(wasn't sure where to post this)

I don't know if there's anyone on here who really sews, but I was wondering (just in all your opinions) what would you say is the best way to learn? Could you from a book? Would it really be best to try and find someone who knows how and really be taught?


I would absolutely love to try and make some of my own clothes, or even just alter/modify some of the ones I already have but I don't know how to -really- sew. I mean, I have a sewing machine but....

Everyone learns a little differently so I don't know if I could tell you the easiest way for you. For me it's just trial and error. When I learned I knew the basics (sewing forward, backward, etc...). I just started with really easy patterns, and progressed to harder ones as I felt comfortable. I am lucky to have a mother who sews, and helps me quite a bit too (until she moved ). Today I still kinda muddle my way through. I do find that the "proper" way I was taught in Home Ec. isn't how I do things now ~ and things turn out just fine.

To learn by book I would suggest Sewing For Dummies. I tend to be a BIG believer in the "dummies" book. I have always found them to be very helpful, very easy to read, easy to understand, and very thorough (in fact just checking it out while writing this post, I have learned some things from the chapter excerpt ).

Also you have a valuable resource of information on the board. If you ever get stuck with a question ~ ask here, and someone will be able to help you out

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If you truly know nothing, it might be worth your while to take a class at Joann...but that's just my opinion. I tend to get frustrated really easily and while a book is great, it's AWESOME to have someone show you, practice with someone nearby for help before trying at home.

I've recently started sewing again. It was something that my mother taught me as a child and there it has rested for the past 20 years in the back of my mind. For me a lot of trail and error is going on but sometimes that is really frustrating as well. To start try to keep your projects as simple as possible. Clothing, in my opinion, is more difficult and I rarely do it for myself -- though I have ran across some really cute ideas for little girls clothes (rarely do I find little boys) that I'm thinking about doing. But try making a straight line skirt and from there branch out.

I've also been visiting different craft / sewing websites and have found so many good ideas. Some people are just completely amazing with their abilities. If you are interested PM me and I can forward a couple of my favorites to you.

I used a sewing book, I don't know where I put it or what it is called. It helped me learn the terminolgy and basic things. I do a lot of mending and not so much making stuff because I don't have enough time. It is not cost effective in most cases to make clothes but if you like to do it then that is different. Sewing came in handy when my 4 year old snuck scissors into her room and altered her new princess sheets. I have made pillow cases, christmas stockings, fleece neck gaiters for skiing and doll dresses. If you have access to someone who sews or can take a class, I'm sure that would be beneficial. Less cursing and seam ripping!

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I am the most impatient person! I hate to read instructions--lol! So I learned by trial and error. I called my sister and asked her anything she could tell me real quick. She told me things like, when you start to sew....sew straight a few sitches and then stitch back a few stitches to "lock" in the thread and to do it again at the end to "lock" it. This is all I needed. I did simple projects like making pillowcases, simple valances, etc. After several simple projects, I felt comfortable moving on to the harder ones.

I must say I have never made clothes for me, but I do make little girl dresses & hairbows to sell....and I have never used a pattern. That is something I plan to teach myself next! For now I either make my own pattern or use clothing we already have to use as a pattern. (This works well for pants)

Good Luck learning!!

I actually really don't know where I could learn to sew (as far as having someone help/show me)

I live in a small town right now, and we don't have a Joann's or anything.

My mom and my home ec teacher taught me the basics of sewing. If you can't find a person, I would try a book. You could also do an online search using "sewing lessons", "free patterns" and whatever. There are tons of websites out there to help!

I learned the basics from my mom. Now that I am trying to learn a little more, I just bought a pattern and tried to follow it. My mom recently died, so when I had a question I ended up going to JoAnn and asking a random lady that worked there! She helped me figure out the pattern and I just took it slowly, following the instructions very carefully.
Now I live by an aunt I can call with questions. It is definitely easier for me to learn from a person, but I learned to crochet from a book, so I'm sure it's possible!

This is a neat beginning sewing site. Check out Sewing At About - Free Sewing Patterns &Projects, Free Sewing Lessons & More then look at sewing 101 they have a beginners site that looks pretty good!