Getting into sewing

[WindFlower92]

Looking for advice for a complete beginner here! My mum's just sent me a lovely dress for DD that she made, and it's inspired me to start making some clothes for her myself! Problem is, apart from when I was probably 5, I've never sewn anything at all! Any good websites for guidance? What do I buy? What item of clothing would be easiest to start with? Am I being unrealistic, and will everything I make look awful? Many thanks!

Bumping for help!

Tilly and the Buttons is a really good place to start. Lots of tips and tutorials on her website and I'd really recommend her book, Love at First Stitch, which includes some patterns.

I love sewing, I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now. What kind of things were you planning on making? Have you done any sewing before? What machine do you have?

When I got my machine, I’d never sewed anything before, so I got myself a book with a few different projects in it (clothing and home where) and went from there. (Lauren Loves was the book I used) if it’s only clothing your interested in the Tilly and the buttons ranges are popular choices, although I haven’t used them.

I'd second Tilly and the Buttons. Lots of useful videos and breaking down steps.

I sewed some bunting recently which was good for something repetitive and basic. I just googled for a pattern until i found sometging to suit. Also things like tote bags are straightforward. Pinterest is helpful too.

And Sewing Bee starts back next week if you need some sewing inspiration!

Thanks all! @Palendrominca I'm embarrassed to ask this, but do I need a machine? I was hoping to make some dresses or onesies

What do you mean? Do you have a machine?

I used to teach sewing /fashion and one student took an age to use a machine, doing everything by hand. Once she finally broached the whole sewing machine issue she took off! It was a joy to watch.

You can do everything by hand but it's very laborious and slow. Best to use a machine.

Are you frightened of a machine? If so, practise on strips of fabric, up and down, until you feel confident. Practise makes perfect with dressmaking.

Do you have a sewing machine? I think you would be able to hand sew, but it would be slower. I follow a number of people on Instagram who use historical methods to make lovely clothes by hand sewing, but using a sewing machine will be quicker and easier.

Hi, if you don’t have a machine, and you can’t get one right now, I would start off with dolls clothes. That way you get a real idea of how much hand sewing is involved in making clothes.
Then after lock down you can go to John Lewis or an independent that lets you try out machines.
You could also try altering stuff you don’t ware, that way most of the sewing is already been done.

Thanks, I don't have a problem with a machine, I just don't want to buy one and find I've wasted money!

Sewing clothes without a machine would be beyond tedious imo. You can whip a seam together on a machine in 30 seconds flat but by hand it might take you 30 mins +.

You could always try a different needle craft like embroidery or cross stitch, or if you want to make garments you could try knitting or crochet. All of these can be started with very little initial outgo so if you change your mind you’ll have wasted less than £20.

There are often second hand machines on facebook or eBay

The library sometimes has a machine you can hire or borrow as do some colleges

Some sewing shops or designers do sewing course you can try where they provide the sewing machine as part of the class

Find an independent teacher in your area and have a few classes

Lots of ways without spending a fortune but you do sadly need to spend something

Buy a few buttons and some ribbon and some embroidery thread and you can decorate a t shirt or a pair of jeans?

There are loads of facebook pages about upcycling and re-use and some of those ideas are hand sewn