Can I teach myself?

[Heaven]

Well, I was lucky enough to get a sewing machine for my birthday and I am so excited! I have been wanting to learn how to sew for ages. I did a little bit of sewing when I was a kid and that's it so I don't know much. I've worked out how to actually use the machine so that's no problem. But can I learn how to make stuff myself do you reckon?

I reckon I can just wing it, pmsl. But maybe it's a lot more complicated than it looks.

I'm starting simple! I'm going to make some cloth wipes this weekend and also a new pillowcase for my BF pillow, it looks easy enough to do.

So I'm off to spotlight on the w/e for supplies. I have nothing other than what has come with my machine. What do I need? So far the only things I've thought of are:

Material and thread obviously
Some good scissors
Pins and a pincushion

[~Kim~]

chalk - tailors chalk
tape measure
small scissors for threads and fabric shears.

Yes hun I reckon you can teach youself. Get a couple of cheap patterns for babies thing and read them carefully. If you follow the instruction you can't go wrong.
Other wise there heaps of cool free patterns on the net and some great learn to sew books at spotters.
Good luck it's fun!!

[Michelle71]

If you can sew in a straight line you will be fine It can take some practice with more complicated patterns (or ones that don't give too much detail in the instructions ) but if you start simple, and the pattern usually says easy etc, you should be fine. I just made a smock dress for DD last night and I haven't sewn for years!!!

Where are you?? There might be someone nearby that can give you a few tips.

[Bathsheba]

I've largely taught myself. At first just stick to very basic things like wipes, square things like tea-towels, flat sheets, pillow cases. Then progress to shaped but flat things like aprons. I wouldn't attempt to use a pattern until you feel confident doing these basic things.

Get the hang of changing the tension according to different types of fabric. Learn the difference of sewing stretchy and non stretchy fabric (stretchy can be much more tricky). Get the hang of sewing curves and snipping the fabric so that it curves nicely (like you do with baking paper for a round cake tin etc).

Learn how to put a zipper in. Make a basic pencil case and pop in a zip.
Learn how to do a button hole.

Depending on whether you know all this basic stuff I wouldn't attempt a pattern yet. But if you do and want to have a go at using a pattern then some are easier to read than others. Ask the shop assistant which is a easy brand. Simplicity brand are ok... choose patterns that have the "facile" rating (French for easy).

What have you made in the past? Other than wipes?

Remember that if your machine doesn't have an overlocking function that you will have to either learn how to do French seams (to stop fraying) or just be content with using pinking shears to slow the fraying. I don't have an overlocker and have been put off making clothes now because I'm fussy. But I have saved lots of money making basic things that are easily hemmed like curtains and aprons.

I'm far from being an expert sewer though... have learnt by trial and error. My mother is an excellent sewer and makes us lots of clothes as she has an overlocker.

ETA: also buy an unpicker! A vital little piece of equipment that helps you easily unpick mistakes.

[Salsa]

Bath has good advise there

I want to know what are french seams and how do you do them? Ive looked on google for examples but cant figure out what they are doing.
Is it where the raw edges are folded inside and sewn on the outside? does that make sense? Maybe its too tricky to explain?

eta - she is so right about the unpicker!!! lol my most used item probably

[Bathsheba]

French Seams: (for a simple item like a draw-string bag) Cut out your rectangular piece of fabric. With the fabric facing the right way out sew around the edges leaving about 1/2 a centimeter of fabric (is this called the selvedge?) Then turn the bag inside out. Sew around the edges again sealing in the frayed edge inside the hem. Turn the bag back again so it's the right way and you will have a basic French seam. Note: you need to do the top of the bag where the string will gather first if you are making a bag... I just gave instructions for the French seam bit.

Good quality tailored items like business shirts often have a French seam up inside the sleeves. It looks very professional if done neatly.

I'm a fan of pulling apart something (that is worn out) and looking closely at how it has been made.

Astrid: LOL I'm so fussy I don't use a zig zag stitch anymore, but you're right... technically that is do-able.

[Heaven]

chalk - tailors chalk
tape measure

aha! thankyou!

If you can sew in a straight line you will be fine

Hmm...lol.

Yeah that's what I kinda thought, how hard can it be? LOL, we will see I guess!

I've largely taught myself. At first just stick to very basic things like wipes, square things like tea-towels, flat sheets, pillow cases. Then progress to shaped but flat things like aprons. I wouldn't attempt to use a pattern until you feel confident doing these basic things.

Get the hang of changing the tension according to different types of fabric. Learn the difference of sewing stretchy and non stretchy fabric (stretchy can be much more tricky). Get the hang of sewing curves and snipping the fabric so that it curves nicely (like you do with baking paper for a round cake tin etc).

Learn how to put a zipper in. Make a basic pencil case and pop in a zip.
Learn how to do a button hole.

Depending on whether you know all this basic stuff I wouldn't attempt a pattern yet. But if you do and want to have a go at using a pattern then some are easier to read than others. Ask the shop assistant which is a easy brand. Simplicity brand are ok... choose patterns that have the "facile" rating (French for easy).

What have you made in the past? Other than wipes?

Remember that if your machine doesn't have an overlocking function that you will have to either learn how to do French seams (to stop fraying) or just be content with using pinking shears to slow the fraying. I don't have an overlocker and have been put off making clothes now because I'm fussy. But I have saved lots of money making basic things that are easily hemmed like curtains and aprons.

I'm far from being an expert sewer though... have learnt by trial and error. My mother is an excellent sewer and makes us lots of clothes as she has an overlocker.

ETA: also buy an unpicker! A vital little piece of equipment that helps you easily unpick mistakes.

I haven't made anything yet!! LOL. That's what I thought I'd do, just start with basic things to get the hang of using it and then get some basic patterns for stuff. I'm so excited now!!
Yep, the machine has a zig-zaggy/overlocking type stitch. And does buttonholes and sews buttons on, that looks tricky though! I'll get there eventually!
Oh yes, and I got an unpicker with the machine!!

I learn a lot just by doing, so I probably would not hesitate in getting a very basic pattern, the instructions on the easy sew ones are not too bad to follow. Also the book with the machine should have some good instructions on how to put in zips etc.

Me too, I think I should just give it a go and make mistakes and learn! Woot! Can't wait now!

[HotI]

Spotlight has some cute printed baby muslin for sale at the moment. You could make some baby wraps just by hemming the edges.

A long ruler or square can help in cutting out patterns (but not a neccessity).

A magnetic pin holder can be good (only a few dollars at Spotlight).

It is worth getting a good pair of scissors (and only using them for sewing).

I have a quick unpick that is called 'my friend'. It helps take the sting away when you have to unpick what you have sewn.

there are downloadable patterns from some of the sewing shops.

have fun

[Astrid]

Remember that if your machine doesn't have an overlocking function that you will have to either learn how to do French seams (to stop fraying) or just be content with using pinking shears to slow the fraying. I don't have an overlocker and have been put off making clothes now because I'm fussy. But I have saved lots of money making basic things that are easily hemmed like curtains and aprons.

As long as the machine has a zig -zag stick you can overlock. I used to just zig zag on the edge of the fabric after it was cut out before sewing together. My machine (a basic Janome) came with a foot just for this, it made it easier to zigzag right in the edge of the fabric.

I learn a lot just by doing, so I probably would not hesitate in getting a very basic pattern, the instructions on the easy sew ones are not too bad to follow. Also the book with the machine should have some good instructions on how to put in zips etc.