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You are here: Home / Sewing Machine Basics / Sewing Straight & Curved Lines

Sewing Straight & Curved Lines

in Sewing Machine Basics on 02/25/20

In this video, I’ll share three tips that I have for sewing straight and curved lines.

First Tip: Practice seam widths using your presser foot and needle plate as a guide.

A presser foot is a very useful tool for sewing a straight line. The foot I have on my machine in this video has two marked lines in the clear middle section that indicate 1/8″ and 1/4″. If I keep the edge of my fabric following the line then I will have an even seam width. The edge of my foot is 1/2″.

When I am sewing a seam or hem that is bigger than 1/2″, such as 5/8″ or 1″, then I will use the needle plate as a guide. The needle plate has markings to show different widths. Bonus: you can extend the line with a piece of painters tape or a rubber band around the base. Admittedly, I have never done this and haven’t needed to, but it is a good option.

Second Tip: Draw straight and curved lines on paper and stitch along the lines.

This tip may sound so weird. Paper!? Yes, paper. Paper has no flex and you can practice manipulating it without worrying about the movement of fabric.

Draw a few lines and curves. Don’t forget angles too. That helps you practice pivoting for corners. Place the paper under the presser foot and stitch. Follow the lines and adjust as needed. If the curves are tight you can lift the presser foot with the needle down in the paper and pivot the paper slightly to keep it on track.

Third Tip: Practice on plain woven cotton.

Woven cotton is generally very stable and that makes it a good beginner-friendly fabric to learn with. You can make practice hems, organic curved lines, or try writing your name. Practice and experimentation is one of the keys to sewing.

These three tips are a good place to start when you are just beginning. If you have a favorite technique for keeping a straight line or sewing a smooth curve, share your tips in the comments below! It is so fun to learn together.

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Comments

  1. Addison says

    February 17, 2021 at 4:23 am

    Thanks for the video! I’m totally new to sewing and I need to practice my curves before my first project–some face masks. Printing (or drawing) curves and lines on paper is something I never would have thought of but I think it will be super helpful! I’m off to do that now 🙂

    Reply
    • Paige says

      March 2, 2021 at 8:21 am

      I hope you have a successful first project! Cheering for you!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Paige... Paige

...an elf who has achieved Master Tinker status. Give me a tool and I’ll make something! I am married to the coolest nerd and Mama to two girly girls.

My mission is to take the overwhelm out of projects, so you can go get creative and make something you love! a little more backstory…

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My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood b My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood board. 💕🫧🌷🗽👛💎

I'm working through @coreydamenjenkins Masterclass on Interior Design. I like the class so much and you know a digital class is good when you actually follow through with the assignments. Corey gives practical lists, thorough explanations and examples. I love the pattern mixing section. The class is about 2 hours long and every minute is useful. 

We haven't gotten a house yet, but I'm using this waiting period to get started on my design. I can define my style, order fabric samples, and narrow my resource list. I've found that many companies offer free/cheap swatches and samples. Examples: 1) @homedepot has free wood flooring and countertop samples. 2) @flooranddecor has 50¢ samples that you can return. 3) @interiordefine sends up to 10 free fabric swatches. 4) I used my style boards to pick out swatches from @fabricdotcom, which cost $3.00 each. You can order several different fabrics to choose between without taking a big risk. 

Also, the style board was made with magazines that I bought from @halfpricebooks. The magazines were $1 each and I grabbed about 8-10. Then I glued my clippings to a poster board that I cut in half. I can use this when online shopping and I have these pictures in my phone for when I am out and about. 

The time between the style board and finished room could be a whole year (who knows), but I feel so much more prepared already and it is so much fun. #interiordesign #styleboard #moodboard
The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live and available! 🥳 It is super squishy and warm. It is ribbed and cabled, so it is an entertaining project. 

I have included 5 sizes (from baby to XL adult). The beanie is worked with DK yarn and predominantly a 4.0 mm [US6] 16-inch/40 cm circular needle. I used a small bent needle for my cables. 

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop (linked in profile). I am so excited to see your #cablecarbeanie. 💕
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Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so bl Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so blessed having Ezra in this world. She is so fun. She is a friend to anyone she meets. She thinks about others before herself. She loves a good joke. She is a voracious reader and crafter. She loves a goal and plan. She is a superstar big sister. She is 10 out of 10, five stars, one-of-a-kind, sugar, spice, and everything nice. God's little girl! 💕 Yee haw to being 9!
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paigehandmade

A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing s A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing studio! 😍👏 No longer will I have my desk in the corner of our living room. I will have a whole ROOM! This space needs a little makeover. I'm taking the dark wallpaper down, refinishing the worn wood floor, and refreshing the space with paint. Then I'll set it up for sewing, creativity, learning, filming, etc. It will be a wonderful place. So very exciting!
My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood b My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood board. 💕🫧🌷🗽👛💎

I'm working through @coreydamenjenkins Masterclass on Interior Design. I like the class so much and you know a digital class is good when you actually follow through with the assignments. Corey gives practical lists, thorough explanations and examples. I love the pattern mixing section. The class is about 2 hours long and every minute is useful. 

We haven't gotten a house yet, but I'm using this waiting period to get started on my design. I can define my style, order fabric samples, and narrow my resource list. I've found that many companies offer free/cheap swatches and samples. Examples: 1) @homedepot has free wood flooring and countertop samples. 2) @flooranddecor has 50¢ samples that you can return. 3) @interiordefine sends up to 10 free fabric swatches. 4) I used my style boards to pick out swatches from @fabricdotcom, which cost $3.00 each. You can order several different fabrics to choose between without taking a big risk. 

Also, the style board was made with magazines that I bought from @halfpricebooks. The magazines were $1 each and I grabbed about 8-10. Then I glued my clippings to a poster board that I cut in half. I can use this when online shopping and I have these pictures in my phone for when I am out and about. 

The time between the style board and finished room could be a whole year (who knows), but I feel so much more prepared already and it is so much fun. #interiordesign #styleboard #moodboard
The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live and available! 🥳 It is super squishy and warm. It is ribbed and cabled, so it is an entertaining project. 

I have included 5 sizes (from baby to XL adult). The beanie is worked with DK yarn and predominantly a 4.0 mm [US6] 16-inch/40 cm circular needle. I used a small bent needle for my cables. 

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop (linked in profile). I am so excited to see your #cablecarbeanie. 💕
.
.
.
#paigehandmade #beanieknitting #knittingpattern #knittinginspiration #knittinghat #hatknitting #knitbeanie #winterknitting #knittinginstagram
Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so bl Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so blessed having Ezra in this world. She is so fun. She is a friend to anyone she meets. She thinks about others before herself. She loves a good joke. She is a voracious reader and crafter. She loves a goal and plan. She is a superstar big sister. She is 10 out of 10, five stars, one-of-a-kind, sugar, spice, and everything nice. God's little girl! 💕 Yee haw to being 9!
Two sweaters in 26 days. 💝 I love giving my dau Two sweaters in 26 days. 💝 I love giving my daughters handmade gifts. Anything that I have knit for them has been worn so many times. I'm so excited for the girls to receive these sweaters. They picked the yarn and have watched them grow, but they haven't gotten to try them on. They will on Christmas! 🌠

Pattern: #festivalsweater by @petiteknit 

#knittingforkids #christmasknitting #knitting
Slowly but surely a sweater grows. This sweater pa Slowly but surely a sweater grows. This sweater pattern is the #festivalsweater by @petiteknit. It's a fun and simple project. The bobble rounds keep it from being monotonous. 

I am working on the sleeves currently and hoping to finish it by the end of the weekend because I have to make another one for Jane. I am giving these sweaters to the girls for Christmas. They picked the yarn and see them being knit, but they can't try them on until Christmas! I am going to knit a mini matching sock ornament with their name on it to surprise them. Christmas knitting is fun! 

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