Learning How to Sew

[brandnew]

Hello!

I have been thinking about learning how to sew (meaning learning how to use a sewing machine) for awhile. My question to all you who sew is how did you learn? Did you take a class or did you teach yourself?

There aren't any Jo-Ann Fabric/Michaels stores near me or anything, so I can't really take a class to learn. I would have to teach myself. Does anyone have any good book recommendations or tips or anything?

Also - recommend your favorite sewing machine!

I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!

[mayflowers22]

I learned myself, but watched a lot of youtube tutorials!

[cmeon]

I teach myself pretty much everything I know how to do, sewing included. There are more graceful ways to learn, sure- but, if you learn best through trial and error, hop on in.

I'm sure you could find a class or someone to teach you if you look at fabric and quilting stores, though. Or a sewing/vac store?

[TBM]

There are a lot of places to learn to sew besides JoAnns....our JoAnns doesn't even offer classes. There are often extension classes at schools, and smaller local fabric shops often have classes or have the names of people who give classes. Sewing machine shops often have classes too.

Threads magazine sells some 'teach yourself to sew' videos that are actually pretty good. This book, www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=2135&cat_id=174 (sorry, I forgot how to make it link) is a great resource, and is very reasonably priced.

I learned in school, and was fortunate to have a very good teacher who actually wrote the textbook we used. I think that there is a lot that you can learn from experience, but I really think that getting some good basic instruction will help you have more success in the long run. I see a lot of people who are self taught that don't really understand basic construction and I think it shows. A little knowledge can make a big difference.

[brandnew]

Thank you for your responses!

Rock-n-Voll - the FAQ is extremely helpful. Thank you for posting that.

[shortcake2675]

I learned in junior high, then forgot lots, then my MIL spent a weekend showing me what she knew and I took off from there. I use online tutorials to learn new stuff and general trial and error otherwise.

As far as sewing machines go, I love vintage machines. My favorite machines are mid 70s all metal monsters that just keep ticking. I pick them up at a discount sewing and vacuum store for around $100 a piece. Sewing machine dealers often have trade in machines that might mean a better machine at a more manageable price. I was glad when my first machine was more than just a basic machine. It wasn't much more than a slightly upgraded basic machine, but having a stretch stitch was great.

Good luck!

[theduckis]

I bought my machine from a dealer who offers free monthly classes with the purchase. It's been really helpful because the instructor goes over the more challenging aspects of each pattern, and each project has highlighted some type of technique or skill that I probably would never have tried on my own. Plus I have one night a month where I get to do nothing but sew.

My machine is a Babylock Grace and I love love love love it. Its the most basic of the computerized babylocks, and an excellent starter machine.

[emoflamingo]

A lot like how I learned to type: Hunt & peck. (I'm better at both now.)

For real, I just played with my machine. I had some ugly fabric, I played with learning how to use my (old) machine, tension settings and so on. Once I had the hang of it, I started small and then worked my way up to bigger projects. I just made something this weekend without a pattern or a tutorial and while I have to tweak my own pattern, I'm pretty excited about the project!

[Michelle]

youtube.com all the way. I have typed so many things, "How to gather," "how to sew a corner" etc.

And a tip my mom gave me which goes soooo far: Use masking tape or painter's tape to mark your measurement on your machine for feeding your fabric in straight. It helps so much!

[TBM]

Jul 25, 2012 20:05:02 GMT -5 Michelle said:

And a tip my mom gave me which goes soooo far: Use masking tape or painter's tape to mark your measurement on your machine for feeding your fabric in straight. It helps so much!

I recently read a tip that takes your mom's tip to a new level....use a post it pad. You just take off the back page and stick it on with the waxed edge parallel to the line on the stitching guide, and the thickness makes a pretty foolproof guide.

[Michelle]

Jul 25, 2012 21:52:25 GMT -5 TBM said:

Jul 25, 2012 20:05:02 GMT -5 Michelle said:

And a tip my mom gave me which goes soooo far: Use masking tape or painter's tape to mark your measurement on your machine for feeding your fabric in straight. It helps so much!

I recently read a tip that takes your mom's tip to a new level....use a post it pad. You just take off the back page and stick it on with the waxed edge parallel to the line on the stitching guide, and the thickness makes a pretty foolproof guide.

maybe I didn't explain it well - that is what I do (what she taught me). It is a piece of tape that is probably 5-6" long and I line it up with the top measurement line and the bottom and I feed my fabric along the tape line.

The only time it causes a problem is when I'm doing really narrow stitches - then the tape can get caught under the foot so I only run it on the bottom in those cases.

[TBM]

Jul 26, 2012 13:46:48 GMT -5 Michelle said:

Jul 25, 2012 21:52:25 GMT -5 TBM said:

I recently read a tip that takes your mom's tip to a new level....use a post it pad. You just take off the back page and stick it on with the waxed edge parallel to the line on the stitching guide, and the thickness makes a pretty foolproof guide.

maybe I didn't explain it well - that is what I do (what she taught me). It is a piece of tape that is probably 5-6" long and I line it up with the top measurement line and the bottom and I feed my fabric along the tape line.

The only time it causes a problem is when I'm doing really narrow stitches - then the tape can get caught under the foot so I only run it on the bottom in those cases.

I think I'm the one that didn't explain their tip correctly....I meant to put the entire post it pad on the line so that you have the thickness of the pad to guide you, as well as the edge being on the line like the tape.