How to Learn Sewing: A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Sewing Journey

Have you ever found yourself admiring beautifully handmade clothes or home décor and thought, “I wish I could make that”? Learning to sew might seem daunting, but it’s a surprisingly accessible and rewarding skill to pick up. Many beginners ask questions like “How do I even start sewing?” or “What do I need to learn sewing?”. This guide is designed to answer all those questions and more, providing you with a comprehensive roadmap to begin your sewing adventure.

In this article, we’ll explore the essential steps to learn sewing, from understanding the basics and gathering your first sewing supplies to choosing beginner-friendly projects and finding helpful resources. Whether you dream of creating your own wardrobe, crafting unique gifts, or simply enjoying a new creative outlet, learning to sew is a journey worth embarking on.

My Sewing Journey: From Observing to Creating

My own introduction to sewing was through my mom. Growing up, she was always at her sewing machine, crafting clothes for my sister and me. From everyday outfits to elaborate Halloween costumes and dance recital ensembles, she made it all. Being around sewing from a young age sparked my initial interest. I even took sewing lessons in elementary school and the standard home economics class in high school.

While I learned fundamental skills like threading a machine and the importance of backstitching during those early experiences, I didn’t truly begin sewing my own clothes until a few years ago. If you’re worried that you need years of prior experience to start creating your own garments, let me reassure you – that’s not the case!

Today, with the wealth of online resources available, learning to sew is more beginner-friendly than ever. Anyone can start at any skill level. Once you grasp the basics, you’ll find that sewing is not only achievable but also incredibly enjoyable. It’s about taking that first step and diving in!

Essential Sewing Supplies for Beginners

The most fundamental tool you’ll need is, of course, a sewing machine. I personally use my mom’s vintage Singer machine – it’s older than me and still works wonderfully! The sewing machine market can be overwhelming, and I don’t have specific recommendations for modern machines. They can be a significant investment, so if you’re on a budget, consider borrowing one from a friend or family member or exploring secondhand options.

Beyond a sewing machine, a basic set of supplies will set you up for success. Here’s a list of essential sewing tools I regularly use:

• Fabric Scissors: Invest in a good pair of fabric scissors and use them only for fabric to keep them sharp. Paper will dull them quickly.
• Pins: Essential for holding fabric pieces together before sewing. Opt for dressmaker pins with ball heads for easy handling.
• Ruler or Measuring Tape: Accurate measurements are crucial in sewing. A flexible measuring tape and a clear ruler are indispensable for pattern reading and fabric cutting.
• Seam Ripper (Stitch Un-picker): Mistakes happen! A seam ripper is your best friend for undoing stitches without damaging the fabric.
• Safety Pin or Bodkin: Useful for threading elastic, drawstrings, or ribbon through casings.
• Fabric Chalk or Marking Pen: For transferring pattern markings onto fabric. Chalk is great for most fabrics; a fabric marking pen works well for finer materials. Always test on scrap fabric first to ensure it disappears.
• Iron: Ironing is just as important as sewing! Pressing seams flat as you sew gives your projects a professional finish.

Depending on your chosen sewing pattern, you’ll also need notions. Notions are extra items beyond fabric and thread, such as buttons, zippers, elastic, bias tape, snaps, and more. Your pattern will list all required notions. Thrift stores can be treasure troves for affordable notions, offering a sustainable and budget-friendly way to gather supplies.

Finally, I highly recommend keeping a sewing journal. For each project, record the pattern name, fabric type, any adjustments you made, mistakes encountered, and ideas for future improvements. This journal becomes a valuable resource for tracking your progress, remembering past projects, and learning from each sewing experience, especially if you revisit patterns later.

Sewing tools laid out on a table

Finding the Right Sewing Patterns for Beginners

When I was learning to sew, pattern options were mainly limited to large companies like Butterick, McCall’s, Simplicity, and Vogue, primarily found in fabric stores. While these companies still exist, the landscape of sewing patterns has expanded dramatically. Today, there’s a vibrant community of smaller, independent pattern designers creating modern and stylish designs. I personally gravitate towards indie patterns as they often offer unique styles and supporting small businesses is a bonus.

A fantastic resource for beginners is free sewing patterns. Websites like Fabrics-Store.com offer a wide variety of high-quality, free patterns specifically designed for beginners. These free patterns are an excellent way to practice and build your skills without a significant upfront investment. Fabrics-Store.com also has a blog, The Thread, with a comprehensive glossary of sewing terms and techniques – another invaluable resource for newcomers.

Beyond Fabrics-Store, many other independent pattern companies cater to beginners. Here are a few to explore:

• Tilly and the Buttons: Known for clear instructions and beginner-friendly designs.
• Colette Patterns (Seamwork): Offers stylish and accessible patterns with detailed tutorials.
• Paper Theory Patterns: Features modern, minimalist designs with a focus on clear instructions.

Exploring the vast world of sewing patterns is part of the fun! This list provides a starting point, but don’t hesitate to browse online pattern shops and discover designers that resonate with your personal style.

For specific beginner-friendly patterns, consider projects like:

• Simple elastic-waist skirts or pants: Easy to fit and construct, great for practicing straight seams.
• Pillowcases: A classic beginner project to master straight lines and basic finishing techniques.
• Tote bags: Practical and customizable, allowing you to practice various skills like topstitching and handle attachment.
• Scarves or bandanas: Excellent for working with lightweight fabrics and practicing hemming.

Choosing the Best Fabrics for Learning to Sew

I often prefer buying fabric online, primarily because it’s easier to find sustainable fiber options like linen, organic cotton, and hemp. Local big-box fabric stores sometimes lack variety in 100% natural fibers, and when they do have them, the prices can be quite high. Many smaller online fabric companies ship worldwide and offer a curated selection of beautiful and sustainable fabrics.

Some of my favorite online fabric retailers include:

• Blackbird Fabrics: Canada-based with a wide selection of high-quality fabrics, including many natural fiber options.
• The Fabric Store: New Zealand-based, renowned for their extensive linen collection and beautiful fabrics.
• Organic Cotton Plus: Specializes in organic cotton and other eco-friendly fabrics.
• Etsy: A marketplace where you can find numerous independent fabric shops offering unique and vintage fabrics.

When starting out, woven fabrics like linen and cotton are highly recommended. They are much easier to handle than knit fabrics because they have less stretch and are less slippery while sewing. This stability makes them ideal for beginners learning basic sewing techniques.

For your first clothing projects, consider sewing loose-fitting garments in linen or cotton. Flowy linen pieces are much more forgiving to sew than tailored items like denim jeans or structured button-up shirts. Plus, linen clothing is incredibly stylish and comfortable! Linen’s natural fiber composition also makes it a more sustainable and biodegradable choice.

Fabric costs can add up, especially for larger projects. To save money while learning, utilize scrap fabric from thrift stores. These scraps are perfect for practicing stitches, getting comfortable with your sewing machine, and experimenting with different techniques without the pressure of using expensive fabric.

Many sewists create a toile or muslin before cutting into their final fabric. A toile is essentially a test garment sewn from inexpensive fabric, like muslin or even old bedsheets. This practice run allows you to familiarize yourself with the pattern instructions, check the fit, and identify any necessary adjustments before working with your chosen fashion fabric. Creating a toile is highly recommended, especially for more complex patterns, and it’s a great way to use up scrap fabric while refining your sewing skills.

My Top 5 Sewing Tips for Absolute Beginners

1. Start Simple: For your very first sewing project, choose something straightforward like elastic-waist pajama pants or a simple tote bag. Starting with easy projects builds confidence and allows you to master basic techniques without feeling overwhelmed. Pajama pants are forgiving – even if they aren’t perfect, they are still perfectly wearable at home!

2. Practice on Scrap Fabric First: Before starting any project, use scrap fabric to test your sewing machine, practice different stitch types, and experiment with new techniques. This practice run helps you get a feel for the fabric and machine, preventing mistakes on your actual project fabric.

3. Read Through the Entire Pattern Before Starting: Resist the urge to jump right into cutting! Take the time to thoroughly read the entire sewing pattern instructions before you even cut your pattern pieces. This step familiarizes you with all the steps, techniques, and any potentially tricky areas. Reading ahead helps you visualize the construction process and allows you to plan for any adjustments or modifications you might want to make along the way.

4. Try On Your Garment as You Go: For clothing projects, try on your garment periodically as you sew seams and complete steps. Checking the fit as you progress makes it much easier to make adjustments, such as letting out a seam or increasing a seam allowance, before the entire garment is finished. Early adjustments are far simpler than trying to fix fit issues at the very end.

5. Go Slowly and Enjoy the Process: Sewing is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don’t rush, try to be as careful as possible, but also accept that mistakes will happen – they happen to even experienced sewists! The beauty of sewing is that you can often unpick stitches and try again. Embrace the learning process, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun. Sewing should be an enjoyable and creative outlet!

Resources to Help You Learn Sewing

Beyond this guide, countless resources are available to support your sewing journey.

• Online Sewing Courses: For structured learning, consider online sewing courses. Many platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and my own course, Learn to Sew for Complete Beginners, offer comprehensive video tutorials and step-by-step guidance for beginners.

• YouTube Channels: YouTube is a goldmine of free sewing tutorials. Channels like Stitch Collective and The Fold Line offer excellent beginner-friendly sewing content, covering everything from basic techniques to specific project tutorials. Search YouTube whenever you encounter a step you’re unsure about – chances are, you’ll find a helpful video demonstration.

• Sewing Blogs and Websites: Explore sewing blogs and websites for tutorials, tips, and inspiration. Beyond The Thread blog from Fabrics-Store.com, websites like Sew Mama Sew, Mood Sewciety, and many independent sewing blogs offer a wealth of information for sewists of all levels.

Ultimately, the best way to learn sewing is by doing. Choose a beginner-friendly pattern, gather your supplies (consider thrift store fabric for practice!), get acquainted with a sewing machine, and simply start sewing. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from each project. Happy sewing!