My daughter will be 17 in a couple of weeks. The only thing she wants for her birthday is sewing machine. I have researched and bought an entry level Brother with 25 stitches, free- arm, etc. I don't have much sewing experience however and am looking for ideas, resources and recommendations for a beginner. She really wants to learn and I would love for her to enjoy this without too much frustration, but i won't be much help in teaching.
Thank you all so much. The information is great! I talked with my mom who is about half an hour away from us. She sewed when I was growing up, arthritis has slowed her down but she offered to help her on a couple of weekends, then we will see if a class is needed at that point. I am going to go to half price books and see if I can find her a book. We will go purchase all the other necessary items with he birthday money she receives from relatives. I really appreciate all the info and lists of things she will need.
My daughter has taken some of the classes at the Make studio and they were great! I think there is a similar place on Lovers in Dallas but can't remember the name of it.
You didn't mention where you live, but there is a cool shop called Make in the Bishop Arts district that offers sewing classes.
http://www.themakesite.com/
Congratulations to your daughter and you. Welcome to the wonderful world of sewing.
The Brother machine sounds great. It is not over the top and it has a few basic stitches in it that will allow her to grow into her machine's capabilities.
Try to find a person or group or store that has classes and sign her up. You may want to sit in on a few to help you understand some of the basics of the machine and sewing. She will need the following:
- straight pins
- tape measurer
- needles - sewing machine (size 12 or 14) and hand sewing assortment
- pin cushion or a magnetic pin holder (I like these so when the pins fall you can run it across the floor and they attach to the holder
- scissors - a pair for cutting fabric and a smaller pair or snips to cut strings
- a possible seam guide for the machine to sew straight lines, should be with machine
- seam ripper to take out crooked seams
- lint brush to clean out areas of her machine (should be with machine)
- some thread - Coates and Clark or Signature brands
- a simple pattern with many straight lines to practice on
- fabric to practice with
- typing paper to practice following curved or straight seams with the sewing machine
- sewing box to put all of the above in to carry about
- iron and ironing board
- a sturdy flat surface to cut patterns out (dining or kitchen table)
- a work area or corner to set up the machine to sew
Just tell her that there are going to be mistakes and it is okay. When she feels overwhelmed as we all do, just put the project down and away for a bit and come back when you are not stressed. Remind her that Rome was not built in a day and neither is a good seamstress. Encourage her to practice her craft by sewing something little each day even it is nothing more than using the paper to sewing straight or curved lines - she is using the machine. Let her try out all the stitches in the machine as she will like some better than others and that's okay. As she gets better she will see the changes in her construction sewing ablities. There are items I have made over the years and I can see my progress and really feel proud of where I was to where I am now.
May she have a great time and make you something as a surprise gift.
The other S.
PS When she gets much better she might want to trade up her machine or add to her machine(s) and continue the experience.
My mom bought be lessons at the local fabric store and it was the best thing ever! The sewing machine can be tricky and a bit overwhelming. The lessons are so great, they teach you everything, we got to make our own clothes and totally got me excited to sew! It taught everything from threading the machine to sewing button holes. I sew all the time now.
She will have some frustration that is part of the learning process. She will need thread, fabrics, sharp scissors (just for fabric - using them for paper will just ruin them), pinking shears, straight pins, thimble, needles, replacement bobbins and the all important seam ripper. A durable sewing basket is in order to hold all of these things. Go to craft stores they often have classes on sewing. Books are great for learning too.
Some of my favorite things that helped me learn to sew was deconstructing an outfit to see just how it was put together and then putting it back together (a project in frustration and fun). She should get on that machine and get a feel for everything the book says it can do.
My Brother machine was the best. It recently met and unfortunate demise in the basement flood of 2010. I haven't had the chance to replace it yet but will some day.
I taught myself largely by just doing small projects. I started on easy straight seam projects like curtains. Also I would recommend either library or second hand bookstores for inexpensive books. I recommend reading the owner's manual in order to fully understand all the machine is capable of. Look around locally for craft stores or private indivdiuals who offer basic sewing classes. Finally I have found the internet to be a great resource (Youtube videos and websites which offer tips and how to's). I love to sew even though admittedly I have more enthusiasm than talent.
Check out CityCraft in Inwood Village. They do some really fun beginner classes and have amazing fabric!
I learned to sew in Home Ec in school. Can't she take that course? If she really is interested buy her some beginner patterns. They are really simple and teach the basics.The brother machines are wonderful I got one for graduation and had it for 25 years. It was still running fine when I got rid of it.Also, there are simple ones already printed on the material. You just cut and sew.
I do not know where u live, but I know that a lot of the cities have parks & rec classes. You may ck and see if they offer sewing. I think that Plano does. They are very reasonable.
Look into some of the sewing classes offered at JoAnns or Hobby Lobby. They should be a good resource. Also, some of the larger JoAnn stores have in store sewing machine sections where there is someone there to show you how a particular machine works. Not sure if they would appreciate or welcome it, but if it doesn't look busy you could always ask that individual to run through some basic stuff. I learned to sew from my Me'ma when I was really little, but a lot of what I learned was through play. I made a small Barbie quilt as one of my first sewing machine projects. It wasn't "pretty" but it gave me a feel for the machine, how much pressure to apply to the foot, different stitch lengths, etc. Get her some inexpensive fabric, thread, a few extra bobbins, a seam ripper, and a pair of fabric scissors (they are different from regular paper scissors), along with the machine so she can work through the manual getting a feel for her machine. The hardest part, I think, will be threading the bobbin and the machine. Sewing from a pattern will be different and a learned art. Again, the classes at JoAnns can help, but she can also Google "reading a sewing pattern" or something similar and I'm sure there are a ton of tutorials online. Measurements will be very important for sewing clothing. Zippers can be tricky as can dart placement. It is a lot of fun, though! Good luck!
I got a sewing machine a couple years ago, not know how to use it at all. The main thing I did was just play with it! I went to a fabric store and got some cheap remnants of fabric and just practiced doing different sticthes. I also got a couple beginner books from the library...those were very helpful.
Your daughter sounds awesome, and you are giving her a tremendous gift! Lots of sewing stores and community colleges offer sewing lessons. If you don't want to fork over even more money for that, there are TONS of DIY kits at craft stores to get her started. Aprons, skirts, blankets, etc...hope that helps!
Most pattern manufacturers make beginner patterns of really cute clothes, so that's one place to start. I'd also go on craigslist or freecycle and grab up some free fabric for her to do a lot of practice on as she gets to know her machine. She'll want to start with simple, non-stretchy woven fabrics before moving on to stretch-knits, so you don't need flashy, silky stuff, but more cotton/broadcloth type fabric.
If it were me, I'd also consider posting at the local fabric store for a sewing teacher for your daughter, or looking to see if there's one around. Having a human being to help both encourages and motivates learners. One experience that worked well was teaching an eleven-year-old how to sew. This was her birthday present, and we did the whole thing together. (It was a three-tiered gathered skirt. She knew a LOT about gathers when she was finished.) My advice would be to find a patient teacher who can work with her through an entire project. Some teachers will choose the projects and offer some 'styles' for the student to choose, and will help the student to build a foundation of skills that they can then take and use for their own pursuits.
I'd also get her a small sewing kit. You can put this together yourself, and it can go into a basket or other non-fabric carrier. (I've found that needles can fall out and get stuck in fabric.) She'll need a pincushion, decent fabric scissors, a seam ripper, some needles to fit her machine (your local fabric store can help you--just bring the machine manual to the store with you), some thread and bobbins to fit the machine. She's going to need to use an iron and ironing board, and a little tool called a sewing gauge, for measuring seams. A tape measure, too. A packet of hand-sewing needles is also necessary, for handstitching hems and casements.
What a lovely present for your daughter. I hope she comes to enjoy sewing--it can be a lifelong pleasure!
How about classes at either a sewing shop or through your local community college?
JoAnn's in Lewisville offers classes.
For home, she will need the machine, extra needles, GOOD scissors, canned air to blow lint out of the machine, iron and ironing board, fabric, and thread (and other notions based on the pattern).
Sign up for JoAnn's newsletter so you get coupons!!!
JoAnn's offers beginning sewing classes. I would definitely sign her up for one!
You may want to check your local fabric store because many offer intro to sewing classes. It has been a long time since I was a sewing teenager, but I used to make a lot my own clothes. If that is what she wants to do, rather than other crafting, you should take her to pick out a simple pattern and fabric. The best way to learn is doing. I believe most patterns have skill level indicated somewhere and the back of the ppackage will tell you how much fabric and what notions you will need. Inside the packet are very explicit directions that any 17 year old could follow. I don't know if it is entry level, but I had a subscription to Burda which had a free pattern each month and sewing tips. And I would insist on watching Project Runway (okay, just kidding about that).
It sounds like lots of fun.
C.
Joanne's Fabric offers sewing classes
I wish you could find my husbands Aunt Rosetta in Flower Mound, she sews well and could give her lessons. I would see if Hobby Lobby or Michaels have beginning sewing classes, or call the local Jr. High or High School Home Ec. teacher and ask her if she know of any classes.
I enjoyed taking sewing classes with my MIL at a big event in OKC, even though we both sewed well we both learned new techniques. It is always fun to have a specific time alloted to spend doing a craft one loves.
I would say let her pick some patterns at Hobby Lobby when they are on sale for $.99 and not expensive. It should be something easy, not 5-6 garments in one, just a top or skirt a simple dress to start, maybe elastic waist not zipper or buttons. I think buying a less expensive fabric too.
I buy seconds, or flawed fabric, at Hancocks to make patterns the first time if I know they'll have to be altered. I know my hiney is huge so if I get a pattern that is more fitted in that area I make it with fabric that can be torn up or used over and over then I am not wasting anything. I make it then fit it to me and then use the yucky fabric as the pattern piece, to cut out the nicer fabric.
Good luck in this adventure. I hope she finds a craft she will enjoy for many years to come.
Oh yes, call the local University extension number too. They often have older ladies groups that do sewing for donations and stuff and they may let her come and learn. Also, Denton County should have a county fair and she can enter stuff she has sewn the previous year and may win cash prizes plus ribbons. I did that here in my county and it was such a thrill.
