Just bought a new sewing machine and ...

[Luanne]

I need a way to teach both myself and my daughter how to sew. She has been wanting to learn for a while now (she is 19) and I would like to be able to make my own dresses.

Any suggestions?

[Alana in Canada]

Can you take a class?

The simplest thing to begin with is an apron!

or un-lined vest. You can ask at your nearest fabric store for an "easy pattern for a beginning sewer."

As long as you stay away from zippers, buttons and linings for your first few projects, you'll get the hang of it. Dresses are tough because of the sleeves--but a jumper (the kind you wear a top underneath) are fairly simple--I made one, and I don't sew.

[dangermom]

Your local fabric stores probably give classes, and if you bought your machine new, the store might offer them too. A lot of sewing machines come with 6 free classes or something.

Or you could ask an experienced sewing friend for lessons and offer an exchange of some kind. I have a friend who gives lessons to local girls and she's swamped!

Your library will have books on how to sew. Sewing machine mastery is at 646.2, and sewing books are at 746. You might like to start with a small quilt project, in which case I recommend the Quilt in a Day Log Cabin, which has great instructions and illustrations for newbies.

[Julie in GA]

It's designed for children, and for sewing machine use, so it might be the thing for you. Go to timberdoodle.com to check it out.

[Julie in GA]

Here's the link:

The Best of Sewing Machine Fun (http://www.timberdoodle.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=851)

[Deece in MN]

Here are some other book options:

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp11742.html

If you scroll to the bottom they show 3 other books by the same author. I have the 3 on the bottom of the page and really like them. I am using them with my dc for home ec. I don't have Catch the Sewing Bug, but I may have to get that one, too. The projects look fun.

These are nice because they don't feel babyish. You will learn the basics of sewing and can then move on to other projects with confidence.

HTH

[mo2]

I got an unbelievable amount of help from the book Sewing for Dummies. I had already been sewing for a couple of years when I got the book, and I still found it quite useful.

[paula j]

May not be much help but while I was waiting for them to put new tires on my car at Wal-mart the other day I was browsing the pattern catalogs and saw that they had a few "learning to sew" patterns. These were for simple things like pajama pants but they gave very detailed instructions. I believe they also have a line of patterns for new seamstress that have the word "easy" in the title. There are also some web-sites aimed at teens learning to sew that offer easy projects such as pillows and bags to get started with.

My mom always had her machine set up and I can remember sewing barbie clothes when I was 7 or 8, never had any real lessons just started sewing and learned to correct my mistakes. By the time I took home ec in jr high I was really sewing.:) Most of the girls in my class picked a simple A-line skirt for their project, not me. I chose to make a reversible down ski vest with zip off sleeves and hidden pockets. I would say, just pick a simple project to start with and work your way through it. Some good ideas may include:

apron
pillow
jumper
simple skirt with no zipper
pj bottoms

When you master getting your seams straight, doing a simple hem, and making a casing then move on to something a little harder like a skirt with a zipper or a blouse with facings. You can also practice things like different stitches or making buttonholes on a piece of scrap fabric.

Blessings
Paula

[melissel]

Most of the girls in my class picked a simple A-line skirt for their project, not me. I chose to make a reversible down ski vest with zip off sleeves and hidden pockets.

ROFL!!!

[melissel]

Have you checked your local township/community college course schedules? I don't think our current township offers sewing classes, but I know the one we used to live in did, and I always wanted to take one but could never work out the timing. If I see one here, I'm getting right on it. Embarrassingly, my DH sews very nicely, and I do not (though I made a lovely A-line skirt in home ec in high school :D).

[Luanne]

May not be much help but while I was waiting for them to put new tires on my car at Wal-mart the other day I was browsing the pattern catalogs and saw that they had a few "learning to sew" patterns. These were for simple things like pajama pants but they gave very detailed instructions. I believe they also have a line of patterns for new seamstress that have the word "easy" in the title. There are also some web-sites aimed at teens learning to sew that offer easy projects such as pillows and bags to get started with.

My mom always had her machine set up and I can remember sewing barbie clothes when I was 7 or 8, never had any real lessons just started sewing and learned to correct my mistakes. By the time I took home ec in jr high I was really sewing.:) Most of the girls in my class picked a simple A-line skirt for their project, not me. I chose to make a reversible down ski vest with zip off sleeves and hidden pockets. I would say, just pick a simple project to start with and work your way through it. Some good ideas may include:

apron
pillow
jumper
simple skirt with no zipper
pj bottoms

When you master getting your seams straight, doing a simple hem, and making a casing then move on to something a little harder like a skirt with a zipper or a blouse with facings. You can also practice things like different stitches or making buttonholes on a piece of scrap fabric.

Blessings
Paula

:) Luanne