People who sew-- Come in please

[aprilludgate]

DH and I exchanged gifts today, because he's working the next two days. He got me a sewing machine!

I'm really excited, but my sewing experience is limited to a very supervised project in high school a billion years ago. Does anyone have any good learning resources to recomend? Easy projects to try?

[pinkeggs]

I know this is a cop out answer, but really, if you have a Pinterest account, look on there. There are tons of good "intro to sewing" type things online. Also try YouTube! Have fun!

[dojo]

I second YouTube.

A super easy starter project could be a heat sac (one of those lovely sacs you warm in the microwave and put on sore muscles). It's essentially a small pillow case filled with rice and optional essential oils.

tipnut.com/make-your-own-microwave-heating-pad/

You can surely find a ton of easy patterns for the same on YouTube.

[wannabe]

The best thing I ever did was ask the ladies at my local sewing shop if they knew anyone who did private lessons. I met a lady who sat down with me a few times and walked me through using my machine, how to do basic stitches, read patterns and choose fabric. I've been sewing fun projects ever since.

[vanillacourage]

Check out the blog Dana Made It, she has some great projects and templates.

ETA - my first projects were for DS2's nursery. Curtains are pretty easy if you pick the right fabric (no tricky patterns) and have good emotional payoff.

[spk926]

Where did he buy the sewing machine? My MIL bought me a nice Husqvarna (sp??) one a few Christmases ago from JoAnns and when you buy one there you get a free class teaching you how to use it. Once I took the class and learned how to thread it, change the needle and do basic stuff then I just went online and found easy sewing blogs and experimented. Even if he didn't buy it there I would call your local JoAnns to see if they have a beginner sewing class you could take. Its way better than trying to read the manual and figure it all out. Plus, if I've ever needed help or had a question I would go back and talk to one of the experts in the sewing section and they have always been very helpful.

[spitforspat]

One Yard Wonders is great for beginners! And there are some really cool projects. All done with a yard of fabric!

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1603424490

[aprilludgate]

Thanks for all the help guys! I'll definitley visit these websites and stop by Joann's to talk with them.

He got it from Wal Mart, I believe. It came with an instructional DVD that walked me through threading the machine and everything. I made two patchwork pillows tonight. They look pretty decent considering it was my first project.

I'm super excited about to learn more!

[aprilsails]

Have fun! My husband bought me an upgraded machine this year and it's been getting a workout.

The Sew Mama Sew blog has an awesome tutorial page that has something that will answer any question you could possibly have:
sewmamasew.com/tutorials.php
Some of the stuff is moderately advanced but there's great general knowledge in there as well.

I can give you more good tutorials if I know what kind of sewing you are interested in. I started sewing bags and I used a lot of the patterns designed by Noodlehead:
www.noodle-head.com/p/tutorials.html

My other starting pattern was the buttercup bag from Made by Rae. She has some great adults and children's clothes patterns as well:
www.made-by-rae.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern/

[aprilludgate]

Thanks, Aprilsails!

[emsumm]

Can I ask how much a good, basic sewing machine would run? Is that way tacky?

[balletofangels]

I took Sewing 101 at JoAnns. Best thing I did. They also have "open sews" where you bring a project and they help you. Otherwise, I bought a bunch of remnants on clearance at Walmart and just experimented.

[aprilludgate]

He got it on cyber Monday, and I think it was around 60. He had a home ec teacher friend recommend it, so I assume it's good.