At Fabrics Galore London, we asked our sewing community to name their most common sewing mistakes. The survey feedback was helpful and, at times, hilarious. From measuring and cutting issues to machine and bobbin errors via a healthy dose of mistakes caused by tiredness, we have summarised our community’s major sewing mishaps to help you avoid making the same mistakes.
Measuring Mistakes
The most common theme centred around measuring, either not trusting the tape measure (!) or not measuring properly, which inevitably results in fitting issues. Common measuring mistakes include:
- Not checking whether body measurements have changed before starting a project.
- Not trusting the tape measure when it suggests a different pattern size.
- Forgetting to adjust all the pattern pieces when altering the length.
- Failing to add back the seam allowance when altering the pattern size.
- Not making a toile first to check for fit.
- Skipping fitting checks at key stages of the make.
Measuring and fitting mistakes were the most common reason for making garments that don't fit - so it goes without saying it is always best to measure twice and cut once, make a toile, especially if it is a new pattern, and finally, cut everything out all at the same time.
Inappropriate Fabric Choice
We have highlighted this common mistake in our blog on Collective Sewing Wisdom but it’s important to add it here.
- Trying to use a fabric which isn’t included on the pattern’s fabric recommendations.
- Purchasing the wrong weight fabric for the project.
- Not understanding the properties of different fabrics.
Respondents highlighted the difficulty in matching fabrics with patterns. We think our beginner’s guide to choosing dressmaking fabric online could be useful here. And there is no harm in asking the pattern company for their advice - they will know their patterns best. Don’t be disheartened if you have chosen the wrong fabric, you can always cut the garment up again and remake it into something else at a later stage.
Cutting and Pattern Preparation Errors
Our sewing community admitted that a lot of mistakes occur before sewing even begins - ouch!
Common mistakes reported include:
- Not reading pattern instructions thoroughly before starting.
- Failing to check what notions and skills are required.
- Drawing pattern markings on the facing side of the fabric.
- Pinning patterns to fabric on an unprepared cutting surface.
- Cutting fabric inaccurately.
- Failing to add notches to the fabric edges.
Although preparation isn’t necessarily the most exciting part of sewing, a lack of preparation can result in failure before you start stitching. Always read all the instructions before starting so that you have a better idea of why they want you to do something a certain way. And first time round, it’s a good idea to follow the instructions exactly; once you have a handle on the pattern, then you can mix it up a bit.
Sewing Machine and Bobbin Problems
Many respondents mentioned bobbin blunders and machine set-up. The most common included:
- Forgetting to change needles between projects - it makes a surprising difference.
- Not having enough thread on the bobbin.
- Tension mishaps when winding or inserting bobbins.
- Assuming there’s enough thread left on the bobbin.
- Failing to notice that the bobbin ran out some time ago.
In short, the humble bobbin can be the source of much sewing frustration.
Construction and Sewing Mishaps
Many of our enthusiastic sewists confessed to these classic sewing mistakes:
- Sewing pieces in the wrong orientation.
- Garments assembled inside out.
- Sleeve plackets sewn incorrectly or folded in the wrong direction.
- Sewing over pins.
- Buttonholes stitched on the wrong side.
- When finishing a project, accidentally snipping the fabric instead of the thread.
Even advanced sewists have serious slip-ups. Our advice is to unpick it at the time - then walk away and come back to it after a few days.
Rushing and Ignoring Instructions
A recurring mistake was trying to rush and take short-cuts. Our sewing community owned up to the following:
- Not reading instructions properly in their eagerness to get started.
- Believing they can “wing it”.
- Rushing ahead without checking the fit as you progress.
In short, many sewists have learned the hard way that rushing causes careless mistakes. - hey, we have all been there.
Miscalculating Time and Sewing when Tired
Second only to measuring, time management and fatigue was one of the strongest themes among the many mistakes sewists mentioned:
- Underestimating how long projects will take.
- Believing a project will take 2 hours instead of 2 days.
- Continuing to sew when tired - "just one more step syndrome”.
- Ploughing on once exhaustion sets in.
It seems that time miscalculations and tiredness are a lethal combination at the sewing machine. And we all should know by now that a 2 hour project is never going to be a 2 hour project…
Procrastination and Delay
It’s not only preparation and construction mistakes that trip up home sewists. Procrastination and delay are caused by:
- Spending too long deciding what to sew.
- Inability to choose fabric from the stash.
- Procrastinating on getting started.
- Having multiple projects ready to go but not actually started. One respondent had 10 patterns pinned onto fabric before setting up the cutting table!
It seems that half the battle is simply getting started. Remember, this is your hobby - you enjoy it.
Focus and Concentration
A few comments highlighted how much a lack of concentration can affect sewing results:
- Making silly mistakes when distracted.
- Losing focus and missing details.
- One person with ADHD said it made sewing challenging, but still fun!
Everyone agreed that sewing requires concentration and if you lose focus it’s best to step away from the sewing machine - there is always tomorrow.
Common Sewing Mistakes - the Key Takeaways
Perhaps surprisingly, very few mistakes were about sewing ability, but instead were caused by measurement and fit issues, rushing projects, underestimating how long they will take and lapses in concentration, especially when tired. We think our Fabrics Galore sewing community are heroes for persevering in the face of so many obstacles.
The overwhelming advice seems to be plan and prepare projects well, take more time than you think you will need, and to stop sewing the moment you feel tired or distracted.
Do you have other common sewing mistakes to add to this list? If so, please share them on our social @fabricsgalorelondon
Authored by: Annabelle Rigg, Online and Store Manager at Fabrics Galore London
Reviewed by: Paul Johnston, Owner and Founder of Fabrics Galore London since 1992
Feature Image by J Williams on Unsplash
