Sewing for beginners can be scary. Even learning how to thread some machines requires a degree in mechanics! Here are some great books and other tips to make the process a bit less intimidating:
- Amy Karol – Bend the Rules Sewing - My favorite – Amy has a conversational style that immediately puts you at ease – and lots of great easy instructions that will have you whipping out projects (Aprons and bags and quilts – oh my!) in no time. I even learned to do seam binding! Amy also has a great blog where you will find even more projects and ideas.
- Amy Butler's In Stitches – The queen of luxurious fabrics and fabulous patterns. From placemats to designer pillows, you will find a lot to keep you busy. Amy also has a website with even more fabulous patterns.
- Simple Gifts to Stitch – with over 30 easy-to-follow projects, you will soon be impressing all of your friends with your handmade goodies.
Tips for the beginning seamstress:
- Start Easy – Don't try to make couture your first time out. Start with an easy project like an Apron, tote bag or pillow – not only are these projects easy, but they are also easy to embellish!
- Your Seam Ripper is your Friend – keep it handy when your stittches veer off course, or you accidently sew yourself to your new pillow (don't laugh, it could happen!)
- Recycle household items to practice on - old sheets, men's button down shirts, and tablecloths are all good sources of fabric that you can practice on to build your confidence before buying fabric.
Sewing is one skill that almost anyone can master, and there is no limit to the fun things you can make! We would love to see your projects over in the Blissfully Domestic forums.
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Amy Karol's book is fabulous!
hehe, i just show my first project with the sewing machine on my blog. i thought it would be easy. i still laugh when i take a look at the result! lol
Great post. My daughter-in-law wants to learn. I forwarded the link to her.
Re: the seam ripper
It's true, I've bonded with my seam ripper almost more than my actual sewing machine. In fact, I recommend keeping two or three seam rippers on hand as they seem to be in heavy rotation (at least around here) and get easily mislaid. I also keep projects-in-progress in gallon size ziplocks and will keep a ripper in each bag so that I don't have to stop what I'm doing to fetch it. Sad, but true.