Sew What’s Up Presents
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: LeWeaver
Date: 05-24-2004, 01:52 PM (1 of 10)
|
Can anyone suggest a good place for me to start teaching myself to sew clothes? I can sew a straight line but have never attempted to set sleeves etc... I did sew a skirt from the free lessons. The only trouble I had was the double casing but that was entirely my fault. I wasn't careful enough when I sewed the first one so I couldn't put the elastic thru the second one. I would love to try the spring jacket but am afraid of the sleeves. There is no one to help me in person. Thanks for any suggestions. LeWeaver |
User: LeWeaver
Member since: 11-09-2003 Total posts: 12 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-24-2004, 02:03 PM (2 of 10)
|
Hi LeWeaver, don't hesitate because of sleeves. That shouldn't stop you. Join us, I am here everyday to answer all your questions. They may go in like a breeze and even if they don't, I am sure they will be easier than you are thinking. Don't worry about it, we are all doing this together. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: Aimee S
Date: 05-24-2004, 02:09 PM (3 of 10)
|
Try a quick sew pattern I know they are more $$ but they are worth it for the good instructions. Also you might want to invest or goto the library and check out the books by Sandra Betzina they are great refference books.
The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-24-2004, 05:56 PM (4 of 10)
|
Mary -- Are your jacket sleeves set in or sewn on before you do the side seam? I just wondered. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: stitchmd
Date: 05-24-2004, 07:19 PM (5 of 10)
|
I am mostly self taught because there was never anyone around to teach me. My advice is to try to find reasonably good fabrics for bargain prices and buy extra yardage so you can recut and resew pieces that get destroyed by repeated ripping out or cutting mistakes. Just practice a lot. This is a great resource for getting advice and information, something I never had. Watch sewing shows on TV if available, or get videos if you can afford them. I highly recommend Sandra Betzina, Shirley Adams and Nancy Zieman, both on video and in their books. Check half.com for used books. Your public library may have some books too. Be patient and realistic. This skill takes time to learn. Start with simple things and work your way up so you add knowledge. Don't try to tackle something you love that is beyond your current skills and will lead to disappointment. There will always be more things you want to make than you have time for anyway. Good luck and happy sewing. It's one of the most rewarding, fun things you can do with your time and energy. |
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 226 |
From: neefer
Date: 05-25-2004, 02:52 PM (6 of 10)
|
A really excellent book to start sewing clothing is Sandra Betzina (http://www.sandrabetzina.com)'s No Time To Sew (http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1483725&meta_id=null). That's a link to Half.com (http://www.half.com) where you can get it used. Be sure to get a copy that comes with the patterns. The book covers 2 types of pull on pants; both of which I like, but they get mixed reviews at Pattern Review (http://www.patternreview.com). A vest, which I've never made, but I've used the techniques on other things. A t-shirt that's a pretty good pattern. A button front shirt and dolman jacket that are on my todo list. It closes with a raglan t-shirt/dress that never appealed to me, but I'm searching for the perfect raglan sleeve t-shirt, so I may try this one. There's a lot of instruction in this book. You can use other similar patterns, but I really learned a lot, and it gave me a good start. Jennifer in Livermore
|
User: neefer
Member since: 03-29-2004 Total posts: 29 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-25-2004, 04:12 PM (7 of 10)
|
Hi Dorothy, I am going to show them how to do the sleeves on the flat. So much easier.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: paroper
Date: 05-25-2004, 05:10 PM (8 of 10)
|
Sooner or later you'll have to do set in sleeves but there are easier sleeves...esp. raglan where they come down from the neck....those are really easy to put in...and there are sleeves that are part of the garment or the yoke...it is just that the set in (round top) sleeves are more common.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeWeaver
Date: 05-27-2004, 04:43 PM (9 of 10)
|
Thanks everyone, I just may get my courage up and give it a try. Afterall, isn't a jacket without sleeves called a vest? LOL. LeWeaver |
User: LeWeaver
Member since: 11-09-2003 Total posts: 12 |
From: SewBug1
Date: 05-29-2004, 10:11 PM (10 of 10)
|
Start with a simple pattern. I teach beginner sewing and I usually start my students with pajama tops. If they dont come out so perfect the first time, so what, still usable, and the patterns are usually simple. Hint...fewer pattern pieces, easier the construction. The book I use to teach from is Let's Sew by Nancy Zeiman. Very inexpensive, and very simple clear instructions. Whatever you do, or however good or bad your early projects are, just keep going, before you know it your a pro. I wish I still had some of my early stuff, I know just my descriptions alone crack my students up. They were truly horrid lol |
User: SewBug1
Member since: 05-29-2004 Total posts: 26 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-12927.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft