Technorati Tags: beginner, instructions, patterns, projects, sewing help, sewing resources

When i was younger i could make killer pillows and stuff but now I’m interested in making clothing and bags. I’m having some trouble remembering how to use my sewing machine and to sew well. So i’m looking for a beginner sewing course i could do to get me started. I live in Wellesley, MA and was hoping to find classes close by.
thanks!

Or any sewing machine shop. (Hi, Saaanen!)

You might also be interested in:
http://www.butterick.com/item/CC770.htm??tab=connie_crawford&page=2
(there’s also a packet to accompany that has all the bits, and a fitting dvd is also available.)

This DVD starts with a young lady who had literally never sewn before, learning how to thread the machine, and then goes on through completion of a camp shirt. Supplementary materials cover zippers, etc. Crawford taught sewing, patternmaking and draping at FIDM for 30 years before "retiring" to work with those of us who sew at home. The DVD was intended as a beginning crash course suitable for use by scout troops, 4-H, and beginning sewing enthusiasts.

Haven’t sewed anything since junior high and totally have no recollection of anything including threading a bobbin. HELP!!! I want to start off with a machine that is easy to use and cheap. Just in case I mess it up it’s not a lot of expense out of my pocket.

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable —
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I’d probably pick, if new was my choice:
Janome (who also does Kenmore).

I am just starting out, although I took a class years ago, I was not very good – especially in adjusting tension and all those little things. I am getting a sewing machine now that I am retired – what would be the best? I’m thinking of a Brother XR 7700

What features do you want? Are you on a budget? Most machines will sew just fine with the upper tension set on 4 and left there. IMHO, it’s easier to teach you what a balanced stitch
looks like than try to fight through the screens of some programs to adjust something that the computer is doing "wrong".

My personal experience with Brother machines has not been good, but ymmv. I’d strongly urge you to consider trying out a number of machines at local sewing machine dealers if at all possible, and finding the machine(s) that will work for you.

My minimal criteria (I do a lot of garment making, some quilting, no machine embroidery other than freemotion): Very good straight stitch, at least a pretty good zigzag, non-jamming bobbin case, buttonhole that doesn’t drive you nuts, adjustable presser foot presser, at least a fair range of presser feet made for the machine. For my own use, I also want stretch and regular blindhem, a couple of stitches I can use for fagoting, a couple of hemstitches, and some stitches that are good for faking blanket stitches for applique. My primary machine is a 10 year old Viking electronic, middle of the line.

Because I sew so many garments, I also have a serger and a coverstitch machine — personally, I’d sooner have a good serger and a so-so sewing machine than a fancy sewing machine, but again, that’s personal preference.

Some help:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/tvt046.asp
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp
I also urge you to read the first and last chapters of Carol Ahles’ book Fine Machine Sewing (available from most libraries).

How can I learn to sew? Are there any great books for a complete beginner? I’ve never used a sewing machine before and have no clue where to start. It would be great if someone could tell me free websites that explain in complete detail on how to sew…I don’t have a sewing macihne yet can someone reccomend one that is easy to use? Please help! Thanks

For books on sewing try your local library. Hancock Fabrics (if you have one in your area),Joann Fabrics and any local sewing machine repair/sales might have classes on learning to sew.
If you are going to purchase a sewing machine and you don’t want all the bells and whistles get one that just has your basic stitches. Usually sewing machine repair/sales shops have good used re-conditioned machines for very reasonable prices.
When starting to sew, start simple. Try making tank tops or tee-shirts and shorts or pants.
Practice, practice practice.
Learning is easy and once you’ve mastered the basics,projects are unlimited.
Good luck.

i haven’t tried sewing since i was in home econ in 8th grade (i’m in my 30’s now), but i want to be able to sew things for around the house.

Brother is very good. Find the most basic machine you can, because you probably won’t need all those fancy embroidery stitches. Wal Mart has them for around $80.oo- $100.oo buckeroos.

I would also like to know what embroidery software I can use for different sewing machines as well.
Well, I do not want to spend over $1000.00. My husband might have a heart attack if he knew that I said that, but I really want a good one that will sew and embroider.
It is so hard for me to choose a Best Answer because you have all been so helpful.

I have the Brother 270d. It is a little work horse. It does bother embroidery and sewing. It comes with a set of built in designs, including some Disney patterns. You will want to get the PE Basic so you can embroidery patterns that you download offline. You can find some sites with nice free ones – they are samples to entice you to buy their sets. I really like www.bunnycup.com (sorry for the tangent).

You do not need embroidery software to use the Brother 270d. You can begin embroidering and sewing right away.

You will want to get other necessities (stabilizer, thread, and maybe some more needles). The machine comes with a set of needles to get you going though.

The types of stabilizer and thread you use does not matter, though some are easier to work with than others. Do not let the price shock you – I use discount coupons from Jo Ann’s and Hobby Lobby to get mine. The spending in this department will be high initially! Again, this is why for a beginner I recommend the Brother 270d.

Costco has it on sale for $389.99 and it comes with the PE Basic. Wal-Mart sells this machine for $350. I got mine from my local Brother dealer for $500, but they threw in 1 year in store maintenance and free classes for life.

I hope this helps. True the other machines can do more, but you are paying more than double to price (and some of them do not sew). For a beginner, this is the best machine at the best price! Good luck!

What is a good sewing machine to buy, if i’m just learning to sew. They go pretty fast for me, i’d like one that i could adjust the speed. I also want automatic threading and one that ties the thread for you. What should i be looking for in a sewing machine and do you have any suggestions? Any price is okay.

Don’t bother with automatic threaders… they’re more trouble than they’re worth, and often broken. I also wouldn’t bother with an automatic tieoff feature unless you have severe muscle problems in your hands — you can accomplish the same thing by simply preventing the fabric from feeding for a couple of stitches. Never have to take you hands off the fabric.

As far as the rest goes:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).

I'm going to be sewing by machine and I want to make something fairly easy. What was the first project(s) you more experienced seamstresses made?

Take two towels. wrong sides together
Mark top at half point, one quarter point and three quarter point.
Stitch from the one quarter point to the edge
Then turn inside out and right sides together
go down about seven inches and stitch to about four inches from the bottom.
Turn right side out
It's a beach cover up. Seriously my grandmother helped me pin and stitch this project when I was five.
We used two hand towels and I wore it till it fell apart.
Think about it Two beach towels and with a ribbon belt you can wear it most of the day.
For the childs hand towel cover up you sew the same neck hole but with the fringed edges on a hand towel, you can stitch from the neck to about two inches from the outer edge making a shoulder fitting line that makes the cover up more fringy and cute on a kid.
Also………….cut a wash cloth in half diagonally and hem the long edge. Right side wash cloth sewn to the wrong side of a matching towel on both edges, and when you turn the wash cloth over, you have a baby bath towel.

Take a place mat and flod it into thirds.
fold one flap up and sew the seams on both sides to create a purse. Turn right side out, fold flap down and add a snap or velcro spot and you have a new clutch purse, you can add a ribbon shoulder strap.

I’m 17, and I got a sewing machine for my birthday.
What are some cool things I can make that I’d actually like?

http://www.haancrafts.com/

This is the site where we ordered our sewing kits off of for a sewing project in school. They have some reallly cool stuff. Pillows, stuffed animals, bags and clothes. It’s really fun stuff, I made a tiger from that site it was white. It was hard. I recommend beginning with a simple pillow. The directions are a little tough though to follow. I needed a lot of help from my teacher. But the tiger was one one of the hardest things. So get a simple pillow. Good Luck! Have fun!