“I wish I could learn to sew just like you!” and “Make me one of those!” are the most common responses when I show people things I’ve made. Sewing isn’t a mystical gift, you too can learn if you have the desire to do so! I’ve put together a resource pack for beginner sewers because while the internet is brimming with information, the trick is knowing where to begin, and what to look for.
How do I use a sewing machine?
- Read the manual! If you bought the machine second hand, google the brand and make, people often upload scans of manuals.
- Sewing Machine 101 – walks you through setting up your machine for the first time (or maybe even the tenth time, it takes a while to get the hang of it somehow!)
- Learn to Sew – Tilly and the Buttons has written a lot of great posts on learning skills and trouble shooting problems. Go ahead and bookmark it – I promise you will need it!
How do I use a sewing pattern?
- Understanding Sewing Patterns: Part 1, Reading A Pattern Envelope and Part 2, Cutting Out The Fabric Pieces.
- All of Professor Pincushion‘s videos look great! This one covers cutting out pattern pieces from commercial sewing patterns.
- If you want to venture into the world of downloadable sewing patterns, Burda has a guide to piecing together their pdf pattern print outs. (Burda patterns are not fantastic for beginners, as they don’t have thorough instructions.)
Sew a better garment.
- Colette’s seam finishing round up has links to their own detailed seam finishing tutorials.
- Basic sewing machine stitches.
- Tips for making you a quality sewer.
- 40 sewing hacks & tips – learn to turn a crisp collar, sew ruffles and make a rolled hem… amongst other tips!
Some free sewing projects for you to try.
- Cake Patterns free t-shirt pattern – for up to 59″ bust.
- Copy a t-shirt and create your own pattern.
- Draft and sew a skirt.
- How to make a half-circle skirt.
My top tips for beginner sewists:
- Buy as good a machine as you can afford. Don’t be afraid of vintage machines, in fact the heavy metal sewing machines are likely more durable than the new plastic ones going for the same price.
- Get your sewing machine serviced regularly.
- Read the manual. I still refer to my manuals, especially for my overlocker.
- Buy nice sewing shears. Don’t let anyone else use your shears, and don’t use them on anything except for fabric.
- Use nice thread. Cheap thread is ok on my newer Husqvarna but my Pfaff can’t deal with it.
- Change your needle for every 8 hours of sewing time. Use the correct needle for your fabric weight. Buy German made needles.
- Your size in sewing patterns may not be the same as your size in ready-to-wear garments. Often it is bigger. Don’t be afraid, get out a tape measure and cut your correct size.
- Read the instructions! So many people skip this step and when you’re starting out it may seem like a bummer but many commercial sewing patterns contain a lot of valuable instruction. You paid for the instructions, don’t just chuck them out!
- Trace your size from the original pattern. Use tracing paper or some lightweight non-fusible interfacing. This way you can keep the multi-size pattern and run up different sizes for yourself or your friends.
- Sew up a trial version of your garment in cheap fabric. This is called a muslin or a toile, and it’s a worthwhile endeavour if you don’t want to spoil your nice material. You can use it to alter your pattern so it fits better – just transfer the nips and tucks to your paper pattern.
- Take the time to finish the seams in your garments nicely. Press and baste if needed. A little extra effort leads to a better result you will be proud to wear.
- Shop at a local fabric store with knowledgeable staff, rather than a chain store with non-sewing staff. Advice is only a question away!
Resources for plus size sewing
A huge list of plus size independent pattern designer links for plus sizes.
The Curvy Sewing Collective also has a list of patterns that offer plus sizes.
Follow Natalie’s board Plus size sewing on Pinterest.
My Pinterest board for Plus Size Sewing collects more and more links every day!
Nice post with useful info for beginners. And thanks for sharing my list of patterns. Glad you like it.
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Hi Natalie,
Please forgive my leaving this in a comment, I couldn’t find an e-mail address for you. I’m making an index of Australian sewing bloggers,which you can find here: http://iammsfrizzle.blogspot.com/2014/12/sewists-of-australia.html I hope you don’t mind being on it- just let me know if you want to be removed. Thank you!
Where did you get your dress form?
WOW! This is super, duper helpful. Thank you so much for posting this. I myself am a total newb when it comes to sewing but I really love doing embroidery and screen-printing, so I thought I might as well should learn how to make clothes since I know how to make designs. This is a great start, I’ll be looking at all these links religiously in the next couple days. (Especially love the how to make a t-shirt out of t-shirt tutorial, I am planning on making a t-shirt for a project so this looks like a good start)
The anatomy of sewing machine to the patterns, garments, sewing projects and everything in it are all useful for a beginner like me. Maybe I should push myself in doing a simple skirt of shirt as a good start of my new hobby (hope will turn to business). lol
Great Work..
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