✂️5 Absolute Beginner Sewing Mistakes to Avoid👗

[@lavadaroufs]

Thanks for sharing your expertise! I have been sewing for at least 60 years being 75. I can assure your followers that you can teach an old dog new tricks. I have made so many of those mistakes and still are. Hopefully, I have learned something today

[@rosainecalmeyer4428]

I love the clarity in which you teach

[@CSmith-tn8nv]

Great tips. People often think sewing is a talent when it is actually a skill. Talent is an almost innate artistic ability while a skill is built through continuous use and practice. Some people take more time to learn a new skill than others - everyone is different. I built my sewing skills through stubborn persistence and determination while my mom and sister seemed to master techniques effortlessly. I’m the only one who still sews and my skill set now extends to things they never cared to try like hand tailoring and fitting (they WILL NOT do pattern alterations and actually quit sewing when their bodies no longer fit patterns right out of the packet).

[@graceyhitchcock4013]

Well, it depends actually; there are people who become extremely competent with practice. Others, with a gift or innate talent bring the work to another level.

[@CSmith-tn8nv]

I’ve never met a seamstress that sewed at that supreme level as a beginner. As I said, some learn sewing skills quicker than others but it’s not the same thing as being a good designer who has an innate artistic ability that cannot be learned through practice. I’m a firm believer that ANYONE can take their sewing to another level if they choose to stick with it and master the craft. I’m a prime example of that. Most people just aren’t vested enough to hunker down and do it if the skills aren’t mastered effortlessly (my mom’s and sister’s refusal to learn pattern alterations is a prime example - they run from any kind of math).

[@raraavis7782]

I've been preaching the same for 20+ years. It almost annoys me, when people give me the old 'You're so talented, I could never do that' line. Like: No, honey, I just spent years and years learning and practicing this. I do agree though, that the creative part of sewing is a whole different animal. There are aspects of this, you can learn (like what fabric will work with a pattern), but some people just do have a gift for design. And I'm not one of them, lol.

[@bdoll1012]

Great tips Suzanne, another, although not pattern related, would be using the correct needle size and thread for the fabric that you are working with.

[@lisettegarcia]

*excellent* addition

[@marymoore3585]

I needed this so much! You're one of the best teachers on KZbin, and I love to see what you're making. I'm not always able to sew the same thing, because I am a beginner. But I don't think I would have the skill set I do have if I hadn't found your channel. You are appreciated 💛

[@maj-britthansen1195]

I love the honesty.

[@laurencartagena8967]

Suzanne please also share tips on drafting.😊

[@annenewton2950]

J 12:33 2023. Just discovered this. Apart from great admiration for your honesty I admire your sense of humour. You certainly take the heat off my embarrassment in sewing. I would never have thought your beginnings were so fraught when I watch your garment-making videos. You appear so confident and proficient in them. Thanks for cheering me up mightily. 🙂

[@noemir8262]

Along with measuring correctly, understanding ease and finished garment measurements is what finally helped me, especially with commercial patterns.

[@Mellie726]

Hello thanks for all of your videos Susanne. I am an experienced sewer- right now I make and sell bags. For anyone out there who is looking to buy useful sewing tools for their arsenal, I find that using a wooden clapper for seams in my bags and in my garments is indispensable. The thick seams stay flatter and the garment seams come out so crisp.

[@maj-britthansen1195]

I once sew a dress for my sister. I measured her and found the size in the pattern chart. She got so mad because it was a larger size, than she normaly use. We discussed for half an hour because I refused to sew the dress in her usual size. But I have heard that it is a common mistake. That some people dont measure, but just use the pattern in the usual size.

[@EileenR11]

It's hard to believe that you were a new sewer so recently. You seem so competent that I imagined you had a lifetime's experience. I started with an in-person class at Sew Over It and would encourage any beginner that can get to one to do this. I didn't know how to thread a machine and so many other basic things.

[@connieseward8773]

Oh my goodness! This video should be a standard requirement for all seamstresses! Your advice is always well worth my time to watch😍

[@lisavcrawford]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, much appreciated. I have not sewn in years, watching your videos rekindled my passion. Hello from the sunny island of Barbados.🤗

[@helenparker1870]

Good tips. If you read old sewing books, or modern books on culture techniques they recommend marking the seam lines. Couture technique books use time consuming hand basting. Old sewing books suggest tailors tacks, or carbon paper marking, followed by basting seams together and the copious use of pins. The popularity of 'industrial' techniques proposed that you could sew seams by eye using few, if any pins. This may be true if you sew at an industrial level, every day for several hours, but for the rest of us it is best to adapt the old methods of marking the seam allowance and basting seams. Many modern machines have basting stitches and even tailors tacks built in, so you do not have to do this by hand. Also check out optional sewing machine feet for your machine that help you line up seam allowances, or see if you can move the needle position right or left on your machine to line up with your seam allowance. If in doubt use basting tape or glue to hold the seams together. Experts use whatever makes sewing easy, so do not be misled by intermediate sewers who seem to think that using sewing aids somehow make you a lesser sewer. Use what works for you and keep an eye out for new techniques that could make sewing even easier. I have learnt something new every year for over 40 years and have never been afraid of trying new methods to see if they would help me sew better; some stick, others fall by the wayside, but I always learn something from these experiments.

[@jacquelinelc2843]

I have been sewing for years but appreciate these reminders. Like so many others, I too have made many of these mistakes. In my early years (teen years) of sewing I sewed a skirt with straps…that’s right, a skirt with straps. 😳I was so darn proud of that! My mom, who taught me how to sew, still has a chuckle over that creation. I enjoy watching you sew…

[@gillianwhaites5974]

I can so relate to all those mistakes! My older sister taught me to make a shift dress during a school holiday sewing session at her place when she was newly married. I remember the Grainline lessons and pattern placement on the fabric. Cutting out and tailor tacks and pinning as well as facings. Seam allowances were a bit hit and miss! My shoulder widths were not the same when we finished! I look back now, and realise how much we take for granted. I didn’t sew often as a young woman, but I had enough knowledge to follow instructions on good pattern tutorials (Butterick) I knitted and crocheted for many years but eventually in my 50’s I found quilts! You learn a lot of skills which transfer to the basic skill set for making clothes. Now I’m delving into patterning for my own clothes. I’m so tired of not being able to find well fitted clothes. Your comments on fabric types and interfacing has been one challenge I still face. Shops don’t always have knowledgeable staff. Some do and can indeed be most helpful. Online stores are often better to deal with for this help. I learn so much from your videos: Thankyou:

[@bernadettecummings8945]

Thanks for this Susanne, I can also relate to all of these mistakes. I've managed to avoid making most of them now but I still struggle with measurements and fitting, this does affect my confidence and I'm put off trying new patterns.

[@ArabianShalifa]

I am so thankful my friend was already sewing, so as a 10 or 11 year old girl I asked my mom to teach me. I waited and remembered my parents saying my dad Made my mother a dress before I was born. SoI asked my dad. The next night we went to fabric store and looked at pattern books. Bought our patten (easy), fabric, and notions (thread, interfacing) and laundered the fabric. The next night we were laying it out. My second project was a purse I designed so he walked me through adding on seam allowance and thinking though what had to be done first, second and so forth. I put in my first zipper, and snap. Then I took sewing in school My teachers had me go backwards first but I learned more making a stuffed accent pillow. Continued for the next the four years in school and sewed for the swing choir. And theater.

[@cathleenvance4441]

Hi Suzanne, one mistake I used to make when I first started sewing would be not having any understanding of "ease" in the pattern. I would pick out my bust, waist and or hip size from the measurements and not look at the finished garment size hence the garment would never fit me right. I pick out size now by my upper bust size and go by the finished garment size and it works for me every time.

[@Zeppylvr]

This is fantastic! I passed it along to my daughter who is a beginner sewer and was a refresher for me! Thank you for taking the time to film this …yes please more sewing information videos ….your definitely are an excellent teacher!

[@rosemaryhannah3467]

Before making your first garment learn how to sew, learn how to use your machine, learn how to read a pattern, learn about fabrics and threads. This is how we were taught and I left school feeling confident enough to make any pattern I bought. Too many sewists today want to dive straight in and then wonder why they end up with so many fails. I should add that these days you also need to know how to make adjustments as today's patterns, particularly the indies, are completely inconsist with each other; I think because they are from different countries where there are different body shapes and measurement systems.

[@keriezy]

I've played with alterations, made 100s of masks, and other projects, but I'm in the process of my first real clothing project. I'm glad I watched this. I've gathered some knowledge of grain lines previously, but you've been very helpful!

[@lisettegarcia]

I'm all for beginners reaching for patterns a bit beyond their skill level because desire is a great learning motivator. Even if the initial outcome is unwearable, you'll advance more quickly and feel challenged and be better equipped to try again. I would also *not* rely on salesclerks to recommend suitable fabrics or fabric amount. As you said, they want to make a sale. They are incentivized to cash you out and move on. In my experience, most salesclerks do not themselves know how to sew except in boutique fabric stores. Best way not to waste is to try out your pattern on an old bedsheet of a similar weight to your desired result. This will help you work out sizing issues as well as familiarizing you with any tricky instructions.

[@lindak8664]

Hip is the measurement i’ve noticed most newbies get wrong. They measure around their hip bones instead of the leg crease. They shouldn’t call it hip, it’s completely misleading! I’ll happily blame pattern companies 😂 I was lucky, schools still had sewing when i was a kiddo, so i had someone explain all the pattern basics. Seam allowances, grain etc. Doesn’t mean i remembered though, and that was 20+ years before internet, so researching was more difficult if you didn’t have a person to actually ask. My biggest difficulty is still matching a fabric to a suitable pattern. Not the correct type of fabric, but choosing a specific design or colour or whatever else. If there’s 5 rayons, i’ll pick the one that looks worst made up. Every. Single. Time. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@SparkyOne549]

My hip measurement is above the crease, the hip measurement is only the widest part of your body.

[@sarahmiddle5028]

I too sewed for a while without knowing about seam allowances, glad it wasn't just me. And I didn't change my needle for years either! Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm sure it will benefit many

[@loisgehman949]

Two things… The first is from a lady who ran my favorite fabric shop here in Harrisonburg Virginia… and that is to use not just any thread but excellent quality thread… because of all the work you put into a garment you want it to last… and it won’t last with cheap thread. And as you gain experience you can tell the quality of a garment just by looking at it. Secondly , always sew your seams from the bottom up to the top… because you won’t usually wind up with wonky seams if there’s any bias cut into your garment piece.

[@lucywyatt434]

Thank you… yes I have made couple of these mistakes…

[@qormi1000]

Thank you Suzanne. Very good reminder tips for us oldie sewers too. Yes please more like this one.

[@izabeau1953]

Yip i can relate to all you said . When i see how easy you make a dress. Then i just give up. Got 5 fabrics to make dresses and tops with but i know the comirsial patterns are way to big and out of per portion for me . So still waiting for encouragement to cut and sow . 🤔🤦🏼‍♀️❤️❤️

[@anna2mac550]

Hard to believe this! That you didn’t know anything about sewing!! I am amazed at what a wonderful seamstress you are , I LOVE all your outfits and the way you instruct. You inspire me so much too.THANK YOU! for all your hard work in making this videos seem so easy. You have exquisite taste 🥰

[@annsinclair6709]

Yup, with bells on. I did a bit of sewing when I was young and it was all hit and miss. Returned because of the call for scrubs and got the bug again. I remember asking for interfacing in my local haberdashers and being stumped when I was asked what sort I wanted! My best tip is to measure the actual pattern because finished garment measurements are not always accurate. And learn about

[@bdianes6339]

HI 👋 YES MAM, I AM A “”NEWBIE”” SO I AM LISTENING 👂 TO YOU 👍 MY CONCERN, I NEED TO READ AND LEARN A LOT PRIOR TO SEWING, BECAUSE IF I MAKE REPEATED-MISTAKES I MAY GIVE UP OUT OF FRUSTRATION ❗️ THANK YOU 🙏 FOR SHARING… :) Diane, Louisiana

[@CSmith-tn8nv]

To stay engaged, you can gradually build your knowledge and skills with each item. A good progression for newbies would be: Apron, elastic waist skirt/shorts, patch pocket skirt/shorts, sleeveless shell blouse with darts and loop closure at back neck, flat collar and buttonhole blouse, skirt with waistband and zipper, and finally a sleeved blouse.

[@edwinareed3490]

A great video Suzzanne, yes a sewing one would be fantastic love all your videos xx

[@debbiejacobs1025]

Hi great video, I am more advanced, and would cherish instructions on making pattern blocks

[@Sew_Learning]

Very good advice! Thank you for sharing with us. Yes, I’ve made all of these mistakes. It definitely takes practice, practice, practice. Another mistake I did was not read the ‘finished garment measurements’ that indicates the ease built into the pattern. I’d end up with a garment that would swim on me (particularly patterns from The Big 4). Sending best wishes from Down Under 💕🌺🇦🇺😎

[@johannam3997]

Great video! Learned to sew with my mom as a child helped me avoided most of these except the interfacing pitfall! Lighter weight is almost always better--too thick and heavy ruined several early projects for me!

[@VoxUrania]

Yes, please share tips. Also, thank you for sharing your sewing journey. It’s amazing. How did you get interested in the first place? What helped you stick with sewing after those first attempts? Considering how accomplished you’ve become, how did you stay motivated? Did you take some courses or find other teachers? Was the internet part of your journey? Did you also try other kinds of sewing, like decor or quilting, while you were learning? Or now? These stories are very inspiring. Thanks again.

[@anne-marie9842]

Thanks for this. With regards to grainline: I knew about this, but eyeballed it for years. Then a sewing teacher told me I should measure from grainline to selvedge in a few places, and I found that I was most times at least one centimeter off on a long pattern piece such as skirt, or pants leg.

[@Zeevah-x5g]

Brilliant video, Suzanne! Thank you. I am not a beginner and would consider myself closer to expert than not, but it's so easy to forget that I did all of those things at one time. In fact, there are new and different mistakes to be made at every stage of the skill-set! However, if we don't make them, and don't learn from them, we never improve and become the skilled people we really want to be.

[@patriciaufferman1533]

I’m not a beginner, but still really enjoyed this video. I kind of think of you as the Mary Poppins of the sewists I follow. “ practically perfect in every way”. I’ve sewed for many years, but you are more advanced level than myself. I admire your skills so much, and I just find it even more inspiring to imagine you as a beginner or making mistakes. Thank you for your channel. It really makes me want to run to my sewing room. ❤️

[@aishamahmud19]

Thank you so much 😊 for the tips

[@TheNahellenia]

One of the things that has helped me as a beginner is the 'pin and press' that you do religiously. Thanks for that. So many advanced tailors don't bother with this step and it's very misleading for a beginner. Pinning the pattern pieces and pressing has helped me get much better seams and finishes.

[@annmccluskey7849]

Like you I have done all of those things. Thanks for the reminder. Love Fridays for your blogs

[@zanellesutherland727]

Love your channel and content. Really helpfull and inspiring. Have you ever considered revisiting your first pattern and to remake the dress? Thank you for all your great tips!

[@lynnew5619]

This video made me smile. It’s a great shame schools don’t seem to offer sewing classes any more, because that is how I learnt. The only tip I would give is find a book that is a complete guide to sewing, and research, research, research! Ps. I still struggle choosing fabrics. Lol

[@andreaeverts1724]

You have come along way!

[@lasseterm]

Thank you for the tips! This is a great refresher for me, and I needed it. Your videos are always wonderful. More like this would be very much appreciated.

[@morlinapinney8925]

Suzanne, thanks for the info. I have been watching you for sometime, just love watching you sew. Your garments always look professional, neat and classy. Thanks for inspiring me.

[@carolyngethings]

Brilliant video. Thanks for each and every tip!!

[@SparkyOne549]

I prefer woven fabric for almost everything. The only knits I use are for sweats for winter, and fleece hoody. Regarding interfacing, a friend of mine has some new shirts he got cheap, after their first wash, the collar interfacing shrank and caused the fabric to ripple/ wrinkle lol As a teen I used my hip bone measurement also, I had never heard of what they call the hip measurement which is what I consider the pubic bone measurement lol. But as an adult, I know it as the widest part of your body.

[@infinityinfinity2253]

Great tips, thanks Susanne.

[@jackieglennie7230]

Thank you

[@pamelawright1369]

Hi great advice thank you

[@lovescatsthing]

Excellent advice xx

[@artemisarojas9999]

Has un pequeña inversion pasa overlock en tu ropa, tendras una terminación más profesional

[@BarnettCL]

Do you have a video of a sew along of a top for a beginner?

[@jirup]

I learnt to sew more than 40 years ago and I can still manage to sew sleeves in backwards.

[@salwakhodair6827]

Hello Suzanne ! Can you kindly help me with bright ideas to sew a midi dress with sleeves from “toile de jouy” fabric? I just noticed it’s on trend this year plus it looks beautifully boho and vintage. Thank you!

[@soniadcosta2328]

Thanks

[@sandrawilliams6482]

Commercial sewing pattern, sizing hasn't changed since they were produced, making it confusing for for beginners to follow the sizing. The great thing now is all patterns are multi sized and makes it easier to make a garment to you actual size.

[@rtblade4]

I have no idea why, but one day I decided that I was going to sew a dress for my mother. I had NEVER sewn anything before and the pattern I chose was a Vogue patter shirt dress. It took me about 7 years to almost finish! I couldn’t figure out button holes and took it to a tailor to have them done. I stayed away from sewing for 30 + years. Now I am obsessed with it and have sewed my husband a few shits. I just made a dress for myself and it doesn’t fit! I need to diet so the cute dress I made fits me

[@gillianjf260]

👏👏👏🤗

[@lydiajaeschke8140]

Do you make your own Patterns?

[@edwinareed3490]

Yes she does and they are all amazing..

[@elaine685]

Number 1 rule in my sewing room is ALWAYS wear shoes.