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Inconito101's avatar

I will start taking sewing lesson, any suggestion where to start?

Asked by Inconito101 (404points) February 18th, 2015

Good morning all,

I have reconnected with an old friend of mine who went to fashion school and she had agreed to fill me in on the basics of sewing.

She will show me how to use a machine, how to create a bloc and work with them, and the basic wording that i need to know. Of course on her time since she works full time and lives really far.

I only saw her once 2 weeks ago and it was really nice what she had shown me. I will see her again in 2 weeks. I wish I could see her more so i get all the basic and go from there but we cant always have what we want :).

Anyways, does one of you have any suggestions where I could get some extra learning or a site, or place that have good explanation on pattern, sewing, the basic i need to get for my sewing kit etc.

So far my searches so far have been unsuccessful :/ ( I live in Montreal.)

Thank you :) Have a nice day!

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15 Answers

keobooks's avatar

I hear that you can sign up for cheap sewing lessons at fabric and/or craft stores that sell sewing machines. They make the lessons really cheap in hopes that you’ll buy one of their machines once you get the hang of it.

janbb's avatar

I did a search with the keywords “beginning sewing tips” and found a wealth of sites. Rather than me selecting one since I don’t know exactly what you want, why don’t you try using those terms.

And @keobooks makes a very good suggestion as well. Stores like Joanne’s Fabrics are always offering free or cheap courses.

Inconito101's avatar

Ohh didn’t think about this :) thank you :) @keobooks

@janbb Thank you :) I wasn’t using the right wording, I will look it up :D

CWOTUS's avatar

I’ve taught myself to sew over the years. (I don’t try to sew fashion garments, but I repair stitching on worn / damaged outerwear, backpacks, etc., and I have made covers for the boat as well as a nice ditty bag.)

If you have a sewing machine available and especially the instruction book that should accompany it, you can teach yourself a lot about the machine setup, because each different type of stitch requires specific setups. (With today’s modern machines, that may be more automated, but I learned old school, the same way I learned to operate a camera when that wasn’t automated, either.) In addition, different materials require very different setups, too.

The instruction manual should set you up for that. So it’s really incumbent on you (if you have the machine and instructions) to get familiar with what it can teach you. Obtain scraps of the type of material that you will sew and get familiar with the issues that the machine, fabric, stitch selection and thread will present, and learn how to resolve them.

Learn to thread bobbins and reload the bobbin case.

Learn how to thread the machine so that you can do it easily without having to re-read the instructions every time.

Play with stitch selections, and notice (in the manual’s “troubleshooting” section) the various things that can go wrong and how to correct them.

By the time you spend time with your friend, she can show you the important things you’ll need to know about marking and cutting from patterns, pinning fabric, stitch selection, etc. and operating the machine with more technical skill, but she won’t have to show you “here’s how to thread a needle” and “here’s how to sew a straight seam” and other things that you can learn on your own.

Inconito101's avatar

Thank you ! @CWOTUS :) You are definitely right! I will start with this ! This weekend I’m bringing my machine to a technician to tune up, oil and to see if there’s any missing pieces. ( It’s an old machine that was given to me and the belt is stretching out) I’m happy to have found a new activity

janbb's avatar

@Inconito101 Learning new things is a great boost to self-esteem! Good for you!

Earthbound_Misfit's avatar

@Inconito101, when I’m learning anything I always check out YouTube. I found a heap of videos on how to sew.

Learn to use your sewing machine
Sewing lesson 1 and presumably other lessions to follow.
Mimi’s sewing basics
Angela Kane’s Sewing TV she has a whole channel of sewing lessons.

Go and have a look. I’m sure you’ll find some videos to help you get started.

I think it’s a fabulous hobby for you and especially if you have a friend who can work with you. You’ll be able to design and make your own clothes. That will save you a fortune and you’ll have clothes nobody else will have. Good for you!

Adagio's avatar

What would you like to make? If you choose a realistic first project you will learn the skills necessary as you go along, that was how I learnt to sew as a child and it put me in good stead for the next 40 years. I loved sewing, dressmaking in particular, and if I may say so myself was extremely accomplished. I suggest you sew items that you would actually use or wear or your children would wear, things you actually like and fabrics that appeal to you. If you start off making things you don’t really enjoy it will be boring and tedious, choose items and fabrics that inspire you. That’s my two cents worth anyway, best of luck.

Inconito101's avatar

@janbb Thank you friend :) keep you posted

Inconito101's avatar

@Earthbound_Misfit Thank you so much for the links, I will definitely check them out!

Can’t wait to wear my own clothes :D hopefully, i get the basics fast enough so sewing takes up all of my time and there’s none left to think :) <3

Inconito101's avatar

@Adagio Good morning :) , thank you for your tips i will keep them with me. I before reading this m kinda following your steps :) ! I’m starting with a pencil skirt! My friend showed me how to create the bloc, she learned me some of the wording used in sewing. Next class I’ll finally be able to understand how to properly trace your plan/bloc and to cut the fabric and sow! ( Maybe not using the words properly yet but it’s coming! ) Do you mainly wear the clothes you make ?

Inconito101's avatar

I hope one day I only or Mainly 90% wear my own clothes :)

Adagio's avatar

@inconito101 Unfortunately I have been physically unable to sew for around 12 years or so, to say I miss it is a great understatement. I used to wear a combination of the clothes I made and those I purchased. I made almost all my daughter’s clothes using Burda patterns I traced from their wonderful books. I found this blog the other day which I thought might be inspiring for you, I’m not sure of your age but figure you are younger so you might connect with this.

Inconito101's avatar

@Adagio I’m sorry to hear that :( Did you find another pastime ?!

Thank you for the blog everyone is just so nice here :)

<3 <3 <3 happy Friday all :)

Inconito101's avatar

I’m 22 years old :)

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