Wednesday, February 16, 2011

You Need To Learn To Sew!

This post is for all you ladies who don't know how to sew.
If there's one thing someone who loves to decorate, but has a limited budget needs to do is learn to sew! You can do it! Seriously, I've seen how talented you ladies are out there!!!...You can handle a sewing machine!

First off, you don't need a fancy machine and you don't need to spend a lot of money. I do most of my home sewing on an inexpensive sewing machine that was about $100. Sewing machines are cheaper now than when I bought that one many years ago.Having been in the fashion industry many years ago, I also had a couple of industrial sewing machines, but I recently sold them because my simple Brother sewing machine is so much easier to use.
This one by Brother for under $100 is on Amazon.com   You can also scour Craigslist for something similar.

Once you have a sewing machine even if you only learn how to do a straight stitch, you can make all kinds of things:

Curtain panels


Pillows


Table runners


This is all you need to learn how to do to make curtains and table runners.

I tried making the above runner for my nightstand using the fusible stuff and I nearly went crazy. It took me longer to try to figure that out than to sew them~ all by using a straight stitch. You might make a few mistakes at first...heck, I've been sewing since I was 12 and I still make mistakes sewing. 

The seam ripper is my best friend sometimes!

So, if you would like to learn how to sew, but need a little encouragement, I say...Go for it!
There are a lot of good videos on You Tube that show you how to sew. You can also take a class at your local fabric store. Watch out though, they might suggest you need a fancy machine, but that's definitely not the case!

Would love to hear your comments on this subject, whether you know how to sew or not!


Pam


21 comments:

  1. Pam, I wholeheartedly second that!!! I also agree about the machine! My grandmother bought me a Brother for about $99 in 1982 and it is still going strong! I have made costumes, upholstery, slipcovers, wedding gowns, and who knows what else for years. I have run it really hard. Now, my serger, on the other hand was about $600 but worth every penny for finishing edges quickly. And the seam ripper, is also my friend, lol!!!

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  2. Pam~~~~

    I bought a Singer sewing machine about a year ago and it has been sitting. I had every intention of learning to sew but have been putting it off. I became a little stumped when trying to thread it and decided to have my SIL help me get started. I think now is the time.

    Thanks for the encouragement!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. Pam, You're right on target with this post. I've been sewing since my first class of Home Economics way back in 1977. I've been trying to get my daughter into sewing without great luck so I think I'll start working on the granddaughter in another year or two. Sewing is one of those hobbies where I get to see instant results even if it is a straight line.

    :)
    Teri

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  4. Great post! I have been looking for an inexpensive machine for some time now. I am dying to try my hand at making curtains and runners. I have tried the fusable stuff and that can be tricky too.

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  5. I love to sew and love my handed-down sewing machine from the 1960s. I haven't sewn in a while but I'm getting the itch to do a table runner and slipcover for a foot stool. I'm also 'assigned' to recover my mom's patio cushions...but it's complicated so I'm procrastinating. I've had them since fall and deadline is spring. lol

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  6. I have thought about investing in a sewing machine...you know how often I like to change curtains around here. I may someday:)

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  7. I've been a straight stitch sewer for years! I've tried more challenging sewing before but just found it more complicated so I stuck to things I could do with a straight stitch. You are so right, the possibilities are endless! I've even had the pleasure of helping a friend get started on her machine after she bought it and was struggling! I showed her how to thread the machine, do a straight stitch and pointed her towards her instruction manuel. LOL! That was the best advice she needed, and then she took off from there!

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  8. Amen to that! My hubby got me a second hand sewing machine when we bought our first home and I completely taught myself. I can't do anything super fancy but making pillows and curtains and simple things like that has allowed me to get the more custom look I want for my home. It gives you so many more options when you can go into a fabric store and pick out something perfect to tie everything together. Plus it comes in very handy for those kids Halloween costumes! :-)
    Vanessa

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  9. I totally agree! I taught myself to sew using online tutorials and reading tips from great blogs like yours! Thank you! I love it. Sewing is a new found passion for me.

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  10. Hi Pam... very nice and encouraging post... stitching is simply not difficult and yes not the matter of heavy investment on machine... you can do magic with your simple machine...I have my singer bought in 1989 and still it is perfect. And I stitched my curtains , cushions, runners little fun projects even I stitched dresses for me and my daughter too. Its such a nice hobby which not only involves you but makes your home very beautiful with out spending lots. And the most important thing I feel is that you don't have any IF, because you can do what you want
    Thanks a lot for such lovely post
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  11. You are so right on, Pam!! I own two sewing machines and a serger. My mom taught me how to make my own Barbie clothes when I was seven! (We lived in the country and couldn't just hop to the store everytime I thought Barbie need a new outfit. lol) Sometimes sewing can save you a lot of money but at other times I can purchase cheaper than it takes to make. Basic things like you mentioned, curtains, pillows, table runners, you need to know how to sew a straight line!

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  12. I just got my very first sewing machine for Valentines day!!! I can't wait to get to learn how to use it, I have so many big plans!! Thanks for posting this.. I am going to post this on my blog facebook for all my viewers to read.. xx Liz Marie

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  13. I've sewn since junior high school! I've made clothes, curtains, pillows, and all my table runners that are not seasonal.
    It is so worth knowing how to sew!!

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  14. Good for you! I taught myself to sew when I first got married. I consider myself still learning. I am a quilter. And I love to sew, mostly. My oldest, almost 30, is just now expressing a desire to learn. I can't wait to get her going!

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  15. I agree! I took a 6 week basic course through a local fabric store when I was 26. It's saved me a lot of money decorating wise and I whipped up a few really special Halloween costumes for my kids over the years.

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  16. I am extremely intimidated by sewing. I just don't seem to have a brain for understanding how things go together. I wish I could sew, but even threading the machine gets my head bobbin. ;)

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  17. I have to tell you... I got all crazy one time and bought one of the little bitty machines thinking I just wanted to make pillows. I called it the Holly Hobbie sewing machine! I made one pillow. I broke the needle or jammed it more times than I can count. It was crazy! Tom had to constantly fix it for me. He said he had never seen anything like it! I need to learn, but I am afraid I will harm myself!

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  18. When do we get to see the whole dining room???? That first pic is gorgeous! Did I already miss the dining room post? I am so behind!

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  19. Hi Pam! Thanks for your visit! I used to sew in a former life. Maybe again in the next one! ha!

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  20. Pam thanks so much for the encouragment on sewing I'm working on a short budget, but it's funny you posted this, my sister is coming to stay the weekend with me to teach me to sew. We will be making curtains for my living room. Wish me luck.

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  21. I totally agree. I have been sewing for years. Mostly I make quilts, but lately I have been doing more home dec projects. I sew EVERYDAY. The best thing about sewing is the chance to be creative. I couldn't live without my acrylic rulers. Like some of the others, I own more than one sewing machine and a serger. I am one of those lucky people that has an entire room devoted to sewing!

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