Sewing Lessons & FAQ

[Snookie]

have any of you ladies used crepe?
ive got some gorgeous crepe, but shall i wash/steam it first to see how much it'll shrink by?

Well, it really depends on what the fiber is, not just the weave. Is it polyester, wool, rayon, silk, etc? They all behave differently from each other.

If I'm planning to wash the garment once it's made, I always run my fabric through the wash first. My rayon crepe always shrivels in the water, but once I press it, it always returns back to size -- and sometimes even bigger! That's why I like to pre-wash - to make it behave how it will eventually end up, anyway.

I have a couple garments that I made intending to only dryclean once they were finished. In this case, you should still gauge if your iron is going to change the size while sewing. And I mean, really GAUGE. I cut a 4" square swatch and steam/press the heck out of it. Make sure you measure, you won't notice if it's shrunk 1/2" until you try to put the darn thing on! (And if it shrinks, steam the whole thing before cutting, obviously.)

 

[Kim_B]

Alrighty gals, I need some assistance! I have a Brother sewing machine - it worked like a dream until about 45 minutes ago! (They always break in the middle of a project, don't they?! :eusa_doh: )

Here is my problem...I have the machine threaded correctly, and I have the bobbin threaded correctly. When I lower the needle to pick up the bobbin thread, the uptake thread gets caught on the hook and tangles around the bobbin shuttle. I took the bobbin out and removed and stray lent or thread that might have been in the way, and as far as I can tell from all the pictures in the manual I have everything back in the correct place and aligned correctly, but it still catches and tangles. I am at a loss. I am in the middle of making my cousin's birthday presents and I am about ready to throw the darned thing out the window!:rage:

Does any one have any suggestions aside from taking it in to be serviced?

Edit - could it be something to do with the hook/needle timing?? Hmm...

 

[Snookie]

Kim B, I'm not great at machine mechanics, but did you try changing the needle? Sometimes they get a burr and start acting up suddenly. Make sure you're using the right type for your fabric, like a ballpoint for knits, etc. Try a couple different types if you're not sure what's best.

That's about all I can offer...I usually just solve my problems through trial and error...

 

[Kim_B]

....never mind...I feel like a total dumb-head. Carry on, and don't mind me

 

[PS]

Tiny Triumph!

:eusa_clap I spent a large portion of my weekend reading through this thread!You all are so inspiring! I never really thought I would want to sew, but a year ago I started thinking about it. My husband thought it sounded like a neat hobby so he went and purchased some fabric remnants and a couple cheap patterns and dug out his mothers old machine from the basement. Turns out it didn't work. Being sarcastic one day he brought home this tiny

(junkie) sewing machine, we had a good laugh and pushed it idea aside until we could learn more about sewing machines to choose a decent one. I mentioned wanting to try learning again last night. I went and dug out the junkie machine and decided to play with it.
I sewed! Nothing impressive, just a few stitches but still! I am so excited, much the way a 6 year old might be because that is about my skill level right now!

 

[BonnieJean]

PS,
You have to start somewhere and good for you in wanting to learn how to sew! I first learned to sew many, many years ago in Home Ec where only girls took that (I don't even think they call it Home Ec anymore), but it was quite traumatic in that my first sewing project was a skirt with a zipper. I bet I put that zipper in a zillion times. I sewed it on backwards, upside down, etc. I spent several lunch hours with my instructor to complete it. (I got pretty good with the seam ripper! ) But she taught me to be patient and keep on trying. The skirt did turn out nice, but I had a "phobia" with sewing in zippers for a long time! lol I'm no expert by any means, but I've learned a lot just from trial and error. When you start to get frustrated with your sewing just stop and walk away from it for a little while and come back later when you're mind is more refreshed. That's the best advice I can give you and I'm speaking from years of sporadic frustration with some of my own sewing skills. Also, be sure to start out with "beginner" sewing patterns. They usually have very detailed instructions. You can probably pick up some sewing books in a thrift store for references. And perhaps even a good used sewing machine if you don't want to purchase a brand new one. But you also have the best thing going for you, an encouraging husband! I have a friend who's husband loves to sew even more than she does. So get him behind that machine and help you create something! Be sure to post pictures after you've completed your first project!

 

[Tourbillion]

I've got a SUPER old sewing machine that I don't know how to work. I'm going to post some pictures here when I get off work and see if someone can show me what I'm doing wrong. I get so frustrated that I break down in tears because I'm not able to figure it out.

What happens is that I start sewing and the bottom gets jammed so I'm not doing something right with the bobbin thread.

I used to do minor services for sewing machines for a living (college job). I do these myself now, since they mostly consist of cleaning lint, oiling and adjusting the tension (maybe replace the belts). Since for older machines I do this every time I take them out, it would be silly to pay good money for something that I do every time I sew with the machine. I only take them in when they are actually broken.

When the bobbin tension is loose, the thread looks a little bit wavy on the bottom. This is adjusted by a small screw, but is rarely the problem.

When you say the bottom thread is a problem, it probably isn't. Usually if there is a bunch of thread at the bottom, the top thread tension is too loose. If you adjust it a little bit tighter at a time, it usually will behave.

Sometimes a bunch of thread at the start of sewing can be solved by holding the thread so it doesn't get pulled up when you start, but usually the problem is upper thread tension. If your's won't stay set, you may need a repair anyway, but try to adjust the tension before you spend the $100 or so that it costs for a repair.

 

[wedding belle]

Sewing ideas for novices

I've just managed to get hold of a sewing machine and wondered if anyone had any ideas of SIMPLE things to make for a novice. It's been inspired by the teenager's desire to adapt her own clothes and I have (foolishly) said that we can learn together - I have been known to use a staple gun to hem trousers before now - so this is going to be a bit of a tall order.

Any ideas of where to start / easy projects / interenet resources would be greatly appreciated. I have to admit I'm a bit scared - but at least I've got the beast up and running

 

[BonnieJean]

I've just managed to get hold of a sewing machine and wondered if anyone had any ideas of SIMPLE things to make for a novice. It's been inspired by the teenager's desire to adapt her own clothes and I have (foolishly) said that we can learn together - I have been known to use a staple gun to hem trousers before now - so this is going to be a bit of a tall order.

Any ideas of where to start / easy projects / interenet resources would be greatly appreciated. I have to admit I'm a bit scared - but at least I've got the beast up and running

Someone said earlier in this thread that making a pillow could be a good "first project" in sewing. Anything that is mostly straight stitching would be good. And if you didn't want to make a pillow then a sachet or pin cushion (both smaller in size and could be stuffed with a little bit of stuffing (fiberfill) and add a bit of potpourri).

Just take your time and if you get frustrated (and you will, I still do at times and I've been sewing for years) just stop and walk away for a little bit and come back to it later. If there are any local 'beginner sewing classes' in your area, that would be very helpful too. Plus, if you know someone that sews, you might be able to have them share their experience with you. And there are lots of websites online that are very helpful to new sewers--just Google it.

Welcome to the world of sewing and I'm sure you and your daughter will have a good time learning to sew together!

 

[wedding belle]

thanks BonnieJean

I thought a cushion might be a good place to start. I have a friend who sews well and she is going to give us some help in the new year. Thanks for the advice and I'll let you know how we get on!

 

[Elaina]

You can also try hostess aprons. Most of them are hemmed suqares with a little more deatils (waistband/ties).

 

[wedding belle]

another great idea - thanks

My biggest challenge is going to be not running before I can walk. I have been looking through the "show us what you made post" and keep seeing amazing dresses and those lovely high waisted trousers and am desperate to have a go. The only thing that holds me back is the cost of making a huge mess That and the gentle reminders from my family regarding my overvelous use of the aforementioned staple gun :eusa_doh:

My teenage daughter is being much, much more sensible in her approach!

 

[olive bleu]

I've just managed to get hold of a sewing machine and wondered if anyone had any ideas of SIMPLE things to make for a novice. It's been inspired by the teenager's desire to adapt her own clothes and I have (foolishly) said that we can learn together - I have been known to use a staple gun to hem trousers before now - so this is going to be a bit of a tall order.

Any ideas of where to start / easy projects / interenet resources would be greatly appreciated. I have to admit I'm a bit scared - but at least I've got the beast up and running

is there anywhere in your area where you and your daughter can take a sewing class together? You can take on something more challenging if you have someone watching over you through every step.

 

[wedding belle]

I had thought of that

the problem we have is time. There are some textiles classes at the local college but most are for over 16s (she is 13) and are run in the evenings. I run my own business and usually work til 7ish and am often away with clients on site. The teenager is heavily involved in local youth politics and is out at least a couple of evenings a week at meetings or events. As such we don't often all manage to touch base much before 8 in the evening which is too late for her on a school night to start doing something else.

So we have put aside Sunday afternoons, I think we might have to be patient and then brave

 

[deadpandiva]

My biggest challenge is going to be not running before I can walk. I have been looking through the "show us what you made post" and keep seeing amazing dresses and those lovely high waisted trousers and am desperate to have a go. The only thing that holds me back is the cost of making a huge mess That and the gentle reminders from my family regarding my overvelous use of the aforementioned staple gun :eusa_doh:

My teenage daughter is being much, much more sensible in her approach!

If you have someone to help you the high wasted trousers shouldn't be hard. I guess I can't really judge though. I have the mindset that if I can do it anyone can. I couldn't start with small projects. I cut out peices for a purse and it's still in my sewing basket.

 

[Joie DeVive]

I tend to second pillow covers. That's where I started. The easy ones have nice straight lines for beginners. If you are feeling daring, you can always try putting a zipper in them (to allow for laundering). It would be a more stress-free way to learn how to do zippers which are a great headache for some sewers.
Elaina is also right. You could start with aprons. They can be done very simply, but if you are feeling adventurous, you can always add details like pockets and ruffles and such.
If you feel you simply must start with a garment, I vote for a skirt with straight seams, like a simple a-line skirt. These have mostly straight lines, making them good for beginners. They usually only have a few pieces. They also don't tend to take a whole lot of yardage, so if you mess up, it isn't a huge financial loss. Be aware however that these usually require the use of "the dreaded (at least by my mother) zipper".
Good luck with whatever you choose!
Joie

 

[pennyseranade]

I agree with sewing straight lines to start. Pillow covers and aprons are great to get the feel for the machine. And a skirt, a simple A-line, is a good option for a first garment. The first few pieces I made were with clearance fabric, not junk, just fabric on sale...off season fabric, etc. If the garments didn't come out as expected, I didn't want to be out $50 in fabric.

Good luck with what whatever you decide on. And don't forget to show us pics!

 

[PS]

My sewing machine should be here in a week or so! I am very excited. Dh decided a new machine was the way he'd rather go, thought an older used machine might already have too much of it's own personality. So I will have bells and whistles very shortly.

I noticed that Joanns will have a notions sale starting Friday, all notions 50% off. What do I need to get a little arsenal ready? The store isn't horribly close so I can't just run out if I discover there is something I don't have handy..
Also, all Fashion fabrics are 60% off...anything good to start with..basic cotton or just muslin?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

 

[Josephine]

I would get extra needles for hand sewing and for the machine, pins (but not the kind that have the huge colorful heads, my machine has a hole in the needle plate that is the perfect size to catch them @@), thread in all the basic colors and more in black and white...

 

[BonnieJean]

I would get a good pair of scissors and you don't need to get those fancy $60+ ones at first either. A nice pair of Fiskars or medium priced ones would be a good start. And don't let anyone cut paper or anything but fabric with them. You want nice sharp scissors for cutting fabric and thread.

I would also get some regular pins (to pin patterns to fabric and hold fabric pieces together) as well as a pin cushion or better yet, get one of those magnetic ones. They've been lifesavers for me when I've dropped a few pins on the floor and can't see them. Just wave the magnetic pin holder over the floor and it picks the loose ones right up.

A seam ripper would be good too. I'm always needing to rip a few things out and it gets in those tiny stitches way better than scissors. My seam ripper is my friend!lol

A tape measure is good too and I have both a regular fabric tape measure and one that looks like a small ruler with a slider in the middle. I can set it to a desired measurement and then use it to check the width of hem, for example. I use it quite frequently.

I don't know how many extra bobbins you'll have with your new sewing machine. (they hold the bottom thread) But you can pick up a few more--they make 'universal' ones to fit most machines as well as the name brand ones and maybe get a bobbin holder/case too. It saves time not having to change the thread in the bobbin and wasting some of it if you haven't used all the bobbin thread.

That's all I can think of right now that are "essentials" in my sewing box. Oh! You'll want something to put all your sewing supplies in too. You can use anything, but there are some really pretty sewing boxes too.