How to Sew in a Straight Line

This might sound a bit of a strange blog post - especially coming from me, as I spend so much time machine stitching in what I call a sketchy style.

sketchy stitching style

I was inspired to write it after a comment from Ali from the Patchwork Fairy, who said she wondered if sewing in my sketchy style would mean people would think she couldn't sew in a straight line (which she says she can't and that's part of the appeal of the sketchy style).

I was taught to sew at school way back in the 1970's when the whole sewing thing was a bit more formal and a bit less relaxed than it is now.  We had to do it "right" or unpick it.  Oh, the action that seam ripper saw!

straight lines

So I'm sharing a quick tip from those days - it's a tip that has stayed with me, because it's so useful!  Sewing in a straight line is not difficult to master - it's all a matter of measuring and marking (and where your attention is focused when you are whizzing that fabric through the machine!)

You need to use a guide for the edge of your fabric - so if you are sewing a 1.5cm seam, the guide should be 1.5cm away from the stitching line.

the edge of the fabric is lined up on the 1.5cm mark

Most new (and also most pretty old) sewing machines have basic stitching guidelines etched into the footplate - if yours is an ancient machine without guidelines (or if you want a much wider seam) all is not lost - you can mark them on.  You can use masking tape, or even a marker pen and you can put your guideline pretty much anywhere you like.

I've used a marker pen on my sewing machine - I can't remember why I wanted the stitching lines exactly there, but at some point I obviously did.  I do regret the (permanent!) marker pen (but not enough to spend time scrubbing it off!) mainly because I take photos of techniques for magazines as well as this blog. I guess what I really need  want is a pretty machine just for photo shoots!

So, once you've marked your sewing machine (preferably with tape so it's temporary) where do you look when you are sewing?  The answer is not your actual stitching for guidance or judgement - it's the edge of the fabric against that mark.  That's what will keep your stitching straight.  But don't be so focused on the straight line that your fingers end up under the needle!

If you haven't tried this before, give it a go. If you are new to sewing, practise slowly, quickly, around corners, curves and straight lines.  You'll be whizzing up and down in straight, precise lines pretty quickly!

straight lines on my filing pockets

And then you may have the confidence to throw a few wobbles in the mix with some sketchy stitching!

wobbly stitching on my scissor pockets