Thread: self-taught sewing... dumbest idea ever?

ok, i can do minor hand-stitching, and have done some costume alterations by hand. i got a little hand sewing machine (yay freecycle!) and have no idea how to use it. am i insane for thinking i can just figure it out on my own? do i need lessons or books or dvds? anyone else self-taught?

I am, to some extent. But I was never that great at it. When I first bought a sewing machine, they offered a few complimentary lessons and that helped so classes probably would be a great idea.

hmmm.... perhaps i can rope zorba into showing me a thing or two...

i'm trying to do the same thing. it took me a while (like at least an hour) to figure out my own little machine. i just don't touch the settings now and hope it works next time i use it haha

Originally Posted by zfejzic

i just don't touch the settings now and hope it works next time i use it haha

..l;, good strategy!

i guess i could start by finding the manual online, there wasn't one in the box...

Believe it or not, this is the best sewing book there is. I used it a textbook in a sewing class. It will help you, trust me.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Readers-Digest/dp/0762104201]Amazon.com: New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest): Editors of Reader's Digest: Books[/ame]

I have the old version to the complete guide to sewing. It's really good. it was published in 1970 or something. I need to get the newer one. But yes, a book can be very helpful.

And there are many classes / workshops which are worth the money. Joannes have them, and check with your local Adult school, extension, and parks and rec services.

But I third the book. It's a keeper. that and one by Vogue which I will have to find the title of. I used it in both Fashion design and costume design!

{{{HUGS}}}

There's always YouTube! I bet you can find lots of instructional videos on sewing there. I even went there one night when I wanted to make Indian food and watched a wonderful older Indian woman demonstrate making Palak Paneer. :)

Often you can find sewing classes offered at Community Colleges as part of their "non credit" program (adult advancement or whatever they call it). I know that one of the schools not far from me used to have 6 week sessions for about $69. Might be something to look into if you get stuck!

thanks all! ok, will find manual, get sewing book, and harass zorba (my alternative to paying for classes ..g.:)

also, youtube is great idea! i never woulda thought of that, thanks kiyaana!

Originally Posted by emtink

ok, i can do minor hand-stitching, and have done some costume alterations by hand. i got a little hand sewing machine (yay freecycle!) and have no idea how to use it. am i insane for thinking i can just figure it out on my own? do i need lessons or books or dvds? anyone else self-taught?

Self taught!

I do recommend Sew U by wendy as a good book to know what you're doing. It's very simple in comparison to those above, but makes a good "first book" (not as good a reference book later) See if your local library has it.

I am also a self-taught sewer.

I learned how to sew from my mother (hand)

I did take a sewing class in highschool, but it was very basic. After that I just kept on sewing with my mom's machine. I made clothes for myself and my children. Then, I started making home decor. When I started belly dancing I made some veils, hand sewn bras, a skirt, and a blouse.

I finally bought a Brother, which is meant for a beginner, but it works really well for me, and I love it!

I would love to read that book, thanks! It might teach me something I don't already know. Otherwise, if I fumble on something I usually just "Google" it and I always find the answer. There seems to be a lot of information on the internet, which was not available to me 14 years ago.

Originally Posted by emtink

hmmm.... perhaps i can rope zorba into showing me a thing or two...

Yea, sure - like I'm an expert or something. I'm lucky when the darn machine isn't tangling thread!

I'm going to make one of Siwa's tassle belts on steroids - the ones with 10,000 tassles on it, I figure its a simple enough project (once the tassles are MADE) that I can't screw it up too bad...

See ya at the Haute tomorrow nite! I'm going to do Shemadan for the first time at this venue - I can hardly wait to see what you, Thiem and Annette come up with! Should be fun!

Originally Posted by emtink

thanks all! ok, will find manual, get sewing book, and harass zorba (my alternative to paying for classes ..g.:)

Great...

I bought "Sewing for Dummies"...

sweet! i can be done AND zorba agreed to help!

zorba-ooooo shamadan! i'm doing sword unless everyone else is. then i'll be totally original by not using a prop at all!

I'm a self thaught sewer too! practice make perfect, the best way to learn is try your machine and see where it takes you. If you get frustrated, walk away, cool down, then try again.

My sewing books never mentioned how frustrating it can be to make a mistake while working on something that you're looking forward to wearing/finishing.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by emtink

sweet! i can be done AND zorba agreed to help!

I did? I don't recall agreeing to anything! .w.:

zorba-ooooo shamadan! i'm doing sword unless everyone else is. then i'll be totally original by not using a prop at all!

I don't know what Thiem is doing. I don't think Annette is into sword - and I certainly am not. Either way, go for it!

I think you can learn some basics out of a book or off of youtube but there are some things that are best taught in a class or one-on-one (zippers, special techniques like button holes).

Learning the basics of your machine, sometimes it's best to just thread it and play around with it and see how it works to become familiar but for the fancy stuff, you might need a class. Sometimes it's helpful to go through the owners manual and do a "sampler book" of each style of stitch just to get the hang of it. Stitch with one color thread on top, a different color in the bobbin and use muslin or plain (light colored) cotton fabric.

I've been to classes and also learned a lot from sewing at home. Each has its advantages. You can do things your own way at home, experiment and get really cool stuff. You can also expect one in three projects to fail. In class you follow the teacher's method, you learn to work according to certain standards and work from patterns.

If you are going to sew for bellydance mainly, you may want to just take one basic course and then a lingerie class. I've never made a bedleh yet, but bramaking is pretty different from making a dress.