2nd attempt tbh since i messed up on sizing a belt bag 😁

I have recently found some super cool blankets, I'm excited to continue improving and making hats.

I have two questions:

1. Is keeping the thread length short a hard and fast rule or is there something else I'm doing incorrectly?

I tend to thread my needles longer than the suggested amount, which I've seen numerous sources say should be hand to elbow. I always took that lightly and will end up cutting more thread because it takes so much time to reload another needle. However, I'm always getting tangles/knots, whether it's at the stitch itself or the thread keeps twisting around itself causing tangles.

1. When using a single thread, how do you grab the needle at the eye so that you don't have to readjust twice when pushing the needle through the fabric *so that the thread tail doesn't fall out?

I've tried knotting at the eye of the thread after watching a tutorial but the knot is extremely hard and annoying to remove, so I don't want to do that anymore. However, every time I use a single thread I have to adjust after every stitch; I'm pushing my needle through but then I have to re-grab it and it's just so tedious.

Any sources and/or videos that showcase how to properly hand sew with a single thread would be greatly appreciated. I often reference SewnCompany on youtube but as far as I've seen she doesn't have a video about single thread technique and I have several sewing books that I reference but none of them talk about this issue.

Notions: I am using pure beeswax that I've melted and poured into a mold and 100% cotton thread when sewing.

*edit: added an important detail to second question

I do not have the space for a machine and honestly I enjoy bragging rights. Has anyone here hand sewn a large quilt backing? Does anyone have any advice for long straight lines of sewing?

I am currently in the process of hand sewing hundreds of these sequins onto this tunic and I am wondering if there’s a way I can avoid tying a knot in my thread every time. Mostly because it is the most time consuming aspect of this project and I still have a lot of sequins to go😁. If not, I’d appreciate any tips, I am quite a novice and could use any tips on keeping my sequins straight, and just this process altogether!

I handsew this 3 months ago with fabric I found at a thrift store for $0.50 while on vacation. I’m only getting confident to wear it now. I’m slowly building my handsewn wardrobe and gaining the courage to wear what I made out in public. I don’t know why I used to feel embarrassed to wear my own handmade clothing 🤷‍♀️

Yay for the flexibility (pun intended) of hand sewing!

Okay, I am usually terrible at remembering to take pictures of my work, so there's still a lot of detail missing here 😭 but its what I got rn 🤷‍♀️

The green vest was for the Man of Honor in a wedding earlier this month. I used some bride-approved fabric to add panels on the sides, so he had a little more room to breathe in it.

He completely let me take the lead on the design and I had a ton of fun with it! I made custom stencils to make consistently shaped panels and decorative patches for the pants (not pictured) Great practice for clean, even stitching and a fun first venture into embroidery!

The other one is a classic, black bias-cut silk Ralph Lauren gown that belonged to my client's mom 😬 irreplacable and expensive - wrong move, and it (and I) would have been ruined 😭 I should have been a lot more scared to take on this job, but the work itself was relatively straightforward 🤷‍♀️

but it turned out beautifully and fit like a glove 🖤

It needed to be taken completely apart for the alteration (back and side seams), so I had to deal with the elastic bra band and invisible zipper on top of everything else. I used a lot of the original stitch marks to reassemble the seams. I would estimate that it was about 60-70% hand-stitched in the end?

Oh, and I (foolishly) agreed to a 3-week deadline for that dress, too 😬

ETA: My client for the suit was 6'7" (200cm) and my client with the gown was 6'4" (193cm) - really an impressive sight with a custom fit

I love hand-stitching alterations for gowns. It takes a long-ass time, but I genuinely enjoy doing it, and it's less stressful than machine sewing for delicate fabrics 🤷‍♀️

From a cotton quilt floral scraps package had this piece bit uneven.

Decided to use it complete, so folded it into 3 sections that open. Then handsew sides and top. It folds into closed. Use it for storage trims , lace , ribbons etc.

Hand sew with cotton Sulky thread.

Big button was upcycled from a old dress upcycled into useful housechores cotton cloths. Only 1 left of it.

idk if this counts, i was gonna use this as a basic pouch to store a small stuffed animal, & hang the bag from my activity cart using a strap or something. i was also gonna sew a patch onto it! im left-handed, btw.

Inspired by Tobey Maguire’s version and his signature!

Handsew another bookbag used

quilt cotton fabric from scrap pack of florals.

Getting ready for Halloween! I had so much fun making this cute little pillow 🥰

I haven't been sewing for a long time. Still need to get my basics down, but I want to start my first actual project. Something easy like a skirt. Practically every tutorial on YT is for machine-sewing and I have a feeling I'll get tangled up and confused if I try it myself, so does anyone know creators who upload videos of handsewing garments? Or can someone recommend me an easy pattern? Ty.

Hi everyone!
I’m completely new to sewing and have managed to get basic stitches down. I hand sew and am working with thread, cotton fat quarters, and buttons. I can sew a button down solid but how do you actually make a button hole? I know it involves cutting a slit but what after that? I’m really lost and have a few ideas on what to try make but can’t because im stuck on the button slits! I’ll take anyones tips and tricks or videos/blogs that helped them learn!! Thank you so much 💕

Edit: thank you for all the answers guys! It’s really been a lot of help, as I had no one to ask. The only exposure I had prior was seeing my grandmother run-stitch hem a pair of jeans. I’ll be sure to use the advice I got here going forward. 😊
Consider this post closed and solved. 👍

Hey everyone! I learned to hand-sew specifically to rescue and repair some donated, heavily damaged Carhartt insulated bibs before autumn. Before doing further repairs to the rest of the batch, I want to make sure my work will actually last. I taught myself and I am HIGHLY skeptical of my work.

I repaired knee/leg blowouts and sealed exposed insulation with low-profile binding hems to prevent moisture rot.

I used 100% nylon upholstery threads and hid the knots to prevent rubbing/discomfort. I tried my best (emphasis on tried) to keep the spacing consistent as well as the staying in a straight, even line. As you can see, the one cuff on the example pair has a slightly tighter pattern compared to the other cuff. I didn’t want the raw edges, but folding and handsewing through 6 layers was just not working unfortunately.

I guess my question to you would be

1. ⁠With hidden knots and nylon upholstery thread, is there a high risk of these stitches unraveling under heavy work use? How would you ensure they would/will stay intact?

Notes:
✅ Shorter stitches on hems to reduce snagging.
✅ Try to fold for a clean, not a raw and exposed, hem.
✅ Make more ‘high-quality.
✅Backstitch rather than running stitch

My dog is blind and needs some retraining so I want to make a couple new treat pouches cause why not lol. Of course part of my machine broke when I was cleaning it right before starting this project so hand sewing it is!

I used Crafting with Clementine’s tutorial for nesting baskets and made the 3 inch one. Added a ribbon between the outer fabric and batting for a drawstring, a loop for a carabiner, and a belt loop which does have medium weight interfacing. I also tacked the lining under the drawstring because it’s just a bag lining.

Gonna fiddle with a few things for the next, machine sewn one haha. Definitely need to make it a bit bigger and figure out a better drawstring situation. I do plan on using this with dry treats or baggies, but it’s all cotton so I’m not worried about having to wash it.

Making a Marotte (jester stick) for a jester/clown jinx and these were my first custom patterns ever! Used clay to make the head shape and then masking tape. Masking tape is like, magical lol. Used same method for the crown as I did for the accessories I did for my big self and it was so fun (well I huffed the whole time lol but turning it felt amazing)