Sewing is a fun hobby and, if you’re looking to live a little greener, a great way to repair fabrics rather than tossing them away. 

From sewing up holes in T-shirts to making your own pillowcases to upcycling thrift store finds, here’s what you need to know about sewing before starting your first project!

Sewing tips for beginners

Start with simple projects

Sewing is a pastime that can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Regardless of your ambitions, however, it’s not a bad idea to start with some easy projects that will get you used to the process and tools used to sew. After all, the best way to learn is through hands-on practice! 

Start with a project that will introduce you to various techniques and fabrics. Sew a tote bag to get used to using a straight stitch, or a pillowcase to get practice with buttons and buttonholes. Hem a pair of trousers to get used to fine measurements and clean lines. There are plenty of beginner projects out there, so have at it!

Choose the right fabric for the job

The type of fabric can make or break a sewing project. Using cotton will be much, much easier than using a slippery fabric like silk or a thick fabric like wool, so choose your fabrics and projects wisely. Stick to projects that use cotton or a cotton blend to start with, since they’re more user-friendly than most others.

As you get more experienced with sewing, you’ll learn which stitches work best for which fabrics and what techniques you’ll need to keep your fabric under control! 

Know your sewing machine

Though it looks intimidating, a sewing machine is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Find out the make and model of your sewing machine and look up video tutorials that go over each of the settings, buttons and dials so that you’re familiar with what it can do. 

However complicated or simple your sewing machine may be, as a beginner you’ll only really need to use the straight stitch setting (maybe the zig-zag stitch too, depending on the project). All sewing machines will have this setting, so if you can figure out how to thread your sewing machine, how to power it up and how to use the straight stitch, then you’re golden! The rest is all just extra embellishments that you can choose to use further down the road. 

Also, a sewing machine is a fairly bulky piece of machinery to just have hanging around. If you’re just starting out and not sure if you want to invest in one yet, see if you can borrow one from a friend or from a local library!

Use the right tools

You don’t need a lot of tools to get started with sewing, but it’s not a bad idea to have some of these basic sewing items on hand if you want your sewing experience to go smoothly. 

• Scissors: fabric scissors are, by far, the best way to cut through fabric. They’re ultra-sharp and usually longer than normal scissors, guaranteeing straighter and cleaner edges. You’ll also be cutting lots of pieces of thread as you go, so keep a smaller pair of scissors on hand for quick and easy snips, too. 
• Pins: fabric pins or clips will make your life so much easier, as they’ll keep your fabric in place and lead to straighter edges, neater stitches and a much easier sewing process overall.
• Seam ripper: a seam ripper is a small, sharp tool that allows you to tear out even the tightest of stitches. This is especially handy when you want to undo a seam or remove a hem without damaging the fabric. 
• Measuring tape: a measuring tape is a must-have for your sewing kit. 
• Fabric pencil: getting a blue or white fabric pencil will help mark edges, lines or other instructions without damaging your fabric. 

Learn a few basic stitches

Find a piece of scrap fabric and practice a few basic stitches before starting on your actual project. 

• Straight stitch: : This is the most basic stitch used for most seams. It’s a strong, tight stitch that makes a straight line and is good for most seams.
• Zigzag stitch: this kind of stitch can help edges from fraying. It’s not as strong as the straight stitch, but it’s handy for creating neat edges and decorative borders. 

In addition to these two stitches, practice using the different width and length settings on your sewing machine. The width of a zigzag or the length of a straight stitch may impact how smoothly your project goes! 

Prepare your fabric correctly

Before you start sewing your project, prepare the fabric by washing it, drying it and ironing or steaming it. Fabric that’s clean and wrinkle-free is much easier to work with and will result in a neater final product, especially if your fabric might shrink in the wash after you’re done sewing it!

Take your time & be patient

Don’t rush through your sewing projects. Take your time to measure, cut and sew accurately and you’ll be better off for it— “measure twice and cut once” as the saying goes!

What might seem to be an easy project may take longer than you’d expect, and that’s totally normal! Don’t let it discourage or intimidate you, and don’t be afraid of mistakes; most of the time, your obstacles are easy to troubleshoot and solve!

Seek out resources

There’s an infinite supply of resources out there to guide you through a project. From books to video tutorials to Facebook groups, clubs, grandmas and more, there’s sure to be an answer to your question somewhere. After all, people have been doing this stuff for, quite literally, forever!

Practice makes progress!

As it is with most endeavors, the more you practice, the more you will progress in your skill. Don’t let the beginning intimidate you or keep you from trying new projects — you’ll get the hang of it in no time!

Good luck!

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Featured photo by Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash