Finding out all about sewing

Whether you know all about sewing or are a complete beginner, this really is the first stage of making cushions, clothes or any other type of soft furnishings.

Getting to grips with this useful craft and learning to sew can help solving day to day problems such as fixing a missing button fixing rips or sewing name tags onto children's clothes when heading off to school.

Sewing can lead onto making your own clothes and from there the world is your oyster so the saying goes.

If you have been sewing for years there is always a chance for learning how to sew something new.

There are many ways of putting in a zip, making a cushion cover or sewing buttons and each different approach is a personal choice. If it is great and you love it, stick with it if it works.

Here I shall try to cover some different ways as long as I have found them myself.

There are two ways to sew one is by hand and the other is by machine, throughout the time spent on this craft both ways will be use.

Hand sewing can be used for the more intricate parts like attaching sequins, turning up a hem so the stitches can't be seen on the right side and attaching buttons or beads. For larger and longer sewing the machine is the best way to go but many years ago when these were sewn by hand.

Discovering all about sewing.....

Machines - have you wondered when they were invented and what they were like years ago.

Machine Parts - Explaining what the main elements of a machine does.

Machine Feet - Explaining what the different feet are used for.

Scissors - Learning about the different ones.

Storage - Places to put all the sewing items

Needles - Different ones for different kind of sewing

Thread - More about the different types

Pins - Helpful in this craft

After finding out about the sewing accessories that help in making different things, some will be used a lot more than others as there are some sewing crafts which are mostly used for embellishing a garment or items.

Once you have decided you may like to ........

Try sewing 

Cushions - A basic square cushion can be a great way to start learning how to sew, use the machine and put in a fastening. Ending up with a great item.

Curtains - Easy straight sewing but on a much bigger scale than cushions that can be made to match with leftover fabric.

Bunting- Getting prepared for celebrations or just for decoration to brighten up the room.

Clothes - Try making things to match clothes that you already have.

By Hand - for those finishing touches or repairs

Seams - Different ones to sew on different items.

Darts - These give shape to clothing 

Many sewing crafts or Handicrafts such as cross stitch, embroidery and tapestry are done by hand.

Quilting, Patchwork and Appliqué can be done both ways. Machines make the task quicker and with very sophisticated ones now even embroidery can be done on specific ones.

Cushion sewing is one of the best ways to begin to learn to use a machine and to guide the fabric through. Most of the stitching will be straight allowing plenty of time to learn and at the end there is an useful item.

Never be frighten about this craft as everything can and probably will be unpicked once or even a few times until the particular task is done satisfactorily.

I really enjoy "messing around with fabric" and seeing if I can make things differently or just trying out a new pattern. Sometimes with success and sometimes not but I have still enjoyed myself in the process.

I am a great believe in trying over and over again and having a go.

Fabric is quite versatile and resilient, just mind fingers near pins, needles and machines. If expensive delicate fabrics are going to be used for the end result maybe try with a cheaper version first.

Sewing clothes for a tailored fit will be done first on cheaper calico fabric before cutting the expensive fabric.

There are lots of shopping outlets both on line and on the high street that cater for every choice of anything to do about sewing. Despite the name My Fabrics also have a lot of accessories as well as a choice of fabric.

The Makerist has a choice of different patterns.

Getting fabrics to practise on can be done in charity shops or on auction sites. Use your washed unwanted clothes as well, memory quilts and patchwork started off using this type of material.

Crazy patchwork that was first done many years ago used all the interesting embellishments as well as the fabric to create new items. Back in the day everything was done by hand and not so easy to get.

Have a go..enjoy..get creative .....show them off on my sewing gallery.