What is the best way to learn to sew and make clothing?

Question

I have never touched so much as a needle and thread but would really love to learn to sew/make clothing. What is the best route to take? Books, videos, class, just doing it? Thanks

Answer 1

How do you learn best? I've never had an formal sewing lessons, but picked up the basics from my grandmother and the lady across the street who was trained in tailoring. The closest I've come to a real sewing class is a draping and patternmaking class for those of us who sew at home. I've made my share of wadders over the years, but I don't think I've had a total flop in quite a few years.

It would really be useful to you to have someone who sews "walk you through" reading a pattern and proper layout and cutting, and then the basics of machine sewing and pressing. Once you're through that particular set of hurdles, most folks
can pick up quite a bit from some combination of magazines (1)
books, videos, American Sewing Guild or similar organizations, and asking for help on the internet. If you can get a "real" sewing class, it'll help a lot at first. There are also various sewing shows in the US and Canada that can get you in touch with some of the sewing vendors and teachers -- the biggest of which is the Puyallup Sew Expo in late February/early March
each year (http://www.sewexpo.com)

There are a number of faqs around that might help:
http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/sewing/
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

If your local public tv station offers "Sewing with Nancy", the current set of programs are 25 sewing techniques described briefly. THey won't mean a whole lot to you at the moment, but it'd be a nice set to have taped for later.

Internet help: I hang around mostly on the yahoo groups creativemachine and sergers, and on the quiltropolis groups TheCreativeMachine and Justsew. There's usually someone who can help a newbie if we can figure out the problem.

Another method of learning is to take some discarded clothes and a seamripper and take the clothes apart. Look at how the
clothes are sewn and what layers are inside (most home sewn clothes are deficient in interfacing or the interfacing they have is too heavy for the garment!) (Some of my best sewing lessons started with a well made garment in a strange color from the local thrift shop, and my seam ripper.) You could also practice remodeling clothes by adding godets to a skirt (for more swish at the hemline), remodeling t-shirts to fit you better, etc.

I mentioned ASG: That can be a good source of finding folks who sew who can mentor you. http://www.asg.com -- your state group can help you locate a neighborhood group near you -- ISTR that you can attend a certain number of meetings before they ask you to join.

(1)Sew Stylish, which is unfortunately about to be discontinued,
is aimed at the newer garment maker.
http://besewstylish.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?redirCnt=2&webtag=besewstylish It's a sister magazine to Threads, which is probably going to be a bit over your head for a bit, but is well worth looking at for inspiration.http://www.taunton.com/threads/index.asp They also have a beginning sewing guide and helps:
http://www.taunton.com/promotions/pages/nmt060_sewing_rev.asp

Sew News is a little easier for new sewers than Threads, and it's got some good stuff: http://www.sewnews.com/ It has "sew simple" as a companion magazine, and I've not seen that one.
Sew News and Threads are the two you're likely to find at the public library.

Other magazines include the various pattern company magazines like Burda or Simplicity or Butterick or Vogue, Australian Threads, Sew Beautiful, and many others.

Buy a decent machine (used, if money is tight) and good scissors and fabric that has the warp and weft 90o to each other, and sewing life will be easier. Enjoy!

Answer 2

i learned from my mum, but if you dont have someone who can teach you, i would take a class. i know they have them at JoAnnes, and they probably have them at a lot of other craft stores, too. (Michaels, AC Moore, etc)

They teach you how to thread the machine, read a pattern, and they can help you with any problems you run into along the way (that way if your bobbin thread gets all knotted up or something you wont be sitting there wondering why it won't go)... most of the things people make in those classes come out pretty well. i made boxers in 8th grade sewing, and i still wear them as pajamas.

have fun =)

Answer 3

If you have any friends or relatives that sew, that would be best. I've never taken a class, but it seems like that would be a big help in understanding what exactly your doing. Books help a lot, and movies show you what to do, but just doing it would be a little difficult if you've had no prior experience. I'd say find someone who knows and have them teach you.

Answer 4

I recommend beginning with Internet information searches and trips to any local libraries (which may also have videos available). If you do not learn well from books and web-surfing, then consider videos, classes and/or lessons.

Take good care of your materials and supplies. Cherish your needles and scissors. Indulge yourself on thread, get the best *suitable* thread for the project: silk for silk, cotton, for cotton, usually avoid 100% polyester except for 100% polyester fabrics.

I've always recommended *smaller* projects first. The basic "smaller" projects are doll clothes and baby clothes. You can learn nearly everything you'll need to know by working on such things with a minimal outlay for materials. Baby clothes and doll clothes with dolls can be donated to shelters. As experience and competence and confidence build, graduate to larger items.

Watch for pattern sales at places like Joanne's, etc., where they may get down to $1 each. Plan ahead.

If such are available in your area, purchase items to re-make. I coat can become a vest. The legs of large khaki trousers can be disassembled for materials for tailored multi-pocket shorts. A silk blouse can become a silk lining for a bodice.

I figure folk with good dexterity should learn to sew by hand first. They can learn the hand-finishing techniques while they're still doing wee projects. Then they can graduate to machine work, if/when machines are available. Nice "finishing" makes a world of difference. It's good to practice it from the beginning.

Answer 5

When I was about 13, I went to Wal-Mart bought one of the cheap patterns and some inexpensive fabric and just followed the directions. They have patterns that cost less than $2 and a clearance fabric table.
As I continued making stuff, I learned short cuts and how to make stuff fit me. I made all of my skirts and pants through high school.
When there I had an idea of something I wanted but couldn't find it in a store, I would find a similar pattern and alter it.

Answer 6

cutting hair for sure. yes i know i'm just a teen, but i like to sew and it takes a long time to learn how and then a few days to sew and outfit. i can cut my own hair and cutting hair straight across is really easy!

Answer 7

personally i would take classes. they actually show u how to do it properly and u can also learn as u get started and learn as u go along. when i was little i would always watch my grandmother sew. i loved it. i was so amazed by what she could make. take some classes and buy some books. u can do all of the things u listed

Answer 8

when i started, me and my husband bought the most simpliest machine, a shirt pattern and some fabric (not stretch or silky fabric) and i learned from there, turned out ok. but then i started making pillows and pocketbooks, turns out i really love making them better.
my advice. buy a machine new, so that you have paperwork and everything to show you how to use and take care of it.

Answer 9

I like young ladies in jeans. It creates them look more city like and it generally does not appear to be they try too much but if you're looking to get this guys attention, this may not be what you want

Answer 10

I do enjoy wearing long skirts occasionally. They may be actually convenient than Skinny jeans and also much less hot to wear.