Beginner sewing advice: choosing a machine, essential tools and easy first projects

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Hi all, I was always utterly useless at school at anything other than sewing on buttons, but I have been thinking for a while about taking up sewing as a hobby.

I will be looking at Youtube videos on how to start but would appreciate an idiots guide of what helps you with making your own things.

I don't even know what sewing machine would be a good one to go for!

Any tips/dos/donts would would much appreciated, thank you

Go for a basic mechanical one, I think the own branded John Lewis one is a good start! It's got everything you need.

If you want to make something for you, basis pyjama bottoms are a good starter project. Check out Tilly and the buttons, she has good beginner projects.

@CuteOrangeElephant Thank you - will do!

Would you say Tilly ATB is easier than Simplicity to start with @CuteOrangeElephant ?

https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/patterns/products/jaimie-pyjama-bottoms-shorts-sewing-pattern?_pos=1&_fid=d5d6d06cd&_ss=c

Something like this should be fine :) . Simplicity are meant to be easy too though, never made a Simplicity pattern before but I think you get more hand holding with TATB.

I really like Ellie and Mac patterns. They're not too complicated, have thorough instructions (the 'big 4' tend to assume you already know the terms, how to sew and put everything together) and have a sew along video so you can literally watch how to make it step by step.

Curtains, blinds and cushions are a very easy start and a good way to get used to your machine.

Remember a huge component in good sewing is actually ironing!

Do a class. Honestly you'll get so much from learning with others and having practical problem solving right there in person.

Really helpful thank you @CuteOrangeElephant @ForPearlViper @RudolphTheReindeer @wanttoworkbut

Bought it!

Why are Tilly and Burtons so expensive. I wouldnt pay over £20 for a pattern.

Are you near london?
The stitch show is on thurs_ sunday this week. There will be a lot of workshops for all levels.
Also City Lit in Holborn do a great get to know how to use a sewing machine 1 day course.

They are pretty pricey but it also comes with a full video course that pretty much holds your hand.

For a sewing machine do look for one which does automatic button holes and has a needle threader.

I have a mid range Janome but have used singers, toyotas and brother starter machines before. My new one is a bit more electronic and you can stop and start with a button but I prefer the old school foot pedal.

A lot of the sewing magazines come with free patterns which are good for beginners.

The branded John Lewis sewing machine are made by Janome. I had the basic one for years but i have just upgraded to a Brother A65 which i love just for the self threader.

I started sewing about 18 months ago and started with the Hobbycraft 19S machine. I have recently upgraded to their 100S computerised machine. One of the best things I’ve found with this one is that you can control the speed of the sewing with a slider so you can have it going really slowly no matter how hard you press the foot pedal! It also has a stop/start sewing button you can use instead of the foot pedal. Plus a load of other great features. I’ve got myself into it by sewing little zipped bags, cushion covers and other small things. Not got into the world of clothes yet but perhaps I will at some point.

I am also learning to sew and I have a basic but good quality machine Brother LS14s.

Its easy to thread and the foot pedal speed is easy to control.

Do test stitces to check the tension is not too loose or too tight.

Get a decent stitch picker, brands like hemline and clover are excellent and get yourself a very good quality tailors chalk too, I use a soft pencil for light fabrics.

Glass head pins are essenrial for ironing, you can get low watt small irons online now mine uses only 375w instead of the 2200 watt large iron.

I found Evelyn Woods' youtube videos extremly helpful, she has a life time of sewing experience and she is also a tremendous inspiration, you may find her videos helpful too.

I started sewing with simply sewing magazines. Bought a couple then took out a subscription with a good offer . Tgey have loads of projects big and small with a couple of free patterns every month .

I have a Brother too - love it !

Ah I forgot about those mags thanks!

Dont think they are doing it atm but they were giving away a basic Jernome free with a years subscription! Legit offer as i did something similar with a knitting magazine and got a free set of knitpro interchangeables which were more than the subscription price.

Hi helpful ladies - so I think I am all set - pattern ready to be cut... then realised I forgot to get good scissors!

Are pinking shears the best thing, or straight cut scissors? Thank you

I have both. Straight scissors for cutting out pieces and then pinking shears for trimming seams after sewing, as it stops fabric fraying.

Thanks @SendTheNextOneIn

Had to send the machine back as the foot didn't work! It was very flimsy so I thought I would look for one with a sturdier pedal.

This one looks a good price and has a lot of the extras that have been recommended.

Has anyone used this company before? x

https://www.sewingmachinesales.co.uk/sewing-machine/silver/silver-viscount-302.html?srsltid=AfmBOooV8csJEE3g3_ugBWfqNo6aAOOOBmUu0DwDDbzApqSsU_THR6z8

Free patterns online are usually quite simple because only the easy ones are free!
Cushions are easy (especially if you don't do a zip or piping, you can just use an envelope style closure).
Aprons, a pot holder (the first thing I ever sewed!), place mats and then move on to pyjama bottoms. Fleece hats are actually quite simple too. PJ bottoms need elastic but none of the other things I've mentioned do. Fleece doesn't even need a hem!
I would get a good brand of sewing machine second hand rather than a new cheap one. Singer is no longer that good unfortunately.