LIBBY Rose is a designer and sewing expert who regularly teaches sewing classes at Hobbycraft stores across the country in her fabulous pink sewing bus, and today she will be at the Southampton store.

Here are a few sewing hacks from Libby:

1. Use hairspray to thread your needle – it will make any frayed pieces stick together and glide through the eye of a needle easily.

2. Put some clear nail polish over the treads of a button to make it stronger.

3. Use a rubber band to keep your sewing machine paddle from slipping, it will create grip.

4. If you struggle to get your needle through thick material, stick it in a bar of soap first to lubricate it.

Here are some of Libby’s sewing tips for beginners:

1. Don’t give up! If at first you don’t succeed, turn it into something else.

2. Read and follow instructions only for as long as you have to. Create rules yourself and break them to see what happens.

3. If your machine starts to ‘play up’, try changing your needle in the first instance; sewing machines don’t like a blunt needle.

4. Never fill up a half full bobbin. Use stitch ripper to take out the remaining thread or use it up before refilling.

5. Ask an expert (or Google) – you never know someone could give you a tip that could save hours.