Given lots of nice, free fabrics - where to start as a sewing novice...

[Startingagainandagain]

I was gifted 3 bags of lovely fabrics (anything from denim, jersey to soft flower patterns, silky stuff and tweed) by someone who is retiring/moving out and was a seamstress.

I have always wanted to experiment with making my own clothes or/and craft projects but not sure where to start. I have basic skills in using a sewing machine.

Any advice on what fun projects I could start as a beginner to make things for the house or simple pieces of clothing/accessories.

I don't want to waste all these lovely fabric so I want to take on projects I can reasonably complete with my basic knowledge and a beginner sewing machine.

Any advice much appreciated!!

How exciting! Instagram is a great source of inspiration. If you find a pattern you like searching for it on there and there will be hundreds of different versions to look at.

I would be wary of the stretch fabrics at first as they behave quite differently to non stretch and can be a little trickier.

For home type stuff like cushion covers and storage baskets there are loads of great free tutorials and videos on YouTube etc. Things like that are a good way to practise skills like zips.

For a clothing pattern my top tip for a starter project is the Zadie Jumpsuit from Paper Theory Patterns. It's not super easy but def manageable for a beginner. It's a really wearable item of clothing but impressive enough to feel proud of (and get a few compliments). I am mindful of free clothing patterns as often they are not drafted brilliantly of the instructions can be lacking but worth looking up on Instagram to see what others say if you find something you really like.

The Owl and the sewing cat clothes patterns are very simple.

Debbie Shaw has lovely house projects, tea cosies and bags etc. envelope cushions are an easy place to start.

look on YouTube for good tutorials on all sorts but things like getting to know your sewing machine, Jenny from Missouri star quilts has some good beginners tutorials for patch work.

might be worth seeing if your local sewing shop has courses too and find out what sort of fabrics you have while looking at theirs.

Have fun, I love my sewing machine, it’s my happy place

I like Ellie and mac sewing patterns as they have video tutorials which I find much easier to follow than written instructions

Thank you everyone for the advice :).

I would start with clothes you actually want to wear around the house. I used to sew and came back to it with PJs and pull on summer trousers with elasticated waist. I learned/remembered a lot making them and have just finished a couple of shirts.

Charity shops often have patterns for sale and you can pick them up from Facebook Pattern groups. Once you can follow a pattern, you can change necklines, add pockets etc.

If you buy a new pattern, check Youtube with the pattern number - it's really helpful to see someone do something tricky such as adding a collar to a shirt. Pattern instruction diagrams are often not great. Independents like Tilly and the Buttons have great instructions and online tutorials. I've just bought an Avid Seamstress dress pattern and the instructions are really good.

I've got brown paper, carbon paper and a tracing wheel which means I can trace my patterns on to paper to use again and again.

I’m a bit late to this but daughter aged 14 joined a Facebook group great British sewing bee fans - and learnt via the support from there

initially she used YouTube to learn to thread the machine and then got some plain white sheets and used different coloured threads and stitches and practised gone backwards forwards - different sizes etc and sewing two or three bits of it together

Then she made 4 nice cushions, then a lovely quilt and pillow for her sibling and then a pencil case with a zip and then moved on to clothes …

Thank you @Houseinawood!

I'm also new to sewing, as DD got given a sewing machine last summer so I've been playing with it a bit. I'm also a bit bored with a newly empty nest ( both dds at uni) so needed a new hobby.
I started with making a simple messenger bag for my work laptop as my old one broke. I had some canvas fabric left from this so made an apron. I then got some cheap floral fabric and made some tote bags and a couple of toiletry bags with zippers. I fancied a new Sunhat for the summer so found a pattern online for a bucket hat and made it in spotty denim.
Once I'd built up confidence I bought a simple pyjama pattern and made some pyjama shorts. I'm now half way through making a gathered skirt ( with a flat waistband at the front).
It's been a bit of a learning curve, as I hadn't used a sewing machine since school. I've had a few issues with getting it to run smoothly and had to Google how to fix it when it does birdnests on the back, or when the needle breaks. I've found loads of advice and tutorials online.
I haven't tried Jersey yet, may try that on an old Tshirt before I commit to buying fabric. The pyjama shorts pattern I made in cotton but could be done in Jersey.

Came back to say I’m now following Natasha Makes on Facebook, her patterns and makes are super simple and she sells the most gorgeous fabrics to complement them. Most weekdays there is a Live with her showing how to make her latest pattern.

I found Tilly's Buttons a great website/company for beginners 🙂.

Thank you everyone for the additional suggestions :). much appreciated.