Sewing?

[rosebee]

I got my first sewing machine for my 30th birthday last month.

The problem is, I have almost NO clue how to use it.

I took 6 weeks of a Home Ec class when I was 11, and only part of that was sewing related. One summer stepmom #1 (aka stereotypical evil-stepmom) made me and my stepsister take a summer camp that was about sewing (I think I was 9 or 10... maybe 11). With LOTS of help from the instructor I made a stuffed teddy bear with arms & legs that moved.

Now (nearly 2 decades later) I can barely put a button back on (with a needle & thread).

I would *love* to be able to hem up some long-sleeved shirts that have sleeves that are too long, and I have at least 2 or 3 skirts that I have to roll over at the waist 3 times because they're too long... and MrBee has a couple pairs of pants that are way too long for him.

What do you all recommend as the best way for me to teach myself how to sew? I don't know if there are any local classes. There's a couple sewing machine sales places in town that might have classes... but I think they're more like 'buy one of our expensive & complicated machines and we'll give you a free classes so you know how to use it).

Is there books or things that would work well for me?

Comments

[rainbow.livejournal.com]

i know we have some books, but i dont know titles cause they are still boxed up. but if it was me i would go to the library, find the section on sewing, and look through some books til you find one that is the level you want and the style you want. (not clothing styles, but you know how some books have just words, some have drawings, some have photoes, some go step by step, etc).

hemming is way simple, it just takes patience. i can write up directions if you want. and buttons are easy too.

oh, and it is good to remember the same rule for making wood stuff --measure TWICE, cut once.

[rosebee.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea. The downtown library is close to where I work, I think I'll pop down there on my lunch break tomorrow... or maybe I'll go down today! :D

[dine.livejournal.com]

check with sewing machine places, large fabric stores, and the community college - I bet you can find a beginners course through one of them.

[rosebee.livejournal.com]

LCC (Lane Comm. College) was the first place I checked, and they have some classes but they're all during the workweek and seem to be for a more advanced level than my very very beginner level).

There are several large fabric stores in town, I'll check with them to see.

Thanks!!

[jagette227.livejournal.com]

If you have a Michael's or a JoAnn's near you, they have classes. Or ask at a fabric store. Sometimes the people there teach on the side.

[rosebee.livejournal.com]

We do have both of those! Our Michael's is much more craft oriented, but our JoAnn's has a big sewing section with lots of fabric & stuff... I'll have to call them up and see about classes.

Thanks!!