sewing
By Lindsey Yi
What sewing means to me…
I remember when I first met sewing in my 7th grade home economics class; It was simple hand stitching pillows, but it didn’t go too well at first. Then, a few years later, I discovered a sewing machine in the back of my dusty closet. After experimenting with it for several days, I had discovered a new hobby.
In just a couple of months of learning (in quarantine), I was not only able to tailor some existing clothes to fit me better, but also created bags, stuffed animals, hats, simple tops/bottoms, and little gifts for my friends and family, only out of scratch! What makes sewing so easy is that just by accomplishing the basic straight line, and knowing when and where to stitch, you can make anything out of everything.
What sewing can do for you…
But why should you sew when you can buy? There are many benefits to it: sewing is much more affordable, you can adjust to your liking, and it's eco-friendly. You can simply cut and piece your old clothing together to make something extraordinary! Let’s not forget the health benefits - when you sew, your hand-eye coordination improves, allowing you to pay attention to intricate details in your sewing and the outside world as well. Personally, it has become a creative outlet, and the intense concentration has allowed me to de-stress and reduce my busy thoughts. Whether or not you feel as if you excel in art, this is still a very useful activity to be experienced in. It is a very rewarding hobby, and here, creativity is infinite.
How to sew
1. Every sewing machine is different. There are many different ways to thread, change settings, and use all the buttons, so the best way to begin is with your machine manual. If this is gone, try to search up what you are looking for with your specific model. After familiarizing yourself with everything, you've got the first step done!
2. There is another step before sewing: making sure you have all the supplies. When you sew, your necessities are fabric, thread, and bobbins (your "2nd" thread for the bottom). Some other basic things are elastic, buttons, pins/needles (as a guideline for where you are going to sew), a seam ripper (to rip the seam in case you have messed up), and scissors.
3. Once you have obtained your tools and your machine, you're ready to start! When you are first beginning to sew, it's good to have another pair of experienced hands to help you learn the basics, like a sewing a straight line. If not, there are many sewing lessons available online. The internet is full of free guides, but if you do use the internet, it's recommended that you begin and stay at the lowest speed for safety reasons :). Don't be discouraged if your line isn't straight the first few times! Sewing depends on your own pace. After practicing lines, you can move on the next step: a pillow, a small blanket, or even a mask! There are many tips and free templates available everywhere for your projects. By just taking it one step at a time, you'll be sewing your own clothes and bags in no time!
extra resources
extra resources
The whole machine and process seems overwhelming, but after a little practice, you'll become a pro! Here are some extra resources that you might find helpful:
If you click on the picture to you're right, you will be directed to one of the most detailed sewing guides. This tutorial begins by a 5 day course and at a steady pace so beginners can learn efficiently! It goes through everything that you need to know, from the beginning to techniques and skills to improve your sewing.
If you have lost your manual, and you can't find specific instructions to your own machine online, don't worry! You can follow guides to the universal sewing machine. as most machines are very similar in structure. Here is a link for a guide of the machine on necessary parts you need to know:
https://crazylittleprojects.com/how-to-use-sewing-machine/
Once you have completed the introduction to sewing in the steps shown above, you are ready to move on to your next projects. Here is a link for sewing simple and easy patterns, like totes, pencil cases, or even blankets:
https://crazylittleprojects.com/25-beginner-sewing-projects/
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