Speaking of sewing

[Disneyfan9771]

Hi all,

I would love to learn how to sew.:D :confused: I do have a Kenmore sewing machine and can use it a little bit but would love to learn how to do more things. My dh had to teach me how to use our machine. His mom is a seamstress and makes draperies for a living. I am not trying to measure up to her it would be a valueable skill to have. How did everyone here learn how? I know there are sewing classes out there but is there a web based class as well? I would rather mop the floor and sweep than sew. That is pretty bad huh? I don't know why but somehow it just is very frustrating to me. Now latchooking I totally love. I can spend hours on a canvas and hook away. Any suggestions for a begginer? I do have some sewing books too but I guess it helps to have hands on experience, or have someone to talk to about what you are doing right and wrong.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Shelley

[DizzneeMomma]

I was taught to sew 30 years ago by my Grandmother. She taught me to use a machine, how to applique and how to crochet. When I was in high school, I learned to construct garments from patterns. My DD received a new sewing machine for her birthday and is finding sewing to be more difficult than she thought. I've advised her to try and make a patchwork quilt top (lots of repetition) from scrap material so that running the machine becomes more natural for her.

My favorite sewing projects are flannel-backed, yarn tied comforters (currently in the middle of making 2).....and doll outfits for Ideal Crissy & friends.

I love sewing....HATE cleaning floors!

[TiggersPal]

I learned from my babysitter when I was just 4 years old, then she taught me to use her treadle sewing machine! When I took it up again when i was in my 20s, I went to Hancocks and took a class.

If you have a Hancocks near you, they almost always have beginner sewing classes and if they don't, they always know someone who teaches them. Just ask the ladies there, they will be sooo glad to help you!

I started sewing again in my 20s when I needed maternity clothes and we were b-r-o-k-e! Then I realized how little the cost was in comparison to buying stuff and i was hooked. Now I have 2 sewing machines, i quilt, I applique and I got a machine embroidery machine for Christmas that I have been embroidering on nonstop since then!

it might not be your thing, though, or it might be that you like to do things other than make clothes, like quilts or curtains or blankets or doll clothes or something like that.

but it never hurts to learn something new, does it? And I don't know of any online sewing classes...but you can visit www.sewingforum.com (http://www.sewingforum.com) and they will answer quesitons, etc. for you or you can just read the posts and lurk if you want!

i'll be glad to answer anything you want...you can either PM me or send me a message on Yahoo!

good Luck!

kelli (Who started sewing to make maternity clothes, then small boys clothes then branched out into anything she wants!)

[WillCAD]

My grandmother was a fabulous seamstress. When I was a kid she made lots of clothes for me, my brother, and some of my cousins. Later, I took any sort of sewing project I had to her; anything I couldn't hand stitch, I took to her, and she performed wizardry with her sewing machine.

But unfortunately, I failed to pay any attention to what she was doing all those years, and when I began making my camera harnesses recently I had to learn the basics of operating a sewing machine all on my own.

Its a lot harder than it looks, or at least a lot harder than she made it look!

[MissBianca]

It's true, Will, there are some seriously difficult techniques involved. Try making set-in sleeves sometime!

I love my Mom's old Singer sewing machine. It does about 3 stitches if forward and backward count as two. I need to go to Pittsburgh and bring it back some day. At one time I was able to almost anything on it! I designed and sewed a lot of stuffed animals and my favorite things to sew were tote bags/shoulder bags. Carried my books in them for years.

I'll bet there are some fun classes somewhere in your area!

[Disneyfan9771]

Thanks all for the info. Funny after I posted this I talked with my hubbys office manager and she knows how to sew and quilt. Well she offered to teach me and our receptionist too (who is younger than me and thought she was the only one who didn't know how to sew). So I think I found the answer to my quandry. I have never heard of Hancocks. Um is this a fabric store called Hancocks Fabrics? I think I have heard of it after all, now that I think of it. :girlears:

I got so frustrated trying to sew a simple hem one morning that after a hour of hand stitching (I do know how to go in and out in a straight stitch) I realized I had sewn the leg wrong side out. I told dh that sewing wasn't my cup of tea and if he wanted it done right he needed to take it to someone who knows what they are doing. Dh also had just gotten me up and I am not and never will be a morning person. The entire time I was sewing this I was half asleep thinking why am I doing this again? Well he went to a proper seamstress who charged him 11bucks and it was done asap. End of story. Funny dh knows how to do this but relies on me to get it done. I might be domestically inclined but sewing is not one of my strengths. Now put me in a kitchen and give me a deadline, whoah stand back because then I am truly in my element. Let the cooking begin. Oh I love to cook and bake anything and everything I can possibly think of.

Sorry got off onto a tangent. Thanks again y'all for all the suggestions. Lots of good info to think of and encouragement. Who knows maybe by MF I will be sewing all sorts of stuff and bringing it to the gift exchange. lol

[Topaz]

I sure wish I knew how to sew. I had a coat that I love for years. But the lining was ripped out, so I didn't wear it. After hanging in my closet for 4 years( I couldn't give it up), I found a seamstress who put in a new lining.

Now I wear it everyday. :minnie:

Have fun sewing!