Sewing is enjoying a new popularity with young sewers! People are sewing everything from pillows for their homes to holiday decorations. Some are even tackling clothing, and the new computerized machines make decorating fabrics a breeze. But, how do you get started? Let our tips guide you on tool selection to the do’s and don’ts you need to know.

Good tools make all the difference.

There are a few basic items that make sewing much easier!

• Workable sewing machine. If it's been a year or more since you've sewn, take your machine in to have it cleaned and have the tension checked.

• Long pins with colored heads. Often called quilters pins, the extra length these pens provide make it much easier to secure multiple layers and the heads make them easy to find in the fabric.

• Needles. Buy several in various sizes, reading the packages carefully so that you're using the right size for the right fabric and the right thread. Change the needle often to keep it sharp.

• Thread. Start with "All Purpose" polyester thread. As you advance in your projects and use different fabrics, you may change to other types of threads.

• Fabric. Read the contents label. If you're using a pattern, follow the pattern guidelines for the type of fabric.

• Cutting tools. A rotary cutter with safety guard, a clear acrylic ruler, and a cutting mat are investments that really speed cutting.

• Trimming scissor. A good pair of mid-priced fabric scissors is essential.

• Patterns. Check the skill level of the pattern so that you're starting with a simple project.

• Marking tools. Disappearing marking pens are especially handy when sewing clothing for marking notches, seams, etc.

• Iron. There are a number of small, relatively inexpensive irons that work well for ironing seams.

Do's & Don'ts for Savvy Sewers

• Thread the machine correctly. Do test stitching by sewing on a scrap of fabric. Be sure to check both sides. If the threads do not look right, check how the machine has been threaded, paying close attention to the direction of the thread as it goes through the various points on the machine (front to back or back to front.).

• Wash/dry fabric. Do preshrink fabric by washing and drying before cutting.

• Push a rotary cutter. Do push a rotary cutter, don't pull it.

• Avoid various patterns. Don't begin with striped and plaid fabrics, which are difficult to work with because they must be properly aligned.

• Remove pins. Don't sew over pins—a quick and easy way to ruin a new needle and the tension on your machine.

• Follow pattern closely. Do read closely "right sides together" or "wrong sides together."

• Follow seam allowance. Do read and use the correct seam allowance for any type of project. That stuffed puppy's head may not fit on his body right if the seam allowance isn't what the pattern indicated.

• Back stitch. Do secure seams at the beginning and end by back-stitching 3 - 5 stitches.

• Clip threads. Do cut threads at beginning and end of sewing as you go.

• Iron.  Do iron as you go. It's a nuisance, but it does make such a difference in crisp corners and seams.