Someone please give me a good talking too, I'm so crap at machine sewing

[blackheartsgirl]

I feel quite disheartened truth be told. I bought a really nice sewing machine for myself, I've already got a very basic one and done things like simple drawsting bags and the odd taking up ofs hem, very wonkily I should add.

But i just can't seem to grasp anything. I can't sew straight, my hems are wonky, I can't even cut fabric straight, being a lefty I have to use right handed scissors. I bought a circular fabric cutter thingy from ebay, well needn't have bothered, it cuts a bit of fabric then the ruler slips and then its all wonky and hasn't cut properly. I tried to make a simple envelope cushion. SIMPLE omg no. I can't even work that out properly, even you tube confuses me.

why am I so daft, measuring, cutting and sewing things together meh. I thought I could blame my basic machine but its me isn't it

And my bobbin keeps jamming.

Did anyone else start as crap as me?

[Ohfourfoxache]

Don't give up!

Could you try practicing on some scrap fabric, just to get your confidence up?

I find it tricky initially to change machines - I used my mum's for donkeys years, never a problem. But when I inherited my grandma's I had all sorts of problems at first. It was just a question of getting used to a new machine. Could that be what you're experiencing?

[blackheartsgirl]

No I think I'm just terrible :(

I think a lot of it is that I really do lack awareness of how things are put together and I really struggle with basic maths. I struggled in school too.

I can sew a seam, I did a seam where you fold it over on itself and that worked but the stitching was wonky because Id cut it wonky even following a straight line.

I need practice, but its very hard to find peace and quiet in mine

[Hexiegone]

Is there anywhere near you that does 'getting to know your machine' classes?

You can get little pads to stop the ruler from slipping

Is it a decent rotary cutter? Some are better than others.

[lljkk]

Excuse me? You are NOT allowed the mantel of "Worst seamstress on the planet." That title is MINE. Do you understand? (Lord knows I've worked hard enough on my portfolio). They don't call me 'Needle-Breaker' for nothing.

(Only half joking )

Classes to learn all about your machine are highly recommended. Plus ones that teach you how to do specific types of sewing and as part of those you learn to measure more reliably. Phone around your local fabric shops to find someone who offers courses. I live in the absolute sticks and there are regular courses within half hour drive. As for my machine, I think it needs a sodding professional service which might might might just sort out the needle breaking. I can live in hope, anyway.

[Ohfourfoxache]

Arf @ lljkk

[blackheartsgirl]

lljkk

I think classes are a very good idea, I will research those thank you.

I had no idea about thelittle grip things thank you Hexie and to be honest I think the rotary cutter is a bit pants so will look at replacing that I think.

[Hexiegone]

I think as well it's important not to expect perfection to begin with, as you'll feel all the worse when you make mistakes. Practise makes perfect and all that

[Orangeanddemons]

You can buy left handed scissors. If your seams are wonky, this could mean you aren't following the seam allowance guides on the needle plate.

Spools and bobbins are always a nightmare and jam up constantly. I find they often do it out of sheer spite, and it's nothing you've actually done wrong

[SwanneeKazoo]

Have you checked you are putting the bobbin in the right way? The instruction booklet should tell you whether the end of the thread should be coming out of the bobbin in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

[SwanneeKazoo]

Sorry Orange, but if the bobbin is constantly jamming it is something you are doing wrong. Either it's in the wrong way or your machine needs cleaning.

[Orangeanddemons]

You could use one of these very helpful for hems. It has lots of lines at one side which make measuring really easy. Use tailors chalk and draw your hem lines on using the measuring lines

[Orangeanddemons]

We'll I've taught Textiles for 20 years, and I find that the bobbins often just jam up out of sheer bloodymindedness. It's is often the user, but equally in my experience it is also the bobbin

[GreenMouse]

OP if you are in NE London I can recommend someone for sewing lessons, PM me if interested :)

[jerryfudd]

Have you tried using the Internet? I'm self taught using blogs, YouTube videos etc. Found it really helpful to watch. I'm not brilliant but have managed some lovely patchwork quilts, bunting, cushions etc having never used a machine before in my life

[HeyheyheyGoodbye]

You Tube is my saviour! I am entirely self-taught and still a crappy beginner but I AM getting better! I could have written this post six months ago, honestly!

Try getting some lined paper and stitching that, following the lines. It's really good for practicing. The rotary cutter is great but it does just take practice to grip the ruler properly.

Make sure you give yourself a clear workspace and enough time. Easier said than done I know! And don't blame yourself for the bobbin - they are just arseholes.

[Hexiegone]

bobbins are arseholes!! Love it . I find if the bobbin tension is a smidge out that can make them misbehave

[blackheartsgirl]

Ooo just seen more replies, thank you very much for replying everyone.

Rightio. I haven't chucked my sewing machine in the skip. Yet. I checked everything re the bobbin and it was in the right way but I missed a step out in threading the machine. Oops. Seems a lot better and I've also left a much longer tail of threads too which has also helped. Its not all that keen on zigzag though hmmmm.

Oranges I like those rulers you linked too, very handy. I'm going to invest in some lefty scissors too. I have had small pair since I was five but no good for fabric cutting now.

I live in North east Wales Greenmouse unfortunately

Will also try the lined paper, thank you for the suggestion.

I've given it another go. I managed to redo the envelope cushion cover and it worked! Hurrah! Its not perfect but dd1 is pleaded with it. Took me 2 sodding hours though.

[blackheartsgirl]

Er pleased not pleaded lol.

[HeyheyheyGoodbye]

What great fabric!! It looks fab

[RavenRose]

If you are in north wales have a look at Abakhans. They do courses at the Mostyn branch (and nice cakes in the coffee shop). Not sure if that's any good? Brochure here
www.abakhan.co.uk/workshops-and-courses.html

It's my favourite stop off on the way to snowdonia


And your cushion looks great!

[pengymum]

Yes I second the practising with lined paper! And the same with curves to get yourself used to the movement. Always practise & test stitching & tension on pieces of scrap fabric before starting a project. Saves stress & unpicking! [Grin]

[pengymum]

[blackheartsgirl]

thank you

I love Aberkhan, I went there recently for loads of wool but didn't get chance to have a look at the fabrics but i'm going to make time for another trip there at the end of the month. As for courses, the Introduction to sewing Machines course part one was all fully booked, gutted but the lovely lady told me their new brochure was out in july but I can't wait that long

I will pinch some of the kids writing paper and have a practice tonight

[GreenMouse]

If you get some new scissors try to get some proper dressmaking scissors, they have an angled blade to avoid dragging the fabric. Also never use your fabric scissors to cut paper as it blunts them!

Some left-handed dressmaking scissors at AnythingLeftHanded, they even have left-handed measuring tape!

Good luck blackhearts, I'm sure you'll get better and have lots of fun with your machine :)

[EATmum]

My best tip is to find some gorgeous and 'busy' fabric for anything you make - no one sees the pants stitching because they're wowed by the fabric. Has worked for me so far! The other tip that helped me was from an intro session at John Lewis when I bought me new machine (love JL) - and the tutor showed me the switch that slowed the pedal right down. I found it much easier if I could go slowly.