Anybody know how to sew?

[Juliegoddess]

Hey Kermit! Great you are going to sew! You've gotten some great advice here, and I just wanted to add a couple things. BTW, I'm a professional seamstress and clothing designer, and I also taught sewing and tailoring for many years.

If you can, please do as others have suggested and purchase your sewing machine from a dealer that specializes in them. They will offer classes and one-on-one training for you to learn the special features of your machine. And classes are great too, of course.

The one thing you do NOT want to do is "try out" sewing with your "great aunt Matilda's sewing machine"....lots of people do this because they aren't sure if they will like sewing, so they don't want to spend the money on a machine. Let me tell you something! You will HATE sewing on a crappy, old sewing machine that hasn't had a tune-up since god-knows-when! If there's one sure thing that will KILL your enthusiasm for sewing, it is working on bad equipment. Get yourself a nice mechanical machine (no need for all the computer bells and whistles, really), and make sure it has a buttonholer that you like (test it out when you are testing machines to buy). I prefer the four-step buttonholer on beginner machines...they always make GREAT buttonholes! Also look for a multi-stitch zig-zag. You might want to use this stitch for finishing seam allowances.

There's lots more I could go into, but I won't bore you!! Have fun! Sew some biking stuff!!

[artifactos]

I don't know why some of you think that sewing and other "trade" classes are not taught in schools anymore.

I'm 24. When I was in 8th grade, we had one semester of home ec (basic sewing - we made an apron, basic cooking, budgeting, etc.) and another semester of wood shop.

In high school, I was in ag classes (where I learned more woodworking, welding, and so on.. not as specialized as the "shop" classes) and took a fabrics & fashion class as well. We sewed quite a bit in that class, including making dog and cat toys for the local humane society.

Maybe it's just a rural school district thing? I'm absolutely sure that those classes have not yet been discontinued in this school district (nor has art, thankfully!), even though students have the option of taking more specialized classes in similar subjects at the local technical school.

I learned how to sew very young (from my mother and grandmother), then took a specialized 4-H class on sewing when I was maybe 8 years old. We made pincushions (I still have mine!), shirts, and tote bags in that class. On my own, I've made many pillowcases, some cloaks, and done plenty of small alterations. I'm a little out of practice, so I might need to pull my mom's sewing machine out to make some curtains now. Sewing is indeed a valuable skill.

[Tuckervill]

I had home ec and the first sewing project we did was a shirt with interfacing! yikes. Then I made some gauchos. lol.

Our local high school has home ec classes, but they also have an agriculture program.

I can't remember when I couldn't sew, though. To me, it's just like following a recipe. I have quite often just free-styled what I needed (not clothes!). I'm getting ready to make some insulated bags for my new business, if I can find a good fabric for them. I've already constructed them in my mind.

Karen

[PscyclePath]

I taught myself to sew about 10 or 12 years ago... making Civil War uniforms, believe it or not... using museum patterns and picking up the little details from looking at original items. I use a machine on the inner seeams that don't show in the finished product, but everything outside (topstitching, buttonholes, etc.) and that shows on the inside is handsewn. I started out with some simple stuff like little bags or "poke sacks,", then started working on shell jackets and shirts. Trousers are probably the most fun, once you've figured out how to put in the fly ;-) (no zippers allowed. I haven't tried those, so I'm a little clueless with those...) Frock coats are probably the most frustrating garment to try. Single-breasted is tough enough, but double-breasted is a booger.

It's a lot of fun, and very calming in stressful times to simply be able to sit there and stitch. And they look better, more real, and last much, much longer than the stuff you can buy commercially.

Tom

[shootingstar]

There are probably more men interested in or doing sewing than just the guys in the design/fashion world.

But it's hidden or under the guise of repairing tents, sails, pack sacks or furniture ulpholstery or making furniture coverings/working in interior design areas or leathermaking products.

In connecting all the dots of my mother's natural strengths in this areas in the past day , she also had a natural mathematical ability to calculate in her head by looking, how much fabric was required to design and make fitted slipcovers for a sofa and armchair set. This is one area I would take more time than she to do the calculations.

Yet despite her tailoring, advanced sewing techniques, she did not have artistic sense of choosing inspiring colour combinations and textures for outfits. These are areas I know came more naturally to me.

[MommyBird]

My favorite shop used to have a man working there who was an avid sewer. He made dresses for his daughters. His wife hated sewing. He also quilted but his forte was French Sewing and smocking. A very popular southern style for little girls and toddler boys.
A style never to be worn by my boys though!

[Deborajen]

Get yourself a nice mechanical machine (no need for all the computer bells and whistles, really), and make sure it has a buttonholer that you like (test it out when you are testing machines to buy). I prefer the four-step buttonholer on beginner machines...they always make GREAT buttonholes! Also look for a multi-stitch zig-zag. You might want to use this stitch for finishing seam allowances.

I second this - Good advice. I have an old Kenmore that Mom & Dad gave me for high school graduation 20+ years ago. It's sturdy, simple and does all the basics, plus I can do the maintenance on it myself. Can't beat it.

I believe Kwik Sew has some good beginner patterns (?) Buttonholes and zippers can be frustrating so I'd save those for later. Slippery fabrics and knits are also challenging, and stripes and plaids usually need to be matched at the seams.--

Have fun!

[kermit]

Thanks again everyone. I have been surfing but haven't been to the store yet. My only concern is being able to sew heavier fabrics like denim or canvas. What is the cutoff regarding machines and different fabrics? Being able to sew and alter my uniforms, heavy duty cotton (bdu type clothing) and sew patches on. Just to start.

PscyclePath-the civil war uniforms sound cool, how about a photo? My husband would love to see one!

[shootingstar]

My only concern is being able to sew heavier fabrics like denim or canvas. What is the cutoff regarding machines and different fabrics? Being able to sew and alter my uniforms, heavy duty cotton (bdu type clothing) and sew patches on. Just to start.

Make sure the sewing machine that you want, will allow you to change a common brand line of sewing needles of different thicknesses to allow you to sew through very heavy duty cotton material seams.

ie. I use at least a size 16 or even 18 if my sewing machine needle has to chomp down through multiple layers of heavy fabrics for a rolled seam. Yes, I've broken some needles because I've miscalculated the size of needle for the sewing "drill" job.

For instance for regular weight fabrics for shirts, you would be using a size 12 or 14 sewing machine needle. Finer fabrics, like silk it's size 9.

These needle sizes are based on Kenmore line. But are usable for alot of ordinary mechanical sewing machines.

I have had my Kenmore sewing machine for last 25 yrs., hence it's not computerized. No need, but it has a buttonhole maker, serger stitch, adjustable zigzag stitch, and about 8 other different types of stitches. (Even a smocking stitch which I tried for fun but wondered when would I use this??? )

It's like a bike, cost-savings can be huge while enjoyable results. It costed me $140.00 at that time....but has saved me tons of money for what I have created from it. There is....no way I will give up my sewing machine now. I would be a fool.

[PamNY]

Denim, canvas and heavy cotton won't be a problem. You'll need to select the proper needle and maybe adjust the thread tension, but that will be covered if you take a class.

I can't remember if you own a sewing machine, but if you are buying a new one, you might look at ratings on Consumer Reports.

My Viking would happily sew multiple layers of Cordura without a problem, and I made lots of things from the heaviest canvas I could find.

[kermit]

Thanks again. Looking for a machine, and have checked consumer reports, lots to learn. I have seen the vikings they are sweet!

[malkin]

My prom dress was designed and sewn by my date who also made his tux.

[shootingstar]

My prom dress was designed and sewn by my date who also made his tux.

Wow.