stuff my mother didn’t teach me

I bought a sewing machine.

It’s the most basic of all models I could find that wasn’t a child’s machine; a Brother LS1520 – refurbished, for extra savings. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money given that I am not entirely sure what I am doing, so I did some research and ended up with this one.

Now what?

I don’t know how to sew. I was given an exception from Home Ec in high school so I could take extra woodworking – all fine and good, except I am not trying to lathe myself up a stick. I want to sew a skirt together. I don’t envision that one day I’ll be able to whip up ball gowns and pant suits with ease; all I want to do is .. sew a skirt together, and maybe make some incredibly basic items and hem some pants. I cut up my favourite pair of jeans last week with the idea to make a skirt of them, because they’re a little too holey to be decent. I could just keep it all together with some safety pins and the iron-on cheater hem I put in there, but .. well, I’d like to learn how to sew. So I bought a sewing machine. This will either be really funny, or really traumatic.

So, internet – how do you sew?

This is either the funniest or the saddest product mash-up I’ve ever seen. Luckily, he looks just smashing on my Prime Shelf.

All puns are totally intended.

7 thoughts on “stuff my mother didn’t teach me”

Sewing on denim always made my mother curse and she’s a woman who has been known to sew me a new formal dress before I even wake up in the morning. So, that’s my biggest tip — don’t start with denim. Apparently it’s hard to work with.

Past that, watch your fingers, it really hurts to sew your hands. And once you figure out how to thread the needle and load the bobbin, well, the rest is really simple by comparison.

Agreed, it does hurt to sew your hands. In home-ec class I was sewing something and some girl distracted me and I sewed through my fingernail into my finger. The needle tip, thread and all, broke off and stayed stabbed in my finger. They had to remove it with pliers. :D

I made a skirt once. I was terribly proud. It’s not the sort of thing you want to look at under good light. :D

I want to learn how to sew, too. I didn’t take Home Ec either, I have no idea how to use a pattern, sewing machine, or anything beyond sewing a button back on :(

My recommendation – find an easy skirt pattern with a full skirt and an elastic waist. That’ll allow you the most room for error as you learn how to sew. Also, prewash your fabric and consider ironing your pattern pieces on low. I know that sounds weird because you are ironing paper, but it takes out some of the funky creases that end up on the pieces when they come out of the package.

Here’s a pattern I found online that looks pretty cool: http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B4752=x&TI=10008&page=3

If you feel up to it, you could come down here and we could do the first parts together – picking out the pattern and the fabric, prepping it and cutting out the pieces.

Congrats on the machine. If you have any questions, let me know. I’m more than happy to try to help from afar.

there’s a cool book out called Sew U by the chica who makes the Built by Wendy stuff- i’ve heard it’s a goodie for new sewing peeps! or you could try a nightschool class too? i agree with ali, try something simple like a skirt or jammie pants to start then work your way to more challenging projects as you go. soon you’ll be sewing all your fab new clothes!!