Excited Beginner!

[Shanti]

Hi girls!

Today i bought my very first sewing machine!!! (brother).
I'm soooo excited and can't wait to start using it!

I want to know, is there a good "sewing for beginners" guide anywhere out there i can buy?? I need a starting point and to me, a book would be good!!!!

I went into Spotlight and all the ladies in there seem too advanced for me so i felt out of my 'league' ! hopefully in a few months i won't....

Thanks!

[shellbell3]

Hey Renstar,
I'm just about to get my first sewing machine. Hows it all going with yours?
I'm a bit nervous cause in High School I wasn't very good in sewing class.
I was thinking of maybe doing one of those beginner sewing classes. I know Spotlight and Lincraft run them.

[Shanti]

Hi Shell!

Finally someone replied to my post!!

I got a Brother BM-2600 (was like half price at Spotlight at the time! bargain!!) and it works a treat! does the job i need it to do and has like 65 stitches most of which i'll never need probably! easy to use too. Sewing really does come back to you, i hadn't done it sinceyear8, 13yrs ago now so it was strange doing it again! My DH rememered more about sewing in high school than i sure did! i was impressed!! He helped me get started and get the machine set up hehe

I too, would like to join a beginner sewing class, that starts from scratch! lol.. i think after xmas i will look into doing one at Spotlight or somewhere. I noticed the Spotlight near me does them.

Which machine are you looking at? After xmas sales might be a good time to buy one!!! Mine was $169 (normally $300!) as i didnt want to spend too much $$ if i don't use it every week. I want to do some sewing tomorrow as i havent touched it for 2 weeks!!! Been so busy... (making MCN's)

[maddysmummy]

do they make "sewing for dummies"?? you know those "dummies" books they have in every topic from the book stores!

[Antheia]

Yes they have a 'sewing for dummies' book.

[Shanti]

oh really Tegan? is it any good? where would i get one from?? QBD bookstores?

[maddysmummy]

i would say any good book store would have it.. if not ask them to order it in for you!!

[Shanti]

Thanks Maddysmummy

[leebee81]

Community colleges have beginners lessons - I'm tempted to do one next year. The sewing store where I bought my machine do them too but they are a bit intimidating there and I don't want to be pushed into buying anything else right now, lol.

My issue is that I can follow a pattern fine, but I want to know how to do nice finishes and make things which look less "homemade" and bodgy.

[shellbell3]

Renstar, I was looking at Spotlight at that exact machine you've gotten but then my mum told me I could have hers seeing as she never uses it, can't remember the brand.

That sewing for dummies sounds good but I reakon a class is a great way to go cause then you have an expert on hand to explain and show all the little things. I need to relearn how to thread the bobbin and all that!

Shop around for classes, check out different places and see what is best price, check if they include materials and how much extra that will cost you if it doesn't.

[Shanti]

Thanks Shellbell. thats great your MUm is giving you hers. i asked my Mum if she used hers and she said yes, and so does my MIL so that didn't work! Mum has a really good Janome aswell... lol

Leebee - I'm the same! I can sew it together and follow a pattern but i want to know how to make it look less homemade lol and i think lessons would show us that

[~Raven~]

I think TAFE's or some community centres run beginner sewing classes.

[{sarah}]

So how is everyone going?

I think the best way to learn is to practise!! An easy thing to make are baby wraps, buy a metre of flanelette & hem the edges! It gets you into practice doing straight lines, you can adjust tension & everything so you get it right & you have unique (and cheap, it's usually around $4 per metre) gifts for baby showers

[HotI]

I did a course through Spotlight, and it was great! It went for about 8 weeks, and you took in a pattern you wanted to make and materials etc, and they helped wherever you got stuck.

The course i did wasn't the basic one, but they taught me how to adjust patterns etc to fit the person better.

Some people only did sewing in the class, and others did some stuff at home as well. I would do as much as possible at home, so i could get the most of the class in the bits i needed help with.

I made a dress for myself in the class. After the class, i then made 4 dresses (same pattern) for my bridesmaids in 4 different sizes and they all fitted beautifully!

Highly recomended if you want a boost in your skills.

Cheers,

Kate