Sewing - Anyone learned from scratch.

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funnymunny

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Hi,

I have a notion to take up sewing with a view to eventually being able to make some wearable items. I have a very basic knowledge (taught as a child by mother and school) but remember not setting the world alight with my skill. I just wanted to know if anyone has taken it up from a point of not being able to sew to making their own clothes and if so how you found it?

Many thanks.
 
I went back to sewing a few years ago. I still don't get much done, but I was surprised how much came back to me! I can recommend classes in Lucan, there is also craftsy, and this website is particularly good for clothes making:

http://sewing.patternreview.com/
 
Thanks for the reply and the link terrysgirl33. Am based in Kerry, but am going to keep an eye out for classes starting in September. Do you mind me asking why you don't get much done, is it timewise or just not worth the hassle?
 
Why not ask at your local Vocational School if they have any plans to put on night classes in September. You should to do it now before the school shuts down for the holidays. Better still if you can find some likeminded friends so the school would be more likely to listen to your request.

Yes indeed sewing is difficult in the beginning and don't expect to make fashion items anytime soon but patience and perseverance will get you there especially if you have a flare for it. The rewards are great.

Unfortunately the cost of fabrics and trimmings (zips, buttons, even thread) are high in comparison to the prices of high street/chain store garments.

If you do not already have a sewing machine do NOT buy a new one. Nothing beats the older more reliable machines.

Finally it's a hobby for life and well worth the effort. Good luck with it
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes Black Sheep, I was thinking it probably wouldn't be as cheap as going in to Pennys and picking up a few gunas. But the advantage I would like eventually, if I became proficient, is being able to make things with sleeves and in lengths that I like. And even if I never get to the making clothes stage, it would nice to be able to take up hems without wondaweb(sp?) and sew back on a button.

I looked at a website on sewing and they advised to buy a basic sewing machine or get one second hand so I have sourced one on done deal but must do a bit of research on it now Its good that you said the older machines are more reliable as I may have gone for a newer model when choosing.

Thanks again for the input.
 
Was going to suggest a place in Lucan too but I see that's no good!

I started from scratch. I did a beginners course which was great. I got my own machine and used it during the classes. I then decided I was more interested in crafts and quilts so I did a couple of private lessons which were fantastic and I would definitely recommend this way if you have something specific in mind. Like terrysgirl33 time is my limiting factor!
 
I bought myself a sewing machine in lidl or aldi can't remember which. It's perfectly fine for what I need it for, hemming, making cushions with remnants etc.

There is no way making clothes would be cost effective. I learned from YouTube tutorials and vague memories from school.
 
Can you save money by sewing? Maybe, it depends on what you are sewing. You won't make cheaper T shirts than Penneys, and even Dunnes and M&S are not expensive. If you create hand sewn couture garments, then maybe! The reason I started sewing was because of T shirts though. I tend to wear long sleeved T shirts in winter. It got to a stage where I didn't want to wear crew necks, but the V necks were too low. I would shop around and get ones that fitted well, but they shrank in the wash and were an inch or so too short in the sleeve and the body. So, out of frustration, I started to make long sleeved T shirts to get the fit, and the colour I wanted.

If you want to sew clothes, it is amazing how easy it is to do that by buying a sewing pattern and following it. However, unless you are lucky, the garment you make will not fit you even as well as Pennys! It mainly takes time and patiance to get a garment that looks the way you want it to. It isn't difficult, but it is painstaking slow work. Of course it depends on what you sew! If you want a casual skirt, or a loose summer dress, then it is quite straightforward!

There are a lot of resources available on-line, particularly you-tube videos. Also, your local library may have some sewing books if you check (I tend to learn well from books, not everyone else does).

I started off with a sewing machine from Lidl, and it did me fine for 3 years before I upgraded.

Here is some advice on starting to sew:
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/23030/teach-yourself-to-sew-season-1 There is quite a lot of information on the Threads site, it's worth having a root around. Threads magazine is published every two months, Easons on O'Connell St in Dublin carry it, I don't know about anywhere else, I find it interesting.

http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques I have bought Burda Style magazine in Easons in Tralee before. It doesn't have a lot of advice or general information, but it does have about 20 patterns in it for €7 ish.

There are lots (and lots and lots) of sewing blogs out there, this one is quite funny:
http://www.dressaday.com/2008/03/20/start-here/
http://www.dressaday.com/2007/10/02/off-to-a-great-start/
http://www.dressaday.com/2010/02/10/review-built-by-wendy-dresses/
http://www.dressaday.com/2007/06/28/book-review-sew-what-skirts-1/

Another learning to sew website:http://www.youtube.com/user/westvalleycollege

The main problem with sewing is that it's easy to spend all day looking up stuff or reading, and never getting around to sewing!!

Simplicity (they make sewing patterns) have a lot of info on their website. This how-to-sew video is v. old, and quite funny:
[broken link removed]

More modern how-to-sew
[broken link removed]
 
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