What I Learned in 1 Year of Hand Sewing | Tips for Getting Started + Speed & Technique

Have you ever wondered how to sew by hand? or how to make your hand sewing faster, better, more consistent, smaller stitches, and less fiddly? well I'm here to help! (okay maybe not the last one so much, things might get a little more fiddly before they get less fiddly if you follow my advise..) hand sewing can be super fun and relaxing and an easy way to take your sewing on the go without having to lug around a sewing machine. I hope you find this video helpful and enjoy!
xoxo
Ora Lin {they/them}
❤️Support me ko-fi.com/oralin/ ❤️
00:00 intro
00:39 thimbles
3:42 thread
4:25 thread waxing
6:12 thread length
6:54 needle sizing
12:40 holding the needle
14:07 sewing technique
18:18 final thoughts
Instagram: @ora_lin
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Пікірлер: 52

  • @nataliestanchevski4628
    @nataliestanchevski46282 жыл бұрын

    I don't have beeswax so I use a small unscented white candle (a tealight) to wax my thread. It works just fine. My tip is to thread several needles and wax and iron them in batches so you don't have to stop and do it every time your thread runs out.

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing! I tend to wax in batches too, between 5-15 precut threads at a time but I've never tried prethreading them before

  • @HexxWhat
    @HexxWhat2 жыл бұрын

    I did not know the topless tailors thimble was a thing but as someone who forgoes thimbles because of their nail comfort that is a complete game changer.

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Happy I could introduce you to them!

  • @karenlawler7846
    @karenlawler78462 жыл бұрын

    This was so great, I had recently started using a thimble and had found hand stitching a bit easier (so like...I hated it, instead of hating it with the burning passion of a thousand suns) but I hadn't realised I was holding my needle and thimble wrong or how it was supposed to be one motion! I haven't quite figured out the thimble angle (when I try to use the thimble only to push the needle through the fabric the needle slips off my thimble at least half the time) but I can definitely see how this could speed up my hand sewing! I'd love a tutorial on different stitches, and also on hand gathering, which I want to try but don't 100% know how to do!

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    thank you! the first half of pushing the needle though the fabric can be done partly with the thumb and pointer finger so it doesn't have to be exclusively with the thimble but as you said you can probably find different angle to hold the thimble compared to the needle that will work better. I hope your hand sewing experience continues to improve!

  • @lauraoergel6003
    @lauraoergel6003 Жыл бұрын

    And if you're super lucky, you walk into goodwill, and pick up a decent size box of vintage wartime needles and thimbles and vintage corsetry supplies for afew dollars...(check the tins, always check the tins!)

  • @hickszn
    @hickszn Жыл бұрын

    I went down a rabbit hole looking into how to sew my own clothes because the women's clothing today is not my cup of tea. I really like the modest look of edwardian fashion. But I don't want to buy a sewing machine before I'm sure this is something I'm going to seriously purse. I like the idea of hand sewing. I don't mind it taking longer to complete peices.

  • @juliewilborn-barth7
    @juliewilborn-barth73 күн бұрын

    Thanks 😊

  • @danhurl1349
    @danhurl13492 жыл бұрын

    Off topic but your hair and makeup look immaculate in this

  • @Ora_Lin
    @Ora_Lin2 жыл бұрын

    I just want to say when I said give it 8-10 hours I meant 8-10 hours for it to start to feel okay and not super awkward and fiddly, not to stitch as fast as I do in this video. That took month of practice. . Have any more hand sewing tips? Comment them! I’d love to read about y’all’s experiences and what you’ve found works

  • @bitnewt
    @bitnewt2 жыл бұрын

    Your explanation of the simplified movement was so useful, thanks!

  • @patriciaromero145
    @patriciaromero1455 ай бұрын

    Thank you for all the information. I am glad I found your channel! Love your content!

  • @emib4600
    @emib46002 жыл бұрын

    love this video! I'm a leather thimble lover, personally. metal thimbles are hard to find small enough for me, and I like the feeling of control that I get with a more flexible thimble. also being able to feel what I'm doing more clearly means I don't have to look at my sewing so much, which is nice if I'm trying to watch a show while sewing :)

  • @barefacedquestions

    @barefacedquestions

    Жыл бұрын

    I've read that you can use a plier to make a metal thimble smaller.

  • @emmawelch
    @emmawelch8 ай бұрын

    I have so many lovely videos to reference when it comes to stitches, but this is the information I was missing, such as how long of a thread is typically used when hand sewing. Thanks so much, Ora!!

  • @MrStanwillis
    @MrStanwillis9 ай бұрын

    Thanks😊

  • @kholbrook203
    @kholbrook2037 ай бұрын

    Thank you for a very informative video!

  • @Battker
    @Battker Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this

  • @jackiejames4551
    @jackiejames45512 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for showing this I would love to see other tutorials on different stitches.

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    any particular stitches you'd like to see?

  • @jackiejames4551

    @jackiejames4551

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Ora_Lin what is a hairingbone stitch?

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    I can't attach pictures to comments unfortunately but you can find it by googling "herringbone stitch" its used in embroidery but it can also be used in s variety of other ways such as invisible hems, flexible joins, attaching a lining to a very delicate dress, finishing raw edges on tailored garments, and many other things. In a tutorial I would not only talk about how to do the stitch itself but also how one might use it.

  • @jackiejames4551

    @jackiejames4551

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Ora_Lin ok, I will check it out on Google, thanks.

  • @becauseimafan

    @becauseimafan

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Ora_Lin Ooh I'd definitely watch that tutorial if you made it! I like the Hows and Whys in something like this, it makes it so much easier for me to learn and understand. Much like this video! Which I'm totally saving for when this sudden heatwave finally leaves next week 🥵🥵 My brain is melting out of my ears 😵‍💫 Thank you for sharing this video! Hello from Montreal, Canada! 🇨🇦👋

  • @daseineschaf
    @daseineschaf2 жыл бұрын

    Honestly, your sewing tutorials and advice are amazing! They always work great for me!

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    im so happy to hear that🥺

  • @gabiliorcoolkid2651
    @gabiliorcoolkid26512 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, this video was super helpful!

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad to hear it❤️

  • @rosalie4069
    @rosalie40692 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I loved this video. Have a lovely day

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Why thank you💕

  • @rayd2470
    @rayd2470 Жыл бұрын

    I just picked up hand sewing this year and this was exactly what I needed, thank you for sharing! I love how clearly you communicate :^)

  • @ParkrosePermaculture
    @ParkrosePermaculture2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this! Always love your videos. Also, you are having a fabulous hair day in this! Love the look!

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! It was day two curled and heavily hairsprayed hair… I decided to embrace the crunch

  • @MonaSkovJensen
    @MonaSkovJensen2 жыл бұрын

    After I tried ironing waxed thread I never looked back! That is like totally different thread to work with! 😍 I do have metal thimbles but I prefer a leather thimble (I make it myself and wear it out. Not the best quality leather but it'll do) It was great to watch your experience with hand sewing. Thanks for sharing 🤗

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm with you on that. What kind of leather do you you to make thimbles?

  • @MonaSkovJensen

    @MonaSkovJensen

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Ora_Lin It's just off cuts from furniture industry, bought at an online craft store

  • @barefacedquestions
    @barefacedquestions Жыл бұрын

    How do you decide when to hand sew versus machine sew? I love hand sewing, but there're several parts where I thin I'd rather machine sew. Wonder if you've ever had a video on making a garment in which you combine hand sewing and machine sewing.

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi! most of the garments I make combine hand sewing and machine sewing. I'm a believer that most things can be done just as well by hand and machine (although some things like invisible hemming require special machines). I common way of splitting it is to do constructions seams by machine and finishing by hand. There is no right or wrong way! Do whatever works for you, your preferences, skill set, and schedule!

  • @theverbind
    @theverbind Жыл бұрын

    I'd love to see your 2023 version of this!

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    Жыл бұрын

    That video would look very similar to this one, my techniques have largely stayed the same!

  • @theverbind

    @theverbind

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Ora_Lin Very cool! I bought your Sophie pattern, looking forward to it :D

  • @catherinerw1
    @catherinerw12 жыл бұрын

    Needle size/brand: I really like the Clover "Black Gold" size 9 sharps. (The 10s are slightly too small to thread easily). Amazon has them (UK anyway) although they are via a second seller.

  • @mdmaybe
    @mdmaybe2 жыл бұрын

    Needles from England, Europe, and Japan are the best.

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    ^^^^yes

  • @Rachel-xf3op
    @Rachel-xf3op2 жыл бұрын

    This might be a silly question, but using a single thread, how do you stop it from coming out of the needle when you pull it? It’s the one thing stopping me from getting in a real flow when I sew, because I always end up having to use my other hand, or put it down and pick it up or something.

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Not a silly question! There are a few factors that go into it, the size of the eye of the needle is one of them. A smaller eye will be harder for the thread to slip through which makes a big difference IMO. Also waxing thread makes it hold a shape when bent (not strongly but enough to be able to tension the thread without it slipping) Waxed thread that hasn’t been ironed with be the most grippy, but I find that ironed waxed thread is also less prone to slipping through the eye of a needle than unwaxed thread. Hope that helps!

  • @Ora_Lin

    @Ora_Lin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Also I’ll add that the way you tension the thread plays a part. Having a few fingers in contact with the thread like the way that I showed will add a small amount of friction that helps to prevent the thread from slipping (as opposed to simply pulling the needle out with your thumb and pointer finger)

  • @Rachel-xf3op

    @Rachel-xf3op

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Ora_Lin thanks for the tips! I'll need to practice more

  • @odsmey

    @odsmey

    2 жыл бұрын

    I find the length of the end matters a lot. I like it to be more than a hand long. Basically, most of your thread is doubled up, just not the last three or four inches next to the fabric. Then, when you tension, your fingers are in contact with both the "loose" thread and the one attached to the fabric. That will help it staying in the needle.

  • @becauseimafan

    @becauseimafan

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@odsmey Yes, _this!_ This is what I noticed when she was showing how different people tension their thread! She was pulling her needle and thread away from the fabric, but she wrapped her other fingers *around* the thread - which I hadn't noticed until she showed that some people don't do that! That's when I got it! 🤯 That's definitely gonna help my hand sewing, not having to worry so much about losing the thread & trying to awkwardly pinch it at the end of the needle! 😅

  • @gailrussell9104
    @gailrussell910425 күн бұрын

    Waxed thread...kind of like dental floss.