Sewing Tips For Beginners

Above: Giant lonestar quilt made with fleece, a great beginner's project, and an amazing gift, tutorial here.

Once upon a time sewing was a very necessary skill as folks needed to know how to sew their own clothing and household items. Today sewing is generally a hobby rather than a necessity, and it has become a fantastic creative outlet. Wearing or decorating one's home with projects you've sewn (and giving them as gifts) is an amazing feeling! And it can be easy on the budget to alter one's own clothing or re-make hand-me-downs. The quilt shown above was made from old fleece blankets! And of course making your own costumes, well, that is both a money saver and a great joy. That said, starting the sewing journey can be confusing and even difficult, as there are materials, skills and basic knowledge that are crucial to success. Take it from me, the most important key is patience, and sticking to your goal, and of course some valuable tips are always helpful.

So, keep on reading and take a look at these sewing tips for beginners and enjoy sewing success!"

Stitches

There are many different stitches that can be used in sewing, and each stitch is used with a specific purpose in mind.

Additionally one needs to take stitch length into consideration. Some stitches are used to create a seamless design, while others are used mainly for hems or to create designs such as ruffles. Whether one wants to connect pieces of fabric or add a purely decorative border learning the difference between stitches is the only way to insure the best results when you take on a sewing project. So do take time to learn which stitches are best for the fabric you'll be using as well as the type of project.Above: Sewing costumes for kids is great for beginners as they don't have to be perfect! The tutorial for this DIY costume cloak is here.

Sewing Machines

Hand sewing is of course a great skill, though it isn’t usually the most efficient way to sew. It is important to invest in a sewing machine if you plan on sewing as a hobby, and to realize that there are many different sewing machines out there. Today's sewing machines might even have a touch screen panel to input the settings you want! Whether you are a beginner or a sewing expert, Jen’s Sewing Machines Website says there is plenty to think about when making your decision. The features, price range, as well as size, are just a few of the issues to think about when picking out a sewing machine. One can decide to go for a minimal investment in the beginning knowing that an upgrade will be necessary in the future, or buy your dream sewing machine from the start. Do what feels right to you!

Creating Patterns

While some experienced sewers may feel comfortable hand drawing the pattern onto the fabric directly, as a beginner, it is preferable to draw out patterns on paper first, or buy ready made patterns. This helps prevent wasting fabric, and also allows you to make multiples using the same pattern. As a beginner, always leave an inch of extra fabric around the actual measurements you take, which is called "seam allowance." It is easier to remove extra fabric later, but if you cut the fabric and it turns out you need to let the seams out a bit, and there is no fabric to spare, the process is much more difficult.

Pinning/ Clipping

After creating your pattern out of paper and throughout the entire project, you will have to ensure that the fabric lines up correctly and as symmetrically as possible. Some patterns require folding the yardage in half in which case this is particularly important, especially if the fabric has a pattern on it. Use pins to hold everything in place, and check to make sure your pattern placement is correct. If the fabric you are working with is too thin or is easily marred by pins, then you can use clips instead. Clips do not leave any traces after removal, unlike pins which can leave a rip in the fabric if you aren’t careful enough. 

I hope these simple guidelines will greatly help you as you begin your sewing journey. Take a deep breath and enjoy the process without any expectations or pressure, and with a bit of practice and a dose of self confidence, you may just end up being the newest sewing expert in town!

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