How did you learn to sew? I was gifted a sewing machine recently and have had fun making simple sachets etc., but I don't know where to go from there! I'd love to eventually learn how to make cute dresses for my little one, but I don't really have the time right now to go to a sewing class and the online tutorials I've found are beyond my skills.
Any recs for books or helpful websites for a beginner that you've used? And resources for cute fabric? Thanks!!
pomegranate / 3244 posts
I don't sew that much, and I do more quilting than anything, so I'm probably not that much help--but I'll try!
As for learning, I took a saturday class at a quilting shop near my home. I know you said you don't have time for that--but all we did was go through a project kit (apron). So I would maybe look for a simple kit like that--it'll come with all the instructions and patterns, you'll just need to purchase fabric (it'll tell you how much to buy).
As for books, this looks pretty comprehensive (and I might just put it on my christmas list, too!): http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-101-Beginners-Guide/dp/1589230698
As far as fabrics, I'm just copying & pasting something a friend (who is a master quilter) sent me a while ago:
Online Fabric Shops:
Hancock's of Paducah - http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Category--Quilting-Fabric--m-06
This shop is located in Kentucky and is considered to be quilters Mecca. They have ALMOST EVERYTHING! This is either the best or the worst place to start depending on how brave you're feeling. The categories on the left will give you some indication as to what to look at and what to avoid (seasonal fabrics are probably not what you're looking for etc.) but it is a huge site that is easy to get lost in.
They also have patterns and books to look through here: http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Category--Patterns-and-Books--m-10 Don't worry about terms like fat quarters, jelly rolls and layer cakes, these are terms for pre-cut fabric pieces which I can work with or without so don't feel limited by them.
The Fat Quarter Shop - http://www.fatquartershop.com/
This is also a huge site, but unlike hancock's they specialize in only quilting stuff and tend to be a little bit more inclined towards what are called modern quilts. Modern Quilting is not really avant-garde or anything, rather it tends to be into remaking vintage feeling stuff in a modern way, I think you might actually like a lot of it, more on about it later. If you scroll down on the left you'll also find patterns and books which might give you some ideas.
Sew Modern - http://shop.sewmodernonline.com/
This is a small shop located near me, they specialize in modern quilt fabrics, but they often have a lot of cute stuff and often times things that are difficult to find elsewhere. It's a smaller shop so it might be less intimidating as a starting place.
Grandma's Attic - http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_Id=411&Page_id=17&categ_id=10083&parent_ids=0,100
I have never shopped at this particular shop, and most of these fabrics can be found elsewhere, but I did want you to see these. These fabrics are reproductions from the 1930s and 1940s; since I know that you like vintage stuff I wanted to make sure that you saw these.
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Good luck!
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
@kpc324: to start learning, id pop into something like a Joann fabrics and pick out a very simple pattern, and maybe even ask them to direct you to something simple. Once you know how to read and use a pattern, and have some confidence, you can try more complicated patterns! Have you done any throw pillows yet? They are easy and quick, and you have a Nice finished product!
For what it's worth, I only really sew quilts, and find them to be a lot easier than clothing. I'm not patient/careful enough with my cutting and pinning, I think, and quilts are more forgiving!
grapefruit / 4731 posts
I'm also a quilter. I find quilting really relaxing to do and very forgiving.
Kudos to you to want to show clothes.
I find buying clothes is way cheaper than making clothes. I just wanted to throw that out there. Cost of fabric and time to make it... Sorry to me that never added up to me.
watermelon / 14467 posts
I taught myself to sew. One of my earliest resources was the Purl Bee (http://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/sew/sew-view-all/). Their tutorials are beautiful, very well written, and easy to follow. I also follow a number of sewing bloggers. The sewing IG community is a valuable resource as well.
A class may be a good idea. I didn't take one because I wasn't near a place that taught them. I sew clothing, quilts, and household things (curtains and pillow covers mainly).
grape / 77 posts
@MediaNaranja: wow, these are awesome resources, thanks! I think a kit sounds like a great idea to start with.
grape / 77 posts
@Silva: @raindrop: pillows and quilts seem like a good place to start...so far I've only done things with square edges! I think that most DIY projects end up costing me more than buying the actual product, haha!!
grape / 77 posts
@avivoca: just peeked at their website, it looks beautiful! It's inspiring to know that you learned to sew without a class 
pomegranate / 3032 posts
I learned to sew in middle school/high school classes and majored in Fashion Design in college. One of my favorite sewing resources is Reader's Digest Complete guide to Sewing. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Step-Step/dp/1606522086
I also would say to go into Joann's and take a look through their pattern books. Look for something thats "begin to sew" or "sew in an hour" Something like this http://www.simplicity.com/p-4480-toddlers-dresses.aspx
Check out the tabs or the back of the envelope to determine the size you need, The back of the pattern will also tell you what fabrics to look for and what notions you will need (zipper, buttons, trims, etc) an employee can help you figure out what to buy. Open the envelope and pull out the instructions and read through them in the store, if there's something you dont understand ask if they can explain it to you. Usually the patterns are pretty easy to understand. and give guides or definitions for terms you may not have heard
watermelon / 14467 posts
@kpc324: Also, if you want to make children's clothes, my absolute favorites are Oliver and S patterns (www.oliverands.com). All of Liesl's patterns are like a sewing class in an envelope and my garments come out looking very professional.
pear / 1930 posts
My mom taught me how to turn the machine on, thread it, and make bobbins. Everything else I've learned through trial and error. I don't recommend that stratgey!!
grapefruit / 4355 posts
I only make quilts and pillows so I don't know how much help I'm going to be. But I taught myself from reading blog posts. There are a ton of quilting bloggers out there who post lots of tutorials on about everything you could want to learn. So I guess you could say that I'm self-taught!
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