
Your sewing machine has grease and oil inside of it, which helps it function, but which can also transfer to new projects if the machine has been sitting for a while. Before starting a new project, throw a few stitches into a paper towel to catch any grease that would otherwise have transferred to your fabric. (Bonus: You can do the same thing with a can opener! Just pretend the paper towel is a can lid, clamp it down, and degrease.)