Iron and ironing board. It’s fine to use whatever quality iron you already have, but you’ll probably want to eventually invest in a higher quality one. You’ll be using the iron to press the item being sewn as you are sewing as this makes sure the seams stay open properly. Seam ripper. You’ll use this when you’ve made a mistake to rip out the wrong stitches. Chalk for marking the fabric so you know where to sew and where to cut. You’ll need a really nice, sharp pair of scissors that you designate for cutting cloth only, otherwise the scissors will dull more quickly and can damage or fray your fabric. Tracing paper for drafting your patterns and modifying the patterns as you’re sewing. Rulers for drafting and measuring while you’re constructing your piece (both in the design stages and the sewing stages). Tape measuring, especially a flexible tape measure. You’ll use this to take measurements and make fit adjustments if you need them. Pins for holding the fabric in position before you start sewing. Pins should be used only sparingly as they can distort the fabric that you’re working with.
Household sewing machines tend to be more portable and more versatile. They tend to do a variety of stitch types. However, they don’t work out as well in terms of speed and power, and they aren’t very good with heavy fabrics. Industrial sewing machines are much more powerful and much faster, but they tend to only be able to do one type of stitch (such as a straight lockstitch). They do that one stitch very well, but aren’t terribly versatile. They also tend to take up a lot more room. If you want to sew stretchy materials, make sure your machine can do a zigzag stitch. Some machines have a specific stretch pitch, which is also helpful.
The spool holder holds the spool of thread and controls the direction of the thread while it goes through the sewing machine. Depending on the type of machine you have, your spool holder might be horizontal or it might be vertical. Bobbin is basically a spindle that is wound with thread. You have to wind the bobbin with thread and fit it into the bobbin case (which is found under the needle plate). Your sewing machine also has different stitch adjustments to help determine stitch length for each stitch, the amount of tension needed to make sure the stitches come through properly, and the different types of stitches (if you have the type of sewing machine that does different stitch types). The take up lever controls the thread tension. If the thread tension isn’t at its proper level the threads will knot up, jamming the sewing machine. You can check with a nearby sewing shop to see if they have any classes or know anyone willing to help you get set up with your sewing machine, or you can ask a knowledgeable family member or friend.
When you’re first starting, try to avoid making clothes with buttons or zippers, like jackets. Do aprons or pajamas with elastic bands. Once you’ve gotten the hang of your tools and your sewing machine, then you can start advancing.
It’s recommended to use scraps from the same fabric as the final piece.
For trousers, you will need the following measurements: waist, hip, crotch depth and full leg length from waist to floor. For shorts, use the trouser measurements you have, only shortening the pant length to the desired length. For shirts, you will need the following measurements: neck, chest, shoulder width, arm length, armhole length and shirt length. Remember to take the measurements with a finger between the measuring tape and the body, so the shirt is snug, but not tight. For skirts, you simply need waist and hip measurements. The length and fullness of the skirt will vary depending on what type of skirt you want to make.
Second hand stores and sewing shops often have fun vintage patterns (especially for dresses) and there are lots of easy patterns to be found online.
Fold the fabric, right sides facing together, matching selvage to selvage. The selvage is the finished edges of the fabric that keep it from unraveling. Folding it like this will provide for easy cutting of double pattern pieces (sleeves, legs, etc. ) and large symmetrical pattern pieces. If you have large pattern pieces that are symmetrical and can be folded down the middle (shirt back, for instance), then fold the pattern piece down the center and pin the folded part of the pattern on the folded edge of the fabric. This saves cutting effort and ensures the cut fabric piece is perfectly symmetrical. To make clothing that hugs the body, it is best to lay pattern pieces on the bias (at a 45 degree angle to the folded edge). To sew a garment that has no stretch, place the pattern pieces at a 90 degree angle to the folded edge.
This will take time, so try to be patient as you work. If you mess up at all, don’t worry, that’s what your seam ripper is for.
You’ll need different techniques for animal fiber fabrics like silk or wool or alpaca, as opposed to natural fibers like cotton or flax and synthetic fibers like rayon or polyester. Make sure that you know the type of fabric you’re using and what type of needle and thread will work best with it. Gently guide the fabric through the machine. Don’t push or pull your project, because the machine is supposed to do that itself and you can clog the sewing machine or ruin your garment.
Fold the edge up, wrong side facing in, to the desired width of the hem and press the fold together. Fold the pressed edge up 1 more time and press again. Now, Sew along the top folded edge of the hem, inside of the garment.
There are lots of different types of skirts to choose from: a-line skirts, circle skirt, flared skirt, gathered skirt, maxi and mini skirts, pencil skirt, pleated skirt and the list goes on. You’ll need to decide which skirt you want to try out. [3] X Research source The most basic skirt that you can make is a tube skirt, which requires an elastic band and the fabric (a stretchy kind is good). You can make this in about an hour and they are fun, comfortable and easy to wear. [4] X Research source The general order that you sew a skirt in is: side, front, and back seams, zipper or closing method, waistband, hem.
The general order that you sew a pair of jeans (or other trousers) is: pockets, side, front, and back seams, zipper or closing method, waistband, hem.
The general order that you want to sew a one piece dress is: interfacing, the shaping shoulders, side seams, top part of dress except for hem, bottom part of dress, back, and front seams. Then you join the skirt bottom to the bodice top of dress at the waistline, attach zipper or buttons holes, hem.
The easiest type of top to make is a throw over knit top without buttons or pockets. The general order that you want to sew a shirt (or a jacket) is: interfacing, the shaping shoulders, zippers or button holes, shoulder seams, side seams, neck and front edge, armhole, sleeves, hem.
The easiest jacket type is one that doesn’t have a lining or that doesn’t have to be sewn into sleeves.
