Sewing guides are a fantastic way to help you sew in straight lines. There are several different ways to achieve this professional look.
Marking tools: Chalk, air erasable pens etc.
One of the easiest ways is to use a ruler to literally draw lines onto your fabric exactly where you want them, and then stitch along those lines. Chalk marks can be brushed off quickly, whilst certain fabric pens vanish automatically when exposed to air or submerged in water (check the instructions for each individual tool).
Magnetic seam guides
Magnetic seam guides stick to your needle plate to help you sew in straight lines. It's quick and easy!
Laser guides
The most advanced and futuristic sewing guides are the laser guides. These project a red beam of light onto your fabric that you can follow with your needle. It doesn't get any cooler than this!
Stickers/ Washi tape
A sticker or a strip of washi tape stuck onto your machine can provide a visual guide that you can line the edge of my fabric up with. A low-cost solution that is always available and requires no preparation!
Bonus tips to help you sew in straight lines and create professional-looking projects.
- Use a sharp needle. A dull needle will make it difficult to sew in a straight line.
- Use the right thread tension. If the thread tension is too loose, your stitches will be loose and uneven. If the thread tension is too tight, your stitches will be puckered.
- Sew slowly. Sewing slowly will help you stay in control of where your stitches land.
- Use a walking foot. A walking foot helps to feed your fabric evenly through your sewing machine, which can help you sew in a straight line.
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you sew, the better you will become at sewing in straight lines.
That's all there is to it! These are just a few tips for sewing in straight lines. With a little practice, you'll be sewing like a pro in no time.