How did you learn to sew?

[UmmZahra]

The question is pretty straight forward...how did you learn to sew?

I bought a sewing machine (nothing fancy just the basics)and I'm set out to learn to sew. I got a pattern and some fabric and although the pattern said "easy to sew" it looks a bit difficult. I'm going to buy more discounted fabric to practise on. My goal is to be able to sew my own clothes, decorate the house with drapes/pillows and throws.

I did make a pillow once about 6 years ago in school. so i have some experience.

[KariM]

Well...I spent years watching my mama and my grandma sew. When I was 10 mom let me try a few seams on some clothing she was sewing.

When I was 11 I took my first home ec class that had a sewing unit. I continued to take a home ec class or sewing class each year until my senior year of high school.

So...it was a combination of seeing people sew and instruction in school.

These days I use books if I want to learn techniques I don't yet know/practice. I like the Vogue sewing books.

[sabrinat]

Get ye to thee library . Also hop online. There are a ton of virtual sewing circles. Sewingmamas.com (tell them sabrinat sent you ), sewforum.com, patternreview.com to name a few. Just go for it. Get some budget fabric and a good pattern. I highly recommend Kwiksew. They generally sell them at Hancocks and online. They are wonderful to learn on and provides a ton of hints to help you learn to sew.
Good luck! Sewing is fun!

[milehighmonkeys]

My mom taught me when I was a kid. From there I just jumped into projects, sometimes improvising when I would come across a technique she hadn't taught me.

I made a quicksew pattern last week. It went together really fast.

[Angelorum]

I made pajamas with my mom when i was a teenager. A couple of skirts later, and i decided to make an intermediate level vintage prom dress complete with boning in the bodice. I say, get some bargain fabric (as long as it's easy to work with) and be fearless. Most of what you need to know is printed in the pattern instructions. And when you're having trouble interpreting those, ask around online or people irl you know who sew.

[rere]

.http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=rere

[UmmZahra]

Oh thanks for the link. I didn't see that.

Today I found a flyer posted at the local FabricLand for a free sewing group at a community centre - including childcare! I'm so excited.

[Sleepy Owl]

Originally Posted by UmmZahra

Oh thanks for the link. I didn't see that.

Today I found a flyer posted at the local FabricLand for a free sewing group at a community centre - including childcare! I'm so excited.

That sounds awsome!!!

[granola_mom]

I went to a class a year ago but was disappointed with it. It depends how you learn I guess. But I had a bad experience... it wasn't like they wanted to teach us how to sew so much as get us to sew a skirt and be done with it. Then when the class was done I did remember how to do the actual sewing but not crucial things like how to thread my machine. I really like learning from books. That's how I learned to knit. And from online tutorials. I like the teach yourself visually series. I have the one for knitting, handspinning and sewing and they have been good to me. Worth the money.

[comamma]

I watched my Grandmother sew a lot, and I took home economics in 8th grade. I still need a bunch of practice though

[melibee]

I've been sewing for more than 15 years now, but I'm completely self-taught. I began sewing on the old machine that my mom kept on the shelf, then begged for my own machine for my 16th birthday. The year that I turned 16, I got my drivers license, a job, a sewing machine, and an addiction to fabric.

Even at 16, I spent all my extra $$ on fabric!

[courtenay_e]

I sat on my mother's lap while she sewed from the time I could sit. By the time I was six, she had gotten me a tiny machine just my size, and I was off!