Self Taught Sewing?

I was wondering if anyone here taught themselves to sew? I'm good at hand sewing, and I took a few sewing classes, but I didn't like the class that much due to my schedule. Is there hope for me if I buy a machine? haha

 

Oh heck yeah I learned the very basic on how to sew about 12 years ago when my grandma gave me her 1978 Singer Stylist and have been going crazy ever since. All I was taught was how to work the machine and every technique I have taught myself just by messing around or doing research. I've learned more in the past few years than the entire 12 years because of all the internet resources. Do some google searches for basic sewing and then anything more advanced you can tackle when the time comes
Good luck!!

 

I teach myself everything, how to crochet, how to sew, how to knit (badly), and i've messed up a few times, but at least it's in the comfort of my own home, in PRIVATE, lol.

 

Awesome! Thanks! Maybe there is hope for me!

What about patterns? Does anyone use them? And if so, how did you teach yourself to read them-they're tricky!

 

I started using patterns recently. I only buy ones that are difficulty of easy because I'm not too familiar with them. Just make sure you check the sizes because pattern sizes are VERY different from clothing sizes you buy in the stores..you will need a much bigger size.

 

I've taught myself everything I know about sewing, macrame, knitting and crochet.
I am so jealous of the folks who have been taught by their mothers and grandmothers...

 

I learned a little from my grandma, but when I started sewing with a machine, she lived about 1200 miles away, so I was mostly on my own. I would call her and she would try to explain how to make a dart over the phone. I just experimented with cheap fabric and scraps. I bought some old books on tailoring and learned a lot from them. I like patterns, too. I think they are good for learning the differnt pieces you need to make, say, a sleeve or a pant leg. Mostly, I think sewing is like most things in life: the more you practice, the better you get.

 

Yeah I was thinking of buying a cheap machine and starting with revamping

 

I have a basic machine and I love it. It does what I need it to, but nothing fancy. The only thing I don't like about it is that I do tons of alterations and it is never very happy about sewing heavy fabrics like denim or thick cord.

 

I taught myself on my mom's 1968 singer, and once I got better I got a serger and a new machine. It's not great at the begining, but once you start to get it, it comes fast. I'm shocked at what I can do now, lol.

 

Dude, the hardest part for me was learning how to thread the damn machine. And remembering the bobbin. Stupid bobbin (-_-#) I've been using a machine regularly for about a year now and have turned out some awesome junk, I just recently last month learned what/how "top sew" "finish a seam" and "satin stitch" and finished my first applique on a patchwork dress a couple weeks ago! Just keep trying, start simple, and google how-to's! (^_~) I can't wait to make more!!! I think I'll applique some of my pre-made clothes too!

 

There is totally hope for you. sewing is easy. I taught myself at a young age . . and somehow I loved it so much that I ended up in school to learn technique and patternmaking. Keep on sewing!

 

I'm self taught in sewing. I got a machine a few years ago as a gift and have been at it ever since. Start easy and work your way up to something more advanced. I have a hard time with patterns, not necessarilly reading them or using them, but figuring out how to adjust them to fit me better, I usually don't use a pattern and have had much better luck that way. Check out craftster.org. They've got a sewing section, and it's a great community of people....everyone from beginners to advanced.
Good luck.
eace:

 

I taught myself, too. I bought a few patterns, but even the beginner stuff can seem intimidating. So instead what I did was looked at some of my clothes and tried to figure out how they were put together. I would kinda work backwards. I would do the same thing if I were trying to make up my own design: figure out how I wanted it to look and go backwards from there. Make sure you write everything down, though, you forget a lot more that you would think LOL

 

I got my machine from a small mom and pop shop so the owner gave me a quick lesson on how to thread it, oil it, etc. Definitely possible to just get a machine and learn as you go, as long as you know the basics on how to work said machine.

 

heres a basic pants pattern



heres some ways to alter pre- existing pants to make bell bottoms



and heres a basic shirt/ gown/ dashiki etc pattern



all are incredibly lenient, alter them, and make more clothes than you need!

 

Threadbanger, Knittinghelp.com and youtube can become your best friend when teaching yourself.

I learned knitting with knitting help and learned NEW techniques for sewing with threadbanger...

 

yep! I taught myself earlier this fall and I love it. So creative, much more so than painting even.
I am not so 'quick' with picking new things up either, but sewing (besides reading patterns...can't do patterns) has come pretty easy.

 

yeah, I don't see how you need directions on how to sew. it's simple stuff.

 

I taught myself to sew when I was 9, my mom would always take me shopping but I hated it, I still do, so I saved up for a sewing machine and I still use it to make my own clothes. It's not that much harder to sew by hand than to use a machine, you just have to coordinate the footpedal and guide the fabric through.