How to Learn to Sew by Hand / By Machine

Learning to sew is a very rewarding experience. With this knowledge, you can alter and make your own clothes or make money by altering and making clothes for other people. Not just clothes, there are other things you can make with a few pieces of fabric, some tools, and the ability to sew. Some of the things that you can make are drapes, couch and chair covers, accessories for your pets, home interiors, clothes for dolls and so much more.This article goes over the basic practices when learning how to sew.

Things You'll Need

• Dressmaker's shears
• Cutting table
• Yardstick
• Tape measure
• Straight pins
• Needles
• Thread
• Thimble
• Tacking thread
• Tracing wheel and paper
• Tailor's chalk
• Beewax
• Small scissors
• Pin cushion
• Seam guage
• Seam ripper

Instructions

1. Make sure that you are really interested in learning to sew. Once the skilled is learned, sewing is easy. Learning the skill takes determination and interest on your part if you want to be good at it. That is why you should be sure that this is something that you want to do. There are many different things you will need to know about needles, stitches, fabrics and patterns; so it is not something that will be learned in one day. You will need to be committed.

2. Purchase the necessary accessories and tools needed for sewing. Before doing this, you will need to know what type of project you will need to sew and how you will be using them for you to know what you will need.

3. Learn about the different types of needles. Needles come in different sizes, ranging from course (1) to fine (12). Different needles are needed for different types of fabrics and projects. The most common needle is called “Sharps”. “Betweens” are great for hand sewing.

4. Determine what type of thread you will need. Just like needles, depending on the project and the type of fabric you will be using, there are different types of threads you can choose from. All-polyester is what is used for common use. For lightweight fabrics or embroidery, you will need to use extra-fine cotton-wrapped polyester thread. For silks, velvet and wool, there are pure silk thread that is recommended. Research the different thread types with the type of fabric that is going to be used.

5. Prepare the fabric according to the pattern you are using. You will need to measure and cut the fabric before starting to sew.

6. Prepare to sew. The thread that you use should be a shade darker than the fabric. Cut the thread and prepare to thread the needle. If you are hand sewing, cut the thread about 14 inches long. Remember to cut the tread at an angle to make it easier to thread in the needle.

7. Thread the needle. Take the needle threader, or a piece of white paper, to use as a guide when threading the needle. Use your thumb and forefinger to hold the needle firmly while pushing the thread through the needle eye. If you are using a machine, it will come with instructions on how to thread the machine. Follow those instructions.

8. Make a knot with the thread. After pulling the thread through the eye of the needle, find the appropriate place to knot it. Using the cushion of your forefinger, wrap the thread over it and hold it with your thumb. Twist the thread between your forefinger and thumb and pull to make the knot. This is for hand sewing. You will not need to knot when using a machine.

9. If hand sewing, make a double back stitch. This stitch is the start stitch for all hand sewing. Push the needle through the fabric and make a small forward stitch. Go back to the first insertion point and push the needle through again. Do this two or three more times to make sure that the thread is firmly in place.

10. Continue sewing with regular stitches. Stitches that are best for hand and machine sewing is running stitch, back stitch, half back stitch, small back stitch, combination stitch and gathering. The running stitch is to make two or three tiny even stitches after the double back stitch. The back stitch is used when you need extra security with your stitches. To do the back stitch, start with the back stitch and make one small stitch and then go back. Make the next stitch twice as long as the last one. The half back stitch, small back stitch and combination stitch are variations of the running and back stitches.There are other advanced stitches that you can do depending on the fabric and the project. As you become more familiar with sewing, learn and perfect these other stitches.

11. Learn about seams. Seaming is what you will need to do to join the materials together. An open seam is what is most commonly used. This is when you place the materials together on their right side with the seam lines meeting. You will then sew at the seam line. Other seams are the edge stitching, overcasting, loop stitching, binding, pinking and French seam. I recommend just using the open seam until you become more familiar with sewing.

12. Continue to sew until the garment is complete. Remember to finish the stitching with another double back stitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a comfortable seat with support for you back whenever you sit down to sew.

• Use talcum powder if your hands tend to perspire to protect the fabric and thread.