learning to sew

[NanBullen]

Hello, just wondered if anyone could direct me to a good website for novice sewers? and by novice i mean never sewn before in my entire life!

would also like to know the best sewing machine to buy. I have never used one before so i have no clue!

i would like to learn to make quite basic things initially, also different stitches, how to do seams etc. any good sewing magazines out there?

Help!

hello there

For websites I havent had much of a clue, my mum and gran taught me to sew when I was very young and have been doing it on and off for years.

John Lewis have relatively cheap machines and they are really good about helping you afterwards with advice, also the staff in remnant kings used to be really good for advise too...

Id think about is it more crafty things that you want to make or clothes and homewares that you want to sew. If you get a mini machine from ikea or john lewis that would do for most craft things but for clothes or curtain making you'd be better with a full size.

check out mcalls.com which is an american site. This is where I buy most of my patterns but they are really good links on there to "how2" videos...

good luck!

ooh thankyou, will definitely try and find a local course. being taught would be better than trying to work it all out myself!

i'm not sure what i want to sew so i think a fullsize machine would be better Hazeydays thanks for the recomendations

I bought a Singer Sewing Machine which is a good basic machine but it cost £125. It does a lot of stitches and button holes. They do a slightly more basic model which is cheaper. If you aren't sure you will get into it then do go for a cheaper machine. There are lots on ebay by the way.

thanks will look on ebay. I don't want to spend too much but want a machine that will last.

is there a minimum amount of stitches that should be available on a sewing machine that makes it worth having? i've been looking at machines online and i'm a bit flummoxed tbh. some offer 12 stitches, some 4, some about 35! and some cut the thread for you (?) and tighten it and some have a "free arm". I was thinking of trying to make a quilt and also cushion covers, possibly curtains and eventually might try making some tops for dd.

help!

Have you got a specialist sewing machine shop near you? They do demos so you can see what all these things do. I shouldn't think you'd need more than 12 stitches really to get started. Just had a look at mine and it has 9 and I haven't used hardly any of them so far. I've used mine for cushion covers, basic curtains, lavender bags etc. I'd like to try clothes but I'm waiting for my mum to visit as she's a machinist. Shame she didn't teach me when I was a girl, no idea why she didn't!