Updated April 2019

Welcome You’ve come to learn more about how to make your sewing look more professional and amazing, and I have so much to share with you. Before we get to those tips though, let me share a few more things with you. When I started sewing I would often look at the things I made and compare them to store-bought clothing and I noticed a few things that always made mine seem a little less polished.

If you want:

  • fashion that looks expensive but no one suspects you made it yourself
  • classic pieces that stand the test of time
  • pieces that are durable and can be worn for years because they’re well made
  • to be proud of your creations both inside and out

then read on, because I’ve been there. I didn’t know a thing about sewing when I started teaching myself, and I’m so excited to share what I’ve learned with you.

Use these 7 tips and your sewing projects will look more professional--people won't even suspect you made it yourself!

7 Ways to Make Your Sewing Look Professional

1. Use Wide Elastic and Casings

It’s so tempting to put in skinny elastic and a small casing, especially when you’re short on fabric. But small elastic and casings look cheap, so avoid it if possible. Also make your casings snug so the elastic doesn’t twist–a tell-tale sign of homemade. You can also stitch through your elastic and casing along the side seams to prevent twisting…

2. Create Wide Hems and Cuffs

If a pattern calls for a 1/2″ hem, add extra length so you can have a 1-1/2 to 2″ hem. It makes the garment look more expensive because you didn’t skimp on the fabric. It also helps give the hem more weight so it hangs nicer and you also have the added benefit of being able to lengthen a garment if needed when you have a large hem. Win win.

What about on circle skirts? This hemming trick will save your sanity and you can have as big of a hem as you’d like.

3. Press Everything

Don’t ever skip pressing your seams as you go–even if you hate ironing. Just don’t do it. Steam pressing seams sets the stitches and creates structure that makes the whole garment to look polished. I promise its worth the effort. And go for a good one. I LOVE this CHI clothing iron. I reviewed it last year and my Rowenta iron got the boot. See my review here (my feelings have only gotten stronger in the past year of use and abuse.)

4. Finish the Seam Allowances

Finished seam allowances keeps your cut edges from fraying, and it’s also key in making your sewing look professional. While pinking shears technically keep your fabric from fraying, a pinked edge just doesn’t look great. Instead, either use a zigzag over your edges or serge all raw edges as you go to get a better finish.  Although no one else will see the inside of your clothes, it will change how you feel about your creations–you’ll be proud of the garment both inside and out. 

Don’t know what serger/overlocker to get? This entry-level Brother serger has been great to me for over 6 years now. I definitely recommend it.

5. Understitch the Collars and Facings

Nothing screams homemade like a collar that won’t stay down. And nothing is as annoying as constantly trying to smooth it down when you’re wearing it. Facings that won’t stay down are just as bad. Always under stitch.

Don’t know what under stitching is? No problem, click here and I’ll email you what it is and when to use it!

6. Stay stitching

It’s so tempting to skip the stay stitching, but don’t. Stay stitching is a line of stitches that stays in the garment to help curved edges like necklines retain their shape so they don’t get saggy or stretched while you’re sewing. Because frumpy necklines just don’t look good.

7. Use a Double Needle or Coverstitch to Finish Knits

You know that double row of stitching on the hem of your favorite t-shirt? It’s a special stitch that stretches AND looks good. On a sewing machine, you can use a double needle to get this stitch, or  if you’re lucky you can use a coverstitch machine to sew your hem and finish your edges all at once. Either way, that double stitched look really makes a difference on the finished look of knits.

It’s amazing how just these simple steps will give your projects a serious boost in subtle yet noticeable ways and make your sewing look professional. And while some of them require an extra step or tool, they make a real difference in the quality of the finished product.

Looking for more sewing tips and tricks? I’ve got you covered with 9 more crucial tips and tricks to make your sewing look amazing! Click here and I’ll send you my favorite sewing tips and tricks because I want you to be successful and love sewing.

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Anne
7 years ago

I always say I want my clothes to look handmade rather than homemade… I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later today that links to your tips: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=82492 –Anne

Ricki @ The Questionable Homesteader

Great tips, thank you so much for sharing. I’m just getting back into sewing after a 10 year hiatus and it had never occurred to me how much I might have forgotten until I started. As I was working through my latest project I was having several oh ya moments. As I also remembered how much I really enjoyed sewing I’ll be doing more of it in the future so your tips will be coming in very handy. Thanks

Iris Estes
Iris Estes
7 years ago

I really did like your post. I am in the midst of remodeling some tee shirts that are plain and tired looking. I loved some of the tips in your post. I like to be reminded that the fastest way is not always the best way. I will enjoy the reminders that you posted.

Mindy
Mindy
7 years ago

I think for #7 that you mean coverstitch machine that hems and finishes the edge at once.

Marylea M
Marylea M
7 years ago

Just getting back to sewing clothing after 25 years, these are great tips some old some new thoughts for me. thanks for sharing.

Legertha Barner
Legertha Barner
7 years ago

Excellent points. Thanks for sharing .

Genesis Sharkey
Genesis Sharkey
6 years ago

Danke

Vivian
Vivian
6 years ago

please send 7 tip details to me by email , I am a fashion designer in Shanghai,China.It is very nice to know you at your website.

Sara Lara
6 years ago

Lisa, found this article through Google. Glad I came across these 7 tips and loved it. I just Subscribed to your newsletter.

Carol
Carol
6 years ago

Love your tips. Love to read more. Thank you for inviting me in.

mrs
mrs
6 years ago

WHY do we have to CLICK through for EVERY ‘tip’ ? is it so the ads get more views ? horrible web site..
& the elastic in a casing is set to fit the project NOT the ‘looks cheap’ idea. Not completely sure what you meant by that tiny tip.
Also , when adding elastic, always sew the back area to hold the elastic & keep it from twisting.

arvind
4 years ago

Nice post ! Thanks for sharing the useful information about the sewing tricks. your mention is really helpful for the users.

May
4 years ago

These tricks might come in handy when I am making clothes for me and my kids. I like them to have professional looks instead of homemade. These days it’s hard to find pants for my young son to wear since he is pretty picky with his clothes. Thank you for sharing your wonderful tips. It is definitely going to be a good use.

Gayle
Gayle
3 years ago

Your email links don’t work to send tips. I’d love to get the info. thank you! I just bought the Brother serger!

Diva D
Diva D
3 years ago

Hi there. I love all your tips and tricks you shared with us. I also love using my iron too. It makes your clothes look so finished and a special pride. Thanks again.

Ginger
Ginger
3 years ago

What is stay stitching exactly ?

Ginger
Ginger
3 years ago

Best results when pressing stretch knits.
Thank you for your reply…

Dawn Humphries
Dawn Humphries
2 years ago

Those sewing tips are sew good ( pardon the pun) Thankyou for those little extras that make a big difference to the look of the finished garment / project and also to how you feel about the work you have done . 😊
Dawn .

Jennifer
18 days ago

Hey Lisha, these seven pro tips had help me or anyone achieve a polished and professional look on all the sewing projects. Saying goodbye to amateur mistakes and hello to perfectly tailored garments! Subscribing to the newsletter!