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Beginning Sewing Advice?
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Hi, I’ve purchased a sewing machine for my 8 yo daughter for Christmas. She is one who is always sneaking away with my meager sewing repair kit and making cute little projects by hand :), so I though I’d surprise her with the real deal. Anyway, my question is…Do any of you experienced sewers know what the simplest pattern would be for her to start with? I haven’t sewed since high school when I used to sew some of my clothes for fun…but that was soooooo long ago! lol!! I would like something simple enough that she doesn’t get frustrated, but something that she can see the immediate results as being benificial. Any help would be appreciated!
A simple skirt with an elastic waist is easy enough – use the whole width of the fabric, cut to length, fold the waist under 1/4 inch and press, then fold under again 1 1/4 inches and press, sew close to the edge of the waistband, leaving a two inch opening, insert 1 inch no-roll elastic, sew up the opening. Then all that’s left is a hem.
Same for a doll skirt, with smaller elastic.
Does that make sense?
Gaeleen
How fun! I don’t have any advice for you, but I’m wondering what sewing machine you bought? I’d like to teach myself to show and am looking for a good beginner machine. Not one that will break in a year, but not one that’s terribly expensive either.
Thanks!
a sleeveless a-line dress/jumper for a favorite doll would be easy and useful (sewing for dolls gives good experience before trying to tackle a project to wear for yourself), and is fairly easy to create without a bought pattern. Polarfleece is usually inexpensive this time of year and there are cute fabrics to use for jumpers – it is a forgiving fabric too. Pre-made binding is good to get to go around armholes (easier than trying to tackle curves or sleeves at first). Aprons are fairly easy as well. Also, a simple bag with a strap is easy to do – I make these for baby gifts alot, but you can make them for little girl purses as well – they can be decorated with all sorts of trims and be made in any size.
A baby blanket! for a real baby or a doll, a cozy baby blanket is something that will be used and is a good project for practicing sewing in a straight line!
The machine is a Brother LS2000. It had pretty good reviews online and it comes with an instructional DVD which will be very useful. Here is the Wal-Mart link…
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-LS2000-Sewing-Machine-with-20-Stitch-Functions/12082121
Thanks for the great suggestions Ladies! All such great ideas! I like the apron idea alot! Please keep them coming!
How fun! My MIL got my daughter a sewing machine last Christmas…she absolutely loooves it! I do still have to help her with it some, but then, she’s only 7 now. If it were me, I would show her how to make a pillowcase and a matching pillowcase for her favorite doll or stuffed animal. It’s so simple, and would be a great first project to show her how the wrong sides have to be sew facing each other, etc. Have some scrap fabric for her to just practice on and get the hang of it.
For our handicrafts this semester, we made a pattern, and sewed a nap mat for her American Girl doll. A little more involved, but it was so fun, and really taught her a ton about everything from pattern making to using a decorative stitch. 🙂
Throw pillows and throws are very simple. You could also teach her some handwork for the pillow top if she’s interested.
This is just like my sewing machine. Well, this is the newer version w/ pretty flowers! I received mine as a gift several years ago, but I’ve never used it until last week.
My dd9 and I are making these rice hot/cold packs for gifts for friends and family this year. It’s our first foray into sewing and so far, we’re doing ok on our own. We are taking a class at a local Joann’s next week and dd will take sewing in January via our co-op, but we’re doing ok with this project. I’m sure your daughter will love it!
Blessings,
Christie
Our family are beginner sew-ers too. My husband surprised me with this book last week:
http://todayindietzville.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-i-wish-i-was-doing-today.html
I can’t wait to get started! The projects in the book are hand-sewing projects, but I’m sure most of them could be easily done on a machine too.
Another easy project (that I am making for my dd for Christmas) is felt food. You can find tons of felt food patterns on Etsy.
Happy sewing!
Lindsey
I don’t sew, but my daughter wanted to learn how to sew. I bought her the book Stitches & Pins: A Beginning Sewing Book for Girls to learn how to use the sewing machine. The projects in the book are simple and useful, and she enjoyed making them.
Galeen, your skirt instructions sound easy! I’m going to try that with my daughter.
So for those of you who have done the aforementioned sewing books, would you still recommend them to someone who knows little about sewing?
Thanks!
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