Perhaps you don’t need any more reason than you already have to get into a sewing hobby. If you are feeling creative want to get crafty, want to be able to repair and alter more of your clothes, or you just want a hobby you can zen out and relax with, there’s no denying it’s an excellent way to spend your time. The one question you might have is: but how do I get started? Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to pick it up and super easy to get more and more invested into. The steps below can help you.
Know whether you want to hand sew or machine sew
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the two different types of sewing. In many cases, people end up learning both eventually. However, when it comes to which one you want to start with, it’s important to know the pros and cons. For sewing by hand, it’s inexpensive to start with, more precisely, and easy to take around with you. However, machine sewing is much faster, makes much more secure stitches, and increases the range of fabrics you can work with since thicker fabrics tend to be tiring on your hands. Find the method that best fits the kind of projects you want to do.
Find a class near you
Feel like you would have no idea where to start, even with the right equipment and a project to aim at? Some people don’t learn too well from step-by-step tutorials but are more visual learners. There’s nothing wrong with that. Look up your local community centres and craft groups to see if they offer anything in the way of sewing classes. There are also video tutorials from places like So Sew Easy if you don’t find any near you. A lot of people love finding classes, however, as it’s great to share your hobby with others and pick up or even share tips and projects as you get increasingly familiar with the hobby.
Choosing your equipment
When it comes to hand sewing, you don’t need to agonise over your choices too much. Most sewing kits will have everything you need to get started. However, with machines, you want to make sure you pick the right one to suit your needs. Most machine sewing classes require you to bring your own machine, so it’s an investment you have to be prepared to make if you want to get into the hobby. There are guides like Which that can help you get a better idea of the different kinds of machine and which features will best suit your needs. There’s usually nothing wrong with going with a second-hand machine, too.
Stay in supply
No matter what method of sewing you choose, you’re going to need both a regular supply of basics, as well as the materials suitable for whatever project you’re taking on. For hand sewing, your basic as are going to be your needles and thread, your fabric, your sewing scissors, your threaders and your thimbles. For a machine, you need all that as well as measuring tape, pins, bobbins, and more. Even if you don’t have a craft’s store near you, it’s easy enough to get the supply you need with online hobby shops like the Hot Pink Haberdashery. Do your research on the projects you would like to start, see what supplies you need for them, and get stocked up.
Keep finding projects to keep up with
To put it simply, you’re never going to run out of sewing projects to try out, so long as it’s a hobby you want to keep up with. From dressmaking to bag making, embroidering to patchwork, sewed gifts, upcycling, and much more, you will most certainly be kept busy. There are all kinds of websites offering free sewing projects you can keep up with. Some of the better and exclusive designs out there are sold with sewing materials, as well, so keep an eye on supply stores. Keep on practising and before too long, you may even end up creating your very own projects from scratch. You could end up sharing them on the net, or perhaps create your own Etsy store to sell the final products.
Get involved with others who share your creative spark
As mentioned, one of the benefits of finding a class near you is that you’re able to share your passion with people who can empathise with it. You can show them your projects, see theirs, get tips on technique, and find new patterns, projects, and helpful tools from them. You don’t need to join a class, however, you can attend and join in with annual sewing events like the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show or find sewing clubs near you that aren’t strictly for learning how to sew, but still likely to welcome newcomers. These kinds of groups can get involved with nonprofit organisations and important causes, as well, so it could be a way to do some good with your new hobby, too.
A few common challenges you might deal with
The road to mastery is rarely easy and, like many, there are some common issues you have to get around. Some are mistakes of planning, such as starting with complicated projects instead of simpler ones and neglecting to buy a little extra fabric just in case you make a few mistakes along the way. Otherwise, it’s important to be accurate, such as ensuring you’re laying out your pattern pieces correctly and that you’re measuring (and double-checking) that you’re cutting accurately to the cutting lines. If your needle is breaking, you need a thicker one. Don’t be afraid to Google any problems you’re having. You can rest assured you’re not the first to experience them and you probably won’t be the last.
Sewing is a hugely rewarding hobby that can see you make all kinds of cute gifts and garments and is super beneficial for your mental health, too. With the tips above you should be ready to get out there and get started!
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