Do you have any "must know" tips for a sewing newbie?
Asked by
KhiaKarma (
4331
)
February 11th, 2011
The last time I really sewed anything was 7th grade. I know how to thread a sewing maching and sew stuff, sorta. It always looks uneven….. I used to sew with my grandmother and have some experience with patterns, but the whole task feels a tad daunting. I want to make pillow cases for some couch pillows and I have already picked out fabric.
So any tips on how to begin? Essential items? I never had much experience shopping for the items since my grandmother grew up in depression era and stock piled everything. I spent hours digging throughout the lace, yarn, thread, and buttons. Mostly for crafty things, not necessarily just sewing. Now it’s time to create my own stash.
Thanks in advance!
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
25 Answers
• Use good-quality thread. The cheap stuff is linty and will break.
• The same with needles- and use the right needle for the job.
• Use the correct tension on your machine.
• Practice on scraps of your material before you do the real project.
• Ripping out stitches is a fact of life; get used to it :>)
• My favorite tip- use alligator clips instead of pins!
Any suggestions on brands you like? I will have to figure out how to set the tension but I’m sure I can just fiddle with it for a bit. And practice makes perfect! Thanks!
Get a decent seam-ripper, I find it useful for more than just ripping seams.
@KhiaKarma
If the tension is off, you’ll have all kinds of problems like snarly threads. What brand and model is your machine? Do you have a manual for it?
Nice idea found it singer 6012c. Thanks!
And I wrote aligator clips and seam ripper on my list!
The key is in the pinning. Pinning and fussing. Take your time and pin carefully and well. Fuss with things until they are right. That extra measure of care pays off in your final product.
Pillowcases are a great project if you are new to sewing. Have you ever sewn a zipper in? It’s a good skill to acquire. Having a zipper on your pillowcase means that you can remove it to launder it. If you’re going to go through all the trouble to make a nice pillowcase, you will want to be able to wash it. If you want to try you need to buy a zipper foot for your sewing machine. What type depends on the model of your machine but there are only 2 basic types:high shank and low shank. There are lots of tutorials on the web about sewing. That will help but a basic sewing book is good to have too. A lot of sewing machine stores have classes also and there is nothing better than seeing someone show you how firsthand. I was just checking out some of the videos about zipper application on youtube and I could not really recommend any of them. You are better off with a real person who can show you how and answer your questions.
Here is a book that I think looks good. The one I used to learn by is out of print! Man I feel old!
http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Book-Alison-Smith/dp/0135097398/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297475365&sr=1-18
@Jeruba oh, I remember the fussing! :). I don’t come by fussiness naturally, so it will be a great exercise in patience and attention to detail!
@Earthgirl thanks for the book recommendation! I can still envision my grandmother explaining how to sew a zpper on, think I will try it. I am actually really excited about all the possibilities! I will investigate some on classes somewhere. Good idea!
Yes, I am glad you’re excited! Don’t let the learning process get you discouraged. There is so much you can do with sewing. It’s very creative. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions if you need help.
pillows and curtains are great projects because they are straight lines and basic. also, you can buy sheets and make pillow cases for your bed, to match, which is a great money saver, too, because pillow cases are so much money.
i always envied people who could sew, because they can take any fabric and make anything out of it. i would recommend buying a book on pillows and curtains, and you will get all kinds of ideas for your home, and techniques. However, for basic pillows or pillow cases you don’t need a book. For curtains a book is helpful because it gives you measuring techniques and advises on different types of curtains.
when you get good, the possibilities are endless: holiday projects, duvet covers, the list goes on and on. I have a good friend who is an expert seamstress and she makes dolls, quilts, tote bags, curtains, clothes, you name it.
Wash your fabric before you sew, if it’s going to shrink its better it happen before you start sewing than after the garment/project is finished.
If you are by nature perfectionist you are already 9/10 there.
Creativity + Perfectionism = you can’t miss!
Creativity + Enthusiasm = you can’t miss!
Practice, practice, practice. It gets better with practice.
The more you sew, the more you rip. (meaning the more you sew, the more stitches you have to rip out from mistakes)
The Bible says we rip what we sew.
@Jeruba ummmm, that’s reap hehehehehe
Kills a pun when somebody explains it, you know. <sigh> It’s also “sow.”
Very cute, @Jeruba , and sew sow so true in my case!
I have an ancient Chinese secret for you…you can sew on sticky back Velcro! You just need to put oil on your needle every few inches! (I invented that myself. Heh.)
My whole sewing machine can R.I.P. It pisses me off so bad…..
@Jeruba In Australia they certainly rip (Aus pronunciation = “reap”) what they sew, especially those people living in Sydney (Aus pronunciation = “seed knee”)
*any Australians reading this, please humour me, you know there is some truth in this :)
I made my first case yesterday. I decided to do an envelope style pillow case so no need for a zipper. It looks good, now 6 more pillows to go! Thanks, everyone!
LOL @Adagio! In Kansas we say “Reep whatcha so!” I never did quite figger out what that meant.
@KhiaKarma I’m also a beginner for sewing, and so far sew good. ha ha, get it? so I dont really have any tips, but the tips said here will definitely help me out in the future.
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
