"I'm a complete sewing noob. What are some good patterns for someone to start with? Any rookie mistakes to avoid?"
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| A newbie sewer outfit made by me a few years ago. I made the top and skirt with no pattern. It's actually quite a MESS. LOL But it made me confident enough to work into using patterns. |
When I started, I didn't use patterns. I was just making it up as I went. I didn't even follow any rules; like for instance grains and such. Well some parts of my beginning were good (like digging into sewing and learning as much as I could), but then other aspects were bad (not following grain lines makes wonky dresses/skirts).
So my advice would be to try out something that will sharpen your skills just simply using the machine. I am talking about sewing yourself a little purse! Or an apron! If you jump right into garments, chances are that you are going to be very frustrated and dissapointed, and end up quitting! Because 99 percent of us cannot fit patterns directly out of the envelop, the odds are against ye!
Once you pick up one of those little bag patterns and make yourself something cute and sassy to carry; you will then be ready to try a garment! Making a bag will get you confident with:
straight line sewing, curve sewing, top stitching, zipper insertion (depending on design), using interfacing, making straps, making gathers (depending on design)....all these will be good new skills for making a skirt.
What I would suggest is an A LINE skirt. I would avoid pencil skirts because they are very fitted and you can get in over your head with that one. A nice twirly skirt that will flow around "ja-booty" will be an easy fit.
Simplicity has a line called "Sew Simple" that has a lot of good choices: this one in particular avoids a zipper and uses elastic for the waist
http://www.simplicity.com/p-6403-sew-simple-misses-skirt.aspx
This would be a very good candidate for a first project!
In my next talk...I will share some of the most made newbie sewist mistakes, and talk about how to avoid them!
TA TA FOR NOW!
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15 comments:
You are the master of dress making and if I ever get even a fraction as good as you I'll be happy!
A Line skirts are a great starting point.
I love your brunette locks!x
Such a good advice. I can do skirts, but that is about it.
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Thanks ladies! Skirts are great additions and fun to wear too!
thanks for the advice! i have been sewing purses and am gonna start doing aprons this xmas, theyre gonna be xmas gifts for some friends and family haha.
thanks for sharing this!
xo
A_Riot
Thanks so much for answering my question! I have just completed a nifty little everyday purse, and signed up for a sewing course through my local adult learning spot. Can't wait to make some clothes of my own.
Thank you for excellent advice Sue! I will check out the link as I am pretty keen to get sewing soon!
Sarah xxx
Great advice Sue - I am not totally new to sewing, but I am on a steep learning curve and I would love to hear any advice you have. I also feel kind of filled with hope that you have only been sewing for a few years but manage to create such beautiful clothes, so many of my sewing friends seem to have been sewing since they were like 5 and I feel like I can never catch up!
you are all welcome! remember to measure your sucess soley on yourself, and not others. What can you do today that you could not do like 3 months ago? that is the best advice i can give. i can never compare myself to Jimi Hendrix or i would have given up guitar =-)
Que consejos tan sabios!
Yo soy una burra, para coser ropa.
tu eres fantastica en tus creaciones geniales!
besos
That dress is lovely! You're so talented! =)
http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/
Oh thank you so much for the tips! I JUST got my sewing machine and I started a pattern and I did get very frustrated!
Karlene
Great post! I too and a noobie. I talked with you a while back about fittings and my interest in your basic dress pattern sloper.
I have been working on my sloper and I am putting my notes together on a NEW blog, which I listed you under the blogroll.
http://producks.us/sewme/
Really enjoy your blog.
Thanks Becca
Creo que a mi me pasaba lo mismo al principio de empezar a coser Los patrones los ponia al hilo, al bies o como mejor me cayesen para "aprovechar" la tela :) Ahora ya hago mejor las cosas
Empezar por las faldas es buen consejo y poco a poco que vaya atreviendose con cosas más complicadas.
thanks for sharing! looking forward to your post about mistakes
Great Post. I'd say a circle skirt would be the easiest thing for a new sewer because all you need is a waist measurement, and it will familarise you with basics like interfacing a waistband, zipper insertion and simple hemming, and at the end of it all you have a garment which makes great impact and feels great to wear.
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