After X-Mas i’m going to take up sewing! I’m getting a machine as a gift. Does anyone here sew? I was hoping to come across a website similar to this one but for beginner sewers?
Thanks for the help!
I sew, what I can I help you with? I have been a sewer since before I started school. I used to make Barbie doll clothes out of the scraps my mother gave me. I hadn’t turned 6 at that time so I have been a sewer most of my life. It came in handy when my oldest son was born. Ready made baby clothes were too big on his 3 lb 7 1/2 oz body. He was not a premature baby. He just didn’t gain weight in the womb. That was due to the kidney disease he was born with. He is 34 years old now, had to have a kidney transplant when he was in his early 20’s. His weight has been under 100 lbs his entire life. He shops in the teen boy department and wears the same size underwear his 10 yearold nephew wears.
I sew too. My mom taught me to embroider when I was four, and I could make my own clothing by the time I was seven (I got second place in the fair for a shorts-and-shirt set I made)
I’ve dabbled in most of the fiber arts and I live with the philosophy that most things worth owning are worth knowing how to make, or at least how to fix, yourself. (Big, expensive, finicky items like TVs, computers, and refrigerators are the exception, but even those I like to have at least a theoretical knowledge of what’s going on inside to make them work). In other words, I try to be as resourceful as possible so ask me whatever questions and if I can’t track down an answer, I may just experiment and come up with my own!
Just drop me a pm!
PS - what are you wanting to sew? Quilts, clothing, accessories, all of the above? Do you plan to do any hand-sewing? There are a few forums around for sewing, but I haven’t found one as nice as KH.
I sew. I don’t know when I started machine sewing (around 10 or so??). I started with an apron, I think.
There are classes in machine sewing at larger JoAnns stores - if I were a brand new sewer, I’d probably start there. In fact, one of my friends learned to sew though classes at JoAnns.
I’m so excited to hear back from all of you. My mother confirmed it today that she did get me a sewing machine as a Christmas gift. I’m not sure what I need help with because i have no idea where to start or what I’m doing! My knowledge base is ZERO, I’m truly starting from scratch. The things I’m interested in making are cloths, and I think quilting is wonderful. I also want to be resourceful and be able to make curtains and cushions and I’d love to know how to do alterations. The classes sound good but I’m Canadian and I don’t think we have that store here. I have three friends that all know how to sew so hopefully they would be able to help me along but id like to get started by myself first. So maybe I’ll start with little cushions? What do you all think:):cheering: 
Thank you again for your replies! It’s amazing to find what I need in this forum that I’m already totally comfortable with! Too bad there isn’t a sewing forum. OH! And while I have your attention. I knitted a slouchy hat recently that has a double thick ribbed cuff to go around your head. I know it’s supposed to be big but it’s way to big. Could I use a sewing machine to sew off a section then cut it? So that I could sew it back together for a tighter fit??? Thanks gals!
XOXOX
If you go to the GardenWeb there is a sewing forum there. Just go to GardedenWeb.com and sign up , it is free. There are lots of forums there from knitting and needle arts to Quilting and sewing. Also you can get some very resourceful books by Singer , that will help you. just Google the Singer Company Hope this helps you find more help.
I sew as well. I have started machine sewing some time in my elementary school days and have gotten better at it in my late 20ies.
My prime piece (next to the winter coat I wear today, a few suits and suit jackets) was my own Butterick pattern wedding dress… laced corset style. I sure was happy!
My favorite forum is in German, though, so it will not help you much (hobbyschneiderin.de)
But I did a search on ravelry for you. Here are all the groups listed for sewing:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/search#sort=best&query=sewing
you will surely find help in one or more of them. Are you at ravelry? it is free to sign up and very helpful - for knitting, crocheting - and as we see here: even sewing.
You will probably find this forum really helpful: http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/ - the ladies on here are really patient if you have any questions x
I sew, too, though not so much these days. That’s mostly because I don’t have a space I can leave my sewing machine set up. I started making Barbie clothes when I was 10 or so and made most of my own clothes during Jr & Sr High School.
Look at books in your local library, there should be a sewing section there. You can usually order books from other branches, too.
I started sewing when I was a young girl. My mom helped me get started, then I made some things in the 4-H club. That helped me a lot, because they had a “4-H Dress Review” once a year, where you could model what you made. They made a big event out of it, teaching us how to walk on stage, as well as giving us some basic etiquette and manners classes. Sort of a mini Charm class, I guess.
I won first place Beginners division with my gingham skirt and triangle scarf! I was so proud. I think I wore that set everywhere I went. I looked like a little peasant girl, but I didn’t care.
I just found a website that might help you get started sewing:
Good luck!
Hi! :waving:
Good girl! It’s great that you want to learn to sew. I think you’ll probably find it a valuable skill for the rest of your life, just like knitting and other fiber arts. :woohoo:
I learned to sew many years ago mostly from books and the instructions that come with clothes patterns. And there are a lot more books out now that cover both the basics and the advanced stuff.
It’s probably a good idea for you to get yourself a good sewing encyclopedia to learn the basics. Work with the instructions that come with your new sewing machine and go over that info until you’ve mastered it. Repetition, repetition, repetition!!! Then when you know how the machine works, the sewing encyclopedia will get you started on the basics - cutting out a pattern, sewing a straight seam, etc.
Then as your skills increase you can investigate specialty areas like curtains/draperies, quilting, and other home decor projects.
Mainly, though, have fun with it!!! Learning to sew well can be very rewarding.
And one piece of advice I got that’s served me well over many years and many garments…never cross one seam over another until you’ve pressed the first seam open. (or always press garment seams as you go for a really finished look). Then when I would finish something like a jacket or jacket and skirt set I’d always have them professionally pressed before I wore them. That sets the stitches in the garment and you’ve got a great looking tailored piece from then on out.
Good luck!
Ruthie
Like many who have already posted here, I began sewing as a child in Girl Scouts to earn a sewing badge. Even though Mom sewed, I didn’t do too much with it until I had my family. I learned to smock so I could do all those cute little dresses for my daughter which lead to learning to sew so I could put the dresses together. I am mostly self-taught by way of books and my greatest resource, a group of people I met through the sewing center where I bought my first serious sewing machine. So check with your local sewing centers to see if there are any groups already formed. Sometimes local parks will sponsor sewing classes where you can begin to connect with people in your area who sew. I can tell you it is probably the quickest way to learn all kinds of tricks of the trade. I even learned how to sew lingerie and was making my own panties and slips. Sadly, I haven’t kept up with my sewing hobby due to returning to work full-time as a teacher. Glad to have knitting to fill that creative urge.
Oh, I just remembered there’s a national guild. I think I remember it being called the American Sewing Guild. You might do a search on that because many areas have local chapters.
Anyway, have fun in your new venture. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I have.
I found some places in Nova Scotia where they have sewing classes. About all I know about NS geography is where the province is (and so I was able to eliminate classes in Alberta), so I don’t know how far away these places are from Halifax:
http://knitnstitch.com/classpage.html
http://www.atlanticfabrics.com/
The sewing classes in my home economics class in 8th grade started with pot holders, which allowed everyone to get used to the machines, learn how to do straight seams and 90-degree turns. A cuchion or a cover for a pillow for your sofa would be similar projects.
I’m glad I found this thread. I’ve been sewing since I was a kid and even took sewing in middle school but have never been great and only dabbled while my knitting took off. This past summer my daughter asked me to make her a dress and my sewing started to kick into high gear. The dress didn’t come out right and it’s been put away until further notice but other things have come out good.
There are DVD’s available through most libraries and books are an excellent choice although I will say if anyone can make a site as fantastic as Knittinghelp is then I will join in a heartbeat. This site has everything one could need about learning to knit. The videos were/are the BEST - Thank you.
I bought a serger a few months ago and it’s been hard to find enough time for sewing AND knitting.