How to Make Hand Sewing Look Like Machine
Sewing by hand is a skill that requires patience, dexterity, and attention to detail. For some, hand sewing is a point of pride, a hobby, or even a profession. Despite the artistry involved in producing a handmade garment, there are tips that can help make hand sewing look like machine sewing. With a few advanced techniques, the skilled fashion designer, seamstress, or tailor can bring more professionalism to their craft.
Before embarking on a project, it is helpful to plan the garment in advance. A sketch will help the sewist create smoother lines and lay out a strategy for drafting the pattern, cutting the fabric, and constructing the garment. Having a plan in mind will also help the sewist decide before they begin, which methods they can employ to give the project a machine-sewn look.
A toothed-edge presser foot can be used when sewing, much like a serger, creating a smooth, finished-looking stitch. A teflon presser foot can be used on fine fabrics or fabrics that tend to stick to the regular, all-purpose foot. A walking foot can also be used, a useful tool that helps to feed thicker fabrics evenly and accurately through the machine. Satin and zig-zag stitches add an extra level of polish to the project, along with zippers, buttonholes, and other embellishments.
Sewists can also upgrade their hand sewing with decorative stitches such as pockets and pockets flaps. To replicate a machine-made pocket, use neat, even stitches, and keep the pocket flap crisp. Make sure to use strong thread and make sure it is not loose. Use a special needle that won’t harm the fabric, and make sure the needle is large enough to support the thread.
Professional-looking hems are also achievable with hand sewing. Use good-quality thread, making sure the thread color matches the fabric. Avoid tucking the thread into the seam – this can make the hem look untidy and can weaken the stitches. Make sure to press the hem in place before stitching and use tiny, even stitches.
Designers who want to give their hand-crafted garments a professional touch should take extra care when trimming and finishing seams. Before pressing seams, trim off any extra threads, using scissors or a small razor blade. Match the seams at the ends and press with an iron for a finished-looking seam.
Some additions to the garments, such as patchwork and quilting, can enhance the finished result and make hand sewing look more professional. Consider using a seam ripper occasionally to perfect seaming and finishing. When repeating a process on a garment, use a template, in the form of cardboard or thick paper.
Tips To Follow For a Neat Seam
Hand sewing can have a professional, machine-like look if certain tips are followed. Use the right weight and type of thread, select the correct needle type, keep all stitches uniform and small, and, when possible, press seams as you go.
One of the most important steps before you begin is to make sure that you have the right thread and needle. Sewing thread that is the same weight as the fabric is the best choice, as any heavier thread can pull and distort the fabric. Select a needle that is appropriate for the type of fabric you are using – for example, a needle for quilting fabric is best for thicker fabrics.
Maintain the same stitch size throughout the seam. Use small, even stitches that are no larger than one-sixteenth of an inch. This will give the seam a uniform and professional look. Additionally, press the seams as you go and make sure they are properly matched before you secure them.
Avoiding Unraveling
When hand-stitching, it is essential to make sure that the stitch doesn’t unravel, especially when sewing delicate fabrics or fabrics with a loose weave. To prevent the seams from coming apart, a lock-stitch or back-stitch can be applied at the beginning and end of the seam. To create a lock-stitch, simply double-up the thread and tie a knot at the end, then proceed with sewing. For a back-stitch, sew double backstitches at the beginning and end of the seam, which will prevent it from coming apart.
Another way to prevent the seam from coming undone is to reinforce it by stitching over it once more. This technique is especially useful when sewing with fabrics that are prone to unraveling, such as silk or cotton. Additionally, when sewing pleats or gathers, it is important to stabilize them before sewing.
Securing Embellishments
For a professional look, sew through the fabric twice when attaching embellishments, such as buttons and trinkets, to the garment. Sew a few extra stitches around the button to keep it securely in place and prevent it from coming undone. This technique is also useful for reinforcing zippers, buttonholes, and other closures. When attaching zippers, it’s important to make sure the edges line up perfectly before securing them with extra stitches.
When attaching pockets, take extra care to make sure the fold lines line up perfectly. After the pocket is secured with hand stitching, press it to flatten the seams and make sure the fold lines are even. This will help the pocket look professional and neat.
Locking Stitches with Backstitches
Another technique that adds a professional touch to hand sewing is the use of a backstitch. This technique makes knotted stitches virtually invisible by reversing the thread and locking the knot with a small stitch in the opposite direction. This technique is also useful for stabilizing the seam and giving it a finished look.
This technique is especially effective when working with delicate fabrics such as silk, chiffon, and lace. The backstitch will prevent the thin fabric from tearing or fraying, and the end result will look much cleaner. It is important to use a fine needle and thread for this technique, as larger needles and thicker thread can be too harsh for delicate fabrics.
Special Stitches for a Professional Look
Experienced sewists also recommend using special stitches for a professional-looking finish. Blind stitch hems look best when secured with small, evenly spaced stitches that are nearly invisible. This technique is also useful for attaching delicate lace trim. Hand-stitching a baste stitch is also useful for accurately measuring hems or pleats without the use of a machine.
If the garment is unfinished, use an overlock stitch to prevent the fabric from unraveling. An overlock stitch is simply a straight stitch that follows the edge of the fabric. It usually consists of two to three short, straight stitches and one longer, looped stitch that locks the seam in place.
Finishing the Hand-Sewn Garment
The last step in creating a hand-sewn garment with a professional look is to press the piece with an iron. As with machine-sewn garments, the iron helps to smooth out the wrinkles and give the piece a crisp, finished appearance. Press the seams and hems in place, as well as all other decorative details such as pockets, pleats, and embroidery.
Press the fabric without water, unless it is absolutely necessary. This will help the garment keep its structure and shape and prevent shrinkage. When handling the garment, be mindful of the delicate materials – use only hands and the iron, and avoid steaming or using steam-releasing fabric softeners.
Bring Professionalism to Your Sewing Project
With a few advanced techniques, hand sewers can mimic the look of machine-sewn garments. This can be achieved with the right needle and thread selection, meticulous attention to detail, and the use of special stitches. Additionally, properly pressing the piece can help to give it a machine-made quality.
Finally, sewists should consider purchasing a few tools that can help them achieve a professional look – such as a toothed-edge presser foot, a teflon presser foot, or a walking foot. With these tools, sewers can manipulate the fabric more easily and accurately, helping to create more polished, professional-looking garments.
