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Stitching & Crafting Room:  help w/ sewing  |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 07:32:38 AM
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 I am NOT a sewer, if thats a word. I want to learn to sew but I stink! I have done a very few things by hand but they stink also. Any advice on where to start. I don't have a machine(only old that doesnt work) but will get one. What books are out there like sewing for idiots or something like it cause I do need help.  I have MJ's great book but isn't there something easier then an apron to start?? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 07:59:13 AM
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Michele- I remember being in your spot many years ago. My mom didn't sew. My dad did, but never taught us girls. So, because of my failures in Home Ec, sewing took it's place high up on my "not doing this again" shelf. I happened to be lucky enough to have a neighbor who was willing to take me through all of the steps a beginning sewer needs- how to read a pattern, the importance of ironing, fitting, etc. I was in my 20's!! My suggestion to you would be to find one of your friends who sew and ask her for some basic lessons. The other thing you can do is check into your local fabric stores and see if there is someone there who teaches a class. Really, looking at a book is ok if you have that kind of mind. I don't. I needed to SEE everything as it progressed. If you want easy, start with a pillow cover. 4 straight edges, sews in a snap- instant gratification. Plus, it gives you practice keeping your seams straight and learning how to make nice, sharp corners.
Good luck, my dear. You will be sewing up a storm in no time!
Karin |
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knewslady
True Blue Farmgirl
555 Posts
Kathy
Russellville
KY
USA
555 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 08:03:06 AM
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You might also want to check to see if sewing is offered through any community education classes in your area. If not, then your local fabric shop is probably the next best place to start.
Kathy
Will always be a farmgirl at heart |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 4:39:54 PM
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Great suggestions above, also consider just asking around, perhaps in your church, children's school, local theater, perhaps there is someone out there to help show and nurture you!
You could do a very, very easy apron, saw one online...let me see if I can find it for you.
Here is one: http://taly.on.neobee.net/tutorial-aprons.htm
Here is the one I was thinking of. I think I'd like to make this one. Looks really cute and very fun to sew!
http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa041299.htm
I really would like to offer my opinion on machines. Buy the best one that you can afford. You really do get what you pay for with sewing machines. I think I would have been a better sewer earlier in my life if I had a wonderful machine rather than one that jammed up, skipped stitches etc. I do love Janome machines. I have a Kenmore right now, but it is made by Janome, and my serger...which is on the blink right now...is a Bernette. (I do love it when it is working.)
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
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gregs_lil_farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
219 Posts
birdi
hartford
me
USA
219 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 6:10:36 PM
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There is a wonderful book out there for beginners... Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing
My mother was a seamstress but it seems that I didnt pay much attention to what she was doing , so in many ways i was self taught. This book is very simple, greatly detailed. Not everyone can learn from a book, and need to be shown. It does seem to be easier that way to gain the experience of someones knowledge, it will save you many pitfalls.
Good luck to you and dont give up. You can gain hours of enjoyment from even the simplist sewing skills.
-Simple pleasures make my heart smile- |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 07:06:51 AM
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Thank you for your suggestions on sewing. I am going to try to start the online apron. Thanks
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2007 : 3:18:16 PM
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| Hi! I hope your sewing is going well! may I suggest you visit the home sewing association for a certified sewing instructor in your area? visit: http://www.sewing.org/ |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2007 : 9:13:24 PM
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Georgann, thanks for posting that apron site. I really like her method for applying bias tape to the aprons. I'm thinking that an edgstitching foot, which many machines come with now, would help with keeping the second stitching straight.
Birdi, my mom was also a seamstress and yet I still did most of my learning from sewing books (I think my first one was a Simplicity book from around 1970) and pattern instructions. I just got the Readers Digest book and it is wonderful!
Michelle, the Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing has all the basics and techniques and shows how you can apply them to individual projects. Another really good book is the Vogue Sewing book from around 1974. It consists of mainly drawings of sewing techniques and the photos are, well, from the 70s, but there is a LOT of info. You can often find these on ebay or in thrift sales.
Good luck with your endeavors!
Jana |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: help w/ sewing |
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help w/ sewing
