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When you are a beginner in sewing, you are eager to quickly learn how to sew a dress, make a bag or use different fabrics such as poplin, felt or satin.
But how can you become an exceptional sewer quickly? Is it possible? How long does it take?
Bear in mind that, like all learning, it takes time and you must start with the basics: drawing, stitching, overcasting, embroidery, etc.
Before embarking on more complex tailoring, set aside a few weeks or months to learn depending on how much time and effort you're willing to devote to your new hobby.
Superprof gives you the tips and help you find sewing classes to speed up the learning process.
Learn to Sew By Hand
Even if most of the time, the machine sews and the seamstress simply serves as a guide, it is important to know how to sew by hand, especially how to do smooth stitching.
In fact, from time to time, there will be need to sew by hand and generally it will be to sew stitches which will be visible. Make sure you know how to do it right!
To achieve this, there is no secret: you have to practise and do exercises that may seem tedious: stitching lines!
Does it remind you of the lines you had to copy at school when you got a bad mark or when you were learning verb conjugations? Well, it looks like the same thing and for good reason. It's proven to work!
When we repeat something at length, we assimilate it more quickly.
Coupe Couture gives you a list of useful advice for beginners wanting to learn how to sew well.
Start by cutting out a 15cm square by following the weaving threads of the chosen fabric. Then with a ruler and a pencil, draw horizontal lines. Leave 1.5cm from the edge and space your lines with the same gap.
And then, you're off! You take the thread, needle and thimble to protect your index finger and you link the stitches:
- 2mm running stitches ,
- Basting stitches 10mm on the bottom and 2mm on the top,
- 2mm straight stitches,
- Overlapping stitches,
- 2mm back stitches, etc.
Don't hesitate to visit the website to get a better understanding.
There are photos and clear and precise explanations. For each line of stitches, a link redirects you directly to the explanation to achieve this particular stitch.
The site Couture Couture also offers step-by-step explanations for sewing beginners.
Discover how easy sewing can really be!
Sew in a Flash: a Hobby and a Skill
Strive to learn constantly. For each new project, add something different to each work of art:
- Use inter-lining fabric,
- Put on a zipper,
- Line a basket with fleece,
- Sew a skirt with a zigzag stitch,
- Make a pattern,
- Sew a makeup bag,
- Notching,
- Knit fabric flowers, etc.
It is vital to improve your skills as your projects progress. Give yourself goals each time.
Record them in a notebook if needed to keep track of some key skills you want to acquire. It's a good way to keep the motivation by being able to clearly see your progress margin and how far you still have to go.
Join the Sewing Community
Learning to sew nowadays is easier than it used to be. You will always find a sewing tutorial on YouTube, a sewing blog online or a sewing workshop near you to help you improve your sewing skills.
The sewing community for beginners is growing every day and getting on board can be a good source of motivation to help you improve fast. It's so much more fun to have friends who are passionate about the same thing as you! It is a very good way to progress quickly.
You can share your doubts, fears, mishaps but also your enthusiasm and successes with others. It's like when you start a team sport: the concept of teamwork is not quite the same here but ultimately the support of each member is the most important.
Why not use this handy list of sewing tutorials?
Make Your Own Sewing Rules
Don't force yourself to do something you don't want to do. Choose what you make and have fun!
It's still a lot more fun to sew a skirt that you really want to wear rather than a hideous apron that will live in the back of your wardrobe.
And be selfish.
At the start, make clothes for yourself.
It's usually a lot more motivating than making pieces for other people. After a while, the motivation will come naturally.
Sew for pleasure. It must not become a dreaded task.
Life is stressful enough without adding even more stress. Sewing should be a time to unwind. Go at your own pace and learn from your mistakes.
Learn to Sew Quickly: Practice, Practice, Practice
Before starting with complex sewing patterns, let's start with beginner's sewing.
When you start to sew alone, you should avoid anything overly complicated, starting with your sewing machine. Choose a simple one which offers the basic features without fancy accessories you will never use.
Very few things have evolved in a sewing machine. So you can even look for one second hand and you'll not be missing out. It's the useless gadgets that increase the price.
Start by learning how to use your machine and do simple tasks:
- Pin fabric,
- Break a seam,
- Sew an appliqué,
- Bind with bias tape,
- Sew a buttonhole,
- Sew a button to the machine,
- Sew a zipper,
- Apply an elastic band,
- Apply pressure,
- Sew a simple hem stitch,
- Sew a blind hem stitch.
It's best to start your sewing training with simple, well-made pieces rather than tackling complicated gathers or fabrics and being disappointed by the result.
It's not what you sew that matters but how you sew it!
Things that seem complicated at first will become easier with practice.
Like any new hobby or sport, when you start from scratch, you can see your progress more clearly and it's rather encouraging, right?
Discover how to make the best use of your sewing machine!
Learn to Sew Quickly: Become a "Sewing Investigator"
The best fashion designers (or knitters, artists, sculptors, writers, etc.) push the boundaries to the extreme.
Of course, not being good at the start can be disheartening. But if everytime you make a mistake, you learn from it and turn it into something positive, not only will you not be disappointed you will end up learning faster.
When you feel like you're failing, the next step is not to give up, but to keep learning. Is there a tool that can help you? Is there a technique you don't know?
Do a thorough investigation. Search the internet, ask your friends and fellow sewers, go to a shop and ask for advice. Do not give up, adopt the attitude of a "sewing investigator".
Mistakes can be frustrating but they are inevitable and are the best way to improve by learning from them.
If you want to progress quickly, give yourself goals that are not too difficult so you don't get discouraged but complicated enough so you move forward. For each project, give it your best shot.
Take Sewing Classes
Of course, we end with the most obvious way to improve quickly: sewing lessons.
A sewing teacher is the best way to learn properly, without the risk of making mistakes, wasting time and so it is the best way to progress really quickly.
They will be there to teach you how to use a serger, to compile your sewing equipment, to sew your first clothes and accessories, etc.
In short, nothing beats a good sewing teacher to develop your skills and launch your couture collection in no time (there's no harm in dreaming!).
On Superprof 67 sewing teachers are already available in the UK locally or online. It costs between £15 to £50 per hour depending on your location, level, the experience of your teacher, travel expenses, etc.
Taking sewing classes online is a great way to learn, either with Superprof (by webcam) or through various sewing websites previously mentioned that offer complete training courses at low prices.
But having a teacher near you to correct you in person is still by far the best way to learn to sew quickly.
Discover tricks to help you learn to sew like a pro!
In summary:
Learning to sew takes time. Like any new skill, you do not want to rush at the risk of missing essential steps and end up making mistakes later. Allow a few weeks to a few months depending on your learning ability and the time you want to spend on it so you can start sewing real clothes.
With the internet, you can get quick results with the tips and video tutorials available on tons of websites and YouTube channels. We recommend the YouTube channel Stitchless TV for great sewing advice for beginners.
Finally, the best way to progress quickly is always to take classes with a sewing teacher.
- Find sewing classes London
- Find sewing classes Edinburgh
- Search sewing classes Glasgow
- Search for online sewing classes
Put aside between £15 to £50 per hour according to various criteria.
The platform that connects tutors and students
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