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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: SewScared
Date: 02-19-2004, 03:43 PM (1 of 13)
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....hi. *deep breath* Okay... Here's my deal. I do not know how to sew. At all. And neither have I ever really had a desire to learn how to sew, though a lot of the women in my family are excellent sew...ers (is there a word for that?) and I wish that they lived close enough for me to get any help from them... but.. anyway. The Powers that Be kept me up all night last night insisting that I learn how to make cloth dolls. "Yeah, okay," I said to myself, "get some cloth and whatever color thread and sew it together, then stuff it with whatever you can find; like those pillows you made in the first grade." A-heh... turns out it's not that simple. Understand, I'm not the most wholesome person in the world: I don't wear makeup and I don't own a dress (well I do, but it's a collector's item, not a garment) and I spend most of my time on my laptop typing HTML code or joking around with my friends. If anyone found out that I suddenly wanted to learn to sew, they'd laugh until they choked. Which is why I can't ask someone face-to-face to teach me. And especially not my mom. *Shudder* She'd take it as a sign from God and go out and buy me high heels or something. Last night while I was lying awake thinking about dolls, I realized that sewing has always been something that I've wanted to learn how to do. Just... creating something, y'know? Every once in awhile I get the urge in my blood and start sewing things together randomly. Last year I cut apart a bunch of my old jeans and attempted to make a frankenpurse. It fell apart.... Anyway... after browsing several dollmaking tutorials on the internet I've finally accepted the fact that I can't keep dipping my toes into the water and running away; if I want to do this, I have to start from the beginning and do it right. And that's why I've come to you. Is there, anyone, anyone out there with enough room in their hearts for a sewing-deficient ex-punker computer junkie? I've read some articles on this site about "teaching someone to sew"... but I don't know about "teaching someone to sew who you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley". You can teach me here on the forum, through email, instant messenger, or even over the phone. I'm a fast learner and I can be patient, and I have plenty of time to sew in. All I need is somebody good enough and nice enough to teach me. So... will you? ...Don't make me use the puppydog eyes. Even if you can't manage it, thank you all very much for taking the time to read my post, and I hope to get to know you. I've bookmarked the site... I'll definitely be back. |
User: SewScared
Member since: 02-19-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: Raine
Date: 02-19-2004, 04:30 PM (2 of 13)
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Hey, Sew Scared! Welcome! First of all, we don't bite.  We understand your desire to sew and the need to be creative.Here are some sewing lessons on the site: http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewinglessons/ You don't even need a machine to sew dolls; you could always do the stitching by hand. I'm a quilter, so I don't know much about doll construction. If you want to start with a pattern, check out your local fabric store and browse through the books. Or round up some fabric and give it a go!! You probably already have a plan in your head.Good luck! |
User: Raine
Member since: 04-19-2000 Total posts: 259 
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From: brendalou
Date: 02-19-2004, 05:34 PM (3 of 13)
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Hi Sew Scared!! Take a deeeeepppp breath. #1 do you have a sewing machine? #2; I would suggest starting with the quilting lessons (I think that would get you comfortable with your sewing machine) If you need anything, simply ask a question on one of the forums, you will get alot of replys and alot of help. Everyone here is so friendly. If you are a programmer, you are very analytical (like me the accountant) put together a "sewing Plan" i.e., I want to learn to sew on a sewing machine, in order to do that I, need a machine, need to know how to use the machine, need to buy a basic all covered book on sewing techniques etc etc etc etc etc you can do it ... just take a deep breath... sewing is very relaxing if you don't take your sewing too serious to begin with a treat it all as a learning process. -BrendaLou ==Brenda Lou
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User: brendalou
Member since: 10-07-2002 Total posts: 2 |
From: wifetod
Date: 02-19-2004, 06:11 PM (4 of 13)
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Hi Sew Scared, Don't be shy around these folks here. I have just started sewing again myself and between this board and 3 others I go to and post questions I am muddling my way through, learning and having fun. I have been reading a lot of books on sewing, and that could be a big help if you could sneak off to your local library, in diguise if you don't want anyone to see you and check out some books and or videos. I am still learning a lot myself but if I can answer anything on line here I will be happy to help. Your post was so amusing, brought a smile to my face. You can do it!!! Jolene Jolene
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User: wifetod
Member since: 01-19-2004 Total posts: 149 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 02-20-2004, 12:41 AM (5 of 13)
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Welcome, SewScared!!!!! I LOVE making cloth dolls - feel free to email me if you'd like. If you ever get a chance to attend a doll show, check out the cloth art dolls - they are truly amazing! I got a book when I first started, it's called "Anatomy of a Doll" by Susan Oroyan. She's written a few others too. Some of them are quite intimidating....but start with the simple ones. Type in "cloth dolls" in a google search, you will be amazed at those also. Making dolls is a VERY fun way to be creative....you can make anything you want. There is no right or wrong, which I was quite pleased about, lol. And hon, the people who knew me when cannot get over the fact that I'm now a MOTHER, let alone a homeschooling mother - and that I SEW. And COOK. Well, if you could call it cooking......thawing and nuking is more like it. If you'd like, you can call yourself a "fiber artist". That's the title I prefer, *G*. You can do this!!!!!!!! Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: Reta J
Date: 02-20-2004, 09:34 AM (6 of 13)
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I haven't been posting for a long time, but I felt a need to reply to this letter. First let me say, when I was 16 my mother got me a sewing machine for Christmas, my dad got me the 20 gauge shotgun I always wanted. lol First thing I made was a cover for the shotgun. I am 45 now will be 46 soon, and i wore a dress to church recently and no one knew who I was. lol They had only seen me in jeans. The ladies here will help you with whatever problems you have, just remember, have fun!! If you get discouraged, get a cup of tea, coffee, glass of pepsi, or whatever you drink, breathe deeply, relax and try again. There are no mistakes, just a re-design of your project! Think of sewing in your coding terms: chose color of fabric like you would choose a color on your webpage, choose pattern to sew with like you would your font, (does the pattern and fabric go together like the color and font on a webpage). As you are sewing think like a webpage, If i sew this to this can I get to next page? lol Take it step by step and you will make it. My daughter is a computer nerd and software coder, so I understand where you are coming from. At first I thought the letter was from her. lol But she does wear make up, that was when I realized it wasn't her. Hope this helps, Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-20-2004, 09:59 AM (7 of 13)
Reta, where have you been? Good grief, it's been a very long time. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: SewScared
Date: 02-20-2004, 03:52 PM (8 of 13)
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^_^ thank you all so much for replying... I'm not used to getting this much support. I did ask my mom if we could get some sewing supplies and fabric and whatnot, and she looked at me and her eyebrows went all the way up to there wish you coulda seen it. Unfortunately I'm prolly gonna have to wait until tomorrow to get started on anything, since I have classes thursday and friday and it takes me half of forever to get home afterwards. Alley-oops, I sure will be emailing you when I inevitably get stuck on something. If you guys want, I can sketch out what I'm trying to achieve and scan it in, and you guys can tell me what's wrong with it or if I'm aiming too high for my first project. And also how I'm gonna get it done... I was looking at my first designs and wondering how the heck I was gonna get this part to fit onto that part... I was getting discouraged 'till I logged on today and saw all your friendly replies. ...can you tell I like to ramble a little? ^^; I'll keep you guys posted on how my project goes. And thanks again. |
User: SewScared
Member since: 02-19-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: MartySews
Date: 02-21-2004, 07:20 PM (9 of 13)
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Hi Sew Scared ... Sewing is a truly relaxing past time. Your mom was probably grinning ear to ear when she heard that you wanted to learn to sew. However, check with your local fabric stores as many of them offer classes at night and on the weekends. In our area, six weeks of lessons (3 hours a week) average about $120. That way you're in a neutral environment. Check the thrift stores for a sewing machine so you've not invested a lot of funds into something you're not sure about. A good dealer also carries "trade-in" models and often offer a warranty with the purchase. Sewing involves a lot of math and geometry so if you were good in those subjects, you're further ahead than you first thought. There are many men who also love to sew. A good basic primer for sewing (in my opinion) is Nancy Zieman's book Essential Guide to Sewing. The photos and explanations are very clear and will help you along the way. Come back often and let us know about your progress. Happy Stitching! Marty in TN It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: jdsmom930
Date: 02-22-2004, 07:55 AM (10 of 13)
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I am also knew to sewing, but I did come across a lot of free doll patterns (do a google search, if I find the links I will post them) maybe if you get a look at them you will get an idea how to create the doll you have in mind. I made a very simple doll a few weeks ago. I found it in a kid's craft book and I just wanted to practice using a machine. All it was was a gingerbread man outline on a folded piece of muslin. I stiched the outline leaving a space at the top and then cut 1/4 inch from the stiching with pinking sheers (and I also needed to clip the arm pits and between the legs). I then turned it outside out and stuffed with polyester fiber fill then sewed on some yarn for hair. It took all of two hours to complete. It wasn't the most beautiful doll, but it was a good project to practice sewing curves and gave me a sense of accomplishment with minimal frustration. In other words, it was a confidence booster that allowed me to take on more elaborate projects. |
User: jdsmom930
Member since: 04-07-2002 Total posts: 5 |
From: akire
Date: 02-24-2004, 08:48 PM (11 of 13)
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Oh my gosh, so funny. Years ago I saw the movie 'How to make an American quilt', with Winona Ryder, and decided I wanted to learn how to quilt. Not a clue and I didn't have a machine, but when I walked into the fabric store I was there an hour and a half just looking at fabric and wondering about all the things I could do. I'm 35, married, kids, a tom boy, and my mom gave me a sewing machine for my birthday five years ago, and I loved every minute of every crappy thing I ever tried to sew. Something like you said, creating, making something with my hands was soooooo fantastic. Five more years later I'm not bad at quilting but I have the 'bug' to try lots of things...and often get bogged down in the 'idea' of something, and don't do the work to get better at any one craft. My advice is to start slow and small, so that you will see completion of things, and be rewarded by the things you finish. It has taken me this long to convince myself to go back to basics and start small again...working on double size quilts, taking years to finish them...its soooo frustrating. Start small, get some good foundation in ability, and do things you can see the results from, this will boost your confidence. Good luck and I loved your post...I laughed hard, it was great...lots of people here will see little bits of themselves in your words. |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: allie-oops
Date: 02-28-2004, 01:24 AM (12 of 13)
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Sewscared, I belong to a e-newsletter for cloth doll making....you can sign up for it off their home page, it's a wonderful site! It's http://dollmakersjourney.com/index1.html Very fun! Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282
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From: talking_head
Date: 03-05-2004, 02:29 PM (13 of 13)
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Hi Sew Scared! I am new to sewing too and I have leanrnt a lot from these ladies here  Everybody's really helpful. And I know exactly where you are coming from! I am a coder too and spend 16+hrs on a computer. And I don't own a single dress either :( Well.. I had one, but it looked so odd on me that I gave it away! You will have lots of fun here. Sewing is very relaxing.
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Cheers! Savani |
User: talking_head
Member since: 12-17-2003 Total posts: 90 
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