Have you ever needed to mend or alter something and not know where to start? Maybe you wanted to make something entirely new for your home, or perhaps—like me—you were just getting frustrated with the choice of clothes at the stores for your daughters.
Then you need to learn how to sew!
Lets start by getting familiar with the sewing machine. There are many different brands and models available, but they basically all run the same way. You can find an excellent article here that shows the different parts of the sewing machine and what their functions are.
If you are just learning to sew or teaching your children to sew, I suggest that you start by sewing on a piece of paper without any thread. This will be a time of getting used to how the the foot pedal works and learning to guide the material (paper) under the needle.
Draw some straight lines on the paper and then add some curved lines and some right angles to practice on and try to follow sewing on those lines. This is also a good time to learn about safety in dealing with the needle. Learn to keep your fingers and those little fingers away from the needle. If you have little ones around teach the importance of not playing with the foot pedal. If someone pushes on the foot pedal and it is plugged into the machine the needle is going to take off. Make a habit of unplugging your foot pedal when not sewing or if you have an on/off button, be sure to use it.
After getting used to how the foot pedal and the needle work together, thread your machine and continue practicing on paper, except this time you will actually be sewing stitches on paper. Again, practice following the drawings – this will help teach you how to sew straight and follow the sewing line.
To turn a corner, sew directly up to the corner, leaving your needle in the down position (in the paper) and lift up the presser foot. Turn the paper so that you will be able to follow the sewing line. Put down the presser foot and continue sewing. Repeat this procedure anytime you come to a corner.
If you do not know how to thread your machine, look through your sewing machine manual; there should be a diagram that will show you exactly how your machine is threaded, as well as how the bobbin should be placed. Until you are very familiar with how your machine is threaded it would probably a good idea to make a copy of the diagrams and keep it handy, either by laminating it or by keeping it folded in your sewing machine’s storage compartment (which most – but not all – sewing machines have). This way it can be easily referenced.
If you don’t have a manual for your sewing machine, you may be able to locate one at this website which has links to several different sewing machine companies’ websites.
Now for a quick tip: This is from my husband, who is a third generation automobile upholsterer and can sew circles around most of us. Before you begin sewing, hold onto both the upper thread and the bobbin thread with your left hand a little away from the needle and keep it taut until you have made a few stitches. This keeps the threads from tangling up at the beginning of your sewing. After you have made your first few stitches you can release the threads.
If you have any quick tips, please leave them in the comment section so we can learn from each other!
Until next month, happy sewing!
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for this! I’ve always wanted to learn, and I’m still nervous, but now more willing to try now!
Thanks for the great post. I have been wanting to learn to sew and recently acquired a sewing machine. These are great tips! I hope to learn to sew and then pass the skill along to my young daughters!
Having tried both “real” sewing classes at a local craft store and self-education when it comes to sewing, I have to say it really helps to have someone who is experienced give you some assistance as you get started! If you can find a woman at your church who sews, invite her over for coffee and ask her to help you get started – it will be a huge compliment to her and a big boost to your confidence as you get going! :0)
What a great idea to let our little ones sew on paper with no thread!!! what a great way to not only practice sewing but to practice her motor skills! I would have really enjoyed that when I was a young girl.
I am trying to learn free motion stitching and that would be great to practice that on paper too!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the simple easy instructions. Although I know how to sew myself, I’m not very confident in teaching my daughters. This gives me a great place to start. Thank you!!
What a great idea about the paper. I have had a sewing maching for years, and always resort to hand sewing things because I just am not very good with the machine. I’m going to try practicing on paper. Thanks for the idea!
1. My youngest daughter made that connection between firearms/safety and sewing, and I thought it was brilliant. If your children are familiar with firearm safety, them that the foot pedal is the ‘trigger’. Keep your foot OFF until you’re ‘on target’ (needle is set) and ready to ‘fire’ (sew).
2. If you have a little one that can’t be at the machine solo yet, put her in your lap, set your needle into your fabric/paper/whatever, and have her put her hands on top of yours as you guide fabric around. She’ll feel like she’s sewing, be encouraged that she’s ‘helping’ and will be less fearful when it’s time to operate the machine herself. You can let her do the safer things, bringing the needle to the up or down position, raising/lowering the presser foot, etc.
Thank you so much! I was laying in bed this morning thinking I wanted to ask for a sewing machine and lessons when my birthday rolls around this year. It’s something I really want to learn to do.
Great idea to start little ones with paper! I have actually been thinking a good bit lately about teaching children to sew. My oldest daughter is 6 and has been begging me to teach her. Is 6 years old too young to start her on the sewing machine? I get so nervous thinking about her using the machine!! When she was about 4 or 5 we went to a craft store and bought her some of that large plastic mesh, a big needle and some yarn. She has really enjoyed practicing her “hand sewing” with that. Any advice out there as to what an appropriate age would be to start teaching them on the machine?
Amanda,
I don’t think it is too young, but I would suggest that you be with her and sew together. As she gets more experienced and older you will be able to tell when she could sew by herself.
“Q” had a great tip in her comment about having little girls sit on your lap and help guide the paper with you.
When I was 7, I decided that I needed a yellow pillow for my room. I told my mom that my toys needed it. So, my mom taught me how to thread the machine, gave me a really long lecture about why its important to not stick my fingers under the needle, and then sat me in her lap and worked the pedal (i was too short) while I guided the fabric. Granted, a basic pillow is 4 straight lines, with a gap to turn it, but I was all excited.
I am currently teaching my 10 yr. old daughter to use the sewing machine using the book “Stitches and Pins.” I hade her sew first without ANY paper (just getting used to the pedal and machine parts) and then lines and zigzags on paper, as you did. It’s great fun to teach a daughter to sew! She’s already made 2 pillowcases, a laundry bag, and an apron from a dishtowel. Happy sewing!
Thanks for this. I echo what’s been said above: the paper and threadless needle is a great idea.
Thanks for sharing,
Love, Anne x
As a self taught sewist (I wouldn’t classify myself as a seasmstress yet) some advice I would give would be to just JUMP IN!! When my oldest dd was about 2yrs. a basic a-line jumper pattern caught my eye. I bought it, struggled through the directions the first time, ended up with a wearable but not perfect garment and have been hooked ever since.
It is certainly a good skill for daughters to learn. My daughter, who is fourteen, has her own sewing machine now. We use our sewing machines mainly for mending or for making home decor. My mother-in-law has always made her own clothes. I call her a ‘master seamstress’ and I don’t think I’ll ever attain to her mastery of the skill.
I prefer to crochet which is another useful skill. My daughter recently took up this fiber art. She has crocheted a shawl and bolster pillow for some friends and is currently working on an afghan for herself.
Sewing is so much easier than people think, once you’ve gotten some basics down. I tell women to begin with a super-simple pattern, maybe an apron, and progress from there. Most patterns have labels like “Easy”, or “Advanced.” It’s a lot easier than you think, once you try. Just have someone who knows how to sew come over and teach you basics like threading the machine and reading patterns, and you’re on your way. This past weekend I made the cutest (and easiest!)dress for more daughter which I received so many compliments on. I have been frustrated because I haven’t been able to find toddler dresses that are longer than knee-length (and my daughter is long, but has a small frame so a larger size doesn’t work very well). So I went to k-mart, purchased a couple of very cute knit shirts (they even had cute little rosettes attached to the collar) for $1.88 each, then purchased a half a yard of fabric for the skirts at about $3-$5 per yard. I cut the lenth of the shirt a little shorter (I was aiming for empire-waist or baby-doll) and attached the skirt (two rectangular pieces of material stitched together at the sides and gathered at the top) to the shirt and hemmed it. I guess they call it a t-shirt dress, but the blouse was a little dressier and the waist was higher, so no one really thought of it as one. There is so much beautiful fabric at the fabric stores (or you can take fabric from dresses at thrift stores) and this method saves me time as I don’t even have to make a bodice (the part that has the torso, sleeves and collar). You will feel so accomplished making something so beautiful. Once you get experienced you can even experiment with different skirt styles like the popular tiered skirt.
What about sewing without a machine? At this time I cannot afford a machine but would love to do some simple sewing projects but I am unsure of the right stitches to use. Do any of you know which stitches would be the best to use? People would hand sew clothing and quilts before machines were available to the majority of people, so I figued so can I. I just need some guidance.
Thanks you
Melanie,
I love to sew by hand. I find it very relaxing. A straight stitch is the easiest to work with.
Is the straight stitch strong to withstand washing and wearing? Or should I use the back stitch?
Thank you for this. I just recently bought a Necchi sewing machine at a garage sale and am excited to get started. Your article really helps.
Robin, this was wonderful! My husband just bought me my very first sewing machine for my birthday!!
Btw…I love that you mention that your husband is great at sewing. Some of the best I know are men. I’m looking forward to teaching my son as well as my daughter to sew–it’s a practical skill that everyone should have under their belt!
What a great post. I’ve been sewing since age 9 but practicing on paper was never anything I’ve seen before. My boys have been wanting to learn but the thought of fabric+thread+teaching seemed overwhelming to me and I’ve put it off. Now I can start with them.
Holding both threads is definitely important! Something I learned early on by making the mistake of not holding them.
The girls sewing class I taught last winter thought making pillowcases one of their best projects. It was their first project. It involved straight cuts and straight seams, pressing, and was simple. Here is a link to the series of lessons: http://mungermom.blogspot.com/2010/06/simple-fun-sewing-projectpillowcase.html
Simplicity Patterns now has “learn to sew” patterns that are fairly easy. I say that. . .stay away from the pattern for the shirt. I am fairly experienced and had trouble with it. LOL!! The skirt and pants patterns are very easy. Both of my daughters (11 & 7 yod) have been able to follow the skirt pattern with my help. Right now when we sew, I have them sew the straight seams and I take the harder stuff.
I LOVE the idea of having a little one sew with you on your lap and hands on yours. I have 2 baby daughters that I plan to do that with then they are old enough (they are only 2 mod and 20 mos.) And thanks for the reminder about using the paper first.
My oldest doesn’t like to sew much but am continually telling her that it is a skill she simply needs to have. Even if she doesn’t use it much when she’s grown, she will still benefit from knowing how. I have taught myself to sew through various avenues. I do wish I had learned when I was younger though.
Great post, Robin! Thanks for sharing these tips. I’m just learning to sew and I’ll definitely be looking back to this post for tips.
Please consider writing a post on sewing with patterns as I haven’t tried that yet and would love to learn! Thanks again! Blessings!
I started sewing about age 12 on a $15 machine from a garage sale and a pile of cheap second-hand fabric and patterns. Some first sewing attempts failed, others were successful – all the while I was learning lots. A few years later I found a class on Pattern Drafting, which I highly recommend looking into as a very valuable skill. Now I’m working as a stay-at-home-daughter providing sewing lessons for young ladies and doing custom sewing jobs and alterations for my family and others.
The ability to sew is a praiseworthy and highly profitable thing for any young lady to learn – and use for Gods glory!
Love it. We DO need to learn to sew and pass it on to our daughters! I can’t read a pattern to save my life, but there are SO MANY tutorials online….with pictures…that I have sewn quite a few things!
I have a very, very old machine, and I need to set it up and see if it even works! My 7-year-old wants to learn to sew on a machine so bad! We’ve done some hand sewing together and we both love that!
Thanks for the great article, and the comments are all very helpful as well!
Robin,
I like your tutorial. I think that sewing is a great skill for children to learn. We started our venture into sewing this past school year. I am not only teaching my daughter, but my sons as well. My oldest son took to it w/such an interest that he ended up making two “super-hero power bands” (their first sewing project).
My only suggestions/tips are:
1. Don’t sew when you’re tired.
2. DO NOT put your foot on the pedal until you’re ready to sew; eyes and hands (and fingers engaged).
3. Keep your eyes on the sewing machine needle (or in the general area) at all times.
I had to make an ER visit this past weekend because I failed to do all of the above. Despite, this I absolutely love sewing.
Ladies please do not be discouraged if you have an older machine. My friend who teaches sewing to local homeschoolers (including my daughter and I) prefers older machines and recommends them highly over some of the newer ones.
Both of our machines are at least 30 year old Kenmores. We have had them serviced and they both are wonderful, sturdy machines.
Thank you! This, I think, takes just the right amount of intimidation from my shoulders. I think I just might be brave enough to take the machine out of its purchase box now. I’m embarrassed to say how long I have had it without opening it.
Many Blessings,
Holly@aiminghigh
I’m totally a beginner, but sewing is really rewarding! I think baking a pie from scratch and sewing give me that true “homemaker” feeling.
A couple weeks ago my needle broke and I pulled out the manual to replace and “AHHH!” the new needle fell into a hole by the foot… yikes, still gotta figure out what to do about that. !!!
Would it be useful to try a magnet? Or, is there a ‘plate’ you can remove to then locate the needle? Or, would checking out the (above) link that has on-line manuals be useful? Just some thoughts.
~♥~♥~♥~ quote of the note ~♥~♥~♥~
When our goal is to learn and grow in our fear of God there is no end to our education.
Although I am now a homeschool graduate, I have continued to learn and grow and I expect that to continue for the rest of my life. ~ Daniel Mills
~♥~♥~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~♥~♥
Thank you for this article. I’ve been wanting to sew for years, but so far it hasn’t happened. I live overseas and don’t have access to classes or even to someone who could teach me, BUT, I did just have my mom bring me a sewing machine from the States. I’m clueless what to do with it though! Can you suggest a beginning project (after the doing the great paper practice!)??
I completely agree with your hubby! No matter how *good* a machine is, those threads can tangle up in a jiffy on those first few stitches without this little tip.
Even though I knew some basic sewing skills, I took Home Ec in high school. You know, “an easy A”? Anyway, that’s exactly how we started on machines. First just paper, then paper using thread. Works perfectly!
My 9yo daughter keeps wanting to learn. So, I sit down to work with her. It lasts about 10 minutes then the attention span is gone. Perhaps in a year or two she’ll have the interest stick.
How wonderful is this! Thank you so much! I have yet to brave sewing but do have a desire to learn some day…Have a wonderfully blessed day in Him.
Robin,
Thank you for the time you’ve taken in writing this all out for our education! Thank you also, all the commentators who have added further links and information!
~♥~♥~♥~ quote of the note ~♥~♥~♥~
I’ve never forgotten Philip Yancey’s definition for hope – believing in advance what
will only make sense in reverse. ~Karen Marie Berger
~♥~♥~♥~ ~♥~
Oh, I long to be able to sew clothing for me family. The patterns are what I have a hard time with.
Thanks for sharing this. Looking forward to more.
Warm wishes, Tonya
thanks for the tips and reminding me of the paper, threadless sewing. my 6 yo is very interested and is always watching what i do with the machine. i learned by watching my own mother – mostly helping lay out patterns when i was older and sewing straight lines while she did the harder stuff. i took an advanced sewing class in college and have simply learned more by doing/reading ever since. i make a lot of my girls play clothes… and am constantly mending for family and friends. my hubby gave me a serger for my birthday this year and i am ecstatically learning all it will do!
I’ve picked up the art of sewing and have really enjoyed making my children clothing and finally hemming my husband’s pants!! I am so excited of the possibilities that await as I learn from my mother-in-law and will be taking a beginner’s class next month. Caring for your home would include mending pants, sewing drapes, etc. It is fun and a skill all women should have some knowledge of, it comes in handy!
There are so many nice tutorials online now…. maybe check YouTube and Instructables (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Sew./) for some guidance! Good luck.
{ 3 trackbacks }