Useful Sewing Tips

When a button pops off your favorite shirt, or that pair of pants you just got is a little longer than your legs, don't let vision loss get in the way. You can continue to make quick fixes by mending and sewing, if you just follow along with these helpful tips. You may even have a little fun.

First of all, good lighting is important for anything you do with low vision. So, use an adjustable lamp to brighten your work area. Some lamps even have a magnifying lens attached to them. There are also magnifiers that come on a chain that rest against your chest to keep your hands free. And, there are small adjustable lights you can attach to your sewing machine that shine light right on the needle. Have a look at our resource section for more information about that.

Don’t underestimate your sense of touch either. If your eyes get tired from the magnifier, use your fingertips to guide the needle and check your stitching. To make them easier to find when you need them, keep sewing supplies like scissors, pins, needles and buttons organized in containers of different sizes, shapes, and colors.

And label the color of fabrics and thread by making large print, audio, or labels you can feel on an index card. Place each card in a resealable bag with the thread and bobbin. Or, attach it directly to the fabric to indicate the color. Check out our labeling series for more tips.

And if you keep a refrigerator magnet in your sewing supplies, you can use it to sweep over your work area and pick up any pins or needles which may have dropped.

When it comes to cutting fabric, use a pair of scissors made just for that purpose. Keep them sharp by not using them for other things. Stay safe by closing them before you lay them down. And, if you're cutting thread, find the thread with your closed scissors first. Then open them.

Now on to sewing. First off, whether you’re using a machine or sewing by hand, you’ll want to check out our workshop on threading a needle, if you haven’t already gotten the hang of doing this with limited vision.

If you're sewing on a button, using your sense of touch can really be helpful. Hold the needle closer to the tip and use it like an extra eye to find its way. Button the garment to see where the missing button should go. Mark this spot with a contrasting colored Velcro sticker. Bring your needle up through the center of the sticker and slide the sticker off over the needle. You can then put the tip of the needle through one of the holes on the button. Purchase Velcro stickers online or from department or fabric stores.

Lay a toothpick across the top of the button. It gives the right allowance between the button and thread and acts as a guide. Bring the needle up through one hole on one side of the toothpick then down through the second hole on the other side. If you're sewing on a four-hole button, cover up two of the holes with your thumb. Make stitches through the open set of holes then uncover and stitch the other set. Slide the toothpick out when you're ready to finish securing the button.

If you need to hem a skirt or pair of pants, use hem clips to mark the hem. They're a great alternative to using pins. They easily hold the fabric, stay in place, and don't leave holes. Their color and contrast make them easy to see. Find them online and where sewing notions are sold.

Make the sewing line for a hem easier to see by placing contrasting colored masking or painter's tape on the inside of the fabric. The edge of the tape should be at the point where you need to sew the hem. Use the tape to also mark where to put in darts. Remove the tape once you've sewn your stitches. Use a tape measure or seam guide to make sure your hem is even.

To make them easier to see and feel, mark seam gauges with brightly colored puff paint. Create a dot or line at the various markings. Also, magnetic seam guides can be very useful with sewing machines to help you sew in a straight line and keep seams even.

As always, contact a learning expert if you have questions or your own tips to share. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience, and practice and you’ll get there.