How do I learn to sew?

[Blankiefan]

Watching the Great British Sewing Bee and I have envy.

I got a sewing machine a few years ago but blew the dust off this year. I've learnt to thread it and "knocked up" some bunting and basic curtains for dd's playhouse a few weeks ago. It's all a bit made up and I don't see how to make what feels like a huge jump from knowing almost nothing now to being able to sew nice things. There are loads of projects and videos online but it's a bit overwhelming and I don't know where to start.

I live in a fairly small town with no sewing classes and work ft so my free time / potential sewing time I after the toddler's bedtime.

Any tips / suggestions of how to move forward?

Youtube is always a great tool for learning new skills. Just search sewing for beginners. Although sometimes I will search".... for kids" and it's a bit simpler.

I recommend finding someone on Youtube you like and stick with them until you get the hang of it.

Do you want to make more things for your home, or clothing? A lot of clothing patterns have very good instructions, step by step. Where a technique of phrase stumps me, I have a couple of good general books (I like Alison Smith's The Sewing Book). Does your local library have any sewing books you could borrow? Might be a good way to look for someone whose style you like.

I would get hold of very cheap fabric (old sheets?) and just allow yourself to make mistakes - the more time you sew, the more it starts to make sense.

Oh fig me, I can't learn that type of thing from videos.
Maybe there is an evening class OP could attend?
I am slowly learning to pin & iron everything.

Start simple with projects that just require a straight stitch and fairly straight lines. A Cath Kidston style kitchen apron (buy some tape for the ties to make it super easy), tote bags...the Morse bag website has really good instructions.

If you want to make clothes then pick a really simple patten, just really read the measurements as the American patterns haven't changed their sizes in decades so you need to take your measurements and size up rather than buying your usual ready to wear size. Also look out for the sewing magazines that come with patterns, recently one of them came with a nice little wrap skirt pattern, so no need for zips or buttons.

Ooh thanks Dani I love the morsbags. That'll be my next thing. (At my rate of learning, this is clearly what everyone's getting for Xmas!!)