its a bit easier to learn to sew in person, and most fabric stores offer classes of some kind.
i heard that you tube has some helpful videos. try searching "sewing" or "sewing help".
also google free patterns. i know that the burda style website has patterns that you can download and print, but they take a lot of paper/ink, you have to tape them together, and it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth (at least when you’re just starting). i would just buy a pattern off of ebay (look at simplicity.com for easy patterns, but buy off of ebay, much cheaper even with shipping).
I’d suggest lessons at a sewing machine store or some given through a community education program.
Or buy a book or a video with basic sewing.
Start with a pillow case project or curtains. Also work on some by hand. There are hand stitches you’ll need to use even if you’re using a machine.
Get you tools first. Scissors (don’t use your scissors on anything but fabric), ruler, seam ripper, tape measure, black thread, white thread, needles, pins, extra bobbins for your sewing machine.
- All books are available at any library or bookstore –
Sew Fast Sew Easy : All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew
by Elissa K. Meyrich
ISBN-13: 9780312269098
Sewing for Dummies
by Janice Maresh, Janice S. Saunders, N. Graf (Editor)
ISBN-13: 9780764568473
Sew U : The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe
by Wendy Mullin, Eviana Hartman, Beci Orpin (Illustrator) , Agnieszka Gasparska (Illustrator) , Beci Orpin (Illustrator) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780821257401
S.E.W. : Sew Everything Workshop
by Diana Rupp, Lena Corwin (Illustrator) , Andrea Chu (Photographer)
ISBN-13: 9780761139737
Sewing 101 : A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing
by Creative Publishing International (Editor)
ISBN-13: 9781589230699
The Complete Book of Sewing : A Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Every Technique
by Betsy Hosegood (Editor) , DK Publishing
ISBN-13: 9780789496584
Survival Sewing : Emergency Fixes for the Rips, Snags and Tears of Everyday Life
by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader, Nathalie Mornu
ISBN-13: 9781600591228
The Embroidery Stitch Bible
by Betty Barnden, Debbie Bradley (Editor) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780873495103
Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible
by Joan Gordon – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780896891692
Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
by Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781570761188
Embroidery Stitches : Over 400 Contemporary and Traditional Stitch Patterns
by Mary Webb (Editor) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781554072118
Elegant Stitches : An Illustrated Stitch Guide and Source Book of Inspiration
by Judith Baker Montano, Barbara Konzak-Kuhn (Editor) , Micaela Carr (Illustrator)
ISBN-13: 9780914881858
Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel
by Marion Nichols – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780486229294
The Encyclopedia of Stitches
by Karen Hemingway (Editor) , Steve Dew (Illustrator) , Shona Wood (Photographer) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780641905285
The Embroiderer’s Handbook : The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Stitches and Versatile Techniques
by Margie Bauer – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780715320372
Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques
by Sally Saunders, Debra Barrett (Designed by) , Sally Saunders – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780713488173
Stitch Sampler
by Lucinda Ganderton, Lucinda Ganderton- a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780756619008
Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Needlework : Needlepoint, Embroidery, Counted Thread
by Donna Kooler – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781574861846
The Complete Illustrated Stitch Encyclopedia
by Crafter’s Choice, Crafter’s Choice (Compiler) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781402713804
Embroidery Stitches
by M. E. Wilkinson
ISBN-13: 9781406793512
Embroidery (Quamut)
by Quamut
Downloadable Quamut Chart – Electronic edition
Write a review
Available for Download
ISBN-13: 9781411405721
Embroidery (Quamut)
by Quamut
ISBN-13: 9781411497276 – same thing as the download above expect it is in paper back
Start to Sew : All the Basics Plus Learn-to-Sew Projects
by Creative Publishing International, Creative Publishing International (Manufactured by)
ISBN-13: 9781589232068
Lotta Jansdotter Simple Sewing : Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects
by Lotta Jansdotter, Meiko Arquillos (Photographer)
ISBN-13: 9780811852579
Simplicity’s Simply the Best Sewing Book
by Anne Marie Soto (Editor) , Simplicity Pattern Company (Editor) , Martha Vaughan (Illustrator)
ISBN-13: 9780739421000
Home Decor Sewing 101 : A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing for the Home
by Creative Publishing international Incorporated, Creative Publishing International (Editor)
ISBN-13: 9781589231429
Basic Sewing (101 Essential Tips Series)
by Chris Jefferys, James Harrison (Editor)
its a bit easier to learn to sew in person, and most fabric stores offer classes of some kind.
i heard that you tube has some helpful videos. try searching "sewing" or "sewing help".
also google free patterns. i know that the burda style website has patterns that you can download and print, but they take a lot of paper/ink, you have to tape them together, and it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth (at least when you’re just starting). i would just buy a pattern off of ebay (look at simplicity.com for easy patterns, but buy off of ebay, much cheaper even with shipping).
good luck!
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/sewingbook/sewbook.html
http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/ig/Sewing-Tools/
http://www.beginnersewingwithlucy.com/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sewing+lessons&search_type=&aq=f
I’d suggest lessons at a sewing machine store or some given through a community education program.
Or buy a book or a video with basic sewing.
Start with a pillow case project or curtains. Also work on some by hand. There are hand stitches you’ll need to use even if you’re using a machine.
Get you tools first. Scissors (don’t use your scissors on anything but fabric), ruler, seam ripper, tape measure, black thread, white thread, needles, pins, extra bobbins for your sewing machine.
Sewing websites:
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/heritage/s... – a execellent website for learning sewing stitches
http://www.needlenthread.com/2006/10/vid... – a execellent website for learning sewing stitches
http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/el...
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/...
http://learnhowtosew.com/
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/...
http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/sewin...
http://www.sewing.org/
http://www.sew-it-yourself.com/
http://www.simplesewingprojects.com/arti...
http://www.wikihow.com/Sew-Using-Patterns
http://www.ezstitchsampler.com/
blog.worldvillage.com/arts/how_to_lear…
http://www.youcanmakeit.com/comments.asp
http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/a3758-ho...
Books:
- All books are available at any library or bookstore –
Sew Fast Sew Easy : All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew
by Elissa K. Meyrich
ISBN-13: 9780312269098
Sewing for Dummies
by Janice Maresh, Janice S. Saunders, N. Graf (Editor)
ISBN-13: 9780764568473
Sew U : The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe
by Wendy Mullin, Eviana Hartman, Beci Orpin (Illustrator) , Agnieszka Gasparska (Illustrator) , Beci Orpin (Illustrator) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780821257401
S.E.W. : Sew Everything Workshop
by Diana Rupp, Lena Corwin (Illustrator) , Andrea Chu (Photographer)
ISBN-13: 9780761139737
Sewing 101 : A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing
by Creative Publishing International (Editor)
ISBN-13: 9781589230699
The Complete Book of Sewing : A Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Every Technique
by Betsy Hosegood (Editor) , DK Publishing
ISBN-13: 9780789496584
Survival Sewing : Emergency Fixes for the Rips, Snags and Tears of Everyday Life
by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader, Nathalie Mornu
ISBN-13: 9781600591228
The Embroidery Stitch Bible
by Betty Barnden, Debbie Bradley (Editor) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780873495103
Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible
by Joan Gordon – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780896891692
Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
by Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781570761188
Embroidery Stitches : Over 400 Contemporary and Traditional Stitch Patterns
by Mary Webb (Editor) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781554072118
Elegant Stitches : An Illustrated Stitch Guide and Source Book of Inspiration
by Judith Baker Montano, Barbara Konzak-Kuhn (Editor) , Micaela Carr (Illustrator)
ISBN-13: 9780914881858
Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel
by Marion Nichols – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780486229294
The Encyclopedia of Stitches
by Karen Hemingway (Editor) , Steve Dew (Illustrator) , Shona Wood (Photographer) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780641905285
The Embroiderer’s Handbook : The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Stitches and Versatile Techniques
by Margie Bauer – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780715320372
Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques
by Sally Saunders, Debra Barrett (Designed by) , Sally Saunders – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780713488173
Stitch Sampler
by Lucinda Ganderton, Lucinda Ganderton- a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9780756619008
Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Needlework : Needlepoint, Embroidery, Counted Thread
by Donna Kooler – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781574861846
The Complete Illustrated Stitch Encyclopedia
by Crafter’s Choice, Crafter’s Choice (Compiler) – a execellent book on the subject
ISBN-13: 9781402713804
Embroidery Stitches
by M. E. Wilkinson
ISBN-13: 9781406793512
Embroidery (Quamut)
by Quamut
Downloadable Quamut Chart – Electronic edition
Write a review
Available for Download
ISBN-13: 9781411405721
Embroidery (Quamut)
by Quamut
ISBN-13: 9781411497276 – same thing as the download above expect it is in paper back
Start to Sew : All the Basics Plus Learn-to-Sew Projects
by Creative Publishing International, Creative Publishing International (Manufactured by)
ISBN-13: 9781589232068
Lotta Jansdotter Simple Sewing : Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects
by Lotta Jansdotter, Meiko Arquillos (Photographer)
ISBN-13: 9780811852579
Simplicity’s Simply the Best Sewing Book
by Anne Marie Soto (Editor) , Simplicity Pattern Company (Editor) , Martha Vaughan (Illustrator)
ISBN-13: 9780739421000
Home Decor Sewing 101 : A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing for the Home
by Creative Publishing international Incorporated, Creative Publishing International (Editor)
ISBN-13: 9781589231429
Basic Sewing (101 Essential Tips Series)
by Chris Jefferys, James Harrison (Editor)
I hope this helps?