Happy Friday! It’s time for another Free Stuff giveaway! Today we’re awarding one lucky reader with The Fashion Designer’s Handbook & Kit: Learn to Sew and Become a Designer in 33 Fabulous Projects. This fabulous kit is perfect for aspiring fashion designers (age 8 and up), and comes with a mini dress form, 24 reusable mini patterns, decorative fabrics, rickrack, embroidery thread and a tape measure. It would make an awesome gift for anyone you know who wants to start designing and sewing clothes.
To enter to win the kit, answer the following question in the comments section: What’s the best advice you’d give to a sewing beginner?
We’ll randomly choose a winner on Monday. Good luck!
I tell them to practice, don’t expect perfection and to enjoy the process.
As you sew, so shall you rip….don’t be afraid to make a mistake, just dive in and have fun.
Best advice: Even if the task on the project seems like a waste of time, or that it will take too long…do it anyway. Hand basting is one of those tasks and worth every minute. Also, be patient with yourself.
The best advice for beginners is to have patience. When you start learning something new, most people are in rush to learn whatever it maybe. When sewing young or old, you need the patience on any project.
If you don’t know how to do something, ASK! There are tons of amazingly talented people out there who are MORE THAN HAPPY to share their knowledge with others!
First step is to turn on the machine Second is to enjoy and take it one stitch at a time
I am a beginner and this is my mantra!
Debbie O in Idaho
Practice, have patience, and be fearless. And … mistakes can be lessons learned and/or opportunities.
practice and learn from your mistakes..and have fun!!!
Measure twice cut once…..all the rest is fun fun fun
Relax, listen to some good music. We all make mistakes and that is part of learning.
Don’t be scared of things that look difficult. Just try it and take one step at a time.
Start with something simple, learn from your mistakes and have fun in the process!
I would say make sure your seams are accurate and start with small projects so you can see your results fairly quickly.
Precision goes a long way. Once I stopped being sloppy when cutting out my pattern, my sewing got much easier and I was happier with the end result.
Don’t give up, keep at it and one day you just might surprise yourself and be proud of what you created.
Never be afraid to try something new…Sewing is so much fun and very rewarding…We all made mistakes when we started to learn new things…Never give up!!!
Make things that you love, and don’t rush through just to finish it(-;
Best advice I can give to a sewing beginner is to have a simple pattern to follow, and read all about your sewing machine, and practice a few stitches on scrap fabric, before you begin. Then allow yourself to be very proud of the item you have created!!! Remember, if there is a slight flaw in your sewing project, only you will really see it, others will be amazed at your beautiful work!
Take advantage of freebies whenever offered…..classes in person and online, helpful hints, friends willing to teach, store personnel with time…..anything thing free. Unneeded tidbits today are tomorrows lifesaver
Don’t let mistakes derail your progress. Even the most experienced seamstresses have a seam ripper around to “unsew” or “redesign” their creation.
Read the direction, then re-read them again.
Read the instructions completely and then ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions (there are no stupid questions) we have all asked a million of them and will ask a million more; and remember, “you are only limited by your immagination”. Have fun !!
sewing is like an adventerous. Gotta SEW till you make it!
ENJOY it.
Always lay your pattern out before you start cutting any of the pieces. It is really frustrating to be 1/8 yard short or less!
The seam ripper is your friend. There are lessons learned from mistakes.
Don’t watch the needle in the machine but focus on the edge of the fabric so the sew straight.
Great tools for teaching my grandaughter to sew!
Patience…Rome wasn’t built in a day!
to make sure you watch your fingers, don’t accidentally sew them, and to fix your mistake if you make one, get in the habit now, so later it’s natural. and let your imagination soar……the options are endless!!!
Sewing is all about the journey, not so much the destination. Take the time to enjoy the process (including pressing seams!) learn from your mistakes, don’t be afraid of your seam ripper, and most of all, FINISH WHAT YOU BEGIN!
I would tell them to be cautious with the quality of machine they purchase for the first time. Do your homework. Sometimes that $99 bargain store machine will cause you more frustration than the savings were worth. A decent machine, good thread and needles can make all the difference between getting discouraged and moving forward. Join a discussion group and ask questions! Ask at your local fabric store! Pick simple straight forward projects that you can follow step by step. Lastly, work at your own pace and don’t rush. The time should be enjoyable and relaxing. Be happy, be sewing.
Enjoy it – don’t worry about perfection, that can come later, just have fun!
You can learn anything you want to and be good at it. I guess it sounds kinda simple but it’s a good thing to remember!
just have a go take you’r time and have fun doing whatever you won’t. and if you have tried you’r best that’s all you can .but it’s so much fun trying new thing’s.so go on give it a go.
Don’t be afraid of the sewing machine, practice practice and finish what you start even if it has mistakes.
Take you time when you are sewing ..Learn to read patterns ..Most of all ..have fun and make beautiful things..
Start with a project that you are excited about, ask lots of questions, and enjoy it! Watch out, though… once you start, you’ll be hooked!
Start with a good, easy pattern. Watch your seam allowance to keep in on track, not the needle, since it only goes up and down. Follow the instructions, even if a certain step seems like a waste of time, and ask questions if you don’t understand a term. Try not to cry over having to rip out seams; everybody has to sometimes. Also, use good quality thread! Keep sewing and things will get easier and easier!
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box; some rules must be followed but some may be bent or even broken. Learn as much from experience as from books, and as always, from mistakes! Follow your own pace and your heart. Above all- Have fun! If you aren’t enjoying yourself you might as well throw in the needle.
Start with quick and easy projects. If you begin with success it builds your confidence and you will want to sew more.
Watch for sales to build your stash. Everyone makes mistakes so let un-sewing be a part of your project and you won’t become frustrated.
Press, press, press! Doing a fabulous job of pressing out every single seam is the single best way to make your finished design look professional and not “home-made.”
Use sharp needles and good thread!
Take your time, be patient, and don’t expect perfection right away. Don’t give up when you make a mistake, learn from it to make yourself a better sewer.
I encourage the student to start simple and make something fun!
Learn with a group of friends. They can all be beginners or maybe one or two will know something. Either way its more fun, and if you get stuck then there’s other people who might be able to think of something different on how to approach the problem.
Sew a bit each day…experiment with your machine stitches/settings…mistakes are great learning tools. Learn about different fabrics and uses and don’t be afraid to try color combinations that you initially may not think will work. View sewing as an adventure and enjoy the creative process.
Learn your machine by trying out the different stitches, start with simple projects and know when you start that you will make mistakes, but few if any will be fatal. If you can’t figure out how to correct a mistake ask some one. There are sewists that will be proud to help you learn this fabulous craft. You are limited only by your imagination. Relax & enjoy the trip.
Read the directions, go slowly and if you make a mistake….remember you’ll laugh about it when you get older and better.
Don’t be afraid to try something, if you mess up, just don’t tell anyone–they’ll think you meant to do it that way!