Taking up Sewing as a Hobby

About Taking up Sewing as a Hobby

Sewing machines are one of the most highly sought after items of craft equipment that crafters can use when creating garments or other products made from textiles. Tailors and dressmakers love to be able to create stunning clothing that they have designed for themselves or for someone else to wear. They are usually considered an essential piece of kit for anyone who wants to take on large sewing projects as they are much faster at finishing items such as pieces of clothing than hand sewing. 

If you are completely new to sewing it can be a little bit difficult to know where to start. There are several different kinds of sewing that you may be interested in trying for yourself, but ultimately the right kind of sewing for you you will depend entirely on the kind of products you want to make and projects you are looking forward to working on. Whatever you are interested in making, there are some basic principles you can use to give yourself the best possible start. 

Choosing your first sewing machine 

If you are a complete beginner then the chances are that a basic sewing machine will provide you with all the features and functionality that you will need to complete some very exciting projects. Though basic in their function, a simpler sewing machine will still provide you with plenty of versatility, allowing you to tackle a range of different projects. A basic sewing machine can cost as little as £100 to £150 and a machine like this will allow you to build on your skills and grow in confidence. 

High-end sewing machines can run into many thousands of pounds, costing anywhere up to £5,000 or more for highly specialised machines. Often, these high-end machines will allow you to make use of a high degree of automation as they can be programmed using a computer or dedicated app. Some sophisticated sewing machines are capable of cutting and sewing a garment with minimal intervention. 

Put together your sewing kit 

Once you have spent some time thinking about the kind of sewing machine you would like to buy, you should then focus on gathering together a well stocked sewing kit. There are plenty of additional pieces of equipment you will need to make sure every sewing project you undertake goes off without a hitch. The below list is not complete but it will make sure you have all the basics in place before you start. 

• Fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine needles
• Hand sewing needles 
• Spare needles
• Bobbins plus some spares 
• Sharp fabric shears 
• Measuring tape 
• Tailors chalk 
• Fabric pins 
• Pinking shears 
• Sewing machine 
• Patterns

The patterns for your first few projects will depend on the amount of time you want to spend sewing, and also the kind of goods you are interested in making. For example if you want to try making a dress you should look for beginner level dress patterns and if you want to try making some pillowcases look for some basic ones which you will be able to make quickly and easily. 

Beginner level projects are very satisfying to undertake, as they tend to come together very quickly and will look great with minimal effort and skill required. You will find that your skills quickly improve and it will not be long before you are able to take on more complicated projects to really test your skills. Whichever project or sewing pattern you choose, make sure you are familiar with the terminology and abbreviations used by the pattern.

For your first few projects, look for patterns which make use of straight lines and uncomplicated designs. These are much easier to navigate as a beginner and make it much less likely that you will make any mistakes. With time your confidence will grow to a point that you will be able to competently alter patterns and add your own spin to every single project. 

When you are first starting out with machine sewing you might feel pressured to get things right the first time. Even people who have been sewing for a very long time still make mistakes, so don't stress, take your time with your work, and remember that stitches can always be unpicked and you can always try again.

Resources:

• Dress Patterns UK - Taiga
• Sewing Machines - Journo Portfolio
• Simplicity Sewing Patterns - Ameba Ownd