Happy Tuesday! Yesterday we gave away a copy of Sew What You Love by Tonya Whelan to Donna F. for answering the question “What is your favorite type of project to sew?” She said, “The thing I love to sew most varies on any given day. Something that catches my eye or inspires me becomes a priority, even more so when it encorporates a new technique I have never tried before. It may be the way a ruffle lays on a handbag, or the way a seam is encased in a skirt, maybe a cute appliqué on a pillow. I love sewing new things and rarely make multiples of one project.” Congratulations to Donna!
Now is your chance to win another fabulous book. Today you could win The Prairie Girl’s Guide to Life, How to sew a sampler quilt and 49 other pioneer projects for the modern girl. Written by Jennifer Worick and published by The Taunton Press, this book is filled with illustrations and explanations to help any crafty gal find her passion for prairie life. You’ll discover ways to truss a turkey as well as tips on hosting your first quilting bee.
To win this exciting book all you have to do is answer the following question in the comments below:
What’s your favorite bit of advice to pass on to new sewists?
We’ll randomly choose a winner from the comments and announce the winner tomorrow. Be sure to check back everyday between now and December 21st for our daily giveaways!
Sewing is just like the piano, sports and everything else worth doing it takes practice, you learn from mistakes and you get out what you put into it.
My advise to a new seamstress is to sew what makes you feel good and remember some rules are meant to be broken, that’s how new designs are created everyday. I know from exprience that we seamstress and crafters are always looking for new things to try.
Take your time and forgive yourself if it isn’t perfect, you are learning. Most people never notice the mistakes like you do.
Keep your seam ripper handy!
What’s your favorite bit of advice to pass on to new sewists?
Read your pattern thoroughly. Ensure you know what seam allowances are given, how to lay the pattern out (does it require a fold?), etc.
I give this advice because it is something I have learned from my own mistakes by sewing the standard 5/8″ seam, only to later find that I should have used 3/8″. Other times, I have purchased fabric, only to find I did not have enough because multiple pattern pieces required a fold, and the fabric was not long enough.
Measure twice cut once. I have messed up so much fabric not following that rule. My hubby even tells me that
Be kind to yourself, mistakes are part of sewing. We all make mistakes no matter how long we’ve been sewing. Most of all have fun with it!
Always have more thread than you think you need and buy 1/4 yd more fabric for shrinkage. Measure three times before you cut.
Practice sewing on paper with different lines to follow. Practice sewing straight, curved lines. Practice, practice, practice and watch as many videos as possible to see how others do it.
Think 3 times before you cut, don’t give up and enjoy your craft.
Sewing is very relaxing and fulfilling don’t turn it into a frustrating job
Find a mentor or take some classes.
Enjoy the process of creating and making something new – there are no mistakes, just design changes!
Keep practicing! We all learn from mistakes.
Work slowly and have patience, sewing is an art and anyone can do it. Just have faith in yourself, and listen to your mentors
When opening up a new spool of thread, take a Sharpie marker and mark the opening at the top of the spool. This pays off!
I am a fairly new sewer, and I am slow, seam ripper at hand, and always laugh at myself for doing silly things!!
If you are a visual learner, be sure the books or magazines you consult have lots of photographs and diagrams.
Find a sewing mentor.
Just try it.
Don’t look at everything as a mistake. It could just be an unplanned design feature.
Don’t be afraid to try something you see that you want to make. Ask questions when help is needed and give yourself some slack and new fabric if needed when learning creates mistakes. Find a guild or a quilt shop where there is almost always someone who can help out. I have even helped a niece two states away via skype!
Every time you sew a seam, be sure to press. The result .is a good looking product
Every time a seam is sewed be sure to press. The result is a great looking product.
Practice, practice, practice! It’s like learning to play the piano. The more you do it the better you will get, and the more you will love it.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You can always start over. Sewing will definitely get easier the more you practice.
Keep Calm & Get the Seam Ripper!
Practice, Practice, Practice, and pick something you like.
Don’t be afraid to try something, even if you think it is too hard for you…You might surprise yourself!!!
It’s okay to make mistakes. Start with something simple and move on to something more complex as you learn more and more. Have fun!!
Just do it, don’t be afraid to try, if you mess up, it’s no big deal!!!
Practice makes perfect. If you make a mistake, back up. It probably doesn’t show unless your are 10″ away from the project, and nobody else would notice.
Press. Press everything as appropiate for the fabric. It makes a world of difference in the finished product.
Having your sewing machine as your best friend makes sewing an adventure and much more fun, because you always have a friend along for the ride. Share your mistakes and be patient with each other. This friendship will last a lifetime with a little nuturing.
The one lesson I learned (but forgot this summer) was measure twice, cut once. Boy, I will never make that mistake again.
Just jump in; don’t be afraid to ask for help and above all only God made perfect!
Practice makes perfect.
`Always prewash your materials before cutting/sewing. Iron as you sew seams/darts on clothing. Make sure you have good material cutting shears.
Iron as you sew seams/darts on clothing.
Even after 35 years of sewing, you’ll still need that seam ripper, so don’t stress about it. And, make sure Wonder Tape is a staple in your sewing box.
Take time to enjoy your sewing. You will make mistakes so learn from them.
Learn to love your seam ripper. Be patient. Take a sewing class and meet lots of people you can share your new craft with.
Take your time and realize that you will make mistakes and thats ok. Enjoy sewing take classes and make friends
Be patient. Sewing is a wonderful time to relax and concentrate on what u doing. It a wonderful feeling to finish a just take your time it don’t have to be done.
Practice and don’t give up.
“Give yourself a break”. Mistakes are normal. Your seam ripper may become your best friend, but in the end you will learn, you will progress. Most of the “mistakes” you may make are so small it won’t matter. Always buy an extra pinch of fabric for important projects and never throw away your cutting scraps until your project is complete. Take your time and enjoy the process!
Learn not to be concerned about the mistakes that only you can see.
A wise woman told me that the best sewers know when they need to rip. Good sharp scissors are also a must. Buy them when they are 50% off and keep them only for fabric.
If you can’t get the seam or piece together just right, just put away, take a break. Sharp scissors, seam ripper and sewing books are something you need at you side at all times.
Be sure to sit with someone who’s sewing you admire ! Whichever type !!
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