Would like to start sewing - from scratch! Where do I start?

[Gateau]

I hardly have an arty bone in my body; do I need to be arty to make clothes etc...?
Where do I start? Do I need to enrol in a class?

Hi gateau,

You don't need to be arty at all or go to a class! There are loads of online tutorials and I'm sure the crafty MNers will hold your hand!

What kind of things do you want to make? It's a good idea to start simple (straight lines on a cushion cover for example) but you'll pick it up and be stitching up a storm in no time .

Do you have a sewing machine or can you borrow one? It's harder to make clothes and things which need to cope with wear and tear by hand, but it can be done!

Have a look at some of the sewing sections on www.craftster.com for a bit of inspiration. It's almost as addictive as MN (but not quite)!

Thanks pookamoo for your encouragement.
I want to - EVENTUALLY - make clothes and curtains etc. Anything, really.
If I stick at it, I would like to buy a sewing machine. So do I not really need to go to a class then, even if I'm a real beginner? Could I learn online?

I'm certain you could learn online.

It is helpful if you know someone in RL who can sew a little bit to show you how do do any fiddly bits. Could you borrow a sewing machine? Or try freecycle. Lots of people have them gathering dust in their loft, you'd be surprised. It's helpful if they have the instruction manual, as the most tricky part is putting the thread on the machine to start with! But google is amazing for tracking down instructions for things.

Curtains are straight lines too! Actually, I have got to make some curtains for my new baby's nursery - hoping the fabric arrives before the baby does, at this rate!

If you can follow instructions, you will be ok. Any technical terms, you can look up on the net or ask here, and someone will explain what to do.

If you can get hold of some fabric scraps from somewhere, or even an old curtain or something from a charity shop, you can give it a go and see what you come up with. You don't need tonnes of equipment, but I would recommend:

A pair of large scissors to be used only for cutting fabric/threads etc. Cutting paper etc with them will blunt them and they do need to be pretty sharp.

A pair of little sharp scissors for cutting small details and snipping threads (really useful though not essential)

A box of pins (definitely top of the list actually)

A packet of various size needles

Tape measure

and you're away! You can add things to your collection as you go along.

Thank you again. You make it sound so easy - and do-able!!
I don't know anyone who lives near me who can sew in RL, but there is a fabric shop down the road so maybe they would be helpful...
Can you recommend a good sewing machine - not too dear obviously!! I'll leave you alone then.

he he, I'm not doing much else today! Maternity leave with one week to go until baby arrives (supposedly although it could be longer, or earlier, we'll see!) has left me glued to the internet!!

I wouldn't buy a sewing machine new if you can help it. They can be really, really expensive, and as a beginner you just want something which works. Try your local paper or freeads, or the fabric shop might have some second hand ones. Or I would definitely suggest asking friends if they or any of their mums have one lying unloved in the loft. Or ebay? I just did a search and there are some from about £40. You can get a sewing machine serviced at a sewing shop, which will cost about £30 but is worth it if it hasn't been used for a while. My mum still uses the one she bought nearly 40 years ago and it was second hand then. She made her wedding dress on it, and then 30 odd years later, she also made mine on the same machine.

I would suggest you look for something which will do "straight stitches" (as in the kind you would see on a seam or a hem), and a zig-zag stitch. Most will do that. Electric, with a foot pedal (turning a handle is probably a bit too antequated!).

My first real sewing machine came out of a skip! My dad was a woodwork teacher and he saw it waiting to be thrown away because the school stopped teaching sewing, he brought it home, we cleaned it up and off I went! When I went away to uni, I lasted one term without it and had to bring it back with me after Christmas! I "heart" my sewing machine!

The people who work in fabric shops are usually very friendly and experienced with sewing so they are likely to be able help you out.

If you need any more help, I'll put this thread on "watched" and just give me a shout!

Have just seen this thread which might help?

I'm in the same position, was going to go to my local fabric shop asking for sewing machine lessons

Sometimes they run workshops

Pookamoo, you;re now my mentor, whether you like it or not.!! Only joking, you'll have enough to do very soon. But yes, do please keep this thread on Watched. You have been most helpful. Ans best of luck with LO. Is this your first?
Littleducks, are you going to learn online, or at a class? I'm going to try online as I have little enough time as it is! Let me know how you get on! I'm not that good with my hands so I'm a bit worried! But I will give it a go!!

How are you getting on, Gateau? No baby at this end!

I went through a spate of dressmaking, for myself when I was doing my a levels, since then thought I've turned my hand to curtains, blinds, cushions, etc. Much easier - although larger scale and take up the whole house when cutting out, etc. Also made my own fleece cosytoes, bridesmaids dresses...saved a fortune in the long run. I've never been on a course all self taught from library books. Libraries are also good for crafting mags, does Prima still have patterns in it?? Good luck.

you could try this book - great for inspiration and gives good tips for beginners too, tho' is very much of the 'let's just have a go!' ethos which doesn't suit everyone.

here's my advice:

1. Get a cheap but new machine. Preferably from a shop that will show you how to use it when you buy it. If there are no small local sewing machine shops ones in the area John Lewis are very good. New machines also come with excellent instruction manuals that pretty much cover all the things you need to know about your machine and ow to work it.

N.B The people in fabric shops (that only sells fabric) IME will not/do not have the time to be telling you how to sew. They are there to sell and to advise you about fabric not sewing. Don't expect them to spend ages helping you on the topic of sewing/machiness, and get disappointed with a lacklustre response. Go to a machine shop.

2. Second hand machines can impede your ability and enthusiasm, because they are
   clunky, parts are worn out which cannot be replaced/are a PITA to hunt down replacements, and if they haven't been maintained, serviced and oiled in their lifespan they will perform badly. You will end up spending £40 on a second hand one then more ££ on specialist servicing. Get a new one for £60-70 and save yourself the bother!!

3. Buy basic, easy patterns to practice with. Their instructions take you through step by step and it's a good way to learn. If you are a complete beginner just start with a basic cushion cover (plenty of online patterns), then maybe buy a pattern for a simple top.

4. Buy basic cotton or look out for cheap fabrics from markets etc at first to practice on because you will make mistakes. Ebay sells fabrics too. Leave the expensive stuff for items you feel confident about making.

5. Youtube has videos on sewing techniques which are handy if you get stuck.

6. Flutterbye's library must be great because I have never found anything useful in mine except a couple of battered books from 1982!

7. Enjoy! its a great hobby/skill to have.

Sewing machines - expensive new, unless you buy the £35 sometimes found at Lidl.
It's a perfectly fine sewing machine for learning to sew etc and until you find what you really want to do with it - clothes, quilting, soft furnishings - and it works.
Does some fancy stitches (maybe 24?), forward, back, zigzag. It's not electronic - you turn dials to get different stitches - but that's not a bad thing. 3 step buttonhole too.

I don't work for Lidl!

im gatecrashing but im the same, want to start sewing. ive been advised that an overlocker will be enough to do most simple sewing tasks, is this true or do i need a proper sewing machine.

Never used an overlocker - isn't that for doing seams, as in the stitching you see if you turn your trousers inside out, to stop the edges fraying?
I think you need a proper sewing machine. But they can be picked up quite cheaply eg Lidl (sorry, sorry! )

thanks, i saw sense and bought a sewing machine yesterday from argos. dunno why i thought an overlocker would be more suitable. baby brain!!!!