Sewing help required Please

Mrs_A.

hi folks,
a few months ago i bought a brand new electric sewing machine i had great intentions of making clothes, curtains, quilts etc.
however, i put the machine in the cupboard after spending a month or two tripping over it and its not been out yet.
i am a novice at sewing and i'm looking for some advice re cheapest place for buying patterns and fabrics, and whats the easiest thing to tackle for my first project.
thanks in advance
mrs a

Sallys_Savings

If you haven't sewn much before I'd have a look in the pattern books that say "easy" or made in a day.

To save a little money there are lots of free patterns on the internet (just google). How about a bag to begin with?....a cushion cover?.

I find ebay pretty reasonable for fabric, and at the moment have brought quite a bit from america (with the exchange rate being so good).

Good luck!!

kethry

best thing to do is to start small.

go to the library, and get out a book on sewing, the basics, and attempt some of the projects in there... learn the different techniques, the different terminology, before you attempt to move onto more complex things because otherwise the instructions on patterns will just mystify you.

what i would suggest re: where to buy things: find a good material shop. There's one in the centre of manchester that also sells offcuts of material quite cheaply, and i would go for that kind of thing for the small projects while you're learning - think in terms of as cheap as possible, so if it gets messed up, it won't matter so much. Also, talk to the women (it usually is women) who run the shop. They're usually willing to give advice to newcomers to sewing, so if you go in with a project in mind and talk to them about different materials, they'll be able to advise you (and don't forget, its in their interests to give you the *right* advice so that you come back again and again).

once you're more familiar with different materials, sewing techniques, confident with things like sewing zips and working with your machine... thats when you can really start to play. You can keep a look out in second hand shops for material, say you see a skirt or a blouse that you love the material of, but don't like the form: fine, adapt it, so long as its bigger than you you should have no problems. Material shops also sell patterns, so that you can make your own clothes, and you can really go to town with decoration and style.

its a lifetime thing i think, and once you start to see potential, you'll have lots of projects lining up - i'm constantly thinking of things i could make. But do try not to run before you can walk, or you'll get very frustrated.

Good luck!!

keth
xx

LizD_2

Sewing for Dummies is a good book to read. I've been sewing for a long time, but I picked up some useful tips and it starts with the basics. Try your local library for a copy.

Start off with easy fabrics like cotton. The simplest item I can think of to make is an envelope cushion cover, they're quick to make (about half-an-hour start to finish) and you'll see results really quickly. PM me if you'd like some instructions. Then maybe a simple bag.

morganlefay

I've sewed for years and have found it very addictive, but it's harder to do now as there are so few shops that sell either fabric and patterns or the haberdashery you need to finish things off (buttons, zips etc). If you have a shop near you make friends with them, and if possible I'd go to a class or two, or get a kindly friend or neighbour who sews to sit down with you and help. It can put you off if you do something wrong (my daughter did that and has never sewed since) and even stupid things like threading the machine or changing the needle seem really difficult, but aren't really - it's all about confidence and practice, and then you'll be aboue to make wonderful things at a fracion of the cost of bought ones. But beware - if you can sew you'll find yourself looking at stuff in shops (both clothes and non-clothes) saying very sniffily 'Goodness, I could make that for a quarter the price' so thta when you do buy something ready made you feel guilty !
Go for it and good luck, I have spent most of my life sewing things and have had huge satisfaction from it.:beer:

Alfietinker

There are plenty of things you can make that are really simple but look great. I saw instructions in a magasine recently for a swedish blind that looked really effective. It was basically straight stitching 2 rectangles of fabric together (right sides facing so you turn it inside out to hide the stitching), attaching a couple of brass rings and threading it all up with cord. If you'd like me to find the magasine and give you the exact instructions I can.

Be warned though - it can get addictive.

Alfietinker

Also try markets for cheaper fabric, you can often get some really nice stuff. I saw some lovely fabric at the market for £5 a metre. In the expensive fabric shop up the road something very similar was £23 a metre.

Mrs_A.

Ok folks, time for an update,
I have been to the library and got out 2 sewing for beginers books and i think i have read them both from cover to cover, i have visited some fantastic sites regarding sewing, i have received brilliant advice from other posters (many, many thanks).
I went to dunelm mill today and got some very cheap remnants and i even found out that my favourite skirts hem has fallen.
So tomorrow its time to thread up the machine get the pins out and attempt to sew the hem back up on my fav skirt.
will let you know how its going!
i have came over all inspired lol
regards
mrs a