I Wish I Knew These 10 Things When I Started Sewing

[@estelle7061]

Yes PLEASE, teach me about fabric. I need help

[@talloolahmoon]

I’ve been thinking about this for a long while

[@Arzulli]

I want to add to the reading the pattern that reading it all the way through BEFORE you even cut your fabric is really important. I also think a video or series of videos on fabric would be good for most of us. Unless you live in a big city the only fabric stores you have usually only carry quilting cotton so most of us aren't exposed to or even aware of the plethora of fabric out there!

[@lovemesomeslippers]

I second the fabric video request. The fabric store near me is a big disappointment and I really haven’t got enough knowledge for online ordering.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Reading the pattern all the way through first really does go a long way!

[@suewilbur504]

I would love learning about fabric!

[@katrinamanegold7302]

I also think it’s important when talking about body measurements, to ignore what you typically deem to be your size. Just because you’re a 14 in the shops doesn’t mean you should sew a size 14. Always go by your own measurements and see what size the pattern says to sew up. I love your suggestion of viewing body measurements as data.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Yes, always measure before making something, and treat the numbers as data, nothing more.

[@lynnshepard7485]

When I started sewing, I wish I had known about all the different seam finishes available! That was in the 60’s 😂 and my mom taught me to use pinking shears to finish the seams. There was no internet for tutorials and only one shop in town that sold fabric. No knits we’re available then. I’ve learned so much during the intervening years! 💗 Love to sew 🧵!

[@perryandmichelestorkson5887]

Please Yes! I would really love a video series on different types of fabric and what to make with them. I have a hard time buying fabric online because I just don’t know the different kinds of fabrics and what to use them for. I also would like to know what ITY means and viscose fabrics. I sure would love your help!

[@michele_e]

Would love to learn about different fabrics! As a beginner, take the time to learn about the different feet for your sewing machine. It can be daunting because there are so many feet, but talk to your sewing machine dealer about what type of sewing you will be doing (clothes, quilting, bag making, general crafts, etc) and they should be able to suggest the top five or ten feet which would be most useful for you. Most of the specialty feet make specific sewing tasks so much easier - not only as an aid, but also that what you are doing is not fighting against the shape of the foot (ex: satin stitch with a foot without a groove at the bottom to accommodate the stitches will cause the task to be difficult).

[@katecostantino5753]

I would love a series of videos about fabrics. I don’t have a good source of clothing fabric available locally. I find it hard to know what different fabrics will feel like or behave like when I buy them online.

[@denisetymensky8922]

Definitely a lesson on fabrics would be very welcome. I have purchased woven material and only knew it was rayon but not sure how to prewash, etc.

[@StardustMila]

Definitely do a video on fabric! Thank you!

[@tailorstacks9837]

I’d love a checklist of all the things I need to remember at each stage. For instance, when cutting, making sure things are on grain, stay stitching, etc.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great suggestion!

[@noemir8262]

I used to be my own road block. "I'll never be able to....sew clothes, sew knits, sew a lined garment, sew undergarments, sew toys, sew home decor..." Then I started treating sewing as steps. You can walk up a staircase with each step (or skill) you've taken, but you'll always need those steps you've passed to keep going higher. I've learned to embrace that seam ripper as important as my machines. I even picked up some tailoring tips such as using using razor blades, clapper, waxed thread for hand sewing, etc. The Stitch Sisters have a series of about 3 YT videos regarding fabric just FYI.

[@edakalay]

Thank you. Very helpful. I like to learn more about fabric.

[@conniemurdoch8528]

I’m not a beginner. I’ve been sewing for almost 60 years. I took 4H when I was 12-14. Later, I had 4 daughters so I became a 4H leader and did quite a few years of projects. If I may be so bold to offer a suggestion, people need to lear the proper names for fabrics, fibres and processes. My granddaughters refer to every piece of shiny slippery fabric as “silk”. I try to explain that they are not made of silk but polyester, and we call the weave satin. The same confusion is around knits vs wovens. Their idea is that a knit fabric is something that looks like it was made with yarn and some knitting needles. I explained that the silky stretchy fabric their panties and bras are made of is actually a nylon knit. I try to teach them to group fabrics using the descriptions Fibre (silk, wool, cotton. Bamboo, rayon etc.), method (knit or woven) , any other descriptors like twill, satin, brushed, faux suede etc. Here was a book series many years ago that I loved called All About Cotton, All About Silk, All About Wool and I think there was also and All About Linen. Each book came with a packet of swatches that you stuck to the appropriate pages. I had such fun with it. I gave them to my granddaughter hoping she will keep them and when she’s ready to learn it she will have the right info.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Your granddaughters are so lucky to have such a knowledgeable person teaching them about sewing!

[@conniemurdoch8528]

@@SeamworkVideo I’m not sure my granddaughters agree. However, I did give them ammo to tell their mother not to do their laundry for them. They were buying fast fashion back then and a lot of it was rayon. My daughter doesn’t like to sort and washes everything it hot water. The kids would get new clothing for Christmas and within a week it would all be ruined by their mothers medieval laundry techniques! Anyhow, they are now out on their own and have become protectors of the planet by doing their shopping at thrift stores. So it’s safe for me to tell them how great a negative impact rayon and viscose have on the planet. It’s a little Machiavellian but time and place for every message, am I right? But they are finishing grad school so they are still too busy to sew, even though they still want to learn how. In reality, I wonder how any young person wants to learn when you consider the cost of making clothing with a reasonable quality fabric. It seems to be way more than what you can buy in the shops.

[@ayshanikole3267]

At the early stages of my sewing journey I wish I would have learned about the different types of needles and the sizing of needles. I think that would have helped me out a lot with sewing and reduced a lot of mistakes. 😅

[@MaryC546]

My most important lesson is to slow down when I sew. Taking the time to do a good job the first time instead of rushing and having to rip something out later. It's not how long it took to make, the goal is the finished project. Hand sewing really taught me patience.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Slowing down is a really great lesson, and one I've had to learn over and over!

[@tereguevara8093]

I’ll love learning about what size of needles I need to use in every fabric. This will be very helpful for me. 😊

[@kat_thefruitbat]

This was great, thank you! 👏 Love you both! ❤ Definitely would appreciate a video / series on fabric! 😊

[@SeamworkVideo]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@michellelinhoff3736]

Love all your informative videos! Would LOVE a video on fabrics-fabric washing of each kind as well. You both are the best❤

[@cynthiamiddlebrooks4126]

Would love a video on how to learn about different fabrics..

[@SeamworkVideo]

We have a lot of videos on our channel about different fabrics. Check them out!

[@gbjacks2]

Great Tips! Gonna put them in practice!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Happy sewing!

[@thegreenpincushion510]

Thanks for such a helpful video. Would love to see some videos on different types of fabrics and how to best sew with them.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great suggestion!

[@pamjohnson8007]

I have been sewing more years then I want to admit, I taught myself and didn't have resources like seamwork. What I did for most of my sewing years I just made the size on the pattern - caused a lot of disappointments as you can imagine. I definitely learn by watching; that being said I wish I could follow along with a video of a few basic patterns that covers everything to get to the final piece of clothing; particularly taking my measurements and applying to a pattern. I struggle with jumping from an article, to a video, to a podcast..... and then putting it all together. So a basic woven top from picking the size, choosing fabric, altering the pattern to my measurements, sewing stitch, foot, needle, pressing open or toward the sleeve or not, interfacing to use, ...Just those could take a beginner a half dozen different resources. I feel like I'm rambling, I love seamwork I just want my clothes to fit nice and a few basic patterns with guidance would be great, Maybe you have done this and I just haven't found them. I agree with everyone about fabric, it is hard to buy fabric online but so many of us do not have a choice. Thanks appreciate you much.

[@SeamworkVideo]

We have a Learn To Sew course (www.seamwork.com/online-sewing-classes/beginner-sewing-class) and a some of our sewalongs (www.seamwork.com/online-sewing-classes) will walk you through the whole process.

[@JaqueBampi]

7:04 🤔 good point!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Yep!

[@paulinemcleggan7585]

Please I need fabric advise. I don’t choose fabric wisely. I totally agree about a new skill per project. I am trying the blind foot on my janome I can’t get the fabric round the right way. I’m making shorts and thought I would do a blind hem on the legs😢

[@SeamworkVideo]

You might be able to find a tutorial video on how to use the blind hem foot on your Janome. A lot of times the machine manufacturer or sewing machine dealerships create that kind of content for their customers.

[@bandanarathore]

Hi can you please tell how to properly press/iron the shoulder straps of a dress. I recently made them for the first time. When I ironed them the seam side of the straps had fabric folded. I do not want the seam to come in the middle on one side. I hope I am able to explain my problem properly.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Which dress pattern are you making? Are your straps wide or thin?

[@bandanarathore]

@@SeamworkVideo hi, they are an inch wide straps.

[@LilouViviKiani]

These are such great tips ❤

[@SeamworkVideo]

Glad you like them!

[@pjacksreads536]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Our pleasure!

[@mel_issa__]

Number two should be a given but I am guilty of not reading the pattern while I sew😅

[@SeamworkVideo]

You're not alone. 🤣

[@mystic1812]

More about different fabrics.

[@gigibinckley6450]

Learn to sew link please

[@SeamworkVideo]

It's linked in the description, but here's the direct link: www.seamwork.com/online-sewing-classes/beginner-sewing-class/about

[@CarolineBass-x3w]

I wish I'd know when to quit! I'd be so obsessed with a project that when I ran into a problem, I'd just keep trying and trying, really frustrated and not having fun. My mom was wise enough to wait til I'd finally get up to go to the bathroom and take the project and hide it!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Ha! That's a sweet move on your Mom's part. You're right, knowing when to quit is important.

[@jacquelynsmith5255]

I wish I knew what type of machine to purchase. You don’t know where your creativity will take you and there are so many sewing machine options. You don’t know what you don’t know. What is a good way to go about choosing a machine.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Check out this article, I think you will find it helpful in your sewing machine search! www.seamwork.com/articles/guide-buying-sewing-machine

[@mairead5891]

Understitching is WAY more important than you think it is!

[@talloolahmoon]

Fabric fabric fabric. Please challenge your counterparts world wide to do the same from their own countries

[@urabrown9671]

Don’t sew when you are tired. You will make so many mistakes.

[@SeamworkVideo]

So true!