I have lots of great ideas for sewing projects… for Chica. I love thinking of the materials to use, the design, the colors, etc. but when it comes down to putting needle to material, I am terrified! That machine is scary! For instance, it has a bobbin. How on Earth does that thing even work? I considered it an amazing accomplishment the first time I was able to completely thread my machine. And that foot pedal thing? I have exactly two sewing speeds: slower than waiting in line at the DMV and faster than an hour without any kids around. I can’t seem to get to that ideal sewing speed using that thing. I am tired of being a victim of my machine fear though. I want to create and make cute quilts and bags! I want to sew a straight line at a normal speed. I want to know how I decide which stitch style and tension to use. I want to lose the fear!
In case you are wondering why an inept sewer like me would even have a machine, it is because I inherited it when my grandmother passed away. This gives me extra incentive to try and learn how to use the thing. My mom can’t even control a glue gun, so she certainly didn’t want to attempt a sewing machine. Poor Mom. Crafting ability must have skipped a generation!
To help me along, Chica has promised to give me some basic sewing lessons. I am talking very basic, and working up to me actually making something. How exciting! As I go along my educational journey, I will share the tutorials that the “Jedi Master of Sewing” will be teaching me. I will show you my not-so-great results along with, hopefully, something that looks better than what my four-year-old could do.
If you have any sewing questions or some tips for a newbie like me, please share them in the comments.
P.S. For those of you who have asked, no I still haven’t done anything on my polymer clay advent house. Maybe it is because I have it set up too close to my sewing machine.
18 comments so far:
I’d start with something with straight lines. My first sewing project (junior high) was placemats. A pillow would work, too. Then we moved on to aprons, which is coming back into vogue; a simple half-apron with pockets, which involved gathering fabric by pulling basting threads. (Now one zigzags over cord to prevent breking thread.) A nice quilt block with straight lines (log cabin?) would work, too — or maybe a baby quilt with just squares?
From there it’s a short jump to tote bags and purses. And then be brave and jump into anything else…and get a good sewing resource book for those times when Chica isn’t around….
I can totally relate. I have a machine. I have used it maybe 3 times. It’s too intimidating. I look forward to your tutorials.
I sort of know how you feel. I am a little terrified and a a little excited about beginning to learn how to use my new longarm sewing machine. I love to sew though. I am very brave now with trying new things on my domestic machine. With your crafty ability you will be making amazing things in no time at all.
Jo, let me say the first time I touched… yes I say touched (aside from moving one around for my mom) a sewing machine until November of last year, lets just say 12/09 because I bought it the day after Thanksgiving. The place where I got it is in shock that I have taken so well to it, but they think it was because I was crafty before I started sewing so it helped me just pick it up. I am still terrified of clothing patterns, in fact I bought stuff to make new pants and jeans and haven’t touched the stuff yet. That was a couple months ago. I love making bags and now quilts and I know you will too. It will be so much fun I promise! I can’t wait to see what you come up with! The first thing I did was seriously, no pattern piece together a little bag (small like 7 x 7, made my own handles and didn’t use but a tiny bit of fabric. Gave me the chance to just fiddle with the settings and when I was done had a cute bag for the lil one to play with. Have fun! Julie
You’re really making me laugh with this one! Especially the two speeds, because that’s totally my problem, too! I’ve sort of conquered the fear, but I still have no real skills. Maybe you’ll motivate me to try again…
I really want an embroidery machine (I have tons of ideas for that!), but I saw it used one time – and that was something that really scared me!
Thanks everyone for pumping me up to tackle my monster sewing machine! Jenny, Chica has one of those ultra-fancy sewing machines and it scares the crap out of me. That thing can sew without you even in the room and is always beeping at you telling you something isn’t just so. Her sewing machine could eat mine for breakfast! I like the idea of starting with place mats and maybe without patterns. Patterns are scary! : ) I also realized that I am afraid of ruining fabric. So I need to get some inexpensive muslin or just some scraps of stuff lying around the house and go to town in it. Cute fabric is an investment and I don’t want to subject it to my lack of sewing abilities. Stay tuned everyone for our tutorials over the next few weeks!
try a rag quilt, It is all straight sewing. The back and front are created at the same time. They turn out great. You use homespun fabric, this is a 100% cotton that ravels at the edges nice. I can get it for $2 a yard. very forgiving and it will turn out great even for a first timer.
I will have to go and check out that homespun fabric. Thanks for the idea, Kris.
here is a site with instructions and pictures.
http://www.jubileehomespun.com/info/Quilt_Instructions.htm
They use flannel but I like homespun better.
I get my homespun at walmart. Some of the walmart’s in Minnesota still have fabric.
I also go to the laundry mat to wash mine quilt the first time. Better to clog their machines then mine. Plus the larger drier fluff the quilt better.
one more thing. I think the yardages on the site might be wrong. you can adjust the size of the squares to get the most out of the fabric.
hi my name is Lori and I am afraid of my sewing machine. There I said it! I have had my machine for about 3 years and only touched it about 2 times. When I tried to sew here are some nice things that happened ( not)….the bobbin gets tangled, it eats fabric, and the needle brakes. AHHHHH! I am hoping your tuts can help me!!
ps just found your site and I am loving it!!
lori, admitting your fear is the first step! Thanks for joining us here and we hope you enjoy the sewing videos. The first one is coming very soon!
Finally I realize I am not the only one out here that’s scared of sewing machines, I got one of the little hand held ones, and for some reason, it keeps coming unraveled! Hmm…
I’m afraid of sewing machines, too. I was even more afraid of cars. I eventually got over most of my fear of cars and got my license at 20, but I’m still sometimes afraid that I’m not totally in control of the vehicle (mostly going through puddles and when everyone else is going 60 on a 45mph road…)
I have a really simple machine right now, but I’m having the same problems as some of you – it’s got two speeds – too slow or way too fast, and it eats fabric and has a random tension and doesn’t go straight by default. I’m still scared it’s gonna go right through my finger. But it’s mostly the noise that freaks me out – same reason I’m not the queen of home improvement – even a drill’s noise freaks me out, much less a circular saw!
Is there such a thing as a complete and total beginner’s machine?
Michel, stay tuned, we have a lot more video tutorials coming soon that should help with all of your sewing machine questions. Dust off your simple machine and join us on our sewing adventure!
having trouble finding more of yr videos on learning to sew. went thru lessond 101 to ten. r there more. many thanks anna
Anna, we have 10 lessons in our Sewing 101 series. Here’s a link that will show you a list of links to all of them: Sewing 101