I want and need to learn to use a sewing machine. How hard is it?

[missorinoco]

I haven't done so since at school, in the days when girls did sewing and boys did woodwork, and I was mediocre at best then.

I am never going o be amazing, but presumably hemming, button holes and basic sewing can't be that impossible? I've had a quick search on here for machines, and have a few to check out, but do you have any other tips?

Are there any (basic) books or websites I should check out, or am I kidding myself?

Its not hard at all.
You put the fabric underneath the sewing foot and press the pedal

All machines need to be threaded and this can seem daunting but they all have a diagram on the front to show you how. Its very important that this is done correctly or the machine will not sew properly.

I would go for a mid range machine £150 ish.
I would look for one with a decent range of stitches but you don't need hundreds. Most things are done with straight stitch and zig zag.
One step button holer would be nice
Reverse stitch

Most models will have them.

I have a Brother but my first was a Toyota and it lasted me for years. Singer and Janome are good makes. They often come with DVDs now.

Personally I find the sewing a doddle, its the measuring that trips me up!
Learning to follow a pattern was impossible without someone showing me how. But some people can teach themselves.

I taught myself using YouTube and googling things that went wrong! I still don't understand thread tension very well, but I can make clothes from patterns and some things without. I find YouTube videos much better than books because you can see the whole process.

Using a sewing machine is easy, but you do need to be shown how - especially how to thread it and load the bobbin. In these days of YouTube, it should be easy enough to find tutorials, even for your specific model of machine.

Go for it.

It's lemon squeezy.

Once you can sew in a straight line you can progress. Practice on lined sheets of paper, I tend to keep my eye on the sewing machine foot rather than the fabric.

Sewing for Dummies is quite good I think. There's also a book called 'Me and My Sewing Machine', which sounds a bit lame but it's very easy to follow - here.

So I am also having trouble mastering the mysterious bobbin. I can load it, but I can't seem to get it back in properly. It goes back in, but then just massively wads up and it all comes to a crashing halt.

I will try the youtube!

Are you sure you've put it in the right way around ? The thread should go back on itself .

Come to me for lessons!
I agree with MsDeVere, a mid range machine is your best best, and all the brands she mentioned ar stood. If it were me, I'd rather have a 20 year old 2nd hand singer and get it serviced, than a £60 job from Aldi/Lidl. These cheaper machines are all plastic on the inside whereas older ones are metal and generally better machines which will go on for years if serviced.
If you wanted 1 to 1 or small group lessons, check in a local fabric shop for people offering lessons, or even on gumtree. Tutorials are great but it's even better if you can ask questions

That's very helpful. I will start looking properly for a sewing machine. Shesparkles, too far from you sadly! A sewing class is a good plan, will sign up for one once I have a macine.

Thanks.

Actually I love my £60 Lidl machine! But I couldn't find a second hand one I wanted. I've taken it up this year and it's amazing how quickly I progressed. My friend showed me the basics and now I look at YouTube etc, though I think I'll need a teacher to help me make clothes but that more reflects the way I like to learn than anything else.

Trunk I'm sure you're right about your Lidl machine, I'm just an old school sewer/sewing/sewing type person who's been brought up with the kind of machine you just about pull your arm out of its socket lifting it!