Oh she's prettier in person than in her av I assure you
Let me know how you go. I borrowed a friends sewing machine for a school project, never got it out of the box and ended up using hem tape LMAO! So I'm hopeless... hey I'll just stick to all things kitchen for now.
I remember at Primary school I was jealous of the kids whose mum's used hemming tape For some silly reason I thought there was something wrong with having a hand stitched hem. Now, of course, I know better and have even completely handsewn a whole dress.
There is a thread somewhere in which a member asked where to start and how to learn to sew... if I find it I'll link.
I have taught myself how to sew since I was about 14. My first projects were pencil cases. That was good for teaching you how to put in a zip. Then I made cushion covers with both zips and button holes. Button holes can be tricky to master.
If I was you I would tackle things like mending and lots of straight sewing. I can't recall whether you wear aprons but if you have a favourite you can use that (if it's a flat one) as a template and make another one. Making a flat apron can teach you how to sew curves... a nice curve is snipped in the same way as you snip baking paper to fit inside a round tin... you know those little 1cm notch snips? This is a vital skill to learn.
I would build up a repertoire of basic skills before signing up for a course... just so you can keep up.
If I was you i would focus on learning how to use your machines. Mastering tension alone can be tricky. I assume you know how to thread them properly? Do you know where and how to oil them? Do you know the difference between different types of needle eg a 'denim strength' needle and a satin needle? Knowing all these little things add up to having a good foundation and trouble-shooter skill set. I find that i am always trouble shooting. If you know what causes what then it takes a lot of the confusion out of sewing.
ETA: I'm not a brilliant sewer though mind you LOL I would struggle to follow a pattern to make a men's shirt. I would muddle through... and it would be wearable... but I'm by no means an expert.
Last edited by Bathsheba; December 10th, 2009 at 04:08 PM.
I second doing some courses, they are heaps of fun, get you started and gives you and outting to look forward to each week - can you tell I miss my weekly quilting classes :-(
I have been to some where I bought my machine which taught me all the features of my machine and another which was a beginners quilting class which was fantastic!
I started making wall hangings and things for my classroom - lots of straight sewing and lots of mistakes :-)
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For some silly reason I thought there was something wrong with having a hand stitched hem. Now, of course, I know better and have even completely handsewn a whole dress.
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