Hello I am looking for a basic introduction book, for sewing on a sewing machine. My spouse has a brand new baby lock decorators choice, and she showed me how to thread it, wind the bobbin, change the feet and needle. However, I know zip about sewing. I was even amazed that you use two separate threads to sew with. Thats the level I am at. ON amazon, I see some books, that seem designed for 12 year olds or so, that teach you through games(lol) how to sew straight lines, and other things. I really need something basic. I have no idea what a zigzag does, or the double needle, or anything. What I eventually want to know how to do, is to do my own hemming, repairing seems, and making button holes, and reattaching buttons, fixing zippers, etc. Basic stuff. Any suggestions on a simple book?
My spouse knew nothing about it when he got a brand new Bernina. He rejected the instruction book and worked out for himself how to do everything - he said the book was patronisingly simple for his engineering brain :-)
But he would never admit that anyone could do anything as well as he could!
Unfortunately, my old brain never worked that way. I always was a studier of manuals and instructions and sucked up my knowledge this way. But with sewing, I am nothing more then a child, and need something to treat me as such, until I get the jist of things. Yes I can read the manuals, but I need a primer, on why, I am doing certain things, not just something like(heres how to do a double loop, high fiber, cross stitch). I need to understand the whys. I am detail oriented, but not very creative. Thats why I got married. LOL I do beautiful things in everything I do, as long as I have detailed instructions to begin with and learn from.
I'm a retired fashion design professor. Most of my students were in your boat--a couple didn't even know how to use scissors!! I would start out with a project--something very basic, like an apron. There are enough instructions in the pattern envelope that you will be able to follow them.
I started my students out with T-shirts, as they had to know how to use a serger as well as a sewing machine. Having an end product proved to be a good idea, and the students progressed rapidly. Second project was pull-on pants.
I happen to be a studier, too. The Readers' Digest Sewing Book was originally written by Lucille Rivers, an industry professional. I would make sure to have a copy of that. Try the library first, before you invest in books. Since it sounds like you want to do repairs and alterations (Ugh!!), look at some books on those subjects. They will tell you why you're doing a certain operation, and how to do it.
you can buy this RD sew book used on-line at a variety of places for a very reasonable cost ;) and that is excluding ebay, (use -ebay ) in the search engines
Could your spouse show you how to sew? If not, does she have a friend who will? That would give you some hands on learning with someone who could answer your questions. Barbara in FL
I am a degreed engr. and USED to think that way until I put together a "Barbie Dream Pool" for my daughter 20-some years ago. Per usual, I waited till she was in bed Christmas eve before starting to assemble the
1000-odd pieces, or so it seemed.
Then I overheard my wife telling her sister a couple of days later. "It took Bill 2 hours to put it together; if he didn't have a degree in Mechanical Engineering it would only have taken him 45 minutes!"
Mary's husband sounds like a lot of men I know. They only resort to the manual when all else fails or damage has occurred but at least her husband sound like he has enough sense to have avoided the damage component.
I always read the manuals.
I would recommend the "Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" and look for one from the 1970s. By that time machine with zigzag were well known and the book includes all the really important construction information.
Thanks for all the responses to my query. :) As far as my better half, showing me how to sew, not a good idea. She is not a good instruction giver or taker. And I wil ask a lot of questions which will get her frustrated. I dont listen very well(I guess four years listening to artillery shells going off and out, as well as in, I do much better reading instructions. Thats how we have stayed together for 38 years so far. Ive been trying to kick her out all this time, but she says I treat her too good for her to leave. LOL This task, I will learn on my own I hope. I am also thinking about signing up for a beginners class at the sewing store. Ill stick out like a sore thumb, but who knows. They start you out, learning to sew a kimono type pajama. They make you buy the material at the store. Probably cost me a fortune. I am 6 foot five, and 270 lbs and lift weights. Can I make it for my spouse, if I measure her. Shes 4 foot 11, 105 lbs. We are like mutt and jeff, for you old timers like me. I could save some money on the material, plus I wont have to be wearing a kimono. ROTFL
If your local sewing class is anything like my classes, you will be coddled by the other students. Men are such a novelty that everyone will try to help you. Go ahead and make the garment for your wife; she'll treasure it.
Another suggestion would be to go to your library and look for a sewing video that should show you most of the basics. Or do a google search on sewing instructions. I just did and found one free video, and lots of instructions on "how to make" free patterns you could print off. You start with something sinple to learn the basics! Barbara in FL
FWIW, I've never had any lessons or instruction on how to sew. I picked it all up by trial and error. I was an electrical engineer by profession, and I'd like to think blessed with pretty good logical thought processes. I've found that's the key to successful sewing - think about what you're doing, think about the pattern instructions, sort out in your own mind how it goes together, IYSWIM.
I have a few reference books, including the oft-mentioned Readers Digest book and one or two others I've bought over the years, but it's a bit like using a computer, you can read all you like, but there's nothing like actually getting stuck in and having a go. You will make some mistakes, you'll get frustrated when you read the instructions that come with a pattern and think to yourself 'How the hell do they think that'll work?'.
I'm sure I do some things that the purists here would shudder at, but it works for me. A few tips, find some *good* scissors that you're happy with and that cut good and clean - there's nothing worse than trying use a pair of cheap scissors that gnaw at the material and leave a rough, jagged edge. A small pair of good scissorsd is handy for cutting out into curves and the like.
Also, as a beginner, allow yourself a little extra - say 1/4" extra - around the edges when you're cutting out. You'll find it makes the seams that little bit easier to do, without the material fraying as you're working on it - it will, but not right into the seam stitching - and you can always trim the extra off when you're done. I make and dress dolls, and the seam allowances on the patterns for those is quite often 1/4" or less. No way do I cut them that tight, I always allow a bit extra and then trim them back.
As far as sewing machine settings are concerned, it will have been designed to have all dials and knobs sitting more or less in the middle of the adjustment range for 'normal' sewing - whatever that is! Get some scrap material and experiment, see what happens to the threads when you alter the tension. Again FWIW, I've had an overlocker/serger for about three years now, and I still have to experiment with the settings, coz it always seems different every time I use it. I suspect that could be a problem with the user rather than the machine, however!
If you're trying something intricate, do a dummy or mock up first - the posh name is make a muslin. I quite often do when I'm making bodices for the dolls. Porcelain doesn't give like flesh and the fit has to be more or less correct for the garments to sit properly. The mock up tells me where I need to ease out one seam or take in another, and yes, it goes in the bin when I'm finished!
I agree with that. Spouse didn't like going to pubs but didn't like to think he was missing something so he'd go with me and sit tatting. He always had a crowd of women round him, other men were indignant. What, apart from a shuttle, did that little bald bearded scruffy chap have which they didn't?
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.