I Want to Learn How to Sew

I took a class at the local fabric/sewing store. It was great to have someone there that knows what was going on to help even my most basic mistakes.

All of our local fabric stores have classes in;

sewing
knitting
quilting
pattern making

From beginner to advanced

If you're a church goer ask some of the little old ladies if one of them will teach you!

Also check into your community colleges adult education classes!

I am going to suggest some different things.

If you have a sewing machine or can borrow one from MIL then get it set up.
Set the machine up with no thread. Make sure the needle is there. Take normal college ruled note book paper and practice sewing down the lines. This task will help you get used to the machine workings. Like putting down the presser foot, holding the paper from the front only just to guide it not push or pull it, it will help you to learn to keep your seams straight, so many other things. It will help you get over the nervousness of the first time on it.

Open the little door by the light to see how to thread the machine, most are basically the same. The spool goes on a post somewhere, probably the top, then the thread comes out and follows a path. Once it is down the front and ready to go in the needle you can lick the thread to get all the wispy ends smoothed out, this makes it easier to go in the needle hole.

Once the needle and the bobbin are filled I want you get some old useless fabric, an old shirt, an old hand towel, stuff that can go in the trash. Practice sewing 2 pieces of it together. If you have trouble seeing the line on the machine that is the 5/8 seam guide put a piece of masking tape along the side of it so you can see it better.

Practice sewing and it will help you get familiar with the machine, get used to how it feels to be sewing without ruining some fabric that cost too much, and it will make you feel more comfortable. Once you have gotten used to the machine and have some confidence built up, I estimate maybe 4-6 hours with ALL this, maybe even just a couple of hours. This is how my sewing teacher in Jr. High taught me to sew and I sew nearly perfect seams.

i suggest you choose patterns the first few times that do not close with a zipper or buttons or that have any kind of a lining. Facings are my favorite to do but they are tricky for a new seamstress so I would suggest something very easy and not complicated.

Here are some ideas for first time pattern users.

Jammie bottoms are very easy, they have a turned down waist that has elastic through it. The other seams and the hem can just be sewn on the machine.

This one is McCalls and even the top could be sewn with no closures.
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5504-products-8016.php?p...

Sew snuggies for Christmas gifts
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5970-products-10557.php?...

There are lots and lots of patterns out there that are very easy. Talking to the person who is cutting your fabric can sometimes be a good idea, sometimes they don't have any knowledge about sewing, they just cut the fabric for their job.

Take the instructions out and look at them (Be very careful, don't tear them, fold them back up just like they were), do you understand what they are saying? Are they too complicated and use lots of terms you don't understand? Then they may just be too hard for you at this beginning stage. So many of them are step 1...do this, step 2....do this, etc...and can be easy to "get" once you do them hands on so don't get discouraged.

Watch for patterns to be on sale for $.99 at Hobby Lobby if you have one close by. Also, look at thrift stores and second hand stores. They often have boxes of patterns for a quarter or less. Make sure if the pattern is all there and if it is cut on a different size than what you need. I have bought some like that and ended up using them eventually for other people.

Community colleges often have adult ed classes in sewing!

My DIL just bought a machine and a book and has sewn a couple of outfits for her 3 yr old just recently, she's loving it. Many fabric stores have in store lessons for beginners to teach you the basics. With desire, you'll pick it up easy and be on your way.

Just saw this on Pinterest and thought that it might help. http://pinterest.com/pin/62346776061055154/
I've been sewing for so long (watching Mom and Grandma) that I really don't remember that much about learning. Now I need to teach my girls.

You can also try Youtube. I know the basics of sewing and that's it. I sew my own skirts for my ballet students. I'm terrible!!! LOL But I've been watching tutorials on youtube and it helped me SOOOOOOOO much!! I've been doing it by hand because I broke my sewing machine, which I barely know how to use which is probably why I broke it...LOL I love to sew. Good luck!

First of all the best, cheapest way to learn anything is to head to the public library. Here there are no less than a hundred books on sewing. Everything from the idiots guide to how to make your own patterns.

Second, most all craft stores be it Hancock fabrics, Joann's, Michael's and lots of others have lessons. They aren't terrible expensive and the ladies are very very knowledgeable!

Third, most community colleges have non credit courses a couple times a year. Ours here has pry a dozen classes on sewing. Everything from basically the home ed style stuff you are describing to sewing an entire garment.

Fourth, you can call most any seamstress in your area and express your desire. Most would be happy to let you observe for free or even a small fee. I've had several people actually do that with me. They usually want more to see how to thread their machine, load a bobbin, sew on a button with a machine. That sort of stuff. I'd be happy to let anyone come sit with me. I'd never thought of it before till I put something back on my myspace years and years ago and someone sent me a PM I didn't know inquiring if I did sit ins. Since then I've done it quite a bit and I enjoy the company!

Contact the local High School Home Economics department and ask one of the teachers. You should also look into a local technical or continuing education school they may have beginning sewing classes. Local fabric shops such as JoAnne Fabrics may also be able to tell you or they may hold classes there.

If you were closer to me I could teach you how to sew.

You sign up for classes at your local fabric & sewing store.
Stores like this always have classes.