Sewing

[Lifesingflowers]

Hi,

I have just brought a sewing machine, and I brought a pattern however I am struggling. My daughters who are 4 and 5 are showing interest in sewing as well.

I am at a very novice level, can someone tell me how I can get started? I'm also based in east london, any book/youtube/course suggestion to get started would be amazing, I really would like to be sufficient at sewing so I can make clothes for both myself and my girls.

Thank you

Start with the Tilly and the Buttons book 'make it simple' she does very clear step by step guides. A lot of beginner sewing classes start with you making the Jamie pyjama bottoms which is a Tilly and the buttons pattern.

I would personally avoid the big pattern companies (vogue, Butterick, mcalls, new look, simplicity) as they can be over complicated and assume a certain amount of sewing knowledge.

Have a search around your local area for some sewing lessons - the local fabric shops will probably have a good idea where they are. There will probably be a get to know your sewing machine type lesson as well.

Don't be put off if you make A LOT of mistakes early on.

YouTube is great for helping with particular techniques and patterns but it's difficult to reccomend until you actually get going.

Finally follow some of the sewing hashtags on Instagram for inspiration. I follow most of the indie pattern designers like Closet Core, Tilly and The Buttons, By Hand London, Chalk and Notch for pattern inspiration and the fabric shops like minervacraftsdotcom, Guthri and Ghani, fabric Godmother, textile express and Jenny Stitches who all put out regular sewing content.

There's also mumsnets very own stitch and bitch thread in Arts and Crafts which is very friendly.

Out of interest what pattern have you started with?

Hi thank for the suggestion. I did the simplicity s9454

I learnt to sew on my grandmother's treadle machine 56 years ago so will leave it to others to recommend the best youtube videos etc!

But I would recommend taking an old pillowcase, sheet, teatowel etc in plain cotton (because it doesnt creep about) and just practising the stitches your machine is capable of, following the instructions in the booklet that I assume was supplied with it.

Practise sewing a straight line 5/8" from the edge of a double layer of fabric, then practice turning a right angle, then sewing round a curve, all keeping the correct 5/8" seam allowance. Then practise finishing the seams with a zigzag stitch - what width? what length? etc. Then try some of the fancier stitches that come with your machine.

Then take an old T shirt and use that to practise the stretch stitches on your machine in the same way.

Whatever you do have fun with it!

That looks a nice simple pattern to begin with, that neckline may fit over your head without needing the opening at the back. Watch out for all those gathers getting caught up in your seams - checking and smoothing them out while sewing is easier than unpicking afterwards.

I would also say as you gain confidence and want to try zips, buttonholes, set in sleeves, collars, darts for a good fit etc - don't try to learn them all in one garment! A simple well fitting pattern in a plain good quality fabric is often the best.

If you are a complete beginner with a new machine, I would leave the clothing pattern to one side for now. Get used to the machine etc first. Gets some fat squares and try some simple short projects - a cushion slip, a little drawstring bag, some bunting, a cover for the sewing machine - that sort of thing - as a first couple of projects. These are also great projects for kids, they can be knocked out in a couple of hours and make great gifts/gift covering items for their friends as well.

Get your sewing front and back nice and secure, clean and straight with a nice even seam allowance and without unpicking it loads before moving on to the pattern.

Once you've done that, can practice things like putting in zips on the cushion slips or making things like pencil cases before starting to embark on more complex clothing patterns, or making things like some doll/teddy clothing for your girls, which can be a way to test a few techniques on a small scale before trying to do a big thing.

Clothes can be hard!! You need to take real care with the patterns you chose initially or can get in a bit of a pickle and frustrated. Dressmaking means pockets and zips and darts and things that need a bit of experience.

Is there any book or videos you can recommend @Catopia

Random thoughts from when i was learning. Pay attention to seam allowances and don't look at the needle. Let the feed dogs do their thing, don't pull the fabric from behind. Cutting fabric with precision is actually quite important. Always mark your notches, they do help! Press those seams. Clean your machine regularly. Use the right needle for your fabric type and change it regularly. Get some snips. You will lose your tape, so have two. You can never have enough fabric/thread/haberdashery/notions or patterns. Don't sew when you are tired, it's when you become best friends with your seam ripper (the bobble is on the bottom of the seam ripper BTW). If you can find the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing, it's a great hard copy resource.

And of course the golden rule - never cut paper with your fabric scissors and never let anyone borrow them.

It's a great skill to have and is actually great fun, hugely addictive, immensely frustrating at times and there are great online sewing communities so I hope you enjoy it, and definitely go and find your sewing tribe.

What did you feel you struggled with? Did you end up with something wearable?

Might be worth checking out your Local Authority adult education classes to see if they do sewing classes.

Look for a sewing cafe near you, they often do both structured classes and also social sessions where you take along an existing project and make it there using their machines. You have people on hand who can help out or offer advice and get to spend a couple of hours chatting with people who are interested in the same hobby.

thenewcrafthouse.com/collections/workshops

fabrications1.co.uk/calendar/

www.cheekyhandmades.co.uk/sewing-classes-in-east-london/

I agree with pps. I started out with Tilly and the buttons jaimie pyjama shorts and branched out from there. You will probably find the instructions easier to follow than a simplicity pattern as they are more detailed and there is often a YouTube sew along for tilly patterns.

I also second the suggestion of new craft house fabric shop in Hackney. They have courses periodically and I've heard good things about them. If you'd rather learn at home tilly and the buttons have online courses that are reasonably priced.

Good luck and do join instagram for sewing inspiration if you like social media.

I would highly recommend 'Sew What! Skirts' by Francesca DenHartog and Carole Ann Camp : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-What-Skirts/dp/B00KEV1IQK

You take a few measurements then cut your own patterns. So easy and the skirts fit great.

Not in particular. If you get the Aldi fat quarters they usually actually come with a little worksheet with a project on it inside.

For kids, if you can find it, the Fantastic Rainy Day Book is brilliant, and has some sewing projects in which could be hand or machine sewn. Not sure it's still in print, but I have my copy from the 90s from when I was a child! It was where I first learned to sew from, making the rabbit and the doll and the mobiles.

As a complete novice I signed up for my local authority evening classes earlier this year (I'm in Lewisham). I've learned loads - starting with the very basics like threading the needle, winding the bobbin and sewing a seam at the correct allowance and working up to zips, button holes, setting in sleeves etc etc. I've got loads of confidence now and have sewn lots of stuff for myself and my daughter. I really recommend learning the technical basics and I think most local authorities run inexpensive adult education courses.
Also, my top tip once you get going is to take a trip to Goldhawk Road which is in West London on the Hammersmith and City line for the most amazing fabric shopping experience! Good luck and have fun xxx

I agree with this. Stick to simple things for now while you get used to using the machine, another poster mentioned being confident with winding the bobbin etc. You need to be comfortable with your machine and learn the basics first. There are loads of reels on insta showing you how to make simple things, it's and especially for your daughters they will have something to show for their efforts. I go to a sewing class one night a week, I did a Facebook search to find one locally so you should be able to find one. Mostly I get on with my own project at class and go to the teacher for help but they can walk you through things too. I mainly go for the company of like minded people and the tea and cake!

Ellie and Mac patterns are really simple and they do videos to show you what to do. Waves and wild are also very simple and have excellent instructions.

I learned from Youtube in lockdown, I had sewed as a child but not in 50 years.
I think starting with clothes is very ambitious and I would start with small projects like party bags, table mats, summer hats, hair bands.
Type beginner's sewing into Youtube and find one or two you like.
Here are a few I like

Wired Hairband Hat

Agree with other recommendations for Tilly and the Buttons. They do great patterns for beginners, and the books take you through step by step. There are photos and very clear explanations that you don't get in normal paper patterns from the big four (but other independent pattern companies do offer sometimes). It's a great hobby!
But beware, my DDs also enjoy sewing because of my hobby (addiction) and one has now graduated in costume making as a result. The consequences of picking up a sewing machine in the sales 11 years ago were far reaching...!

For your kids, DD really liked making quilts and pillows for her dolls and teddies as first projects.

Thank you so much for all your advice..
I'm based in ilford East london, if anyone knows of a sewing course or class near there. That would be great

Another vote for starting simple.

youtube videos for drawstring bags, fabric pots are a satisfying make.

I bought cheap sheets for ample fabric to play with. Price per metre sheets are a good source of reasonable priced fabric.

bags and aprons are good starters too imo.

Debbie Shore. Half yard books are good. You can probably get them from the library. I learnt a lot watching Natasha Makes on Facebook and YouTube.