What advice can I offer to someone who wants to learn to sew? There are so many things to tell them, it’s hard to know where to begin.  However, there are some things you should know before you start.

1. You don’t have to start out with all the equipment.  I bet if you ask around you know someone who has a sewing machine you can borrow to try sewing. if you’re going to be using them every day then you need good cutters, but for your first sewing project, you can probably get away with a pair of sewing scissors from the dollar store. Think of your first sewing project as a trial membership. You’re not tied to it, and if you hate it you don’t have to do it anymore.
2.  You don’t need a ton of space to sew.  here is a photo of my little corner of the living room,

It is not big, nor is it exclusive, but it gets the job done. I have had bigger rooms all to myself, and I have set my machine up on the kitchen table. Didn’t really make much difference to how my project turned out.

3. Don’t start out too big with your first project!! I cannot emphasize this enough. there is a reason why they start kids in high school with making aprons and boxer shorts. Because those things are easy, and once you master the easy, the hard is more attainable. I classify myself as an intermediate sewer at this point. I can do a lot of stuff… and I understand the concept of even tougher stuff. but I’m not quite ready to tackle wedding dresses and haute couture. I was intimidated with my first few bags I made. now I’m comfortable with the instructions and procedures… which is good because sometimes even just the cutting out can be intimidating, these are the pieces cut to make a Lucy Backpack from Swoon Patterns

there were 50 different pieces of fabric between the outer and inner fabric, interfacing and fusible foam that was used for this bag. I had to label them all with postie notes just to keep track of what was what!… if this had been my first project I probably would have given up.

4.Follow the instructions. Almost all sewing patterns come with instructions, whether its a store bought pattern or a PDF off the internet. always follow the instructions. If it tells you to iron after you sew a seam, do it. if it seems to be telling you to do things backward, there is probably a reason why. Pattern makers spend a long time figuring this stuff out… then they give it to pattern testers to make sure they work before we get to have them, trust them, they know what they are doing.

5. Have FUN! Sewing can be an awesome way to express your creativity, make things for yourself and the people you love, and give yourself a sense of accomplishment by making something you can use or wear. Nothing feels better than someone looking at my bag and saying to me ” Cool bag, where did you get it?” and me being able to reply “I made it.” the look on their faces always gives me a thrill.

Melissa