Learning to sew....

Kaz2904

I'm eager to learn too, I bought a sewing machine in Tesco for £40 so want to learn the art of stitching so I can make DD all the lovely clothes she desires!

bananakinz

lol, I do not have a sewing machine, but I 'try'.

Get some scrap material, a needle and thread and have a play! Maybe do something in small scale first. I recently hand sewed some cushion covers from the left over bits of some curtains that I cut down, and people ask where I got them from :j

Maybe borrow a kids sewing book from the library to give you some ideas!

poodlehorse

I would definitely get yourself to the local library. I remember getting "Show me how" magazines in the 80s which I still have today and my local library had them all in folders, even if yours don't anymore they will have something similar. They were step by step guides to all sorts of housey things but curtains, upholstery and soft furnishings were all there and also things like lampshades. The library might also know of classes run in the area too. Well worth asking. I agree that a simple machine is better than all the bells and whistles but a good buttonholer and zipper foot make the world of difference, I bought a new machine last year and insisted on an automatic one step buttonholer. You could always try freecycle for a machine though. The other thing I would say is don't buy cheap thread, if you can snap it with your hands then I wouldn't bother. And take the time to lay out your patterns on the fabric just so, don't cut corners and after every seam you sew I press it with my iron. I am also a bit fussy about hems on skirts and dresses and after zig zagging them to stop fraying I do them by hand. I think you get a much more professional finish that way. Oh and get some good scissors that you ONLY use for fabric, my gran used to go nuts if I nicked her sewing scissors for cutting out paper as it does blunt them. Pinking (zigzag)shears are useful as they stop fraying a bit too. And starting on cushion covers would sound like good advice.

belfastgirl23

They might well do courses at your local FE college. I know ours does both home furnishing and dressmaking courses. Alas I'm only interested in the dressmaking and it runs at the same time as another course I'm doing so I've not been able to do it yet. I figure it would be well worth the investment.

BTW I bought a lidl £40 sewing machine and I think it'll be fine for anything I want to make...

My only other advice is to use old sheets etc to practice on first cos nice material is expensive...

Lily-Lu

I've just bought myself a sewing machine, and like you, the last time I had any real experience was at school - 30 yrs ago:eek: . The teacher did most of it for us, so I'm more or less a complete beginner. The machine I've just bought is fairly basic, but does have an overlock stitch. It only arrived at tea time last night, so although I've unpacked it, I've not got on it to sew yet. Will probably take me two days to work out how to thread it (I'm partially sighted), so learning will be a long process:rotfl:
I'm determined to get there though. It'll be my New Years resolution to learn how to sew. There's so many lovely fabrics out there, and it'd be a real achievement if I ever get to make my own curtains:D

I'd look for a basic, easy to use machine if I were you. There's the sales staring soon, so you may just get a bargain:D

Mrs_Flittersnoop

I know I've said this before somewhere on here (no idea where!) but a good tip for beginning sewers is to practise sewing (on a machine) straight lines by sewing along lined paper (without threading the needle). Watch the line on the paper, NOT the needle and you will sew much straighter. The needle will be blunted by the paper though so use an old one or be prepared to chuck the one you're using away.

Sewing furnishings, cushions etc is very easy, just straight lines basically so good luck! Hope you get on OK, it's a great hobby to have, and although it may not end up being very moneysaving (can be addictive ) I like having clothes and furnishings that reflect my own taste and no one else's.

Mrs F x

FrenchMaid_2

I definitely have to get back doing it!

Will dust that machine off - have a curtain in the lounge that needs prolonging

saubryn

Do you have any tips for making clothes, please? I am very small, and none of the clothes I like ever come in my size (I buy ages 9-11 clothes from supermarkets when I need 'smart' stuff). I'd love to make my own clothes, but the patterns scare me!

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Hmm, most of the commercial patterns don't come in very small sizes I'm afraid, although Burda do do a Petite range. Think of patterns like a jigsaw puzzle, there are generally either one or two pieces for your front, one or two for the back (two halves) and a sleeve pattern for, say, a dress. As long as you keep the right (top or best side)side of the fabric round the right way (phew, that's a bad sentence, sorry ) the pieces should all fit together fine.

Grading down sizes is a bit more complicated. I often recommend this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fit-Real-People-Clothes-Pattern/dp/0935278656/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198075924&sr=1-4 which is a great easy-to-understand fitting book covering most figure differences.

Start with something easy, like a simple skirt and hopefully soon the bug will bite. Good luck! Mrs F x

Lily-Lu

Not sure if this info is of any use to anyone. or indeed whether these are a good buy or not. but I went into TJ Hughes this afternoon and they had two sewing machines reduced in price. One was a Toyota. It had the word 'jeans' on the box. So whether this is a particular model name, I'm not sure. Anyhow, it's reduced to £79.99. The other machine was a Brother - think it was 2521 model. Same price:D