Top Tips for Beginner Sewing Enthusiasts
- Heidi Sapere
- Sep 22
- 8 min read
Starting a new hobby like sewing can feel both exciting and overwhelming. I remember my first time threading a needle and trying to make sense of all the tools and fabrics. But with patience and the proper guidance, sewing became my favorite creative outlet. On your beginning journey, I'm here to share the best tips to help you. Let's dive in and make your sewing experience rewarding!
Essential Beginner Sewing Tips to Get You Started
When I started sewing, I wished someone had given me a clear roadmap. Here's what I learned over time with these practical tips that will make your sewing learning curve stay exciting and fun:
1. Start with Simple Projects
Choose beginner-friendly projects like hot pads, tote bags, or simple skirts. These help you practice basic stitches and techniques without feeling overwhelmed. For example, a simple tote bag lets you practice straight seams and making handles, foundational skills you will use throughout your sewing.
2. Invest in Quality Tools
Good tools make a huge difference. A reliable sewing machine, sharp scissors, pins, measuring tape, iron, and rulers are essentials. You can check out my post on the Top 10 Sewing Supplies. Avoid cheap scissors that dull quickly or don't work correctly; get fabric shears designed for cutting cloth only. The fabric scissors I use in my sewing room are the Fiskars RazorEdge easy Action 9" Shears.
I recommend starting with a basic machine with straight and zigzag stitches. Here are my three blogs on sewing machines: Buying a Computerised vs. Non-Computerized, Best Deals on Sewing Machines, and Best Sewing Machine Brands. Avoid buying a machine that's too complicated in the beginning. Ultimately, the best machine is the one you'll sew on.
3. Learn to Read Patterns
Patterns might initially look intimidating, but they are your sewing roadmap guide. Start with patterns labeled "easy" or "beginner." Sometimes, you can find YouTube sewing creators who help you understand how to sew a pattern. Take time to understand the symbols and instructions. I found highlighting key steps, reading all the instructions beforehand, and marking my fabric pieces before cutting helpful. More modern patterns will have more information than Vintage patterns from the 1950s. Also, beware of buying cheap AI patterns. I still prefer the old-fashioned paper patterns you can get, like Simplicity. And I'm still here to help you when you need it.
4. Practice Threading and Tension Adjustment
Threading your machine correctly and adjusting the tension are crucial for neat stitches. Don't get discouraged if your stitches look uneven at first. Practice on scrap fabric until you get the hang of it. If your tension looks off, rethread your machine first. Then check your thread if it's too cheap or old. Here are my three blogs on thread: #1 Tip to Save Time and Money on Thread, Top 2 Sewing Threads: Cotton vs. Polyester, and Top 3 Sewing Machine Thread Brands.
IF your tension is still off, follow these tips: Check your needle to see if it's too dull or not the right one for the project, dust under the stitch plate, and check if you are using the correct pressure foot. All these can affect your thread tension. If you are sewing thick fabric, make your stitch length 3.0 instead of 2.5. Your tension might also have to be adjusted between 3 and 5 on your tension dial. If your dial ends up higher or lower than 3 or 5, get your machine checked out by a professional.
5. Use the Right Fabric
Cotton is an excellent fabric for beginners because it's easy to handle and sew. Until you feel more confident, avoid slippery or stretchy fabrics. Finding and using sheets, tablecloths, cloth napkins, and curtains can also be great ways to find easy-to-sew fabrics without breaking the bank.
6. Take Your Time and Be Patient
Sewing is a skill that improves with practice. Don't rush your projects. Enjoy the process and celebrate small victories like mastering a new stitch or finishing a seam. I like to find the meditation and breath within each sewing project. Work to avoid speed and batch sewing in the beginning. Remember: YouTube is great, but it's not real!
7. Keep Your Workspace Organized
A tidy sewing area helps you focus and find your tools quickly. I keep my threads, scissors, and pins in the same spot where I can see them. Another excellent option is organizing supplies in easy-to-read, labeled, or clear bins. Learning to make simple fabric boxes and baskets can be a fun beginner project to help you manage. Also, cleaning up your workspace before going to bed or after each project, to help you find all your missing tools, is a great habit to get into, along with re-evaluating your organization every six to 12 months. These habits will save time and reduce frustration.
8. Watch Tutorials and Join Communities
There are countless online tutorials and sewing groups where you can ask questions and share your progress. You can also look at your local sewing guilds and online communities. Connecting with others makes learning more enjoyable, inspiring, and keeps you motivated. Many in-person guilds have once-a-year shows to showcase the members' works and do community service outreach that keeps you inspired and feeling good about your craft and progress.
On the Workshop page, you can check out Simple Sewing workshops, which offer hands-on guidance and structured learning to boost your confidence and technique.
How to Choose the Right Sewing Machine for Beginners
Choosing your first sewing machine can feel like a big decision. Here's what I learned to look for when picking a beginner-friendly machine:
Simplicity: Look for a machine with straightforward controls and a few essential stitches, such as straight and zigzag stitches. Most people prefer a top-loading bobbin machine to a bottom-loading bobbin machine, but it's a preference. If you go computerized, try to avoid getting a sewing machine that is too complicated. However, check and see if the computerized machine has an up-and-down needle function, which is the best part about a computerized machine. Price point: Be careful of cheap knockoffs.
Durability: A sturdy machine will last longer and handle various fabrics. Be aware of "travel" and "featherweight" machines. A durable machine will weigh at least 10-15 pounds so that when you are sewing, it doesn't vibrate too much, helping you stay in control. "Featherweight" machines sometimes weigh no more than 5-6 pounds for the sewing traveler. However, these can be great second machines to take to sewing classes because they are lightweight.
Ease of Use: Features like automatic needle threading, easy bobbin winding, and the ability to change from one stitch to another are great for beginners. You don't need a machine with 100 fancy stitches or even 20. For beginners and even advanced sewists, you'll mostly use the straight and zigzag stitches. Fun stitches are great to play with, but I found out I hardly use them after buying my machine. If you get into making quilt labels, having a machine that has an alphabet is great. Ensure you get a machine where you can see the words typed out on the sewing machine's display.
Budget: You don't need the most expensive machine to start. Many affordable models offer good quality machines for beginners. Instead of buying something new, look online at Facebook Marketplace or your local Nextdoor. Many people start sewing and then move on, while having sewing machines that are hardly used. Your old grandmother's or mom's machine works well, or a friend's machine that hasn't been used in a while and is sitting in their closet. These are all great budget-friendly options. Remember, you get what you pay for when you buy a new sewing machine. Price does matter when it comes to quality.
Some good starter brands are Brother, Singer, Janome, and Juki, which have reliable beginner machines. Try visiting your local sewing shop to try out machines in person. That's the best way to buy. You can also watch online reviews to get you started.
Tips for Mastering Basic Sewing Techniques
Once you have your machine and tools ready, focus on mastering these basic techniques:
1. Straight Stitching
Practice sewing straight lines on scrap fabric. Use the machine's guide marks to keep your stitching even. Once again, projects like pot holders, hot pads, simple tote bags, and even simple Quilt-as-you-go projects are great ways to gain control of your straight stitch.
2. Backstitching
Learn to backstitch at the beginning and end of seams to secure your stitches. Keep practicing until you only backstitch 2-5 stitches at the beginning and end of each row. If you are working on piecing for quilting, reduce your stitch length to 2.0. This will make your stitches smaller, so you don't have to worry about backstitching. Quilters don't backstitch when sewing; they typically lock in those stitches by crossing over them when piecing more fabrics together.
3. Seam Allowance
Understand and measure seam allowances carefully. Most patterns use a 5/8-inch seam allowance for garments and 1/4 inch for almost everything else. Always check what the seam allowance says on your pattern or project. Learn to use the side of your foot as a guide and how to justify your needle left and right to get other seam allowances as needed, continuing to use the side of your foot to guide you. You can also use tape on your stitch plate when required.
4. Pressing Seams
Use a good-quality iron to press seams open or to one side. Pressing helps your project look professional and makes sewing easier. Iron your seams after every seam is finished. Yes, there's lots of ironing. Also, iron your crumpled pattern pieces and fabric before you start for the best results. Remember: Wrinkles affect and shrink the size of your fabric and patterns. Don't follow what sewing YouTube creators do that DO NOT iron patterns or fabrics before starting.
About steam: I stopped using the steam part on my iron and returned to using a spray bottle. (1) I got tired of my iron spitting out onto my fabric, and I have more steam control. (2) When quilting and ironing my seams, I learned not to use steam and instead use the finger pressing method + dry iron to prevent the fabric from stretching.
5. Pinning and Clipping
Pin fabric pieces together before sewing to keep them aligned. Buy quality pins. The yellow head ones at Walmart have worked well. My favorite pins are the long and fine unicorn and heart-shaped quilters' pins. There are also silicon and glass pins you can iron over. You can also use fabric clips. I go back and forth between clips and pins since clips can add weight to my project, making it a bit more challenging to get the project smoothly through the machine. If I have to use a lot of clips, I'll go back to pins. I don't find one method better than the other. It's a personal preference to clip depending on the project.
6. Threading and Bobbin Winding
Practice threading your machine and winding the bobbin until you can do it confidently without instructions. After taking my Basic 101 workshop, some students go home and spend 10-15 minutes threading and rethreading their machine and winding several bobbins just for practice before moving on to another straight and zigzag project.
Practicing these skills until you have them down efficiently will continue to help you build confidence in your sewing journey.
Finding Inspiration and Staying Motivated
Sewing is a creative journey; staying inspired is key to enjoying it. Here are some ways I keep my enthusiasm alive:
Set Small Goals: Complete one project and seam at a time while celebrating the progress.
Explore Different Fabrics and Patterns: Trying new materials, designs, and projects keeps things fresh while continuing to build your skill set over time.
Join Local or Online Sewing Groups: Sharing your work and learning from others is motivating and inspiring.
Follow Sewing Blogs and Social Media: Many online ideas and tutorials can be very helpful in your sewing journey. There are many people to choose from. Find your favorite ones and follow.
Keep a Sewing Journal: Document your projects, challenges, and successes so you can look back on them in the future. You are always making more progress than you think, and it's great to remind yourself how far you've come.
Remember, every stitch you make is a step forward. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and try new things - they are part of learning and growing as a sewer.
I hope these beginner sewing tips inspire you to confidently pick up your needle and thread. Sewing is a fantastic way to express creativity, make personalized items, and relax after a busy day. You'll be amazed at what you can create with patience, practice, and encouragement. Happy sewing!
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