Learning to sew--ideas?

[SueZVudu]

I want to learn to sew, and I figure sewing for my dd (age: 5 months) is a good start. I'm visiting my grandmother next month, and she's going to help me get started with a kimono pattern I found in Martha Stewart Baby magazine (yikes!) It's fairly simple, except for the whole bias tape thing, which grandma will help me with. Any other ideas for *simple* baby clothing sewing projects? Nothing with pleats or gathers or anything fancy yet. I just want to get my feet wet. And I haven't got a sewing machine yet, so any suggestions would be great. I've seen some Singers for around $100 at Wal-Mart. Is that too cheap? Do I have to spend $500 to get a decent sewing machine? If so, why?

[ladylee]

Sorry SueZVudu--this is something I'm interested in learning also. Can anyone help :)?

[Kim]

I am by no means a veteran sewer, but can give you some other ideas for easy, quick baby clothes.

Elastic waist cotton or cotton jersey pants are very easy. Do you have a pair that you can pull apart to make a pattern from? Or, buy a pair on super-clearance and use for a pattern. Requires little fabric, and you can make top and bottom matching pieces quite easily.

Little shirts can be sewn together using only square and rectangular shapes. Two squares for front and back, and rectangles sewn along the long side for arms. Did this make sense?

As far as machines go, I didn't do a lot of research. Dh bought me mine as a Valentine's Day gift. :love It does have some nice trimming options, but my next purchase will be either a computerized machine or a serger. For getting some basic jobs done, I'm sure you don't have to spend more than $200. My mom is using the machine she bought over 20 years ago. ;)

Kim

[Elismama]

I'm pretty new to sewing too, have been playing for a few years. I made Eli a beautiful quilt- I used strips and it went together quickly and easily. I've also made all of the curtains in our house. And a doll for Eli.

As for clothing- its a bit too exact for me yet but I'm hoping to give it a try soon- starting with elastic waisted pjs or something.

My mother bought me a $200 machine several years ago. It is not at all fancy, but its easy to use and works well.

I would be happy to share the directions on the strip quilt with you if you are interested.

-jeanie

[Littlefish]

SueZVudu,
First of all, don't be afraid of messing up. Start with easy projects and good, but discounted fabrics. Sometimes inexpensive fabric is cheeply made, but if it is just on clearance because it has easterbunnies on it and it is October then it can be very inexpensive. Why start with inexpensive fabric? So if you hopelessly mess up you can throw it away and think it is OK that was just a lesson in what not to do and it only took $1.

My early projects were PJs and the hems were wavy, but it did not matter because they were only PJs. I like knit fabrics with less stretch for beginners, like sweatsuit material. Superstretchy fabric like ribknits and swimwear fabric can be tricky and wovens need to have the seams finished on the inside or they will fray. Simple projects for your dd could include sweats, which make great playclothes or PJs or simple A-line dresses which have no pleats or gathers.

If there is an independant sewing machine store near you ask them about used machines, or try to find someone who is selling a used machine. Great used machines can be found for less than $100. How long can an old machine last? I just got rid of a 1950 machine that I was given for free from an old neighbor when I was first married, 10 years ago. I could have fixed the machine myself with a $20 part, but it was the perfect excuse to finally upgrade to some fancier stitches and automatic buttonholer. I love my new machine, but if I had gone shopping for a new machine 10 years ago I would not have had a clue what I would need.

Oh, also check out your local library. I have learned so many easy speedier tricks from reading sewing books from my library.

I could keep rambling...Anyway, I hope this helps.

Heather

[Mama2G&E]

I just strarted sewing 1 year ago. My 1st project was my DS holloween costume, it was pretty involved, but came out great. Plus it is just something that he uses to play in so any mistakes are not noticed. Then I moved on to a simple blanket that I put a hood on in...looked like a baby bath towel. I liked the hood effect, it kept the snow off her while going in and out of the house. Anyway that gave me good practice on using bias tape. Then came DD sundresses, and they were easy. I used snaps, or hook & eyes where it called for zippers in the back.

Now I am starting more Holloween costumes.

As for the maching. I am useing my Mothers that she got back in 1971. Nothing fancy at all, but it works great!

Happy sewing.

[hydrangea]

Great thread!

I also want to learn to sew. I have a $100 sewing machine that my MIL bought me a few years ago at some sprawlmart store. I can't tell you how good it is, because I've only ever made beanbags on it, and next time I take it out, I'm going to have to relearn threading it all over again.

I'm about to start making halloween costumes too, and I may break out the machine for those. They are a good idea, as Mama2G&E says, because they're just used for play. I'm just making some capes, some bird wing capes out of silver sequined fabric for the girls (they BOTH want to be birds, a long green cape for me (I'm going to attach leaves and make myself a leaf crown and be Autumn), and a red cape with a hood for the girls' dress up box.

I'd like to be able to sew curtains and pillows and other things for the house.

[Mama2G&E]

Hydranga....I have been looking for a bean bag for my DD but haven't found one I like. I never thought of sewing one. Thanks for the great idea! What did you fill yours with? Can you buy those bean things or would old clothing work?

TIA.

[hydrangea]

Mama2G&E, just so you know, it wasn't a bean bag chair, it was just a little bean bag to throw around, :LOL. I wasn't quite sure whether that was clear.

I made it with some fabric I'd found cheap somewhere, old clothes would do, and I filled it with beans from my cupboard.

[Maribel]

Elismama,

can you share your instructions on the quilt please?

[Elismama]

Maribel-

I will, but not until early next week- I have family coming into town tonight and won't be online again until Monday.

-jeanie

[Elismama]

The quilt resembles a basket weave. Each block is a comprised of five stripes in the following order: calico #1, calico #2, calico #3, calico #2, calico #1. These are then sewn together so that it looks somewhat like this:


=||=||=||=
||=||=||=||
=||=||=||=
||=||=||=||
=||=||=||=
||=||=||=||
=||=||=||=

When selecting materials I found the best combinations had smaller prints. I used a dark blue print with a bit of yellow for #1, a light blue with lots of yellow and dark blue for #2, and a yellow with a little white for #3. the first and third materials had moons and stars on them, tying the whole thing together.

Also- this does not fit a single bed, it is a little smaller. You will have to adjust the pattern to make it bigger if you want to use it as a bedspread. I have also made this as a crib sized quilt for a friends new baby.

Materials (yardages based on 45 inch wide fabric)
1 3/4 yards backing material (flannel is nice)
1/4 yard calico for binding
2 1/4 yards quilt batting (the natural cotton stuff is the best)
1 1/4 yards calico #1
1 1/4 yards calico #2
1 yard calico #3

Cutting list (a rotary cutter and mat makes this very easy)- measurements include 1/4 seam allowance
For backing- 1 piece 45 X 63 1/4 inches
From calico #1- 18 strips, each 2 1/4 X 37 inches
From calico #2- 18 strips, each 2 1/4 X 37 inches
From calico #3- 9 strips, each 2 1/4 X 37 inches
From calico for binding- 5 strips each 1 1/2 X 45 inches


Making Blocks
1. With right sides facing stitch a strip of calico #1 to a strip of calico #2 along one long edge (1/4 inch seam allowance).
2. Next, stitch this to a strip of calico #3 so that #2 and #3 are next to each other.
3. Continue, sewing a second piece of #2 on the other side of #3, and finally a strip of #1 next to the #2 so that you have five strips sewn together in the following order: #1 #2 #3 #2 #1. Press seams to one side.
4. Make nine sets in this way.
5. Measure and cut each long set of strips into four blocks, each 9 1/4 inches long. You will have a little extra material left over (I used this extra to make bean bags) You will have a few extra blocks too.

Make Rows
1. With right sides facing, stitch the right side of the first block to the left side of the second block so that you have a horizontal block, then a vertical block, until you have five blocks together like this: =||=||= Press seams to one side.
Make 4 rows in this way.
2. With right sides facing, stitch the right side of the first block to the left side of the second block so that you have a vertical block, then a horizontal block, until you have five blocks together like this: ||=||=|| Press seams to one side.
Make 3 rows in this way.

Join rows
1. With right sides facing, stitch the bottom edge of the first row to the top edge of the second row. PRess seams to one side.
2. Continue to jioin all 7 rows in this way, alternating them as you go. Press seams to one side.


Binding
You can tie this quilt, or quilt it by hand.
1. With wrong sides facing pin the top, batting, and backing together.
2. Using safety pins, pin each block in the center through the batting and the backing, keeping all layers wrinkle free.
3. If quilting, quilt in any pattern that you want. If tying, tie at the corners with ribbon through all three layers.
4. Trim the batting 1/4 inch smaller than the top, and the backing to the same size as the top.

Finishing
1. With rights sides facing stitch the five binding strips together on short sides, creating one strip that is approx. 6 yards long.
2. With wrong sides facing, fold the strip in half lengthwise and press. Open the strip.
3. Fold each long edge into the center line and press. Fold in half lengthwise again.
4. Pin the seam binding along each edge of the qult so the raw edges are inside the fold of the seam binding. When you reach the end turn the raw edge under 1/2 inch and overlap the other end to finish.
5. Slip stitch the binding to the quilt.

LEt me know if you have any questions. It really is a very easy quilt to make.

-jeanie

[SueZVudu]

Thanks, everyone! I'm all ready to start sewing. Just have to get a machine...And Elismama, I'll be sure to give that quilt a shot.

[mom at home]

Get some patterns at the fabric store that are "easy". They will be labelled as such. Just go through the pattern books until you find something you like that is also easy and go for it. Starting with baby or kid clothes is a good idea because they are small, easy to manage, and don't take as long or use as much fabric.

Also, start teaching your kids to sew at a young age. It's a great skill to have and it makes a big difference to already know when you are an adult. I started using my mom's sewing machine when I was about 7 or 8 making doll clothes and things and have always sewed since. I've really enjoyed doing sewing projects with my kids and my oldest dd (6) is already a good sewer, who can make amazing things by hand and is going to start learning to use the sewing machine while we make her halloween costume this year (a prairie girl dress -she and her friend are going to be Laura and Mary from the Little House books).

Have fun!

[Sandra Dee]

Okay...first, do NOT start with knits!!!! You will lose your mind! LOL!

I am a fairly adept seamstress, and without a serger cannot properly sew knits. They stretch while sewing, resulting in puckers and pulls.

I would definitely recommend starting with woven fabrics (ones that do not move when you pull them in either direction). Also, as the above post stated, fleece (sweatshirt material) is really easy to work with.

You really just kind of have to jump in when it comes to sewing. The best way to learn is to do...and that changes with each and every pattern, let me tell you!

Finally...if there is any way I could get a copy of that kimono that you have, I would be MOST appreciative!!!! I saw a darling kimono-style dress the other day, and I would absolutely love to replicate it.

[Sandra Dee]

Nevermind!!! I found the pattern on her website, downloadable in Adobe Acrobat! :)

Oh..and bias tape is SUPER easy to use. It is basically a piece of stiff fabric, folded in half to form a "v". You just put your raw edge (the part of the fabric that would fray) between the two pieces of bias tape, touching the edge to the interior of the "V" and voila...stich on top of all three layers, in a straight line, and you're done! :)

And, you can usually get a nice White sewing machine on sale at JoAnn or Hancock fabrics, if you have those...for around $100. Make sure you have straight and zig zag stitches, and a button hole function is great! :)

Check out www.joann.com for sales

[gilnikche]

Hey, I saw a beanbag pattern on www.about.com a few months ago!

[herblaunt]

oh, so blessed to have found this thread! You are giving me hope.
I admit that I am wary of my machine. Stems from the 'C' i received in home ec way back in 7th grade for sewing. sigh.
I do remember having a little sewing machine when i was 8 yo. Still have the pillow and stuffed kitty I made. It seemed so much easier then.
the trouble i experience w/ my machine is that when I back track stitch, the thread gets wound weird on the bobbin. Any suggestions for why this occurs?
I will remind myself to pick up a begginners' sewing book at library. I, too want to make a Hallowe'en costume for dd (to be used again for the renaissance wedding the following weekend.)
Where can one find patterns for ren wear?
now, to just find the time and table to hijack for hte next weeks...

Thanks!

[kerc]

Originally posted by herblaunt
the trouble i experience w/ my machine is that when I back track stitch, the thread gets wound weird on the bobbin. Any suggestions for why this occurs?

1. is your bobbin in correctly? I have to consult the how-to guide each time I use the machine.

2. sometimes on my machine the thread (the needle thread that is) slides out of the last little thing holding it before it goes through the needle. I've noticed a direct correspondence with issues with the bobbin.

3. is the tension right?

.....you might also try taking your machine to a place that sells machines (joanns, a local fabric store, etc.) and demonstrating what's going on. the more knowledgeable folks might have a better idea of how to help.

[gilnikche]

I just found this free resource:

Sewing Lessons For Beginners (http://craftandfabriclinks.com/sewingbook/sewbook.html)

It is 20 pages & has much of the same info as my $30 Reader's Digest book!

[myrrhmaid]

Thanks for the great links. I made camoflauge sweats & fleece camo shirts last year for the guys! I didn't think I was going to be able to with my 7th grade sewing ed.! I mostly quilt, which seems easier to me than sewing clothes! I also like making fleece scarves. They turn out so cute with fringe cut on the ends & no sewing-fleece doesn't ravel! Just use 1/4 yd. fabric for each scarf! It couldn't be easier & if you get nice fleece, so YUMMY! Also going to get started on making those rice filled heating pads. Those make nice gifts. The simplest baby clothes i ever made was getting a 3T shirt & buying those snaps that come on fabric-all in a row & sew 3 snaps into the center bottom of a t-shirt to make a homemade onesie. The ones I made for my son he wore until he was 3 yrs. old(unsnapped as he got big, of course!)