How easy is it to teach yourself to use a sewing machine?

[Terracottafarmers]

for Xmas I got a sewing machine. I want to start thrifting my own cafe curtains and cushion covers, I'm pretty good at hand sewing but it's the more detailed bits I struggled with, working out sizing, dimensions, which bit goes where etc as unfortunately I struggle with my maths hugely and can't wrap my head around using several bits of fabric and making them come together. Any advice is welcome!

Look up video tutorials on YouTube and find one that is making what you want. For sizing, cut a piece of newspaper to the size you need then draw around it. Then you don’t need to measure much.

Youtube, I have made pillowcases, fancy dress costumes for the children and even multi-pocket bags from video instructions. Easy to see how it all goes together on a video.

Watch several videos for each project.

I taught myself fully from YouTube :) spent a while watching as many videos as I could then went for it, copying a tutorial from there. Good luck!

Where did you buy the machine? Sometimes the shops will have lessons.

YouTube! I got my late grans machine and taught myself with YouTube tutorials and books from the library.
Practiced on cheap material and read every pattern about a million times before even starting so I understood everything, and watched YouTube videos for each bit over and over till I understood.

It's actually not hard at all once you've got the hang!

Start with something like a cushion cover with a flap or tote bag where the shapes are less complicated and look like the finished article. If you want to progress to clothes there are simple skirts and tops with few pieces. Do you have the manual for the machine? Some of the Sewing Bee books are good at references for the terminology and step by step techniques.

As long as you start with simple tasks (straight line seams etc) you'll pick it up as you go along.

I'm entirely self taught but it took me a long time to be able to make complex things. The machine itself is pretty straightforward as long as you buy a basic one. There ARE much fancier models out there but I'd say they're not for beginners.

Literally in hobbycraft yesterday looking at sewing machines, I’m very dyslexic/ and have issues with numbers so have basically grown up
being told I wouldn’t be able to do this….the assistant nearly made me cry she was so helpful and they offer real beginners classes, where they’ll show you how to thread the machine and everything. All the info is on their hobby art club app.

@theiblis me too, my Textiles teacher in school wouldn't even let me use the machine because "you're clumsy, you'll just break it," so I never learnt. And it really is so easy.

Should be easy enough with a basic machine, but you will need to be aware of things such as thread tension and using the correct size needles, etc but as others have said it's all on YouTube these days.
Also get a good seam ripper and proper shears

I can’t see anyone else having said this: get old sheets or other cotton fabric - charity shop will do - cut into pieces you can handle easily, not too small but not the whole sheet, and just practice sewing on them. That will get your eye in for following the seam guide, doing straight lines, knowing the pressure of your foot pedal and so on. you can even do this without thread, just to get used to the feel of your machine, its speed and so on.

For actual techniques, Fashion Sewing Tv on YouTube is really good. Her explanations are excellent and her camera work is really clear. She is who I check first when I need to know a thing.

Tips no one ever mentions:

When you’re turning the hand wheel manually ALWAYS turn it towards you.

Put a piece of paper under the presser foot when you’re changing a needle. That way if you drop it, it won’t get lost in the body of the machine.

Use the right needle. And change it frequently. Some will say every 8-10 hours of sewing time, others after every project. In reality, you won’t need to change it after every little sleeveless top you make. But keep on it and change regularly.

if you progress to clothes, buy patterns and fabric you actually want to wear. There’s no point in buying the popular pattern if it isn’t something you want to wear, no matter how cute it is!

Pattern sizing is not the same as high street clothing shops (because they’re all so consistent 🙄) so get a new tape measure and measure yourself. Then compare it to the pattern measurements to choose the right size for you. It doesn’t matter what those measurements are, everything you make will be you-sized.

I started 10 years ago! Now it’s my favourite hobby and I’m deciding what I’m going to be making for autumn and winter.

It’s not ‘easy’ but it’s not hard either. It just takes a bit of knowledge and practice. That’s all! And the sewing police won’t be watching your every stitch, it doesn’t matter if you do it wrongly, or slowly!

And don't get a skinny retractable tape measure. They stretch too much!

Really useful tips. I am very guilty of needle abuse.

I'm self taught by YouTube. I make bags mostly and sometimes quilts. I've not yet been brave enough to try clothing.
I was going to say use old bedding to practice. In fact fabric is so expensive you can often buy discounted sheets and duvets cheaper and cut up for fabric.
Start with little projects like fabric boxes, drawstring bags, tote bags, hairbands. You can make cushion covers without zips though once you eventually take the plunge it's very satisfying to put in zips.

@Terracottafarmers Schmetz needles are good I find and they are in a serviceable dispenser , best to get a range of three sizes, I think it’s 11/80’s for medium fabrics which I use the most of.

@Nissii yes it is you’re right ! with the amazing zipper foot 🤐

You could make an Apron in with an Ulster Weavers-Esque’ print that’s ’sort of’ clothing

That one misses the bit about pressing. I often spend just as much time with the iron as my sewing machine.

Yes you're right!
I hate ironing and seldom iron clothes yet my ironing board is almost permanently out since I started sewing.