Sewing Beginner? Easy Ways to Elevate Your Handmade Garments

[@aburns1999]

Great tips, especially the point about ironing. I always tell new sewists that sewing clothes is about 50% ironing. If I may add: if you're using a commercial pattern, pick a simple pattern that will be flattering for your shape. Take accurate measurements of your body and DO NOT get hung up on the number of your size, sew for your pattern size, not your RTW (ready to wear) size. Read the entire pattern through before you even start and do not skip steps. If it says to understitch, then do it. Change your sewing needle often, it really does make a difference. I loved how you said not to rush and I couldn't agree more, but also do not put off the next step because you're unsure of what to do. Finish your projects! For hand sewing needles, I prefer Bohin needles. For thread, I prefer Gütermann and will go out of my way to use that over C&C. Oh, do not use your fabric scissors for anything but fabric. Sorry to add so much but I've been sewing for over 30 years and I know that once a person starts to sew, they'll never stop. It's too great. Love your sweater.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you so much for your great advice! Completely agree about pattern size vs rtw sizing, it can be confusing at first. Thanks so much for watching :)

[@mikea75201]

Excellent advice and I really appreciate the calm, soothing manner you used to convey it. Made my first project this year and discovered right away how important it was to be intentional and methodical in every aspect of the process.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you! Congrats on your first project :)

[@marianita420]

This video has been a great reminder! I am not new to sewing but I am learning to slow it down a bit. I make fewer mistakes when I'm not rushing through a project. I take more time reading the fabric labels including the fabric care. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Rebecca_Good]

So glad you found it helpful! I’m definitely trying to slow down and enjoy the process 🤍

[@kimjohnson5400]

Bernadette Banner had a guest on her channel where they just covered the art of ironing. After viewing that lovely video I was truly a convert and yes it makes such a difference to press every seam intentionally.

[@Rebecca_Good]

It really does make such a difference!

[@carrleerocks]

Just found your channel and really appreciate these tips! I’ve been sewing over a year and slowly moving into garments. These are great, thank you!

[@Rebecca_Good]

I’m so glad you found it helpful!

[@gina-leecooper7561]

Great tips, and I'd like to add a distinction between inexpensive vs high quality because expensive doesn't necessarily guarantee high/good quality and I got burned so many times in the beginning, I'd buy expensive notions thinking they'll be high quality and inexpensive meant low quality. I now know how to spot good quality at a price point I am comfortable with, finally 🥳!

[@Rebecca_Good]

That's a great point, thanks for sharing!

[@lynngates1662]

Hi Rebecca. I'm doing topstitching on some jeans at the very moment you're talking about it. 😁 Really solid recommendations! ❤❤ Gotta say, I rarely press my fabric before cutting out. I didn't even know that pressing your fabric and patterns before cutting was a thing until about 2018. 🙃 and I had already been sewing for nearly 40 years. Anyway, I've never noticed that it was a problem. And like you said, if it's all crinkly when coming out of the dryer, I'm not likely to use it for anything. It's a huge red flag 😁 Thanks so much and have a great weekend!

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks so much for watching and hope you have a great weekend as well! Happy sewing :)

[@nathenshin9992]

Thank you for the great video- definitely lots of good tips here! If you don't mind sharing, which steam iron do you use? I also have one that does not have a steam function and am looking to upgrade :)

[@Rebecca_Good]

You are so welcome! I use a Rowenta Iron and am really happy with it so far. amzn.to/40loNo2 a tip - I only put distilled water into it, tap water can clog the steam holes

[@neon.neutral]

I once thrifted multiple colors of italian linen. We're talking *yardage* of all. I still havent done anything with them because i dont know what to make with it and it feels too precious!!!

[@Rebecca_Good]

That’s amazing! I’ve never found nice fabric thrifting but hopefully someday :)

[@remmym6605]

I just want to take the time to defend quilting cottons: Craft store quilting cottons can still be a suitable choice for a project! You just need to be mindful of the project. They're perfect or garments that stand away from the body and are not in the way of movement.. Full circle skirts, unfitted tops, and if you're using them for a project with a sleeve, it's best that they are short sleeves. Now quilt store cottons? More often than not they are apparel weight cottons with a fun print! However since they are closer to apparel weight cottons, definitely expect apparel fabric prices. But you get the joy of being able to create more varied garments while still enjoying the ease of cotton!

[@Rebecca_Good]

I love your advice on quilting cottons, thanks for sharing!

[@constancegarcia8053]

Well done Rebecca!!! 🌹🌹🌹

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you :)

[@pettipaw]

Do you have recommendations for choosing interfacing? I've had a couple of examples where I wasn't pleased with the results. One was on the Closet Core Cielo shirt which I sewed with linen. The interfacing on the neck facing just doesn't lie smooth. It makes the neck area look a little rippled - I think there is a term for that. The other example is with pants that are elasticated in the back waistband but not the front. I am wondering if a heavier interfacing would work better for the front, as the waistband gets wrinkles in it while wearing.

[@Rebecca_Good]

I generally think using an interfacing that's lighter or very similar to the fabric weight works well. I've had poor results using something too stiff or heavy on lighter fabrics like linen, and also have experienced the bubbling you describe when the interfacing wasn't pressed to the fabric long/hot enough. I think your idea for flat front pants makes a lot of sense...having more structure in the front than the back.

[@pamroberts9218]

The time it takes to sew a garment should also be taken into consideration when choosing a fabric for a project. It will take the same time, but the outcome is different as you wear and wash the garment.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Great point!

[@kimberlywiley7727]

Is it the quilting cotton or where you buy it. I haven’t been impressed with Joann fabrics. Period. Quilting fabric for garment sewing gets a bad wrap. Quilting cotton sold at quilting shop is usually of higher quality.

[@Rebecca_Good]

That's a good point, I haven't tried buying from a quilting shop. Thanks!

[@kimberlywiley7727]

@@Rebecca_Good Sewing and all that comes with it is expensive $$$. A nice quality quilting fabric, not over $8-$10 a yard is a great place for beginners to start. I also favor a nice, not too expensive iron over a fancy sewing machine since pressing is key to making nice garments.

[@nanavango9374]

Re: fabric choice. Don’t you pre-wash your fabric before sewing? Wondering if that might have shown the problem with quilting fabric ahead of time.

[@Rebecca_Good]

I do now, something I didn’t know when I first started :)

[@brendastevens8325]

Intermediate sewist

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks!

[@sallyb7472]

Cheap quilting cotton is garbage. Buy your quilting cotton fabric from a quilting specialty store and you will have great cotton fabric. Cheap fabric and notions equal a cheap looking garment no matter the sewist’s skill.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks for sharing, I agree!