Before you tell yourself that you just don’t sew, that you don’t have the patience, that you aren’t creative enough, that home economics in junior high school brought you to tears… take a deep breath.  Sewing, like anything else in life, is a learned skill.  Just take it one itty bitty step at a time, and  before you know it, you’ll be a wiz!

In the seventh grade everyone was required to take a sewing class for one-quarter of the school year.  We made a wind sock that you hang from a tree in the yard as outdoor decor.  All straight lines, and what I can only assume was horrific execution.  My mom hung it in the yard with a smile on her face, but thinking back on it, I can’t remember the day it came down.  I’m sure she left it up long enough for me to forget about it and then threw the ghastly thing away.  Truthfully, I never cared for the wind sock, but I learned that I thought sewing was fun.  The other project I remember making was a pair of mittens.  To this day my dear, old friends still tease me on occasion about my “squashed banana hand mittens”.  They were terrible.  I don’t think I ever wore them.  But I still liked sewing.  From there my mom taught me more about sewing and reading a pattern, and I just… experimented.

These e-courses are designed to build on each other, so you can take it one lesson at a time, and move at your own pace.  Tackle it with a friend; pick and choose the projects and techniques that interest you most; read and re-read the concepts that you have the hardest time with.

You don’t have a sewing machine?  Borrow one from a neighbor for a while, and then you can take the leap and get your own if you decide that you like it.  YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION ON THE SEWING MACHINES USED BY ALL OF MY FAVORITE SEW-Y BLOGGERS HERE.

If you’re interested in the introduction to sewing course (why not! it’s FREE), read on, and I’ll talk a little bit about the materials you’ll want to have, and what you can expect from the course.

1. Shears– Anytime I ask my husband to hand me my scissors (in reference to my Gingher shears) he says, “They’re not scissors, Stace.  They’re SHEARS.”  His mama taught him well!  Shears run at about $35.00 (USD), so if you have a nice pair of scissors that will do the job, don’t let me stop you!  Use what works.  But if you are in the market for some good shears, I say go Gingher.
2. Seam Ripper– There is no shame in having to use a seam ripper, we all do!
3. Thread– I always stock up on all-purpose thread when it’s on sale.  It’s a good idea to keep black and white on hand (at least I use those colors the most) and a spool to match the project that I’m working on.
   
4. Bobbins – Have a few empty bobbins on hand (you’ll learn how to thread it soon)
5. Straight Pins– Pins are a heaven send, especially for beginners;  they don’t need to be fancy, just functional.
6. 1 yd. sample fabric- Most of the lessons in this course offer samples of the techniques being taught.  These samples can be compiled in a binder, along with the PDF Sample Book Printout (this printout includes simplified explanations of each sample).  Prints can be distracting from the techniques being shown, so it is suggested to get a solid color with a contrasting thread color.

COURSE OUTLINE

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Ready to start?

‘Introduction to Sewing’ Lessons:
1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10