Do you use these 9 good sewing habits?

Welcome back!

Today, I’m using the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 930 sewing machine to show you some “neat” little housekeeping habits to make your projects look amazing! I’ve thrown in a couple of other tips as well. I wonder, do you use these 9 good sewing habits?

Preventing unsightly thread nests

You know what I’m talking about! Ugly messes of threads – how do you tame those threads when you start sewing at the edge of a piece?

Hold those threads

Two ways to control those loose threads when you start a seam –

1. Hold the threads in your hand so they don’t become entangled on the underside of the work.
2. Use a scrap of fabric to start the seam and let the threads tangle on the scrap

In the example below, I’m doing some rows of decorative stitches. I’m holding the threads behind the needle to get started.

Pull up the bobbin thread

If you’re going to start sewing in the middle of your project, bring the bobbin thread up through your work and tuck the threads behind the presser foot. This prevents any thread nests underneath the project.

It’s easy to bring the bobbin thread up. Position your needle where you want to start sewing. Use needle up/needle down twice. Pull on the top thread and the bobbin thread will pop to the surface. Then tuck both threads behind the presser foot. No more tangles!

Cutting the threads at the end of a seam

On the Sapphire 930, there are three ways to cut your threads at the end of a seam. You can use

1. the Selective Thread Cutter,
2. the manual thread cutter or
3. use a pair of snips (small scissors with finger holes).

I have used all three and I have to say my personal favorite is by hand with a pair of snips! It’s all what you get used to and after my thread cutter broke, well I had no choice! Now that I have the option again, I find that I’m perfectly happy trimming the threads by hand.

Try all three ways – some work better than the others depending on what you are sewing and how much of a hurry you are in!

The scissors are a great feature, especially if you’re working on something bulky that would be difficult to reach underneath and cut the threads off.

If you’re using the scissors feature on the Sapphire 930, then the bobbin thread won’t be long enough to pull through as mentioned in the previous tip.

The scissors do leave a tail that you’ll have to ignore or deal with.

This feature can also be programmed into a sequence of stitches.

Using the manual cutter on the side of the sewing machine

When you have finished the seam, pull the work to the side and use the manual thread cutter on the side of the sewing machine to cut off the bobbin and top threads. Doing this will leave a healthy length for the start of the next seam. A quick downward motion works best. This is great when you’re in a hurry and need to get to the next step quickly!

I’ve been known to be already standing and ready to walk to the ironing board and yank the threads through the cutter!

When I complete the seam, I pull my work to the back of the sewing machine. Then using a pair of snips, I clip the threads close to the work.

I find that pulling to the back rather than the front or the side gets my threads more or less organized for the start of the next seam.

Another way to keep your work tidy is to chain piece. Because you can get those pieces very close together when you’re sewing them, there are no threads to trim once you clip the pieces apart.

When we sew clothing, we do a backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to ensure the seam is secure. When we quilt, there’s no need – again you must watch the stitch length.

However there are times when it’s necessary to anchor the ends of the seams and the Sapphire 930 comes with a FIX function which essentially ties a knot by stitching forward and backward several times in the same spot. So where exactly would you use this FIX function?

The FIX function is great if your seam is going to start or finish in the middle of the work rather than the edge of the piece where the seam end will be encased in another seam.

Applique  – You must secure the end of applique stitching if no other stitching will anchor the end.

Top stitching – The ends of the row of top stitching must be anchored if no other row of stitching will anchor the end.

Stitching down trim, decorative stitches are a couple of other instances that come to mind.

And one more – when you’re making a pocket for a bag (or other item similar), you’ll stitch around the pocket leaving an opening to turn inside out. I anchor the beginning and the end of those seams to prevent the stitching from pulling out when I turn the item inside out.

One other feature that I wanted to point out with the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 930 is that there is NO presser foot lever! The presser foot lowers automatically once you hit the foot pedal or the STOP/START button on the function panel.

A very useful feature especially if you have something very tricky lined up to sew and you need both hands to hold all the pieces in place (can you tell I hate pinning!). No need to reach behind and drop the presser foot.

Needle threaders are a great feature on the sewing machine but can sometimes be very frustrating to use.

If you find that your needle won’t stay threaded once you release the needle threader, try putting some slack in the thread – the needle will stay threaded every time.

Although this tip has nothing to do with the sewing machine, I came across these blocks this morning and thought they would be a good example to show you how important pressing is. I hate when things are not well pressed. It can make a piece look absolutely terrible.

Have a look at the poor block below – yes it has been pressed but not well.

If I were in the market for a general all purpose sewing machine, I have to say that the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 930 is a beautiful sewing machine. Even though I’m technically on vacation – I can’t stop sewing! Once you get comfortable with the features and functions, there’s NOTHING that this sewing machine doesn’t tackle beautifully!

Tomorrow it’s all about speed. And don’t forget the gorgeous project that I have for you.

There you have it – I hope you use these 9 good sewing habits and hopefully they save you a bit of time as well! Have a great day! Ciao!