The skill of sewing was highly valued at all times, and the ability to create a unique thing for your wardrobe is still relevant today. There are many benefits to having these skills. For example, you do not need to go to the studio every time you make a new purchase in order to adjust the length of the trousers, or to stitch the torn seams on the baby's jacket. The main thing in the question of how to learn to sew from scratch is slowness, as skill comes with time and experience.
Taking measurements
Before learning how to sew from scratch, it is useful to learn how to take measurements correctly, as a good fit of the product on the figure depends on this. To do this, you will need (it is better to use a new one, since over time this device tends to stretch, no matter what material it is made of), a pen and a piece of paper. When measuring, the following information may be useful:
- The person should be in light clothing or underwear.
- When taking measurements, you need to maintain a free straight posture without tension. In this case, the legs can be put together or slightly apart, and the arms can be lowered.
- The tape cannot be stretched or loosened, and it is also not necessary to provide for fitting allowances, since they are laid down when building the base of the patterns. Measurements should be taken close to the figure.
- The waist line is the narrowest point on the torso, and to make it easier to take other measurements, this area should be tied with a cord.
- Vertical measurements, such as chest height or arm length, should be taken on the right side of the body.
Basic measurements
To learn how to sew and cut on your own, as mentioned above, you need to take measurements correctly. The main measurements are:
- O G - chest girth, while the tape runs horizontally along the most protruding points of the mammary glands in women. And for men, this measurement is carried out by simply grasping the chest.
- O T - waist circumference, a centimeter tape is placed along an already tied lace on the torso.
- O B - hip circumference, the measurement is taken along the most convex area of the buttocks.
Knowing these values, you can successfully choose the size of the patterns of your favorite model in a fashion magazine. Moreover, measurements of O G and O T are the main values for shoulder products, O B is the main measurement in the selection of waist items of clothing.
Cutting methods
Another important point in the question of how to learn to sew from scratch is the definition of the cutting method. There are several ways to lay out patterns:
- Face to face - in this case, the fabric is folded with the right side inward. Using this method, paired symmetrical parts are cut out.
- Face down (in a turn) - the material is laid with the wrong side up, and the patterns are made in two samples or a mirror layout is performed.
- Face up - the same, just the opposite.
In this case, two methods in a spread are used when cutting asymmetrical parts or when sewing from fabrics with a directional pattern or pile.
Helpful Hints
Before you learn how to sew from scratch using patterns made by yourself, it is better to sew several models according to ready-made patterns offered by fashion magazines. This is because in this way you can gain experience and knowledge about many things, for example, about how deep the tucks on the chest are needed, or what is the preferred length of the skirt already relative to your figure. Having removed the patterns according to the patterns in the magazine, you can start cutting. Before that, it is useful to know a few points:
- The layout of patterns is performed, as a rule, in the direction of the warp thread, which can be determined by several signs, for example, by trying to stretch the fabric. In this case, the side that does not change dimensions is the desired value. You can also see the material in the light: the warp threads are more straight compared to the weft guides.
- Fabric consumption increases if the layout is performed at an angle of 45 ° to the main thread.
- It happens that it is impossible to distinguish the right side of the fabric from the wrong side. This can be done along the edge. So, a smoother edge is on the front surface. Also, if pins are used in the production of the material to secure the edges, then this is done from the wrong side.
In conclusion, we can say that learning to sew from scratch for free is a completely feasible dream. There are many resources where you can learn about this skill. At the same time, it is better to hone this art on inexpensive fabrics. Thus, you can gain experience and avoid unwanted waste.
Many housewives and novice needlewomen want to learn how to sew and embroider on their own at home, but do not know where to start this, in their opinion, a difficult process. The desire can arise due to various reasons: the economic crisis, lower expenses for buying and repairing clothes, acquiring new skills and hobbies. Regardless of this, the learning process will not change. It is important to understand that sewing yourself is not difficult and is not shameful. With the help of the skills acquired after training, you can understand how to sew clothes yourself and what sewing from scratch is.
Why it's good to know how to sew
Any housewife should be able to sew and repair minor damage to clothes. Once upon a time, girls were taught this in labor lessons. Today, these practices are increasingly being overlooked because they have become irrelevant. Girls can learn this either at home or in special courses or circles. Despite all this, independent sewing has many advantages, including:
We sew for ourselves at home
- The acquisition of an interesting, useful and unusual hobby. Modern people's hobbies include watching movies, listening to music, and playing computer games. What is the use of this will be considered in the following paragraphs;
Self-sewing is an interesting hobby - To attract attention. It includes not only praise from girlfriends and strangers, but also winning the heart of a man. It's no secret that women often change their wardrobe just to please the men they love;
- "Compatibility". Hand-sewn clothes will fit perfectly and look better on the figure, because they are made taking into account all the parameters and features of the needlewoman;
Perfect fit suit - Saving. From time to time, prices jump and simple synthetic "cloths" in the store are sometimes expensive. In this regard, independent sewing is becoming a very relevant idea that can save money and time. If everything is clear with money, then over time it’s not, because it takes longer to make a thing for yourself than to buy it. In fact, as much time as a person spends going to shops and ateliers, communicating with craftsmen and tailors explaining to them how much and where to cut and sew on, is enough for self-tailoring;
Saving money and time is one of the main benefits - Additional income. If your favorite hobby also brings some additional income, then you can’t imagine a better one. Perhaps this is provided that the person has regular customers as girlfriends, friends or colleagues, as well as significant experience in tailoring. If things are done in good conscience, then the rumor about them will spread to strangers who are ready to pay more;
- The ability to get your way. As in all things, gradually setting goals for yourself, you can go step by step towards the goal and achieve success. Starting with simple products, you can move on and work on more complex projects. The main thing is not to quit and strive for the best. Handmade things are unique and show the individuality of a person.
Gradual learning is the key to success How to learn
One of the best answers to the question: how to learn how to sew clothes from scratch and at home is to take theory and practice courses from experienced craftsmen. You need to understand what exactly a person wants: to do it professionally, for relatives and friends, to sew simple things for themselves.
Cutting courses are a great way to learn
In the first case, if you want to work in an atelier and workshops or for yourself, you need to take into account that the main task of training is to build the right patterns. Only by learning this, you can become a professional, which you can become by completing special courses on working with equipment, fabrics, tools, and design. Such courses are the most expensive, but the results from them are excellent, especially with a strong desire to learn.
Sewing in a team improves communication skills After passing professional lessons, the master will be able to handle any product: from blouses and T-shirts to classic suits and coats, shoes. You can work for yourself or get a job in the best ateliers. Prices for such courses start from 20 thousand rubles, and their duration can reach 150 hours.
Layout for taking measurements If a needlewoman wants to cut and sew for relatives, then regular, basic courses will do. Usually they are taught to make things of medium complexity, competently take measurements, scribble, cut out clothing details. After such courses, any basic item from the wardrobe should be easily obtained. Such courses cost from 10 thousand rubles and take 50 hours of study time.
Sewing master class One-day courses for beginners are suitable for those who want to learn how to cut out a certain thing and sew. You can learn how to sew a T-shirt, skirt, sweatshirt, lace underwear. They are not expensive and make it clear whether it is worth doing it or not. The cost of such lessons is cheap: from 1000 rubles for a couple of hours of classes. Even a child can go there.
Basic courses are a good opportunity for beginners How to learn to sew on your own
Learning to sew on your own is quite easy. Some people think that this is possible only under the guidance of parents or experienced masters in courses for which they ask for a lot of money, but this is not so. Of course, you can get a professional qualification only in courses, having received a certificate upon completion, but you can also learn how to sew and embroider beautifully and efficiently at home. To do this, it is enough to find materials on this topic on the Internet: books, training materials (videos, articles, instructions), free or old courses.
Learning to sew from scratch at home - Ability to choose fabrics. First, you can practice on the simplest ones. Linen and cotton are ideal for this. Then you can switch to silk, knitwear and acrylic. You also need to decide on colors and tones. If the fabrics are patterned or contain a pattern, then they should not ripple in the eyes, as they can fill out the figure;
Choosing the right needles and threads is an important process - Selection of needles and threads. It should be remembered that the larger the needle and its number, the smaller the number of threads you need to use. Thread number 40 is ideal for sewing wool, thick fabrics, velvet. For them, a 90th needle is suitable. 50th and 60th threads are combined with a number 80 needle and are suitable for silk and other fine fabrics;
Simple fabric for beginners
- Seam processing. When burned, natural fabrics turn into ash, while singeing the corners of silk or synthetics will form bubbles and competent singeing will pass without problems;
- Workplace. Properly and competently organized workplace will help you to work effortlessly. When things are in their places, there is no need to be distracted by their search and waste time.
Well organized workplace When working on the machine, the following should be considered:
- Machine cleaning. Even the most stringent cleanliness rules cannot ensure the complete absence of dust in the device, particles of threads and fabrics that, if accumulated, can disrupt the operation of the device. Dust can be removed with wet wipes, brushes, tweezers;
- Machine adjustment. Before starting work, you always need to adjust the “machine”, check it for serviceability. The process itself involves the regulation of the line, that is, the tension of the threads;
Dismantling the machine - Checking machine lubrication. Lubrication is necessary for all mechanisms and parts to work properly, smoothly and silently. To do this, use ordinary engine oil or grease specified in the documentation for the technique. In it you can also read what exactly needs to be lubricated;
- Job. If everything is done correctly, then the lines will be even and straight. To do this, you need to constantly ensure that the slices are aligned.
Machine lubrication process How to learn to take measurements
Taking measurements seems to be one of the simplest actions, but this is only at first glance. To avoid rookie mistakes, you need to follow some rules:
- Put on the underwear under which you plan to wear clothes and remove a couple of centimeters, for example, for tights or trousers and add for a bra;
- To take measurements from the waist area, you can wear or tie a thin trim. This method is very popular with all dressmakers. This will allow you to more accurately determine the type of human figure;
Basic measurements - The person being measured should stand straight without any tension. After removal, you can compare them with tables of sizes and types of figures;
- The main measurements are: girth of the chest, waist and hips, chest height, total length of the product, width and height of the back, length of the shoulders, legs and arms, neck girth, floodplain depth. Additionally, measurements of the girth of their different parts are taken from the arms and legs. The measurement process for each parameter can be found in specific manuals.
Measures by numbers Cutting order
First of all, before the patterning process, you need to make the necessary measurements. After this, the silhouette of the product is determined: tight, free, hanging. Based on this, they make an increase in freedom, length, width.
Important! In order to make increases, you need to correctly measure the main indicators and measurements from the body and understand how to make increases to different measurements.
Pattern example Evening dress pattern
Fabric choice
As already mentioned, for initial work and practice, cheap and natural cotton or linen fabrics with simple and even lint-free surfaces are ideal. After gaining experience, you can switch to more expensive silk or leather for bags and shoes.
Before a person trained in sewing, there will be no questions about which fabric to choose. Everything will depend on the budget, purpose and type of the final thing. The professional can choose from blended (tisi, greta, tereda, sisu) or synthetic (viscose, acrylic, spandex) fabrics.
The choice of fabric is an offshoot of the sewing process Important! As for patterned fabrics, they should not cut the eyes and be very colorful. Otherwise, the figure will appear larger than it is. Especially in problem areas.
Common Mistakes
New craftswomen, overestimating their strength, with ignorance of the matter and great enthusiasm, begin to work and encounter mistakes that can discourage them from doing such an exciting business. Among the main mistakes:
Natural fabric for beginners - Choice of great work. It is impossible to immediately take on sewing a heavy model of a dress. Nothing will turn out, and this can forever discourage the desire to sew and embroider. It is necessary to improve step by step your ability to go to more complex products;
- Haste with twilight sewing. No wonder there is a proverb - "Hurry - you make people laugh." Haste is the main "sin" of beginners, as they try to do everything faster and get a good result. Ignoring the points of the instructions and not following them can put all the work down the drain;
- Ignoring examples. If you do not measure a thing in the process of sweeping and immediately start grinding, then it may happen that the thing will be large or narrow. You can skip fitting only when a person does not make a thing for the first time;
- Decatation of fabric. This occurs most often due to simple ignorance. If the fabric is not decanted, then after the first wash it will shrink a lot, and this is an irreversible process;
If you don't decant the fabric, it will shrink. - Inaccuracy. If you constantly leave the threads or seams unfinished, then it will become a habit. Always finish fabrics and seams after sewing is completed. If there is no overlock for this, then you can use a zigzag stitch;
- Ignoring ironing. Treating the product with water and steam is an integral part of the whole process. Many seamstresses iron only finished products, scoring that they almost constantly need to iron seams, collars, etc.
Nice and neat seams Thus, sewing from scratch on your own is not difficult and exciting. To learn this, it is not necessary to take expensive courses, as there are a lot of free access to educational materials such as articles, books, instructions and videos.
For many years I have been teaching classes at my ARMALINI sewing school for those who want to learn how to sew clothes quickly and beautifully.
When beginners come to my classes, I often hear statements that learning to sew quickly is unrealistic.
They collect a lot of information all over the world, where they will be intimidated by how hard it is to sew, and many are simply afraid to even take up the development of sewing.
Of course, it's not easy, it's not a snap of your fingers! But the mountain will be mastered by the walking one!
Templates work that it takes a long time to learn this (at least five years!), That you need a super-duper sewing technique, that this is not given to everyone, that customizing clothes is long and dreary and there is no guarantee that everything will work out, you will only spend a lot of time and strength and so on.
In fact, almost all of the above is not true! These are delusions!
To tell the truth, when I once learned to sew, it also seemed to me something fantastic, but I firmly decided that I needed it!
Therefore, the first condition is your desire and attitude!
If you are taking up the development of the sewing craft, then make an installation for yourself, fix it in your head that you need it!
It can become your favorite hobby, it can become your profession, just a favorite thing, but it is very important to really want it very much!
So that everything inside is on fire! When there is a drive, there is courage, then it will be pleasant and easy to master this activity!
Following. Take good care of your mistakes!
Do not dramatize if something does not work out! The one who does nothing makes no mistakes.
Any master who does his job at a high level has gone through this stage of mistakes. Everyone was wrong! And there were bad products too. Not without it.
The main thing is not to give up. The simplest thing is to say “probably not for me” ... and in some ways you will be right if you want to quickly give up and put your paws up ....
But I'll say it again, mistakes are normal when you're learning.
What's the trouble? Have you suffered losses of several hundred rubles? So what?! Is this a reason to quit? No, of course not.
You don't have to beat yourself up for mistakes. On the contrary, analyze your mistake and draw the right conclusions for yourself so that you don’t repeat this mistake in the future ...
It also happens that “kind” friends and relatives are reluctant to continue the business after failures. Don't listen to anyone! Continue what
started.
As the famous saying goes, it's better to do something and regret it than to regret not having done it.
It's easy to criticize. Let them try it themselves and see what happens.
And if we accept criticism, then criticism should be constructive, from a knowledgeable person. Therefore, be firm in your intention and stubborn in a good way.
Now about the sewing technique.
For some reason, some people have the opinion that you need to purchase the most expensive sewing machine and only it is possible to sew high-quality products on it.
Again a delusion. Certainly not the cost of the machine determines the quality of your product.
Believe me, you can sew a chic product even on a grandmother's manual typewriter, if you put your hands on this typewriter correctly.
The quality of the work depends primarily on the craftswoman who performs it.
Of course, modern sewing machines now have a bunch of different useful (and not so!) Functions that can greatly facilitate your work.
As a friend of mine, who works as a consultant in a sewing equipment store, says, you can drive in an air-conditioned car, or you can drive with the window open.
Expensive machines with many functions are just “with air conditioning”, a kind of sewing “Mercedes”)).
Old cars - “with an open window” .... but they reach the place!)). This I mean that do not try to get into debt by choosing the coolest seamstress for your use.
If your old Podolskaya copes very well with the lines, then maybe you should not rush to buy a new typewriter. In any case, you decide!
Here you can read
And I’ll say a few more words about the cut.
My dears, please forget about the "cut according to three measurements."
Somewhere, snatching out this phrase, they begin to intensively look for such a cutting technique. This is just a PR move. That's all!
By three standards, only a poncho can be well tailored. A product that perfectly fits the figure and follows the contour of the body cannot be built according to three measurements! Any cutter who is engaged in practice, not theory will tell you this.
There is another extreme that some people go to.
I quote: "Why reinvent the wheel when everything has already been invented by professional designers and published in magazines." This is about Burda.
No one is forcing anyone, “Burda” is suitable - sew, it is not suitable - look for alternative ways.
But in any case, to say that all the most interesting and thoughtful is in this magazine is not true.
Few people want to be attached to patterns that offer magazines of ready-made patterns.
And in recent years there is nothing to catch the eye at all.
Boring, monotonous, and often even on thin, thin models, you can see that the fit of the product is terrible.
Therefore, search, invent, invent, swim against the current!
Do everything that will help you improve your skills!
Try to combine the incompatible, put any experiments!
Perhaps this path will turn out to be a unique find for you. After all, often such a bold approach was applied to the products that we admire.
Courage to you, a flight of creative thought and successful finds in tailoring!
Discussion: 14 comments
Thanks! for such encouragement!
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To learn how to sew, you have to sew!
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Linda, you are absolutely correct. Thank you for your support. Basically, we think so, and when you read your article, it somehow becomes easier on your soul and you want to move on.
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Great tip for beginners! I myself have been sewing since I was 8 years old, starting on the "CHAIKA" made of chintz fabrics, overcasting the seams on my hands or zigzag, now I have excellent assistants PFAFF and Singer - yes, the quality of the products is different, but the experience is also richer! Thank you and good luck beginners!
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please tell me which sewing machine is better how to choose a sewing machine for beginners
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Do you have a master class on building a basic base pattern?
I recently came across your site, it is very interesting and useful, but for successful modeling you need a good pattern, but where can I get it?
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Sewing is a traditional women's hobby dating back to ancient times. In Soviet times, sewing was taught in schools and circles. Today, this hobby is back in fashion and, first of all, it will suit fashionable and original women.
“Sir, what kind of girl can’t sew!” Do you remember this phrase from a Soviet film beloved by many? Now, few can boast of such a skill. But in vain, because a hand-made wardrobe of things for all occasions will make a woman of any age happy! That is why you just need to learn how to learn how to sew and cut yourself, and add this exciting activity to your list of hobbies.
How it all began: the history of tailoring
For the first time, people began to sew clothes for themselves in the distant Stone Age. Such clothes were not of an aesthetic nature, but performed a protective function: they saved from heat and cold, from animal and insect bites. In special cases, clothes were used as a deterrent to ill-wishers, giving their image a warlike look.
In those distant times, fabric was not yet produced, so it was necessary to sew from the skins of dead animals, leaves and even straw. Bones served as needles, tendons were used as threads. Later they learned to weave grass - this is how the first fabrics appeared. The new material contributed to the creation of more comfortable clothing. The details of the cut became more complicated, which gave rise to the development of sewing technology.
About pleasant bonuses of female hobby
Having gone to the store for new clothes, many of you must have encountered such problems: there is no suitable style, the model is pleasant and the color is wrong, the thing emphasizes figure flaws, it is too short or long, there is no right size, clothes from the store do not fit due to the features of the figure .
But what if you want to always be in trend or have the same dress as Victoria Beckham? The answer is obvious - learn to sew from scratch on your own.
The ability to sew is a universal skill for many types of needlework. Modern sewing machines have all the functions of factory production and allow you to create high-quality things with your own hands.
starter kit
Buying a sewing machine and learning how to tailor is a good investment, a useful hobby and a source of income in the future. In addition to the unit you will need:
- tailor's scissors (larger, sharper and stronger than ordinary stationery),
- high-quality synthetic threads (preferably 100% polyester),
- needles for hand and machine sewing of different calibers,
- tailor's pins, chalk, tracing paper, ruler and centimeter tape (for patterns).
How to fill up a car
Before each sewing, you need to “charge” the machine in three steps.
1. Wind the bobbin, placing it with the spool of the desired color on the pins.
2. Thread the upper thread (bobbin) by passing it through the thread guide, disc tensioner, thread take-up and needle.
3. Thread the lower thread (bobbin) by inserting the bobbin into the hook under the needle and turning the handwheel several times.
A detailed refueling scheme is usually described on the machine body or in the instructions.
Machine seams
The most commonly used stitches (working) are straight, zigzag, overlock and hidden. A straight line can be made double and triple to increase strength. A zigzag can be regular (for overcasting an edge or decor) and elastic (for stretch fabrics). Overlocking is used to prevent the edges from fraying, and a hidden option is used for dense non-stretch fabrics. A more advanced level is decorative stitches, which are laid exclusively for decoration.
How to scribble straight
The main indicator of product quality is neat, even seams. It is better to train the lines on rough pieces of fabric, scraps or on sewing simple things: pot holders, small pillowcases, clothes for dolls. There are several life hacks for the perfect stitch, as close to the edge as possible: using special feet with separators, for embroidery, double, made of transparent material.
Hand stitches
Often in tailoring, hand seams are used for rough assembly of product parts and finishing work. Simple and oblique stitches are used for temporary basting. The “back needle” seam completely imitates a machine stitch and looks equally neat from the front and back sides. Overlock (loop) is used instead of overlock. With the help of a hem, invisible from the outside, the bottom of the product (hem, sleeves) is folded.
Types of handicrafts
Between the cut and the finished thing there is a separate layer of skills - handmade.
- Basting - attaching small parts to larger ones.
- Sweeping is a combination of pieces of a pattern that are equivalent in size.
- Basting is a temporary assembly of smaller elements on a larger one.
- Basting - Hemming the edge with straight stitches.
- Basting with and without edging is used for double parts consisting of upper and lower pieces of fabric.
- Basting - inserting a sleeve into an armhole.
- Sewing - a technique for attaching buttons and decor.
- Overcasting - the design of the wrong side of the seam with buttonhole stitches.
Corner hemming
For a beautiful design of the corners, you should immediately learn a special technique, when the hem is made from the wrong side with an “envelope”. Looks even and neat from all sides. Usually used for napkins, tablecloths, kitchen towels and runners, aprons, bedspreads. For ease of marking, cardboard patterns in the form of a rectangle are used. It is fashionable to use pins to fix the arrow. At the end, the hem is ironed out.
Decorative pillow
The first steps are best combined with the tailoring of simple interior items and clothing. An elementary option for beginners is rectangular products (bed and table linen). A decorative interior pillow does not require special cutting skills. The product consists of two equal square or rectangular parts. Even if the lines turn out to be crooked, everything will hide from the wrong side and outwardly the marriage will not be noticeable.
simple skirt
The design of clothes is a complex process, including the construction of a pattern, assembly and high-quality stitching. The most difficult things in a cut are with a sleeve and a set-in collar. However, there are wardrobe items that completely exclude cutting. The "bell" skirt with an elastic band (or "semi-sun") involves only two side seams and two turn-ups (top and bottom). The length of the skirt can vary according to taste, from ultra-mini to extreme maxi.
T-shirt
A simple "recipe" for a basic short sleeve t-shirt with a round neck. The link to the pattern is in the description of the video. The scheme is suitable for making a regular sleeveless T-shirt, a simple long-sleeve sweater. It is enough to slightly modify the basic pattern (lengthen or remove the sleeve, tighten the cuffs or bottom with an elastic band, leave cutouts on the sides) - and you get a new design.
Basic sewing skills open up many opportunities and make home life much easier. Without the help of the atelier, you can trim the trousers, cut off the long hem, hem the curtains, remake old clothes, cook up a simple sundress, apron, children's suit in an evening. And with mastering the basics of cutting, it will become much cheaper to update your wardrobe.
