t manage to finish some summer shirts…I hate to put them away half finished but cannot get inspired to sew something I‘ll be wearing next May…

[@shangri-laj9578]

Thank you Stephanie!!!! I have dress right now on my cutting table. I want to thank you for hipping me to the "Tack It" for pattern marking. I love it!!! No more thread tacking or using the wheel.

[@stephanieyee1294]

Such a well timed video! I have been so close to finishing my first project for what feels like a long time. I had to undo and redo more places than I would have liked. I’m going to do!! The vest shall be finished!!!!!

[@nadiasews]

Thank you for this! Love your collection of vintage sewing books, I have a couple and love them so much ❤

[@candybeans]

It does always take longer than you think! I had to come up with a whole labeling system for my pieces because my water-soluble pens were disappearing before I got to sew them together 😂

[@candybeans]

Also, I just lowered my ironing board to the same level as my sewing table so all I need to do is rotate my office chair to do the pressing since I always do the steps in the order they're written. So yeah, it's a little back-and-forth? But less than it would be if the board were further away.

[@bellemeri8155]

@@candybeans I have my ironing board set up the same way. Just turn the chair, press, and bob's your uncle... ready to continue.

[@RobinEvans-g4c]

I have seen Pair Eyewear advertised before I can't wait to try.

[@joym13]

Stephanie, Thank you for this video. There were some things I needed to be reminded of. I think it’s time to pick up some of my projects again.

[@nlkeyser]

I needed new glasses this summer and I went with Pair! I have WAY too much fun throwing on my sunglass toppers lol

[@leeannegantt104]

I don't have just a bookcase of shame....I have a whole room!!! Aaacccckkkk. But I will tackle next week. Love your videos 😊

[@charity.cunningham8313]

Thank you, Stephanie; I needed all of your tips! 💖😊

[@rachaelw1034]

I always stop to take a break or call it a night when I *want* to keep going (i.e. set a timer or when I finish one step) rather than keep at it until I'm too tired, in the middle of a step and more likely to mess up because then I'm more motivated to pick it up later. I also have several projects in progress at once so if I get frustrated I can put it down and work on something else

[@amazingarod26]

Thank you so much for this wonderful encouragement!!! I just finished my first garment yesterday! (Shorts haha) and this was wonderful reassurance. If possible, I Would love to hear about your favorite books you’d recommend for beginners!!

[@TJtheBee]

Me, needing all of these tips, because I foolishly decided to make my first quilt for university, under a deadline…

[@aimee-made]

I have THREE nearly finished items right now that the only thing they need is: THE BUTTON HOLES. I have a fear of buttonholes, because you get ONE CHANCE, and because I find the "placement" very tricky. I want to wear these! They are all for winter (the season I'm in, as of this writing!) I have made buttonholes before; I know how to do them. It's my perfectionism that is stymying me right now! Argh!

[@ozbolder]

Totally unrelated but I’m totally in love with the dress you’re wearing.

[@pldegrand]

Excellent advice, and I speak from experience!

[@maggiekuzera8243]

I love the screaming goat. It gives me the giggles.

[@LyraStitchery]

Yes when I first started to learn how to sew I chose a Simplicity pattern medieval gown. Because go big or go home. My mom said I should have done a sun dress but I told her that was boring. I ended up sewing the bodice crooked so when I wore it to college (because why not) my boob popped out during an oral report. It was not um fun. My current project is a 1930s reproduction dress pattern from Lady Marlowe. There are no zips or buttons but it is really floopy fabric.

[@marianecayer5165]

Love your advices! Reminds me of my-to-sew list and I should apply some parts of it...

[@debbiearmentor3644]

Ah, I laugh at book shelf of unfinished projects. I have Rubbermaid tubs full of ufos. And I'm finding more because I have stripped out my sewing room to reorganize. I'm finding craft projects too. It is my intention to sort all items and place in clear containers so I will be organized. Instead of thinking I know I have that ..... somewhere but where is it. When I am frustrated with a project I put it in "time out". Usually after a break I can figure out what needs to be done to make it work. I. Love your videos and your eclectic style. I wish I had the attitude to wear what makes me happy and not care what others think. Keep it up.

[@ShettikkaWoods-jl8iq]

Blessings and sewing 🧵🪡❤❤ awesome 👍🏾

[@vernakg]

Thank you for the inspiration Stephanie

[@TheKjoy85]

I don't sew clothing, I'm a quilter, but just about everything you said applies to quilting. I have made mistakes and fixed them. I have a quilt that was partially started before I got sick, exhibited other projects at the fairs, and got a puppy. I will finish it, but puppy brain is currently frying my circuits.

[@roxiepoe9586]

Your teal with black figures dress is fire!

[@HobbyHopperJoanne]

If you have new pair of paper scissors and you only use them fabric, you can get a way with that for quite a while. There is no shame in picking up supplies second hand.

[@LisaHellstrom-z8c]

Thanks! Your best video so far!

[@NightKitchenQueen]

There will come a time in any project when you will be absolutely sick of looking at, dealing with, doing anything about any aspect it. Remember, the only way out is through. As you said, Stephanie, get mad about it, indulge in a refreshing adult beverage about it, yell as many colorful metaphors as you need to -- just don't let your "so over this" get the way of finishing. Finished is better than perfect. Good enough is good enough.

[@jensewsvintage]

You're so inspiring but also very funny I'm taking mental notes but also laughing ☺️🤣

[@dasammit]

I will happily watch you do an unfinished series. lets get these out of the bookcase of shame and made!!!

[@agcons]

My tip: if making anything that requires contrast-colour top-stitching, buy a used sewing machine of decent quality and condition, and use it for the top-stitching. Constantly changing thread on the only machine I had then got really old really fast.

[@TwinklyBelle]

I’m with you on #5. It confuses me when I watch a sewing video and the first cut they make is trim the selvedge.

[@ruthkirkparick3535]

I want to give a thumbs up for every sentence you uttered. 🤗

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

My UFO box/bin of shame has been significantly decreased in the last two years as I curbed my "OOH SHINY!" tendency to flit from starting one project to starting another by establishing and mostly following some rules. I may not start a new project until I have either completed or consigned the current project to the UFO box. Before starting a new project, I must get one garment off the mending heap and complete, or at least re-examine, something in the UFO box, and I must darn 1D6 pairs of socks from the darning heap (yes I have heaps and boxes, but they're organized, dammit!) I realized a long time ago that for most of the things I do, I'm not really that good or consistent at them, just creative and persistent, I definitely learn more by making and correcting mistakes, and occasionally I really don't have the skills (or sometimes the confidence in my skills) to put something right but if I keep at it or other similar things, I may develop them, so I allow myself the grace to say "Ok, you can go in timeout until my skills catch up to my dreams." So if I pull something out of the UFO bin as part of my pre-project homework, I am not bound to complete it, just to put in an honest effort to improve or at least continue it, though if I discover that now I can, I will. So even if it's not done, it's at least closer. I also allow the intrusion of one day makes, stuff like a pair of hand warmers to match my jacket cause it's cold in the car and my carpal tunnels only ever complain about a cold steering wheel, or the beret I made because my head was cold, or the aprons I made myself and my mom for beekeeping so we don't get our clothing covered in stuff that doesn't wash off, or my gardening apron. And I'll pause my personal projects for time-sensitive gift projects. And I take my time. I'd rather sleep on it than do a dumb and have to pick out a seam or re-cut something because I forgot how to placket again, and I like grabbing stuff out of the UFO bin or even silly experimental stuff I made for around the house (like those one-day makes) to practice things on, like invisible mending or welt pockets or buttonholes, before I apply a new skill to a garment that other people will actually see. I also try to attempt no more than one Brand New Skill per project, that way I don't get so overwhelmed by having to do a placket AND a zipper AND French seams AND a welt pocket that I just toss the whole thing in the bin. And then take it out a year later, finish it, and wonder why it ended up in the bin in the first place.

[@mcomeslast]

I either finish it or decide why I can’t and see if I can recycle the fabric. It’s the only way to learn. I am ready to start some dresses as soon as I get home.

[@rufferstuff9148]

Wonderful advice. Thanks

[@melaniemonti8115]

Stephanie, may I suggest that you do not use the selvedge as part of a seam in your garment. You can measure equal distance from the selvedge for placement of your pattern piece but the actual selvedge is woven tighter than the rest of your fabric (because the threads go back and forth when woven so they are drawn tighter together) and this area may act differently like shrinking more or puckering in the seam.

[@nancyworsley5057]

With Love, Kristina sent me!!

[@espurrlady3397]

Thank you so much for this video! There are so many great tips for finishing projects! Super helpful! Question- Where do you buy vintage sewing books like the one you showed in the video?

[@gingerdean1521]

library sale. thrift books online