If you like sewing, knitting, not just arts and crafts in general, you know the importance of getting something for clipping your fabrics. Sewing requires some preciseness; and if you’re working with a large swatch of cloth, it could really get in the way. With the right clips in your sewing kit, you could make your projects much neater and finish without much hassle as well.
Even if the fabric in question isn’t that large, we want it to be in just the right place and a certain size while we’re working on it. Some enthusiastic sewers might make do with pins, but there are quite a lot of disadvantages to this option. Pins make holes in your material and can also deliver you a very nasty prick when you least expect it. Plus, clips come in handy when you need to work with heavy and tough fabrics such as leather, plastic, and damask. If you haven’t used sewing clips much before here are a few tips to get started:
Look Around For What You Need
Sewing clips were originally the product of a company name Clover, who came up with this item back in 2011. This isn’t such a long time ago, but it’s been long enough that the idea has been taken up by several other companies who predicted sewing equipment. The original Clover Wonder clips are still up for grabs, though, and available in a variety of assorted colors.
This means that we now have access to a variety of sewing clips. Some are heavy and string, while others may be lighter and flimsier. There are clips in all sorts of sizes as well as color options. If you know what kinds of projects you’d be working on, it’s a good idea to look around and choose the kind of sewing clips that will serve you best. For instance, if you usually work with dark-colored fabric, buying brightly colored sewing clips might be a better option than neutral shades.
You may also get some handy sewing clips if you buy a decent sewing kit. The best one are those that have springs of high quality as well as inspirations on the plane for measuring the binding as you go along.
How to Use
When there’s a need to attach your fabric before moving on with a sewing project, open up your clip and pinch it in the required place. The clip should have some teeth to make sure it stays there.
When you’re using a sewing machine, the sewing clip can attach to the side of the table. This way, the plane side faces down and can easily move as desired. If you make sure that the clear side faces up (assuming you’re using the Clover Wonder clips), this will make it easy to attach the clip to the side of a sewing machine or table.
However, make sure that the clips don’t get into contact with the presser foot of the machine; this could break them and interrupt your progress.
Check the Capacity
If you usually use a lot of fabric or a very thick one, make sure that your sewing clips are hardy enough to tackle it. Open a clip and see just how much it can take and still stay in place. If the sewing clip is of a decent quality, it will be able to clip several fabric blankets without coming to any harm.
Use With Kids
Sewing clips are versatile and useful, but they’re also essential in certain situations. For instance, if you’re teaching a child to sew, or teaching anyone how to use a sewing machine for the first time, these clips are important. This way, you wouldn’t have to worry about anyone pricking their finger on a pin. You also won’t have to worry about spilled pins or holes in the fabric.
Plus, using clips for young sewers will help them in learning how to measure and work their fabric. This will give them more confidence in their work and encourage them to try more projects in the future.
Explore Other Uses
Just because they’re called sewing clips, it doesn’t mean that you use them just for sewing purposes. These clips are strong and versatile enough for other uses as well; at least, they are if you buy the quality options. For instance, you may want to use one to hold your hair back from your face while you’re sewing.
Other options for using sewing clips include binding back curtains, clipping a bag of chips, organizing documents in lieu of paper clips, or clipping photos on a rope for a nice display.
In short, these clips will be quite useful in any crafting room. They can hold down construction paper, attach a knitting project to the side of a chair, or even be used for keeping a tablecloth straight. As far as sewing is concerned, you might want to keep these clips around when sewing by hand as well as with a machine.
Finding a Bargain
Finding just the right kind of sewing clips shouldn’t be hard, but do take a look at the price tag beforehand. Many of the branded clips are great for using in all sorts of sewing projects; they’re not likely to slip or leave marks in the cloth. However, they can cost quite a lot. If you still consider sewing as more of a hobby than a passion or a business, it might be best to shop around for cheaper clips that still work well for your needs. On the other hand, if you plan to monetize your sewing or just want to have a hassle-free experience while sewing, the high-end clips might be a sound investment.
The Right Tools
Even if you buy the most expensive sewing clips available, there’s no substitute for having quality fabric cutting tools and other kinds of equipment. The clips will hold the fabric tightly while you cut, so it makes sense to have the best tools you can afford. This way, your projects will go as smoothly as possible with the least amount of snagging, jagged cuts, or confusion.
Watch Videos
There might be some tips on using sewing clips that you may not realize, so the best way to fill these gaps is with a YouTube video. This platform has several tutorials and tips on how to use sewing clips to their full potential. With this research, you may also get project ideas where the clips would come in handy.
If you’re teaching a class of young sewers, such videos will also be good for giving you simple, quickly, and fun ideas that will attract your students. In the process, you’ll hopefully learn more about the importance of sewing clips as well.
Conclusion
The tips above will hopefully help you make the most of your sewing clips. They come in nice packages, so you may even consider giving them as gifts to fellow sewing hobbyists. The clips usually come in packs of 50 or even 100, but don’t worry about having too many. You’d be glad of some spares when a large project rolls around or after you break a few.