AW: I'm going to learn to sew!

danieliza1127

I got a really nice sewing machine from my H for Christmas!  I'm excited to start playing around with it.  I haven't sewn since middle school home ec classes, so I have a lot to learn.  I found these by lurking on the Crafts board on the Nest and might start practicing with one or both of them but I also want to take a class at Jo-Anns of course. 

(Links will open in a new window)

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=737

http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ss/rag_quilt.htm

Anyway, just making conversation, but if anyone has any beginner tips or ideas for me, please feel free to share!

Stackeye210

I have no tips.  I'd love to learn some basic sewing techniques though.  Like hemming pants.  I have like 5 pairs of pants that the hem has fallen out and I need to take them somewhere to get fixed. 

aMrsin09

Take the class to learn how to use your machine.

I know that seems silly, but it really does help.  Oh and get a hemming foot and a zipper foot.

Pirata13

YAY! I want to learn how to sew as well!  Too bad we don't live close, we could take a class together. And have lunch & wine after.

julezlee

That's a fun new hobby.  I think I still have a sewing machine at my parent's house somewhere.  I used to sew a lot with my mom and my grandma when I was younger but I've never been able to pick it back up. 

Remember, measure twice, cut once! 

Oh, and always remember to do some back stiches at the end of a row to finish it off.  I totally forgot that the one time I tried to pick sewing back up. 

danieliza1127

aMrs - that's what the sales woman said too, about taking the class for my machine.  I will definitely do that.  She told me to call after Christmas to find out the next class schedule.  She did show me how to thread the needle and put the bobbin in while we were at the store though, so that's helpful. 

Stack - I would love to learn to hem too!  I've finally realized this year that it's easier to just buy pants that fit great but are too long and go get them hemmed, but it's a pain to go get them hemmed!  If I can do it myself, that would be awesome.

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_aw-im-going-learn-sew?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:59242e6f-1560-4d40-947e-848b60006be7Post:1853f043-d0cf-453a-8979-bb1f88f9294e">Re: AW: I'm going to learn to sew!</a>:
[QUOTE]YAY! I want to learn how to sew as well!  Too bad we don't live close, we could take a class together. And have lunch & wine after.
Posted by Pirata13[/QUOTE]

Heck yeah!  That would be fun!  :)

TheSaltyPeanut

Eeeee!  That is exciting

My mama kind of sort of taught me how to crochet this past weekend... it's fun!

danieliza1127

Salty, my mom has crocheted (if that's how you spell that) my whole life and I've always wanted her to teach me.  I may have to hit her up for some lessons this summer when she's home from Florida.

I'm really getting into the crafty stuff lately.  It's nice to have hobbies to play with while my H plays with his truck or his wood working stuff.

bbyckes

Nice gift!

I was going to buy a sewing machine last year, but then I took a class first at JoAnn's.  It's not as easy as it looks.  I still want a sewing machine though.

buttaflai

I love sewing. I used to make purses and clothing all the time.

There are great youtube videos that help with troubleshooting too.

Pirata13

SP--I also want to learn to crochet!  I knit now but I think for blanket purposes, crocheting is better/easier. Unfortunately with the wedding next year, I don't think I will have time to learn to crochet til after the wedding...

goheels05

I sew!  I have been doing curtains and duvet covers for the house for years, and I recently got back into making clothes and made my first quilt this summer.  I used the book Quilt in a Day (not sure of the author, it's a fairly old book though).  I can't wait to make more.

squirrly

I took sewing from 4-H when I was a kid.  My instructor was AWESOME.  She now teaches at 3 universities, and has stopped doing alterations, but agreed to hem my dress for me for old time's sake (I don't need any other alterations - yay!).

I would call the county extension office and ask if they have any sewing classes for adults, or even if you can participate in the kids stuff.  As for hemming pants. . . it's loads easier if the pants are straight or flared, as opposed to tapered.  Once you learn a little, practice just on the straight legged ones.  Then "graduate" to other stuff.

In college, I was the only one in the sorority who could sew, so I used to get requests to alter formals, and homecoming outfits and such all the time.  It's a handy skill, but expect to be bugged to use it if people find out.

danieliza1127

Heels - I actually want to make a duvet cover!  And a little curtain for our kitchen window. 

TheSaltyPeanut

ahhh... I love crafting.  Sewing, knitting anc crochetting (sp?) is a dying art.  I would love to learn to sew and knit!

JK10910

I agree with taking a class or two.  The basics are pretty easy to figure out on your own, but there are so many cool things you can do with a nice sewing machine that it's great to have someone show you how to do them. 

I used to know my way around a sewing machine pretty well, but I haven't used one in years and I'm pretty rusty now.  Being able to hem your own pants is DEFINITELY nice.  Especially if you're short like me!

bbyckes

I want to learn to make bedding and window treatments.  I love going to the fabric store and just cruising down the aisles imagining what I could create.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

My mom sews (has a side business), knits, cross-stitches... and some other stuff. She tried to teach me to sew when I was about 9, but I gave up. I'm jealous! I wish I was better at that now. You know what else my mom was right about? Piano lessons. Wish I hadn't given those up either.

thesuninherhead

I keep telling H I'm going to learn how to sew, but I just never get around to it. I really want to make new curtains and cute dresses. I am jealous of your awesome new machine (even though it's not a diamond pendant, it's much more useful! ;P).

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_aw-im-going-learn-sew?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:59242e6f-1560-4d40-947e-848b60006be7Post:f9019575-a67b-411b-8162-8b8ba1c1d27f">Re: AW: I'm going to learn to sew!</a>:
[QUOTE](even though it's not a diamond pendant, it's much more useful! ;P).
Posted by thesuninherhead[/QUOTE]

Hahaha, I know that's why I'm still very excited about it!  :)

lovemygrandkids

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_aw-im-going-learn-sew?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:59242e6f-1560-4d40-947e-848b60006be7Post:d7a2525a-6ea0-4c14-a305-ddfd5461b5dd">Re: AW: I'm going to learn to sew!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: AW: I'm going to learn to sew! : Thank you so much for all of the advice!  I'll definitely check out the forum you linked.  He got me a Husqvarna Emerald 116.  It was more than I wanted him to spend but our other option was the cheap Singer and we both figured it would be better to start off with something a little bit better quality so I can really learn and not get frustrated with it.
Posted by danieliza1127[/QUOTE]

That model is a very nice sewing machine and you will not be sorry you and your husband chose a Husqvarna.  I took a peak on the Husqvarna Viking site (which is very useful by the way), and you get a lot of presser feet including the blind hem foot.  You are off to a great start. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

Happy sewing.