What I Wouldn't Do as a Sewist

Today we're talking about pattern storage, and why I wouldn't store patterns folded unprotected in the envelope. That little envelope looks so tidy.

Today we're talking pins, and why I wouldn't use the wrong pins for leather or knits. It seems like a tiny choice.

Today we're talking stay-stitching, and why I wouldn't skip it on a curve. It looks like busywork.

Today you'll learn why I let the feed dogs move my fabric, and why I never haul it through the machine myself. I wouldn't pull fabric through the machine instead of letting the feed dogs work.

Today you'll learn why I never sew a real seam before I test my tension and stitch length on scraps first. I Wouldn't Sew Without Testing on Scraps Here's the thing, folks.

Today we're talking about pressing, and why I wouldn't skip pressing seams as I sew. I know why it tempts you.

Corey explains why he never cuts knits with dressmaker shears — how lifted blades stretch pieces out of shape — and his rotary cutter, mat, and pattern-weights method for cutting single layers flat and true to size.

Corey explains why one universal needle can't handle knits, silk, denim, and leather, and how to match point and size to your fabric instead. A two-minute needle change, he says, can save a whole garment.

Corey explains why he never cuts a garment piece off grain — how a twisted skirt taught the lesson, and his simple two-end measuring method to line the pattern arrow up parallel to the selvedge every time.

Corey explains why he never cuts good fabric for a fitted garment before testing the fit in a quick, basted muslin — how to sew one fast, mark the pulls and gaps, and move every fix to the pattern first.

Today we're talking about one little habit I will not do anymore, and that's sewing over pins. I know why it tempts you.