What is the easiest piece of clothing to start learning to sew with? This is all new to me and I need lots of help. Thanks and God bless
Debra from Hampton, TN
One of the easiest I think to make are shell type tops and just by adding another piece of fabric that is basically a rectangle in shape to it you can make sundresses in any lenght. You don't even need a pattern if you have a top that already fits you to use as a pattern. you simply lay out your fabric (1 yard will do a top size large or smaller) and get 2 yards for a sundress that would come to your knee) lay out your fabric two where you cut 2 pieces the same for the top. Turn your top inside out then fold it in half, lay the folded side of the top against the folded side of the fabric then cut around the top that your using as your pattern, and cut an ectra inch around your top so you can allow for seam lines. Just turn under the edges of the top on the neckline, sleeves, bottom to if its going to be just a top and hem, your done! If you want a sundress just let your top end where you want your waist line of the sundress to begin, like under the breast, at the waist line.
Pull-on pants or skirts w/ elastic or drawstring waists are very easy (and would go w/ the shell tops suggested by 'theseamstress':) ).
Easiest thing to start learning to sew is an apron. It's the first thing we learned in Home Ec in school MANY years ago! I'm still sewing too. Have fun!!
Try a dirndl skirt. It's basically a rectangle of fabric with elastic for the waistband.
Pull-on pants or skirts w/ elastic or drawstring waists are very easy (and would go w/ the shell tops suggested by 'theseamstress':) ).
If you are young and have a very slim figure, clothing made of rectangles is fine, but it doesn't do much for most figures. I would suggest a very easy pattern--most pattern companies have them.
I agree that pull ons are easier but I would use solids for the first few garments. There is a brand of pattern that is at most fabric stores. It's called Sew Easy. When you buy elastic for your waistband get pajama elastic. I discovered a long time ago that it is more confortable.
If you start getting frustrated just put it away and come back to it later. You will ruin a nice garment if you try to sew while you are upset. Good luck! It's a lot of fun and you can save a lot of money making your own clothes. The best part is it's not made in China.
Although elastic waist pants and skirts are easy to sew, they rarely look good on anyone. You will enjoy sewing more if what you sew is something you can be proud of. Like one of the other posters, I would recommend your sewing an apron. They're easy and still look great. Also, pajama pants in flannel are all the rage for wearing to bed or around the house, and they are very easy to sew while allowing you to perfect your sewing skills.
If you'd like to start with clothes, I suggest pajamas. They're relatively easy and getting the fit exactly right isn't as hard as say a pair of pants with a zipper. Plus, if the pajamas don't turn out exactly right, who'll know?! Pillows are also quick, fun and easy projects. If you're not close to a college or fabric store that has classes on beginning sewing, I suggest you check out your local library or online for basic sewing videos and DVDs. Good luck! I hope you'll be patient with yourself as you learn.
Start by making little tote bags. I know it sounds lame, but you'll work on straight lines, seams, sewing inside out, hems, ironing and straps. These skills will help you with every piece of clothing you want to sew.
When you're ready for clothing, sew for a child. I realized I could sew when I made my son sweatpants and a sweatshirt from an "easy" pattern. And he (being a toddler at the time) wasn't as picky about fit as I was.
The most important tip I can give you is keep your iron and ironing board out and handy when you are sewing. Try it, you'll see what I mean !
Have fun. =)
I start my children out with making square pillows out of fleece. It doesn't ravel, and straight seems are a great way to learn the feel of the machine.
Our first pillow is just 2 squares sewn together. After they have that done, we move up to sewing 4 smaller blocks together to make a pillow side.
I have found some great free patterns on the internet to start sewing: simple 1 piece cape/wraps - just need a hem. Simple summer dress pattern, garment bags from pillow cases, just add trim. Walmart has had some great fabric for 1.00 a yard so for a few dollars I have a summer cape, halter style dress, head band and tote with free patterns from the internet.
Making a skirt would be a good starting project. Not to worry: if you can read directions, you can sew anything! A real feeling of satisfaction and pride will be attained with completing a project. Good luck!
Try a simple skirt pattern like this one:
simplicity.com/
It will be easy to make and you'll have something you can wear right away.
Wait to buy patterns until they are on sale-- they go on sale for 99 cents or $1.99 every 6 or 8 weeks where I shop for sewing stuff--otherwise patterns are REALLY expensive.
When I was in school our first project was an apron - the kind that goes over your neck.
It can be intimidating cutting the pretty new fabric that you've just bought. How about taking old, worn out items, and experimenting with them? Take, for example, a worn out handkerchief, trim off the old hem and see if you can make a new one. Or, cut a child's shirt out of a man's shirt.
Drawstring bags are easy to make, and real, real useful for travel and organizing many things around the house. These can be made out of old clothes, or sheets. Don't worry about mistakes, or doing something in an unofficial way. If it works, you can tell us all something new! Anon, londa
Go to the library, book to look at Vogue Sewing, Talbot, McCall's, Sewing for Dummies, what else in sections. I suggested because it is better than buying several books, then make something simple you will use.
Good Luck
patti r
The first thing I made was a dress- if you're just starting to sew you might want to start out with a pillow or something and then move on to clothing once you get the hang of it
When you first want to learn to sew the thought of making something you can wear always fills you with both excitement and the fantastic idea you can make anything, which with time you probably will. My first project (using a sewing machine) was an apron in home ec 7th grade, then a hanging clothes pin bag that was made from a top pattern (it was required but not what I really wanted to make).
I took the pattern home and actually made the top and I was hooked. There is nothing more fulfilling then making something useful with your own hands especially if you are happy with the finished project. I have been sewing now for about 40 years I have made everything from bridal gowns and entire wedding party dresses to my own children's clothing, reupholstered furniture and car seats made matching curtains and bedspreads and nursery sets and awnings, pillows and myself so many outfits and dresses, that people admired and I was so proud to say "I Made Them"
My advice.... start with a skirt
*take rectangle piece of fabric
*hold it up to your waist see how long you want it to be.
*without bending over have someone put a pin at the length you desire. (Remember to allow for hem and waist band about 3inches, you can always shorten lengthening is a bit harder!)
*measure your waist and hips depending which is bigger add six inches to the total.
*fold the material over lengthwise so you will have one seam going up the back of your skirt. Pin along seam.
*sew it straight up the back of the skirt 5/8" with wrong sides together.
*trim 1/8 " to seam... carefully
*Turn skirt wrong side out with right sides together press again along seam...pin
*sew 1/2 in seam along the other sea - this will give you a french seam and a nice finished look. press
*then fold down the top 1/4" (wrong sides together)and press
*with an iron fold down gain 1 1/2 inches and press again
*starting from the back seam sew around the top
1 1/4" from the top and leave aprox. 1 inch opening so that you may run elastic through the opening. (you will hand sew that shut later.
* wrap a piece of at least 1" wide elastic around your waist without stretching it..then pull up til it feels like a snug but very comfortable fit (about 3 or 4 ")-cut it there.
* at the bottom of your skirt turn and press as you did for the top only make both turns only 1/2" for a nice "shirt hem" sew 3/8" around from the bottom starting and finishing at the back.
* Run your elastic through the top at the opening using a safety pin to guide it through- make sure you pin the other end to the opening so it doesn't accidentally slip through. Also make sure the elastic stays flat and does not turn or twist.
* Once through place elastic ends one on top the other overlapping about 1 1/2' and sew along sides a few times back and forth by hand this makes the elastic more comfortable no lumps digging in your side..Ouch! then sew the elastic opening closed by hand and Wah! Lah! you have made your first piece of clothing..without a pattern (more bragging rights) you are on your way...look out world there's no stopping you now... my advice get an easy pattern all patterns in the store that say easy are not always..sometimes easy really means "Pattern maker wants to make a cheap pattern and has left out steps or has hired pattern maker with ADHD and half way through they lost their train of thought = hard pattern even though only has 3 pieces...Ha ha for the experienced sewer..I know you get that..
Any how open the pattern at the store look at how many pattern pieces, what is needed and read the steps involved, picturing what they are asking you to do. Stay away from patterns with many pattern pieces (27-36) stay with like 6 at first and try and have only like up to 10-12 steps.
I am also a fairly new sewer and the first thing that I taught myself to sew was a tote bag. It's really simple and to make it even easier, I cut holes at the top and used an old scarf type thing for an over the shoulder handle.
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Does anyone have ideas for sewing Christmas gifts that would be suitable for a beginner? Thanks very much and God Bless!
Debra from Hampton, TN
You could make placemats if all you can do is sew a straight line. You'll need enough filling to line each one. Aprons are always welcome. Do an internet search for patterns. I make towels to hang on the stove by gathering a towel in the middle and attaching it there to a regulat pot holder and then attaching a button to the pot holder to hang on the handle of the stove. You couldmake these really neat neck warmers stuffed with different kinds of seeds. My grandchildren favor blanket made from fleece with no sewing required becasue the edges are cut and two fabrics tied together. Patchwork pot holders are nice and they can be stuffed with flame resistant material and used as hot pot holders for the table. Those are about the simplest things I can think of and there are a multitude of things that are only a tiny bit harder. Computer searches can turn up lots and lots of ideas and insrtuctions. Martha Stewart has some really good ideas and help.
The Martha Stewart website has a lot of good craft ideas.
How about pillows? Just 2 squares that you would stuff...or table runners....if you did two different prints it would be reversible.
Make a pattern out of old news paper and make a Christmas stocking. They are easy and you can buy the iron on letters for the top. I have made a lot to give as gifts. If you have the money, buy the pattern from joAnns when they have the 99 cent pattern sale. It also comes with patterns for table runners, a stuffed Christmas tree which is easy to make. I believe a few other things, most of it is easy sewing, and it's basic. everyone likes Christmas stockings. both for decorations and for use.
I have adjusted the pattern many times to enlarge or shrink. Depends on what I want to use it for. I made small ones to give with a candy Kane and say a gift card to give as a present.. If you know someone who has pets make a flat pet pad.. its just an enlarged place mat. Just put some batting in it and sew about 2 inches inside from the seam. to Keep the batting in place when washing.
I used fleece and some batting makes nice ones. I give some to the SPCA. they are washable also. pillows, something else draft tubes. It's just a tube you make and then fill an old nylon stocking to put inside to put at the doors or windows to stop the drafts from coming in. But most of all be brave and try things that are on the curve or straight lines. You will surprise yourself how nice and how much you can make. Good luck.
You can buy cheap-ish potholders (2 for $1.00 at the Dollar Store), fold in half & sew up one side & along the bottom. These make neat potholders for iron pans or other pans that have handles that get very hot. Can't beat 2 gifts for $1.00.
Cloth napkins are also very easy to make. Just cut out 12" X 12" squares & hem. I bought a bunch of cheap napkin rings, & I plan on pairing them up with the napkins.
You can also make a wonderful gift by sewing 2 pieces of cloth together - I like long pieces maybe 12" x 25", but other sizes work. Fill with rice & possibly add a scent. You put these into the microwave & heat up to put around your neck or arms or whatever.
Thanks to each for all these great ideas! This will help me so much! May God bless each of you!
Check out the pattern books in aprons. They are so cute now and very retro, and most are just straight seams, too. Another thing you can do with the pot holders is having the hanger part up, fold the other two sides in the middle, overlapping one just a little. Hot glue or sew and decorate, then put a 1.00 tree scissors and a small sewing kit n them.
I love to sew with polar fleece. It is not always cheap but you can often find blankets, hats and scarves to embellish at $1 and discount stores.
For the blanket you can sew on a square of cloth at the top the size of a pillow in the middle for a quillow. You can then fold the blanket in toward the pillow and fold it up and put it in the pillow. You can also make neck rest for car seats or scented pillows. Polar fleece hats are $1 at my local dollar store. you can embellish them with sequins, fabric paint or cat, bunny,dog, ears which is all the rage with preteens and teens into Annamae(sp?) My daughters hat is a walrus and she is 16! Also big with kids this year are ugly dolls, look on line they are easy to make.
I am making my newly adopted nephew a lavender and barley hull stuffed bunny to calm him. See if you can get scraps of fleece on your local freecycle or at the thrift shop.
fleece is fun and easy to use!
The first sewing project I did was a bag with the top cinching closed. It could be used over and over again to take to the grocery store.
I would say a table runner would be a great present, even a reversible one! You could make it holiday oriented or the colors of the persons house.
Start small: Cut two 10-inch squares of fabric, and one 10-inch square of an old towel. Put both fabric squares down wrong side up, then the towel square. Double a four-inch piece of ribbon and lay it down at one corner, with the fold towards the center of your piece, and the two ends sticking out a bit over the edge, Stitch around all four sides, but leave an empty space along one side, about four inches long.Now, reach in through the empty space and turn the whole thing inside out. Your two fabric pieces are now right side out, and the towel piece is in the middle. And, without any fuss, you also have a hanging ribbon. Machine stitch carefully along the space where you turned everything inside out.
POT HOLDER! You can make these from scraps. You can put old washcloths in the center for insulation. You can buy some stuff called Insulbrite to put in the middle. Have fun.
I am looking for sewing ideas. I need help making purses, pillows, and things for the home. I would also like to make recycled bags for grocery shopping. I am a beginning sewer. I have made rice bags and a few pillows. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Go to www.sewmamasew.com and click on the "blog". They have all kinds oftutorials, patterns, tips, etc. for the beginning seamstress as well as the more experienced sewer.
A good site for beginners is www.about.com. They have many different categories, so just search for sewing, etc. You should be able to find instructions there.
There is a wonderful web site with all kinds of tutorials on www.craftster.com. It's free, or you can pay to join to participate in swaps and stuff.
Try Tipnut.com They have easy-to-do sewing patterns. And they have alot of other good things too.
Take a long look at a shopping bag in the store and you'll figure it out.
You could also check with your local library and see if they offer classes. Our library has quilting classes and other "craft" classes.
Since I tried to sew on my new sewing machine I have had so much trouble with the thread clumping on the bottom of the material that I got discouraged in trying to do this.
I have tried adjusting the tension on the top part and still no luck.
I am so happy that you are going to sew.
It's really worth the effort.
I was having the same problem with clumping thread on the bottom of my material as I sewed. It was a new machine. I took it in and paid dearly for servicing. They said they didn't have a problem with it after they serviced it.
I brought it home and it still did. I took it to a different sewing center and the lady told me 90% of these problem. My new machine was doing the same thing - clumping on the back side of the material I was sewing. I have it servms are "a threading problem."
I really doubted her, as I have sewn for a long time, but this was a new machine. I watched her carefully as she demonstrated. I said "I do it right." She told me I wasn't pulling the thread tight enough for it to "click" (before threading the needle.) It has to go into a groove, that you can't see because it is inside the sealed machine head. That is where the tension is applied. Sure enough, I have had no problems since them. She said she sees this all the time. Hope it works for you.
