I just purchased a new Singer and I've never sewed before...

[Steerpike]

Yikes! It took me a couple of hours just to figure out how to thread the bobbin. I tried hemming my kids pants and the machine kept seizing up. After a few more hours of surfing the net and rereading the manual I finally was able to do a passable job on my sons and daughters new school clothes.
The machine is one of the less expensive "beginners" models I picked up at Wal_mart for 108 dollars. It seems to be alot more difficult to sew than I ever imagined.
Can anyone here point me in the right direction as far as sewing websights that I can go to to pick up basic techniques etc? I would like to get a few DVD's if any are available on how to use a sewing machine to patch clothes, hem over the bump, perhaps even make shirts or pants.

Any thoughts or suggestions would help!

[kcass1954]

1. Do you have the bobbin thread coming from the right direction?

When I have a problem with my machine, I remove the bobbin from the bobbin case and put is back in, then un-thread the machine and re-thread it. Usually this straightens out whatever was wrong. Occasionally, the thread will hop out of one of the thingy's on the machine, and give you fits. Do you have a friend or neighbor who could help you out? If not, see about taking a basic sewing class at your local fabric shop, or just check with the employees about finding a sewing group.

Try these websites for good basic sewing information.

http://sewing.org/

http://sewing.about.com/

And check this one out for some short videos.

http://www.5min.com/Tag/sewing?CategoryID=0

Let us know how you do!

[Steerpike]

2. thank you...

I have put those websites in my favorites and I'm sewing pretty regularly now. I'm just hemming...so nothing big...but it's making a difference in the way my kids look when they go to school.

[comtec]

3. I finally bought a cheap sewing machine here recently too

I'm working on making a tail with fake furr.
It's been years, but I'm really grateful for the double home-ec classes I had in Jr. High LOL (weird story)
Sewing is really rewarding because you can touch and see what you made. it's all quite gratifying :)

One of the tricks, is also learning how hard to stop on the control peddle so the speed is just right for you and the material you are sewing through.

The fake furr pretty much has to be hand cranked, otherwise the thread and the needle will break.

[Warpy]

5. I made a huge fake fur coat on a Singer Featherweight

which is the antique portable. It looks like a kiddie machine.

What I did was cut the fur off the seam allowance and use the zipper foot instead of the regular presser foot.

The fake fur is raccoon, very thick. The coat is convincing enough to get me a lot of dirty looks when I wear it to the food co-op.

I hope this helps you with your fake fur tail.

[la la]

10. thanks-

from a retired Home Ec teacher!
I always felt it was a skill that would last throughout life---apparently the school district didn't--when i retired---Home Ec was gone..... ;>(

[Warpy]

4. You're on the steep end of the learning curve

but getting a new machine is a real advantage--it has a manual you can consult for setting up thread direction on the bobbin, adjusting stitch tension, and the like.

Once you've managed to stitch a few materials of varying weights together and have made a few test buttonholes, you'll know how to do all this stuff and you'll be ready for the next step.

My mother once said "If you can read, you can sew." She was partially right, patterns labeled "beginner" or "easy" will be a snap. Once you get into doing more tailored things, only trial and error and a lot of foul language will get you through it.

I have an antique Singer with no manual and figured out how to sew on my own. It really can be done.

My best tip: unless you enjoy hand basting, be sure to get lots of straight pins. Just remember to yank them out just before they go under the presser foot or you'll go through a pack of sewing machine needles an hour.

My second best tip: leave the ironing board and iron set up while you're sewing. It really does help to press those seams correctly before you move on to the next step.

Nothing is more satisfying than being able to sew your own stuff, especially if you're sick of the mass produced crap most stores sell that wears out after a dozen washings. Just be aware that your homemade clothing will be more expensive in terms of both materials and time in initial outlay, even though the long wearing time eventually makes them cheaper.

[MagickMuffin]

6. If you have a Jo-Ann's nearby they have beginners sewing classes

I haven't had the money to attend any. But I think it would be beneficial to sign up to learn the basics. I can do somethings but I still have issues :eyes:


http://joann.shoplocal.com/joannsalesflyer/Default.aspx?action=browsepageflash&storeid=2435331&rapid=729783&pagenumber=1&prvid=JoAnnStores-090806AA&promotioncode=JoAnnStores-090806AA

[Steerpike]

8. We went to JoAnn's and picked up a schedule!

Won't have time for a couple of weeks but it seems affordable!

[Tansy_Gold]

9. Don't be afraid to ask questions

I've been sewing for years and years and years and nothing gives me greater satisfaction than helping someone else discover the joys.

1. You do indeed get a great deal of satisfaction from having made it yourself.

2. You can make one-of-a-kind clothes so you never see yourself coming down the street -- or run into yourself at a party!

3. You can make clothes that fit you, or the person you're making them for. I'm short and used to have all kinds of problems in the days when I had to wear dresses and skirts. It wasn't until I really learned to sew that I had clothes that even came close to fitting.

4. Once you get the hang of things, you'll be able to make clothes cheaper than off the rack (unless you're good at finding second-hand, which I'm not). Watch for sales, keep your eyes open for remnants, find the right stores.

5. Learn to mix and match pattern pieces.

One of the best investments I made when I was learning to sew was a bolt of muslin. I could use this to make up a pattern before I put it on the fabric I wanted. From the musline mock-up I could determine if anything needed to be altered, and also make sure none of the pattern instructions were wrong and that I understood them well enough to avoid costly mistakes.

Have fun, and feel free to PM me any time.


Tansy Gold

[create.peace]

7. if i was near you i would teach you in a half a day, most everything you need to know! find some old

hippie chick, or grandma!

[blueraven95]

11. You may want to check out Threads magazine

They have a good mix of beginner lessons and more advanced stuff, as you get better.