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What's your best advice for Beginners... (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 7/7/10 9:21 AM ET
Lately, I have heard (loudly) the moanings of beginner -frustration so I am starting a thread where seasoned stitchers/sewist/designers can give their best advice to help them start out.
Would you please give some imput as to what you think they need to know to make their way a bit smoother?
btw, I think it's courageous that someone is willing to learn to sew.
While it is a fabulous and an enviable skill to develop, it is overwhelming at times. There are so many variables that there are many exceptions to each rule. But it can be done and you will end up with stylish clothing that fits, one of kind accessories, and you can create a beautiful home.
It will be worth your time and all the hair-pulling frustrations.
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Would you please give some imput as to what you think they need to know to make their way a bit smoother?
btw, I think it's courageous that someone is willing to learn to sew.
While it is a fabulous and an enviable skill to develop, it is overwhelming at times. There are so many variables that there are many exceptions to each rule. But it can be done and you will end up with stylish clothing that fits, one of kind accessories, and you can create a beautiful home.
It will be worth your time and all the hair-pulling frustrations.
------
"I am still learning" ~ Michelangelo
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I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
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I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
Posted on: 7/7/10 9:25 AM ET
In reply to ryansmumAria
I suppose I should start this off.
Here are a couple of suggestions
1. start simple
Chose a pattern for "dummies" or something that says very easy.
2. Find a beginner book and read through it to familiarize yourself with the process.
3. Get to know your machine. Read the instructions and then play with it.
4. Buy several seam rippers. We all need them. I have about 5 throught out my design room . Get use to the idea of ripping out seams. Even the most experienced sewists rip. Read how to rip out a seam properly.
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Here are a couple of suggestions
1. start simple
Chose a pattern for "dummies" or something that says very easy.
2. Find a beginner book and read through it to familiarize yourself with the process.
3. Get to know your machine. Read the instructions and then play with it.
4. Buy several seam rippers. We all need them. I have about 5 throught out my design room . Get use to the idea of ripping out seams. Even the most experienced sewists rip. Read how to rip out a seam properly.
------
"I am still learning" ~ Michelangelo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
Posted on: 7/7/10 9:59 AM ET
The best lesson I have ever learned is never to sew when frustrated. I have wadded so many things because I've pushed on once I reached the point of frustration. My suggestion is to set it aside and come back in a day or two with a fresh perspective. If you have several projects to work on, maybe work on another project and then go back to the one that frustrated you. Just never push on when you reach the point of frustration.
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Stash 2010: 139 yards
2010 fabric purchased: 272
2010 fabric used: 32.5
Stash 2011: 378.5
2011 fabric purchased: 44.5 yards
2011 fabric used: 13.5
2010 fabric purchased: 272
2010 fabric used: 32.5
Stash 2011: 378.5
2011 fabric purchased: 44.5 yards
2011 fabric used: 13.5
Posted on: 7/7/10 10:49 AM ET
If a student became frustrated, I would explain that sewing is like other activites, such as cooking, when you made a recipe that you didn't like, (or was inedible) or golf, when you didn't have the perfect game or a hole in one. Over time you get better and better and there's always something new to learn if you want to.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
Posted on: 7/7/10 10:50 AM ET
In reply to ryansmumAria
My advice would be to remember there is more than one way to do something "right". All you have to do is go to a Sewing Expo or read these boards for a while and you'll see there are many different opinions on how to do something. Be open to trying a different way.
JEF
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JEF
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"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln
Posted on: 7/7/10 11:09 AM ET
What are they moaning about? I guess that would help (me) provide some suggestions.
But the one to know your machine is the best. They may not be able to be self taught but when I taught beginner sewing it was extremely frustrating to work with a class, albeit small, where granted not everyone knew the ins and outs of all their machine's functions but just basic how to thread, and you may need to do some troubleshooting with them, when there's someone in there who's never tried to thread it, never opened the manual, got one a family member gave them that had been stored for years was filthy and untested.... it takes away class time from them and others. In a semester long class at a school there's time to help them learn to use the equipment in the classroom but in a series of a few 2 or 3 hour classes it really eats into time. Could offer a "preclass class" for an extra fee on nothing but machinery/how to use....
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But the one to know your machine is the best. They may not be able to be self taught but when I taught beginner sewing it was extremely frustrating to work with a class, albeit small, where granted not everyone knew the ins and outs of all their machine's functions but just basic how to thread, and you may need to do some troubleshooting with them, when there's someone in there who's never tried to thread it, never opened the manual, got one a family member gave them that had been stored for years was filthy and untested.... it takes away class time from them and others. In a semester long class at a school there's time to help them learn to use the equipment in the classroom but in a series of a few 2 or 3 hour classes it really eats into time. Could offer a "preclass class" for an extra fee on nothing but machinery/how to use....
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Posted on: 7/7/10 11:21 AM ET
In reply to ryansmumAria
Don't try to play designer while you are learning to sew. Go to a store and try to find something current that flatters; then find a similar pattern and fabric.
Some of my biggest first disappointments were due to marrying the wrong fabric with a great pattern. Wrong as in the print was too loud or too big ... it was disappointing to get the sewing right but have something that just looked terrible! Other disappointments for me were when I made a cute dress but the style looked terrible on me. Snoop shopping would have saved me time and money!
After you learn to sew a particular pattern, then you can start playing designer!!
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Some of my biggest first disappointments were due to marrying the wrong fabric with a great pattern. Wrong as in the print was too loud or too big ... it was disappointing to get the sewing right but have something that just looked terrible! Other disappointments for me were when I made a cute dress but the style looked terrible on me. Snoop shopping would have saved me time and money!
After you learn to sew a particular pattern, then you can start playing designer!!
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Mary
Posted on: 7/7/10 11:25 AM ET
Sewing is a skill like any other. It takes time and practice. Few people sit down at a piano and play like a virtuoso.
Rome was not built in day, nor will most of us complete a garment in a day or two.
Learn to use your iron and press as you go. Take two similar beginner made garments and the one that has been well pressed as it was made will almost always look as if it sewn by someone with a bit more expertise.
Have fun!
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Rome was not built in day, nor will most of us complete a garment in a day or two.
Learn to use your iron and press as you go. Take two similar beginner made garments and the one that has been well pressed as it was made will almost always look as if it sewn by someone with a bit more expertise.
Have fun!
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin
"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin
"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
Posted on: 7/7/10 11:36 AM ET
Learn to at least tissue fit your pattern and make simple adjustments. Make yourself aware of the various websites that have tutorials on them.
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Marilyn
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
Posted on: 7/7/10 2:30 PM ET
Be honest about your measurements and learn how to take them properly.
There is no perfect size, there is just your size and most likely it will vary as you travel up or down your body.
There is no perfect pattern that will fit without alterations, it is not your body's fault, nor is it the patterns fault.
Patterns can have mistakes and even the best sewers can make mistakes.
The grain line is very important.
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There is no perfect size, there is just your size and most likely it will vary as you travel up or down your body.
There is no perfect pattern that will fit without alterations, it is not your body's fault, nor is it the patterns fault.
Patterns can have mistakes and even the best sewers can make mistakes.
The grain line is very important.
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Living life to the fullest.
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
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