Sewing 101

Sewing is one of those enigmas that so many believe needs years of instruction. Well, friends, I am here to tell you that you can start to learn on your own, and then practice on simple projects until you feel comfortable tackling more difficult ones! I promise it won’t be as hard as some make it out to be, and it is so rewarding! Here is a short beginner’s tutorial to get you started in the right direction.

1. Get a good sewing machine. There are many great brands out there. Be sure to ask for recommendations from your sewing friends and at your local fabric store if you want to go that route.  New is great, but used can save you a lot of money! If you buy a used machine, I highly recommend investing in a tune-up for it (before you start) at your local sewing machine repair shop…you will be so happy you did! We found a great used machine for our daughter at a garage sale recently…we paid $25 for it, plus $75 for the tune-up…and saved over $100 in the process! Yay! 
2. When you buy thread, my repair shop’s owner (the nicest little old man with a thick German accent, who knows more about sewing machines than I could learn in a lifetime) recommended to me to ONLY use the thread that comes in the long, thin spools, not the thick, squatty spools. It was explained to me that this preferred type of thread accumulates less lint inside your machine, causing fewer clogs in the moving parts. Apparently, the squatty spools are meant to be used for hand sewing only…who knew?! 
3. Get GOOD, SHARP sewing scissors. A pair you will never use for cutting anything but fabric and thread. Anyone who asks my kids if they can use my sewing scissors is in for a big lecture, because they KNOW I don’t play about my sewing scissors, and they will tell you so, haha!
4. Before you can start sewing, you need to get everything all set up. The first step is winding the bobbin. Locate your sewing machine’s directions for doing this, as there should be pictures to help you. Most manufacturers post this information online, which especially helps if you buy a used machine whose paper manual may have been lost long ago. Following your machine’s directions, wind one bobbin worth of thread so you can begin. 
5. Install the top thread and the bobbin (again, consulting the installation instructions for your individual machine), and adjust the two threads so they’re pointed to the back of the machine.                           {NOTE: For the following steps, use a piece of scrap fabric that is ideally 5-6” wide by at least 24” long to practice sewing straight lines.}
6. Use the lever that is usually located in the back of the machine to raise the presser foot. Once it’s up, slide your fabric underneath, and use the same lever to lower the foot again. 
7. IMPORTANT STEP! Roll the hand wheel (sometimes called a balance wheel) on the right side of your machine towards you until the needle pierces the fabric. Do this before attempting to depress the foot pedal. NOW YOU’RE READY TO SEW!
8. Slowly press the foot pedal (it works just like your car’s gas pedal… the harder you press, the faster it goes) while guiding the fabric with both hands. *Be very careful to keep all parts of your body away from the moving needle.*
9. Make 5-6 stitches, then stop.
10. Use your right hand to press and HOLD the “reverse” button/lever (depending on your machine) while slowly pressing the foot pedal again to reverse back over the 5-6 original stitches you made. This will lock them into place so they will not come unraveled. Once you are back at the first stitch you started with, stop pressing the foot pedal and release the “reverse” button/lever, too.
11. Next, press the foot pedal slowly again, sewing right over your stitches and continuing on down the fabric in a straight line. Guide the fabric with both hands the entire way. Stop when you have about 1-2”of fabric left.
12. Repeat the reverse stitch locking procedure at the end, so your hard work won’t loosen up!
13. Use the hand wheel again to raise the needle out of the fabric to the highest position it can go.
14. Raise the foot using that back lever again.
15. Pull the fabric out towards you until it is clear of the foot. 
16. Cut the thread (top thread and bobbin thread) with about 6” to spare.

CONGRATULATIONS!! You have just learned how to sew a straight line! That’s one of the most important parts of every sewing project you’ll ever do! 

Repeat this straight line exercise at least 10-20 times (you will need several strips of fabric, as only 4 or so will fit neatly on each strip) to solidify the hand-eye coordination needed to guide the fabric straight every time. If you really want extra practice, try this exercise on several different types of fabric. Each one has its challenges, so it’s great to practice with each kind before trying it out on actual projects where mistakes are frustrating and sometimes cause you to need to start over. 

You’re on your way! You can do it! Come back here to PH@H (after you have practiced) for some great beginner projects for your home that are easy, fun, and useful! As always, may your day and your learning be filled with joy.