How hard is to to learn how to sew?

Question

How can I learn how to sew? Are there books or websites that can help me? Please let me know if you know anything that can help me. I want to be able to make things like quilts and comforters.

Answer 1

I love to sew and wish I could show you but you can probably find someone, as other person answered, in a fabric store or craft shop. They sometimes give short classes too, because they want to sell fabric, so it's helpful to everyone.

Starting with something square and simple is certainly the best, such as a table cloth, then move to pillow case, then quilts would be a great plan. There are many ways to go about making quilts, and this would give you practice with the seams and the sewing machine, too.

With the sewing machine, there are some simple steps that can make a lot of difference, and you will hopefully have the instruction book that came with the machine. That would be a life-saver!
Some of these things are: filling the bobbin and loading it into the machine, *tension!*, stitches: forward, reverse, length of stitch and straight stitch and zigzag. Buttonholes can be challenging sometimes. Sleeves and collars are also "entertaining" for those with patience! Practice will make it easier though so don't give up when you get to that.

After you are comfortable with those square, simple and pillowcase type projects, and quilts you could start working with 'Easy' clothing patterns, as they are labeled that way which is helpful.

When you start with clothing, some helpful things to remember are:
-make sure the fabric is FLAT and smoothed out when you pin the pattern on it and cut it out.
-think of what you want the finished item to look like, and keep referring to that in your mind as you go along. This helps me, when I am trying to think of the best way to put together patterned or textured material, which way the seams should lay, and so on.
have fun!

Answer 2

I am self taught, have been sewing for over 15 years and I teach sewing at the local community college. I always tell my students that the best way to get better is to practice.

I taught myself to sew by picking up a patten labeled "easy" and I just dove in and followed the steps in order. A lot depends on your learning style. If you are good at following directions, and logically working things through, then you can teach yourself by following simple patterns and little by little adding new skills by picking more advanced patterns. Another important thing to remember is that there really isn't a wrong way or right way to do things. Some methods are just better than others and have a better finished look than others. Sewing incorporates a lot of problem solving skills. If you just accept that things will not always go the way that you want them too, it is easier to fix things when it doesnt go as expected.
I have also learned a lot by "deconstructing" things. Here's a suggestion: go to your second hand clothing store or pick something that you no longer wear, take a seam ripper and take the garment apart. You can learn a lot about how garments are constructed just by taking them apart.

Good luck and most of all: Have fun.

I'm not sure of your age, but a trendy, fun website that I love to share with my students is http://www.threadbanger.com
DIY Fashion is a big trend right now and this website offers a weekly webcast of simple ways to turn existing clothes into a creation all your own.

Another great website for some reference guides for basic techniques is: http://www.sewing.org/educator/html/ed_guidelines.html

Answer 3

Most fabric shops have -- or know who has -- classes in learning to sew. It's not hard at all. It's very logical. Once you learn the basics, you just need lots and lots of practice. If you can't find anyone to teach you, go to the fabric store (or the fabric dept in WalMart) and ask about patterns that teach you how to sew as you go. Simplicity has a few of those; other companies probably do, too. I think they're called "learn to sew" patterns, and let you make a totebag, pillow, simple pullover jacket, and things like that. Once you learn how to make the machine work and how to do stuff on it, you can get books on quilting techniques or join a quilt club.

Answer 4

Ask someone if they will show you on their machine. Go to the fabric store and look through their patterns. Get one labeled "easy". On the back of the package it tells you what to buy for material. Then have fun! Make sure you give your friend a gift card to the fabric store for helping you.

Answer 5

it is easier if someone shows you. they will be able to answer your questions and offer practical tips better than a book

Answer 6

Hope this helps!