Tips for Speedy Sewing: 5 Ways to Save Time at Your Sewing Machine
Sometimes sewing is all about slowing down and enjoying the process. Other times... you just want to get that project finished!
Maybe you've only got half an hour before work. Perhaps you're trying to finish a dress before a big event (we’ve all frantically hand-sewn buttons on our wedding guest dress on the train, right?!). Or maybe you're racing against the clock like a contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee. (Been there, done that.)
Whatever the reason, having a few time-saving sewing tricks up your sleeve can make a big difference.
These shortcuts won't replace good sewing habits entirely, but when speed matters, they're brilliant to have in your (handmade) back pocket.
1. Skip the pins (sometimes)
Ready to live dangerously?
For stable woven fabrics and straightforward seams, try sewing without pinning first. Match up the first part of the seam, then guide the rest of the edges together as you sew.
If you need to adjust the layers, pause with the needle down to hold everything in place while you reposition the fabric.
Once you've got the hang of it, sewing without pins can speed things up surprisingly quickly.
That said, I'd still recommend pinning slippery fabrics, gathers, curves and set-in sleeves. Some things are worth the extra minute or two.
Speaking of slippery fabrics...
2. Choose easy-to-handle fabrics
One of the biggest sewing time savers actually happens before you thread your machine.
If you're making something in a hurry, pick a stable woven fabric such as cotton poplin, chambray, linen or denim. These fabrics stay put while you're cutting and sewing, so you'll spend much less time wrestling with shifting fabric or unpicking wonky seams.
I'd also recommend choosing solid colours, small prints or wide vertical stripes if you're short on time. They don't need careful pattern matching, saving lots of time when it comes to cutting and pinning.
Save the slippery viscose, silk chiffon and perfectly matched narrow stripes for a day when you're happy to sew at a more leisurely pace.
3. Batch similar tasks together
Instead of switching between your pinning area, sewing machine, trimming area, overlocker (serger), and ironing board after every seam, try batching similar tasks together. Pin several seams first, then sit down at your machine and sew them all, trim finish the seam allowances in one go, and heat up your iron to press them all at the end.
Task batching saves a ton of time – as well as energy – getting out or putting away tools, moving between areas of your sewing space, and getting your brain into gear between each type of task.
Just remember to press a seam before sewing across it, and don't pin so many pieces together that they start falling apart while you work!
Fancy giving task batching a go? Follow the ‘Shortcut Steps’ sections in my book Make It Simple, which reorders the project instructions with a task batching approach. off your progress - woo!
4. Use chain stitching wherever you can
If you have several seams to stitch, don't stop to trim your threads after every one.
Instead, sew continuously from one piece to the next, then snip them apart afterwards. This is called chain stitching, and it's one of the easiest ways to speed up repetitive sewing.
This saves multiple small steps in between each seam – checking the thread tails are in position, lowering the presser foot, putting your foot on the pedal, raising the presser foot, pulling out the fabric, trimming the threads, placing the piece to one side...
When chain stitching, remember to back tack at the start and end of each piece. But don’t raise the presser foot or cut the threads – just position the next piece in front of the needle, leaving a small gap, and continue sewing onto it.
Once you’ve finished all the seams you have ready to sew, pull them out and snip the threads in between the chain.
It might not sound like much, but removing all that stopping and starting can make a real difference to your sewing productivity.
5. Take a break when you need to
I know it sounds counterintuitive to take a break when you’re short on time. But the last thing you want to do when you’re sewing to a deadline is make a mistake because you’re feeling tired and frazzled.
Unpicking seams takes time. So does cutting out a new pattern piece if you’ve accidentally cut a hole in it, let alone painstakingly removing seam sealant that you’ve accidentally poured over your homemade wool coat (I’m still not ready to talk about that one).
If you feel your mind wandering or your eyes dropping, it’s definitely better to take a little breather and return to your project when you’re in a calmer state!
Final thoughts on speed sewing
Saving time with your sewing isn’t about sewing at high speed. Because that can often lead to mistakes that need unpicking, losing you the time you were trying to save in the first place.
The real trick is building small habits that will help you stay organised and keep your momentum going when you don’t have a lot of time to make your project.
Related guides
If you're in the mood for more handy sewing tips, why not explore some of our other Learn to Sew tutorials? We've got plenty of guides to help make your next project even more enjoyable:
- Tips for Accurate Sewing
- Before You Cut Your Fabric
- Understanding Sewing Pattern Markings
- Ten Sewing Videos to Up Your Skills
Happy sewing!
