Here is a quick diagram and some fabric terms and vocabulary for anyone in my beginning sewing class.
If you are already in my free beginning sewing class, I hope it’s going well. If you aren’t, you can find us here. I’d love to have you join us!
With most of us staying home over the next few weeks practicing some social distancing, I thought I’d bring the sewing classes to you . You can find my Social Distancing Sewing Classes on Facebook at the link below. These are beginner classes, and they do build on each other, but you can jump in at any time and catch up.
Here’s the plan: around 11 am (CST) each day next week, I’ll bring you a short sewing lesson. I’m planning on these running for at least a week.
You won’t need much to get started, just your sewing machine and any of the goodies it came with. I will be posting a basic supply list in the next few hours. I will have supply kits to offer you that can be mailed USPS Priority tomorrow (or dropped off in Shreveport. I’ll leave them by your front door to avoid extra germs.) You are also welcome to grab your supplies on your own. You’ll need these items by Thursday.
To join in these sewing classes on Facebook, please join the NNB Sewing Class FB group.
Here’s the class schedule:
Monday, March 16 Introductions and Supply Basics
Tuesday, March 17 Winding Bobbins, Threading Your Machine, and Selecting Needles/Fabrics
Wednesday, March 18 Sewing a Seam
Thursday, March 19 A Basic Pillowcase
Friday, March 20 On-line Patterns
If you’ve taken one of my beginner classes, you’ve probably made one of these pillowcases! I use this pattern for all ages because it’s a great opportunity to practice stitching straight lines. It also makes a great gift.
I’ve updated the instructions for the pillowcases. You can find it here.
The instructions include a tip on cutting your fabric strips for your pillowcase. You’ll find it even easier with a rotary cutter, a ruler, and a self-healing mat!
Are you letting the task of printing and taping together dozens of pages keep you from using PDF patterns? There are so many fun patterns floating around today and many of them are only available in PDF format. The process of “putting your pattern together” is crazy easy.
First, print it out. I use Adobe Reader to print mine. ONE MAJOR NOTE: make sure your scaling is set to 100% or full size before you print it out. Otherwise, you run the risk of your pattern being too small. The pattern pictured here was 25 pages long, 6 of infromation and 19 pattern parts. One page of instructions is the “map” for taping together the pattern pieces.
Double check that the size printed out correctly with the test square on your pattern. Every pattern designer worth their salt will include one of these. (By the way, I get asked in my classes about my favorite ruler. This is it.)
Paste your pattern together. You might need to cut off two edges (top and right, bottom and left, etc) before lining your pieces up. This varies by designer, but each will have that info on their site. For this pattern, the pieces just overlapped.
I like to use these Scholastic Glue Sticks to glue my pieces together. I’ve also used scotch tape and double stick tape, but this glue dries quickly and is much less expensive.
Once you’ve let it dry for a couple of minutes you are ready to cut it out. Don’t forget to use your PAPER scissors.
One last reminder, you’ll want to cut your pieces out precisely so that you aren’t cutting paper with your good fabric scissors while cutting the fabric.
Now that your pattern pieces are ready to go, everything else is just like sewing a tissue paper pattern! Using a .pdf pattern is really that easy!
Happy sewing.
I’m starting a new Learn to Sew series through LSUS Continuing Ed in March. These classes are all stand-alone classes and designed for you to join in at your current sewing ability. Sign up here.
If you’ve never sewn before, or if your sewing machine is new to you, start with:
If you already know how to thread your machine, but you’re wanting to learn more:
