7 Basic Sewing Tips for Beginners 

Learning how to sew comes with a lot of excitement. It is one of the most creative and rewarding skills you can ever learn. That feeling of joining two pieces of fabric to create an end product that is useful and catchy is just fulfilling. In this article today, we are going to cover 7 sewing techniques for beginners. 

Even though sewing is a skill that has been around for centuries, the core concept has remained the same and it is very easy for someone to learn it and become a pro in a very short time. There have been some little changes in sewing though, with few new concepts being introduced to create unique patterns and designs. 

Today, sewing is at the center of the fashion industry owing to the invention of a wide range of stitching styles and state-of-the-art equipment. I know most people think it is useless but when you will be alone and your favorite dress will need some stitches.

These inventions have made it easier to learn sewing compared to the time when early man did not have fancy fabrics, thread or needles. Despite the new inventions and equipment, there are still mistakes that you are likely to commit if you are a beginner. And today, we are going to show you the basics of sewing and how to avoid the basic mistakes and have the confidence to start your first project. 

Before we start on the basic sewing tips for beginners, let’s first see the major types of sewing practiced today. 

Hand Sewing 

Hand sewing is the earliest form of sewing on record. Even today, many people still sew by hand because it still has its charm. An item becomes especially when it has been sewn by hand, whether it is a dress, cushion cover, or a quilt. 

It will take you longer to complete a project using hand sewing, but the feeling accomplishment is worth all the efforts. 

You will need to be very calm and poised through all this process. I would recommend hand stitching for minor works, such as stitching button and sewing edges of the shirts or trousers.  

Machine Sewing 

Today, modern sewing machines work smarter and faster and can complete your sewing project in just a few hours with the help of computerized models. Using a sewing machine means your project will be flawless and more professional. 

All in all, it doesn’t matter whether you use hand sewing or machine sewing, as long as you have fun sewing that is all that matters. 

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Basic Sewing Techniques for Beginners

 

  • Pick a Project

 

What do you want to sew? If you are not careful, you may get stuck here for weeks especially if you are a beginner. Don’t try out complicated projects like working with leather or inserting a zipper; instead, go for simple things like draw-string bag or pillow cover. An envelope pillow is one of the most common and easiest projects for beginners. Or if you have a little kid with dolls, you can start by sewing doll clothing and bedding. 

 

  • Select your Fabric 

 

Your fabric depends on what you want to saw. Nevertheless, seeing that you are just a beginner, you should shun tough fabrics like leather or sheer ones such as georgette, chiffon, and voile, because they can be quite challenging to work with. The best fabric for you is linen or cotton as they don’t stretch too much or slip, making them easy to work on.

 

  • Gather your Equipment 

 

While there are numerous tools that you can use for your sewing project, for a beginner it is good to just stick with the essential tools. So alongside the fabric, you will need the needles, pins, thread, scissors, measuring tape, iron, patter, sewing table, and ironing board. You can also get a sewing machine. Any simple machine will be perfect for you as long as it can sew zigzag and straight stitch. Choose a sewing machine wisely. TrendiTex has lot more sewing machine reviews incase if you want to check.

Ensure to get a pair of sharp scissors and patterns. Get some common needles in various size packets for your machines, as well as for hand sewing.

 

  • Prep your Fabric for Sewing 

 

Getting your fabric ready for the project is essential to avoid your end product shrinking in the first wash. Prewash the fabric before you stitch, especially if you are using linen as it tends to shrink. So be sure to wash the fabric in lukewarm water and dry it before sewing, especially if you use the washing machine at home.

Also, don’t forget to iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles as a creased fabric will give you a tough time when cutting and sewing.

 

  • Understand the Pattern Symbols 

 

The symbols on the pattern can look like some form of ancient hieroglyphics to a beginner seamstress. So be sure to brush yourself on the symbol patterns to make things easier. 

Many times people skip this thing, and at the end their dress will not look like the desired one. 

 

  • Always Rethread when Things go out of Hand 

 

The rule of thumb is; whenever you find a thread that is too loose or too tight, or your sewing machine skips some stitches, try rethreading, and 99% of the time, this will solve your issues. 

 

  • How to Sew Straight 

 

When beginning, you will find that most of your sewing is not in a straight line. To avoid this, don’t look at your needle when sewing. This is because the needles are in a constant state of movement, and thus can’t be your focal point as it will only confuse you.

Final Words 

With sewing, there are so many stuffs to learn and so many interesting ideas to explore. I hope these sewing techniques for beginners can help you kick start your journey into sewing. One thing for sure is; you may struggle in the beginning, but things will quickly get easier and you will grow in confidence steadily with time and practice. 

About Michael John

My Name is Micheal John

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