Dip the end of the thread in nail polish to make it easier to thread the needle.
Spray a bit of hair spray on your finger when threading a needle and apply it to the end of the thread. This stiffens the thread just enough to make the job easier.
Sharpening a Sewing Machine Needle
Stitch through a piece of sandpaper.
Stitching Heavy Jeans
Rub the seams of the jeans with a piece of hard bar soap. The machine needle will go through the material with ease and it will not break.
Buttons and Buttonholes
Try sewing buttons on with dental floss, they will stay on longer.
Sewing on four holed buttons, make sure you sew only two holes at a time, breaking and knotting the thread for each pair. If one set breaks the other set will hold on the button.
Coat the center of the button with colorless nail polish, this seals the thread and buttons say on longer.
Adding Notches to a Leather Belt
Heat a steel knitting needle until very hot and poke a hole through the belt.
Sewing on Badges
Put a few dabs of white household glue on the back of the badge and position it on the garment and let set for a few minutes. The glue will hold the badge in place and straight until you can stitch it in place. The glue will wash out the next time your launder it.
Keeping a Sewing Machine Pedal Stationary
Try gluing a piece of foam rubber to the bottom of a sewing machine pedal and it will not move on the floor.
Preventing Thread Knots
When hand sewing with a single thread, make sure the thread knot is placed on the thread that was cut off closest to the spool. This will prevent the thread from knotting.
When hand sewing with a double thread, make sure to knot each thread separately. This will prevent the thread from tangling.
Sticky Zippers
Running some bar soap over the zipper when they are sticking will make them run like new.
Rolling a Ball of Yarn
Roll the ball around the wrapper that came with it and you'll know exactly the brand and dye lot of the yarn.
Unraveling a Garment
If you made a mistake on your knitting or crocheting, unravel into a large grocery bag, the yarn will easily pull back out of the bag and you will not have to roll it back up.
Knitting Multicolor Sweaters
Place each strand of yarn through an empty thread spool or adding machine roll to keep the yarn apart.
Knitting or Crocheting Container
Knitting needles and crocheting hooks can be conveniently stored in a potato chip cylinder. Cover them with adhesive-backed paper to make them more attractive.
