Can someone suggest a resource that will teach me the most basic of sewing techniques like mending a tear?

Question

I never learned. Now I've torn my comforter and don't know how to go about fixing it. Thanks.

Answer 1

for Sewing :

Sewing can mean the following things:

embroidery, hand sewing, punch needle embroidery, needlepoint, machine embrodery,cross stitching, dress making, etc so to get what you want of sewing you will have type one of the above in the search box of the follow websites : Msn,Yahoo,Google,Info.com and barnes and nobels website

For books on the subject :

All book are available in any bookstore or library


How To Sew Leather, Suede, Fur
by Phyllis W. Schwebke, Margaret B. Krohn

Tailoring: The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket
by Staff of Creative Publishing International

Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew
by Elissa K. Meyrich

Start to Sew: All the Basics Plus Learn-to-Sew Projects
by Creative Publishing International, Creative Publishing International (Manufactured by)

Complete Photo Guide to Sewing: 1100 Full-Color how-to Photos
by Creative Publishing International, Creative Publishing International (Manufactured by), Creative Publishing International

Vogue Sewing
by Vogue, Sixth & Spring Books (Manufactured by)

99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special
by Faith Blakeney, Ellen Schultz, Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic

Basic Sewing (101 Essential Tips Series)
by Chris Jefferys, James Harrison (Editor), DK Publishing (Manufactured by)

Its A Wrap: Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets, and Bowls
by Susan Breier

Simplicity's Simply the Best Sewing Book
by Anne Marie Soto (Editor), Simplicity Pattern Company (Editor), Martha Vaughan (Illustrator)

Sewing for Dummies
by Janice Maresh, Janice S. Saunders, N. Graf (Editor)

Amy Butler's in Stitches: More than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects
by Amy Butler, Colin McGuire (Photographer)

Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches: Photographs, Diagrams, and Instructions for Over 260 Stitches
by Jennifer Campbell, Reader's Digest Editors, Ann-marie Bakewell - a execellent book

Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
by Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton, Jan Eaton, Jan Eaton (Compiler) - another execellent book on the subject

Embroidery Stitches
by M. E. Wilkinson - a very good book

The Embroidery Stitch Bible
by Betty Barnden, Debbie Bradley (Editor) - Get this book. It the best book I know on the subject for you to have. I own one. well worth your money to spend on it.

Embroidery Stitches: Over 400 Contemporary and Traditional Stitch Patterns
by Mary Webb (Editor) - a very good book read it.

Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel
by Marion Nichols - a good book for a beginner to have.

Stitches of Creative Embroidery
by Jacqueline Enthoven

Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques
by Sally Saunders, Anne Butcher, Debra Barrett, Anne Butcher (Illustrator)

The Embroiderer's Handbook: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Stitches and Versatile Techniques
by Margie Bauer

Basic Stitches
by Katie Ebben, Chris Tubbs (Photographer)

Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Designs and Techniques
by Joan Gordon - another good book to have.

Needleweaving and Embroidery: Embellished Treasures
by Effie Mitrofanis


For Machine embroidery ( or sewing machine sewing) :

Sewing for Dummies
by Janice Maresh, Janice S. Saunders, N. Graf (Editor)

Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe
by Wendy Mullin, Eviana Hartman, Beci Orpin (Illustrator), Beci Orpin (Illustrator), Agnieszka Gasparska (Illustrator)

Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques
by Nancy Bednar, Joanne Pugh-Gannon, JoAnn Pugh-Gannon, Joann Pugh-Gannon

ABCs of Serging: A Complete Guide to Serger Sewing Basics(Creative Machine Arts Series)
by Tammy Young, Lori Bottom, Naomi Baker (Foreword by)

Machine Embroidery with Confidence: A Beginner's Guide
by Nancy Zieman

Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs
by Jeanine Twigg, Lindee Goodall

Embroidery Machine Essentials: Basic Techniques: 20 Designs and Project Ideas to Develop You Embroidery Skills
by Jeanine Twigg

Embroidery Machine Essentials: Fleece Techniques
by Nancy Cornwell

More Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Customize, Edit and Create Decorative Designs
by Jeanine Twigg

Embroidery Machine Essentials: Applique Techniques
by Mary Mulari, Jeanine Twigg

Sew with Confidence: A Beginner's Guide to Basic Sewing
by Nancy Luedtke Zieman

101 Ways to Use Your First Sewing Machine
by Elizabeth Dubicki

Everything Sewing Book: From Threading the Needle to Basting the Hem, All You Need to Alter and Create Beautiful Clothes, Gifts, and Decorations
by Sandra Detrixhe

Making an Old-Fashioned Patchwork Sampler Quilt on the Sewing Machine
by Andrea L. Shedletsky

Fine Machine Sewing: Easy Ways to Get the Look of Hand Finishing and Embellishing
by Carol Laflin Ahles

Sewing Machine Guide: Tips on Choosing, Buying, and Refurbishing
by John Giordano

Sewing Basics: All You Need to Know to Begin Sewing Clothes and Home Furnishings
by Wendy Gardiner, Mary Senechal (Editor), Kate Simunek (Illustrator), Martin Norris (Photographer), Paul Forrester (Photographer)

Encyclopedia of Sewing Techniques
by Wendy Gardiner


Hopely this will get you started in the right direction.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Hi:
When I repair a tear or rip, doesn't matter what it is in, I use a fusible backing on the WRONG side to hold the fabric together. Prior to applying the fusible backing, I trim off the frayed threads. Then I put the item in my sewing machine and stitch over the torn fabric using a darning stitch.

If you do not have a sewing machine, or if the item is too large to fit under your sewing machine foot, you can also attach a matching piece of fabric (patch) ON TOP OF THE TEAR if you have any, or find some fabric that closely matches the area of the damage.

You might want to first attach the fabric patch by using stitch witchery or a similar product, then sew down the edges of the patch for reinforcement.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 3

Depending on the tear will depend on how to fix it. If it is along a seam then you can do it with a sewing machine (which I kinda doubt you own) or by hand (requires a needle and thread). If it is a gouge or a square tear (as it were) then it will have to be done by hand and perhaps even patched. If you don't want to have to fool around with sewing it back together and just want to stop the damage you can buy an iron on patch. These can be found in the notions department of any fabric dept in a general merchandise store (WalMart, etc.) or any fabric store. The patches come in a lot of colors and fabric weight and if you ask for help they can assist you in finding the right one. You might also ask while in the store if they could make a referral for a seamstress and if you went about it the right way the seamstress might be willing to sell you some sewing lessons. I do it for a living and offer lessons to anyone who gets tired of having to haul their stuff out to get it fixed.

Answer 4

Hubby's shirts that need buttons. A couple of the kids sundresses that the straps have torn. A pair of the hubby's pants that have to be hemmed. Depends on what it is as to whether I can let it go.

Answer 5

Here is one
http://www.sarweb.org/embroidery/howto/mending.htm
.