Can I learn sewing?

[ShopoholicIn]

Hi,
I am almost 40. Is it possible for me to learn sewing at this age. If yes how and where do i start. I work full time and have 2 kids one being only an year old. I cant join classes even after lockdown finishes. So can do online classes.. any recommendations or should I give up on this.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

You definitely can - I've taught myself over the last year or so and my most recent make was a heavy weight wool coat.

It's a toss up between whether to start with stretch or non stretch. Stretch fabrics are a bit trickier - the key is to get a knit foot or a walking foot for your machine. But, on the flip side, there are many patterns which don't need fastenings so you avoid zips and button holes. If you are going to sew for a littlie then soft cotton lycra or cotton french terry fabrics are ideal.

[DianaT1969]

Definitely! I love sewing. Very satisfying when you finish something.

[WildCherryBlossom]

Lots of helpful suggestions here already. I would recommend starting with something small to build up your experience and confidence while using just a little fabric - eg cushions - try different fastenings to build your experience - buttons, zips etc. Children's clothes -great for practicing dress making without buying meters and meters of fabric (although a little sad when they grow out of it), children's toys etc. Then build up to something bigger.

Quilting is quite straightforward - lots of straight lines and easy to work with crisp cottons, it helps build confidence with the sewing machine.

Dressmaking can be a bit more like a crazy 3 dimensional jigsaw puzzle. However some of the small independent pattens designers produce fantastically detailed instructions which hold your hand through the process (eg Tessutti, Chalk & Notch, Deer & Doe). The patterns are a little expensive to buy but work out ok if you make several versions of a dress or top). Have a browse of fabricgodmother.co.uk or Minerva.com or have a look at online sewing classes with sewoverit.co.uk

[SmednotaSmoo]

I was more or less were you were a year ago. I discovered waves and wild patterns (then called something else) - they have a free leggings pattern - and made something! The first attempt I sewed the waistband on the wrong way but since then it’s pretty straightforward.

One thing I had no idea of before hand was that if you sew stretchy cotton (like for leggings) you need a different type of needle. Look for cotton jersey with a jersey needle.

Good luck!

[ShopoholicIn]

Sorry i posted last night before replying to everyone's comments as my little one was up screaming.

@Amummyatlast Time is the main concern, as I am working FT and my little one takes a lot of my time also I have a 7 year old too. But I have a sewing machine and intend to do maybe an hour over the weekend because I really want to learn. I would try and use what's we have before I invest in buying a lot of fancy fabrics as I can see myself spending loads on that, but will order what you have suggested. Thanks for your advise. I will watch the other MN thread.

@Entschuldigung wow that's amazing. Absolutely amazing that you can do all trousers etc.. hopefully I can do that much some day.

@winniesanderson I checked waves and wild and will check this one too. Thanks again.

@IndecentCakes some wonderful advice there, thanks . Yes i intend to start with simple cotton fabric and will leave stretch fabric for when i get the hang of it. Having watched sewing bee I could see how tricky is it to use stretchy fabric..


Thanks a lot everyone for your advice. It has given me some confidence.

[IndecentCakes]

Of course you can learn! Have a look at the Sew Essential videos, these can be useful. Tilly and the Buttons are good books and patterns for beginners. Avoid Burda patterns as you need to add on the seam allowance and it's a nuisance! Oh, and stretch fabric is probably best tackled later, it can be a bit annoying if you're not used to it. Start with a cotton or similar.

[ShopoholicIn]

Hi everyone thanks for your comets.

@Bettina500 I saw some for making skirts and a dress but they looked complicated. Perhaps I should see beginner level videos.
@DownUdderer yes i own a sewing machine and i want to learn decent enough sewing so I can fix things at least. I just want to be able to do some sewing like making skirts, etc. if possible.. but let's see if i can get to that level.

@CuteOrangeElephant that's brilliant I will start with some basics and then order from this site. Good they supply the patterns and material.

[winniesanderson]

I joined a local Facebook group run by someone who does online sewing courses. www.starttostitch.com/#/

I've not tried the courses myself but they seem pretty popular. Waves and wild as mentioned above are fab clear patterns for beginners. I hadn't seen since school and managed to make something half decent straight away.

[Entschuldigung]

Yes, you can. I've done bits of sewing in the past (the odd pair of curtains) but since July I've taught myself how to make trousers, skirts, dresses. It can be hard and a bit stressful but so rewarding.

I get lots of inspiration from Instagram and have found great people to follow on YouTube. I particularly like Sewing Therapy on YouTube.

[Amummyatlast]

You might want to see this thread here where we have been talking about help for beginners: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/arts_and_crafts/4197093-sewing-patterns-with-tutorials

I have to say that I really love sewing and it’s helped keep me cheerful during lockdown. However, some considerations for you might be cost and time. Will they sleep or be entertained by someone else while you sew? (I find I get really engrossed in it, before realising I’ve ignored DD and DH for several hours.) I also find that I spend quite a lot on fabrics/kit, but that is mostly choice.

Do you have a sewing machine already? If so, in terms of basic kit I would recommend fabric scissors, seam ripper, tailor’s chalk or fabric pen and pins. I use these on every project.

As PP said, there are loads of tutorials online, from threading your machine and basic stitches to techniques such as stitch in the ditch, under stitching, buttonholes, etc. And it’s very satisfying to have something that can be used at the end of all your efforts.

[CuteOrangeElephant]

Of course you can! It's actually perfect when you have a 1 year old. That's when I started for my DD.

I would recommend starting with a pattern like this: www.wavesandwild.com/shop/harem-pants-ww/ . Really cute on babies and easy enough to sew. There are some specific recommendations for sewing with jersey/knits but it's not too hard to follow.

[DownUdderer]

Do you want to learn how to use a sewing machine? Do you own a sewing machine? What do you want to make? I'm self taught. I look things up on YouTube. There's hundreds of useful videos on quilt making, making clothes, embroidery and all sorts. It can be quite fun and easy and enjoyable! You can learn as you go!

[Bettina500]

No reason why not. If you can't get to a class have a look on YouTube there's loads of tutorials.