learning to sew

[Forensick]

So....
after my play with a firefly full cast costumes

where i mostly just slightly modified existing items, all hand sewn (very averagely) because i cant use a sewing machine to save myself, well... my $30 ebay sewing machine my ex left, so i dont think it counts

so i think i want to learn better, there are a few other costumes i wanna make, that i wont be able to use existing items for

but seriously, how to i go about it?

sewing machines are exspensive scary and confusing
i dont know anyone that can teach me in the first place

halps?

 

[Guri]

I taught myself by using simple store bought patterns at first and then learning to modify them and/or using clothes that fit as patterns and modifying them until I made my own patterns.

I have some tutorials on my website about pattern making, but I am by no means a professional - it'll just be a place to start.

A couple of hints that helped me:

- get a dress form or make a duct tape dummy. Fitting is 100% easier
- make everything in cheap muslin first and don't give up until you get the fit right (giving up too soon is what made my first costumes fail)

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

Well the first good place to check is CraigsList, eBay, or second hand stores. You can get a rather inexpensive sewing machine that is fairly modern meaning various programmed stitches!

Or you be like my mate ACME Brand! He has a classic/ancient Singer all metal sewing machine! He is a true Renaissance man!

Or you can do what I did and just got a brand new Simplicity form my mother-in-law. She had one Mint In Box lying around her house and gave it to me!!!

For sewing classes I am heading to JoAnns!! They have classes to get the correct instruction. Also there are many online groups too!!

 

[batninja]

My first sewing machine was an old metal hand-me-down Montgomery Ward beast...with no instructions. After fighting with it for 6 months or so (hand-threading the bobbin with a pencil because I didn't know how to work the winder), I bought a Kenmore from Sears. It came with instructions! It was a pretty simple machine, but just reading the instructions opened a whole new door for me...

 

[Funky]

Go to Google.
Type in your city then "seamstress".
Make a call.
Pay lots of money.
Problem solved.

:lol

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

You forgot to add before "Pay lots of money............"

- Start saving money.
- Sell all favorite props and costume pieces to raise funds.
- Sell plasma at blood bank.
- Make other donations to body parts bank on "credit."

 

[exoray]

There are plenty of cheap machines to be had, people toss the older ones out all the time in favor of the new fancy computer driven ones... I found my current one on the side of the road in someones trash, works flawless just doesn't look as fancy and pretty nor does it have all the programmable settings as it's a '70s model... But it still sews just fine...

I was shown by my mother how to use a sewing machine probably pre-teen, so it's something I have pretty much always known... For basic stuff it's not really that overly complicated, it's the fancy stitches and stuff that can toss in wrench but with online videos and reference that should be easy enough to figure out...

I also suggest taking one of those classes at Jo-Ann if you have zero skills, nothing like a little hands on...

 

[E-Wan]

Agree with everything said here. Just try not to get discouraged if it doesn't go perfectly the first time. There are lots of variables with sewing machines that can go wrong, but there's a wealth of information available online and from the good people at the RPF.

There's nothing like someone approaching you at a con or Halloween asking "Where did you get that costume?" and being able to say "I made it!"

 

[sebastian]

I had an old sewing machine that worked about half the time. I would kit a costume (mostly American Colonial clothing) part way done, and the machine would start acting up. Because hand sewing is a great detail for most of the outfits I made, I just got into that. Gave me time to work on detail stitching and add a little to the overall look. As I got better at hand stitching, they started looking like machine stitching. Now I want to get back to using a machine, and may start looking for a nice used one at a flea market.

As for learning to sew, I started making Hobbit costumes with my mom's Singer thirty years ago. Lots of trial and error and fabric under the bridge.

Have fun learning and don't be afraid to make mistakes. BTW some of the fabric stores will have basic classes now and then. Check them out. Some friends and I used such a class to make some colonial weskits and shirts. After the class, we found the nearest watering hole and enjoyed some fine malted beverages.

Cheers

Sebastian

 

[Darth Mule]

I'll back the fabric store route. Start checking around. Even with your local sewing shops. See is anyone offers classes. Most fabric stores here do at some point. Especially the larger ones and the chain stores.

For a machine I will second the secondhand and craigslist. When it comes to getting a machine on the cheap, your best bet is getting an older model secondhand. They don't make em like they used to, unless you want to pay $700.00 or more... But you can often find an older model Kenmore (which is a Sears brand and I don't know how prevalent those are in Australia) or a Singer for dirt cheap. I just picked up an old Kenmore for $30.00 in a thrift store. Works pretty well. Will work better after I get it serviced.

Which brings us to part 2 of the secondhand machine purchase. Usually its good to have a machine cleaned and serviced at least once a year. When purchasing a secondhand machine you will want to test it. If you can sew enough to run a scrap piece of fabric through just to see if it stitches, then any other problems you find can be adjusted at a sewing machine shop. Even if it stitches badly. If it doesn't stitch at all is when a repair outweighs the secondhand purchase.

 

[Jinyo]

Nothing wrong with using a cheap, old machine as long as it can sew a straight line. 90% of the time, all you need is a simple, basic stitch. (The other 10% of the time you just need a zigzag stitch.)

Pick up some simple patterns, and cheap fabric. With a little practice, you'll pick up what you need to know. It's really not that complicated.

 

[FANGS]

I 100% agree with Darth Mule. I kill sewing machines. I murdered a Singer a couple of years ago and have moved on to a much more expensive Juki. And while I LOVE the Juki...the machine that never fails me and I'll likely always have is my Kenmore that is now 20 years old. And it's been through a LOT. It only took me 4 years to kill the Singer. The Kenmore has a few fancy stitches on it but basically it just sews and when you're starting out that's all you really need.

When I was learning how to sew back in junior high, I remember doing drills that while seems TOTALLY boring to a 12 year old make complete sense now. We sewed on paper. Circles, squares, triangles - all kinds of stuff like that to learn how to control the machine and our "fabric", how to deal with corners and how control your speed.

Getting a good book on the basics would also be very helpful. Singer has some really great reference books out there that I find really clearly explained and illustrated. I still refer to the basics one I got when I was given my original Kenmore.

Most importantly, take your time. Don't expect to create fabulous costumes right from the start but do push yourself a little to keep learning.

Best of luck!!

 

[Darth Mule]

Nothing wrong with using a cheap, old machine as long as it can sew a straight line. 90% of the time, all you need is a simple, basic stitch. (The other 10% of the time you just need a zigzag stitch.)

I meant to add that. So i will simply say... Exactly!

No need for all those computers and electronics. A buttonhole function is nice though.

 

[Risu]

If you're going to do coats a buttonhole function is essential. Mine doesn't do it so my most recent project ended up having crappy buttonholes because the only local tailor didn't have a buttonhole setting/attachment either.

 

[Jinyo]

No need for all those computers and electronics. A buttonhole function is nice though.

True. Of all the 'fancy' stitches programmed into my current machine, the buttonholer is the only one I really get much use from.

But even before I got my newer machine, I used to do buttonholes with my crappy secondhand machine with not a lot of problems. All you really need to do is carefully sew two tight, narrow, parallel zigzag stitches, then seam rip between them. A couple of stitches on either end for strength, and you should be all good. (special emphasis on "carefully")

And as has been mentioned here before, it bears repeating that the more practicing you do, the better you will get.