Are sewing lessons necessary?

[cocodog]

I'm sure that lessons would be helpful, but definitely not necessary. I hate to follow all the rules, and lessons would have supressed my interest for sure. When my daughter was born, I bought a Singer and a book, and have been sewing ever since (9 years). After about 6 months, I upgraded to a Viking, but not until I knew that I would be using it alot.

Good luck-- sewing haa really been a gift for me.

 

[KerriMc]

I took sewing lessons about three years ago ... I was on maternity leave with my 2nd dd and the woman offered lessons for two hours on Tuesday afternoons. My main goal was to learn to sew so that I could learn to quilt. I knew nothing about sewing, so I really liked the lessons. It was just the woman and sometimes another quilter or two that she would teach in her sewing room over her garage. It was a lot of fun actually. It wasn't like some boring long lecture. She had a simple program for beginnig sewing that we followed. First I made a pin cushion, then a small bag, a pair of pj pants, and then a nightie. Then my big "finale" was to go and buy a pattern myself and make it there with her help. I chose to make some pjs for my oldest dd. It was nice to have her walk me through a pattern. I didn't own a machine when I started, but I ended up buying a Husqvarna Viking machine, just like the ones she taught me on. She is an amazing seamstress and also an awesome quilter. I took lessons for about three or four months and then took my first quilting class. I haven't taken any more lessons, but have taken many quilting classes and have tried patterns on my own (Halloween costumes) and I have muddles my way through them. I think the more practice the better you get. I did pick up a pattern for sundresses for the girls, and I should try to make them soon (before summer is over ). I also have the material and pattern for a Cinderella dress. I am going to attempt it ... but first I must organize my sewing/office before I can think about doing anything!!!

Good luck ... it is LOTS of fun!! Quilting is VERY addictive though (and not cheap!!)

Kerri

 

[summerrluvv]

I'm feeling confident!
I just need a machine.​

Maybe you will find one at Goodwill hehe

 

[babiesX2]

Maybe you will find one at Goodwill hehe

Actually, there was one there a few weeks ago, but it made me nervous because it didn't have an instruction booklet or many of the attachments (like the sewing foot ).

I went to the sewing shop downtown yesterday (bought a really nice skirt from the boutique next door's sidewalk sale ). It is a Pfaff retailer, and she gives lessons on whichever machine you buy plus she gives 100% trade-in value if you upgrade within the 1st year of purchase. I'm pretty sure I will get one of her Hobby Pfaff's. I like to support our local downtown merchants whenever I can. I save so much buying second hand whenever possible that I deserve at least one new thing, right?

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[babiesX2]

Good luck ... it is LOTS of fun!! Quilting is VERY addictive though (and not cheap!!)
Kerri

My G'ma was a quilter. Her last quilt was a real Grande Finale! She spent 3 years hand quilting a "Cathedral Window" quilt. Every stitch she did by hand. None of it was on a machine. It was the only quilt that she didn't make from scraps. My mom and her brothers bought bolts of matching material when she started. That is talent and dedication that I will probably never realize in myself. I have to stop talking about it or I will cry.

 

[jeankeri]

This thread has made me want to get out my machine and sew!!! Quick follow-up question reatterns; which brand/type would you recommend for a beginning sewer?

 

[jjan]

This thread has made me want to get out my machine and sew!!! Quick follow-up question reatterns; which brand/type would you recommend for a beginning sewer?

Like Bobcat mentioned... avoid the $1.xx & $2.xx patterns that they sell at say Wal-Mart and Jo-Ann's and also any of the styles of "Quick Sew" patterns that Butterick, Simplicity and McCall's offer. It is much better to get an easy style of a regular Butterick or McCall's pattern... the directions are more descriptive and fuller. I also have had horrendous luck with the cheapy patterns where the directions are incomplete, difficult to understand or just plain wrong. Kwik Sew is also a great brand with nice quality patterns that aren't made out of tissue so they last longer. An over-the-head sundress that has no button holes, zippers etc. make a pretty good place to start for someone with a bit of sewing experience. Good luck and happy sewing

 

[jeankeri]

Thanks jjan!!

 

[bobcat]

I went to the sewing shop downtown yesterday (bought a really nice skirt from the boutique next door's sidewalk sale ). It is a Pfaff retailer, and she gives lessons on whichever machine you buy plus she gives 100% trade-in value if you upgrade within the 1st year of purchase. I'm pretty sure I will get one of her Hobby Pfaff's. I like to support our local downtown merchants whenever I can. I save so much buying second hand whenever possible that I deserve at least one new thing, right?

Thanks for all the replies!

Having a local dealership you trust makes a world of difference. Good luck picking one out. They should let you try the machines before you buy so you can get one that meets your comfort level.

July is my sewing month. All year long I am either doing things for other people or too busy. I bought myself a new Sue Houseman book, which now come with her show DVDs which is wonderful since our PBS station doesn't carry her, and there are quite a few projects I want to do for me. My best friend also moved this weekend and has tons of windows in her new place so I think I will be doing curtains for her as well. I also signed up for a towel swap on another message board and I need to get the embroidery done on that. I have lots of projects that should keep me busy all month.

 

[babiesX2]

Bobcat, I watch Sewing With Nancy on PBS! PBS is one of my fav channels. I don't watch much tv.

 

[va32h]

I am a self-taught sewer, and yes, you can do it. You just need patience.

You seem to have already made your decision about a machine, so my bits of advice would be:

Really do follow the directions, at least at first. I tried to save time by not pinning in my facings or basting things into place, and I always ended up having to rip out those seams!

Some things that are worth investing in - good scissors, I have Ginghers, and they have a lifetime guarantee, they are wonderful. Don't let anyone else in the house touch your fabric cutting scissors!

Fabric - I am biased, because I happen to own a website where I sell fabric. But let me tell you - cheap fabric and cheap thread will ruin your sewing project.

Cheap cottons, like the $1/yd stuff at Walmart - is made of lesser quality goods. It will ravel and shrink up like crazy, in addition to just feeling stiff and yucky. Some of my favorite fabric makers include Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Marcus Brothers, Free Spirit, and Moda. All the Disney stuff is licensed to Spring Industries, which is also a quality brand. There are lots of fabric makers that will only sell to independent retailers, so look beyond Hobby Lobby/Hancock/Joann when shopping for fabric.

Thread - don't get 100% polyester thread. It will literally melt when you iron it. I would suggest cotton covered poly thread.

I do not have a serger, so I use Fray Check on my projects, it's a liquid seam sealant.

To pre-wash or not pre-wash is a big debate among sewers. Personally, I prefer not to pre-wash. The fabric feeds through my machine more smoothly when it is unwashed.

 

[joha]

Thanks for starting this thread, I've also been entretaining the idea of sewing... I bought a Viking for my mom at JoAnns about two years ago, and the other day, the manager @ Jo-Ann's told me that I might still be able to get free lessons...we'll see.

Could anyone recommend a book? I was thinking of buying sewing for dummies.

Thanks!

 

[jessica52877]

My husband got me a cheap one at walmart, brother, it was about $150 7-8 years ago, even cheaper now because I kept saying I wanted to learn how to sew. I got a pattern for a crib set, cut it out, read it, made up as I went along what I didn't know and turned out an awesome set for my son! All my friends were jealous that mine was so special and had every touch I wanted.

I did start this 5 years before i had my son, wanted to be prepared. And once I was pregnant added a few here and there. It was so easy and wonderful. Since then I have made all kinds of things, one being really cute button down shirts for my cousin and I for our disney cruise. When DS came along I made him matching shorts. All this from someone who still doesn't understand half the sewing lingo.

 

[jessica52877]

A serger, sometimes called an overlock machine, uses multiple threads (usually 4) to finish a seam. Most store bought items of clothing, t-shirts in particular, have serged seams. If you turn up the hem of a t-shirt you will see what it looks like.

The Brother embroidery machine looks like a good deal. Don't be fooled by the list price as these are going for under $500 new. I'm not sure how good of a sewing machine it is but many people seem to like the embroidery part. Machine embroidery is addicting and not a cheap hobby. I won't even tell you how much I have spent on this. It is easy enough that my kids have been doing it since they were little.

You aren't kidding! My mom bought me a quilt book because I always talk about making a quilt but never had, inside page had the brother disney machine, well $4000 later, I had one too! I just love it! I don't hardly ever use it though to embroider anymore, just to make overalls for my son. I go through phases though! They are so so much fun!

 

[bobcat]

Any book by Sandra Betzina is a winner. She has a great knack for explaining the details and she has pictures to further illustrate these ideas. I am a very visual learner so I love books with pictures! There is also a set of books by Singer that I have taken out of the library that are very good.