In today’s fast-moving world, many sewing enthusiasts overlook the clever tricks used by vintage sewists. One great example is the tiny hole on a safety pin—it’s not just for decoration. You can thread elastic or ribbon through it, making it much easier to pull materials through tight fabric channels without frustration.

Classic sewing methods also offer practical solutions that stand the test of time. Rubbing your thread with beeswax helps prevent tangling and strengthens the fibers for smoother stitching. And if you’re out of fabric chalk, a piece of dry soap can mark fabric just as well—and it washes off easily.

For strong and lasting seams, vintage sewists rely on the backstitch technique. Sewing backward over a few stitches at the start and end secures everything in place. Angled pins hold fabric more firmly, and wrapping thread around your needle before pulling it tight creates neat, secure knots.