Learning to sew with machine, need advice!

[Judy]

I have sewn since I was a child; my mother made her own clothes so I did, too. She really didn't teach me so much as let me teach myself, starting on doll clothes. It's actually quite easy, just awkward at first. Might help to practice on a scrap of fabric, like making curves, turning corners, and such. Sometimes it helps to stretch the fabric a bit as you sew; this often helps with knits. Leaving the needle in the fabric when you lift the presser foot to make a turn prevents thread tangles, too.

Kinda like riding a bicycle. Seems scary and impossible at first, then becomes second nature.

Oh, I usually sew over pins. Yes, I break needles. My mother had been sewing many years when she sewed through her fingertip one day. Stuff happens.

 

[alaskachick]

Have you tried YouTube. They have videos showing how to sew on a machine for beginners to advanced.

 

[dmccann]

Some sewing machine stores have free classes!

 

[hollymh]

Quote:
Yes! That is how I was able to finally "get it". I watched one video and then it suddenly clicked and I started sewing everything

 

[chicknerd]

If you are having trouble doing the curve, might I make a suggestion. When I took Home Ec way back when we learned to sew on paper.

First we followed the blue lines until we could do it straight. No thread, just a dull needle.

For curves, the teacher would draw various shapes and sizes and we would practice on them as well. Only when we could do them well could we move to fabric.

I taught all my boys the same way. They loved it!

 

[hollymh]

Quote:
I did this too, but with thread. I drew random curves and followed them, I was able to do it I just needed to go slowly like others suggested. It's so much fun!

 

[seismic wonder2]

I feel your pain.
The hardest thing I'm dealing with are the instructions in the pattern...I have no Idea what half the terms are or how to make my machine do that it's asking me to do....
Working through it though...So far I've made a wastecoat (Vest), 1800's era work shirt and pants, a hawaiian shirt, and a civil war era uniform coat (not finished with that yet).

 

[Kassaundra]

I am self taught too. My first project was horrible on so many levels, that was back in High school. Just stick w/ it, and it will get better. Start simple and work your way up. I still have trouble w/ the written instructions on the patterns, mostly I figure it out from the pictures and just know the correct order to sew a garment from doing it. There are also some pretty good sewing shows on tv, if you can learn by watching easier then reading.

 

[dmccann]

I remember when i was first sewing ,in homemaking class ,i was making a dress and some how the one arm hole got in the back of the dress!!That dress never did fir right!

 

[Randy]

They (the school) forced us boys to take home ec in 8th grade so I have a little experience with those things. The best advice I can give is too keep your fingers out from under the needle.