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: Gingerella72
Date: 11-04-2004, 03:20 PM (1 of 7)
I posted before, but think I did it wrong  So once again....  I'm interested in learning to sew, and need some advice on how best to begin. When I say I'm a beginner, I mean it....I've never picked up a needle or used a sewing machine in my entire life. Is it wiser to start by learning to hand-sew, or to start out learning on a machine? And, for either choice, what materials/equipment are essential for getting started? Just the basics here, as my budget is fairly tight. As for a machine, I may be able to get a used one from my MIL in another state, but I have no idea what kind it is. Any advice for a newbie? Thank you in advance, Betsy |
User: Gingerella72
Member since: 11-04-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: Reta J
Date: 11-04-2004, 04:22 PM (2 of 7)
|
Hi Betsy and welcome to the boards, Does the university that you work at have adult education classes that offers sewing? Also check with local fabric stores, some offer classes for a fee. Also go to your local library and ask the librarian for help choosing some the beginners sewing books. That way you can read and try out the books before you decide which ones you want for your personal library. It is what i do, read them first and if they are helpful i will then go the the store and buy it. As for hand sewing versus machine sewing, if you are going to hand quilt then hand sewing. But even with machine sewing there is some hand sewing involved, buttons, hems, closing on stuffed items, etc. There are books and magazines that help with hand sewing also. When you get a machine, get some inexpensive fabric, (walmart has $1.00 a yard table) and just practice with machine. First sew straight lines up and down the fabric, then draw squares on fabric and 3 inches, and sew on the lines and learn to make corners, then draw circles and follow those lines. If you want to practice hand sewing the thread your sewing needle and do same thing and get some buttons at yard sales, flea markets, etc. and just practice sewing them on the material. There are also a lot of great lessons here on this forum. Check them out. We are all here to answer questions and will try to help you. After you get acquainted with your needle and thread and sewing machine, the first items that are easy to make and gives you instant gratification on your sewing skills are simple aprons and pillows. Make the pillows and decorate them with the fancier buttons that you might acquire. Just don't give up, keep trying. It will be worth it.  Hope this helps, Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136 
|
From: pucktricks
Date: 11-04-2004, 05:09 PM (3 of 7)
|
Here's my recommendation for essentials to get started for any type of sewing (beyond that it depends on what you're sewing). 1. good pair of sewing scissors (I like the Fiskars scissors that have the catch, they're about $20, but most fabric and hobby stores will occasionally have 40% discounts on all their cutting supplies, but it then, that's what I did). 2. pins (you can buy a cheap box of straight pins for less then $2, figure out what you like later and buy better) 3. some needles for hand sewing (I personally like to use sharps, but look at them and decide). Pretty much anything beyond that will depend on what you're doing and what you like to do. A few very easy projects to do right now are the craft panels that are in huge abundance right now (and they have all sorts), and it has all of the instructions of what to do and what else you need to add right there on the panel, they're about 3-4$ depending on type and where (they can be more, just to warn you). As to more detailed suggestions, what are you wanting to make? Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
|
From: Gingerella72
Date: 11-05-2004, 10:22 AM (4 of 7)
|
Reta and Puck, thanks for the response! Unfortunately, no classes of this type are offered at my University. I'll have to check the sewing stores to see if they offer any, but would most places require you to provide your own machine? Reta, getting fabric and practicing sewing lines on simple shapes makes so much sense that I'm ashamed I didn't think of it myself. lol Puck, The types of things I'm interested in making, to begin with, are simple curtains, tea-towels, mainly house-hold items of that nature. I'd love to learn to quilt at some point. I see so many craft ideas in magazines that look so simple, but require a minute amount of sewing. Also, a lot of frugal-living tips require simple sewing skills; I should at least know how to repair a hem or sew on a button! Sadly, sewing is one domestic activity that completely passed me by while growing up. I'll definitely browse through the sewing sections of stores this weekend to see whats available to start out with...I'm pretty excited! Thanks for the tips, and I'll post back in the future with some preliminary results.  Betsy |
User: Gingerella72
Member since: 11-04-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 11-05-2004, 11:43 AM (5 of 7)
|
Then, I'd say my recommendations to get are just what you need to begin to sew. Much more than that isn't really neccessary for what you're wanting to do. Oh, and one last thing to get, a seam ripper. Because envitabely you're going to make a mistake, and it's the best way to get rid of it. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
|
From: Magot
Date: 11-05-2004, 03:14 PM (6 of 7)
|
Good scissors are essential - I would get a large pair of shears and a small pair of snips/embroidery scissors. It's really irritating if you just want to snip a little something at the machine and you've only got a pair of garden clippers. My sewing teacher would have breathed fire on us if we took scissors or pins near the machine in casse it scratched the paint.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: MartySews
Date: 11-06-2004, 09:24 AM (7 of 7)
|
Sewing 101 is a good beginner book recommended by the Home Sewing Association. If possible, try to get the sewing machine from your MIL before signing up for classes or check the thrift stores. Often you can find a good basic mechanical machine for a few $$$. I would recommend visiting some of the sewing machine dealers in your area to see what is available and if they do repairs. The sewing machine dealers may be able to put you in contact with a sewing guild or teacher that can give you one on one lessons. A good dealer is worth their weight in gold. I started sewing over 40 years ago by making clothes for my dolls with newspapers for patterns and a needle and thread. It takes time and patience. Some of the basic supplies that you will need is a tape measure, some good sewing scissors, straight pins, needles, basic colors of thread - white, black, red, green, blue and yellow, a ruler. I usually buy inexpensive ($1 yd) cotton/poly blend fabric for practice. When you have a sewing machine, try sewing without thread on sheets of notebook paper to get the feel of sewing a straight seam. Study the manual until you have memorized all of the parts of the machine before starting a project. This will help you in the long run. Hope this helps. Please come back and report on your progress. Happy Stitching! Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
|
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
|
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-14124.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft