Learning to sew can feel totally overwhelming when you’re just starting out. If you’ve ever thought, “What sewing skills do I actually even need to know?” — I know how you feel. So many sewing beginners feel stuck before they’ve even begun, especially when tutorials jump ahead to advanced techniques that involve fancy fabrics, complicated patterns, or equipment you don’t even own (yet??? 🤔😅).
But here’s the good news: You don’t need to learn every sewing skill all at once. When you focus on the basic sewing skills that come up again and again, you’ll build confidence, avoid frustration, save time, and start creating projects you’ll love that actually make you feel proud.
This list of practical beginner sewing techniques is designed with your real life (ie. busy mom!) in mind and are many of the simple skills I wish I’d paid attention to first (like #9 😅).
These are the useful techniques you’ll return to with every project, whether you’re making your first tote bag or your third pair of pyjama pants. No fluff. No pressure. Just the good stuff.
Let’s break it down👇.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
10 Basic Sewing Skills You’ll Love to Learn
If you’re still a little nervous about firing up your sewing machine, take a look at this quick checklist to prep your sewing machine before you start!
1. How to Sew a Straight Line
This is where it all begins. Practicing a straight stitch might sound obvious, but it’s truly the foundation of almost every project.
Start by sewing on lined paper or scrap fabric, and don’t worry about speed—slow and steady is how you build control. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to guide your fabric evenly along the seam allowance.
Tip: Check out this bundle of sewing practice sheets with more than just straight lines and discover even more tips to help you sew straight.
2. How to Backstitch at the Start and End
Want your stitches to actually hold (and stay) together? Learning to backstitch is key.
This quick little move (reversing your stitches for a couple of seconds) locks everything in place so your seams don’t unravel. Get used to doing this at the start and end of every seam—it’ll become second nature in no time.
Tip: Need more? Here’s info about backstitching to get you started.
3. How to Sew and Pivot a Square Corner
Sewing a straight line is great—but what about turning a corner? Think pillows, tote bags, or napkins.
To pivot at a corner, stop with your needle down, lift the presser foot, turn your fabric, lower the foot, and keep going. It’s the tiny trick that keeps your stitching orderly and opens the door to all sorts of boxy projects. 😉
See me demonstrating this corner-turning technique in action right HERE.
4. How to Sew a Curved Seam
This one sounds fancy, but it’s actually very doable with a little patience. Curved seams show up in sleeves, necklines, and stuffed animals.
The key is to go slow, gently guide the fabric without pulling, and let the feed dogs do the work. Practice on gentle curves and you’ll get the hang of it.
If you feel that the fabric isn’t moving smoothly around a curve the way you’d like, use the stop-turn-corner technique from above, but don’t turn the fabric a full 90 degrees, just a couple of millimetres and keep sewing. 😉
5. How to Sew and Press a Basic Seam
A basic seam = two pieces of fabric stitched together. But the magic happens when you press it.
Now, if you know me at all, you’ll know I do NOT enjoy pulling out the ironing board to do this. 🙈But it IS something that can make a huge difference to your creation.
Whether you’re pressing the seam open or to one side, this small step definitely makes everything look smoother, more professional, and easier to work with in the next steps of your project.
6. How to Finish Raw Edges (so they don’t fray)
Even beginner projects look more polished when the raw fabric edges are finished.
The good news is, you don’t need a serger to do this—just try a zigzag stitch along the fabric edges after sewing the seam (but don’t cut into the stitched seam 😅), or trim with pinking shears. This step keeps your projects neat and helps them last longer without the whole thing unravelling.
Tip: See what other sewing tools are important to keep in your toolkit!
7. How to Hem Fabric with a Simple Folded Edge
Hemming is one of those skills you’ll use all the time—for clothes, curtains, even quick repairs.
The simplest version is a double-fold hem: fold the edge once, press it flat along the fold. Then fold it over again, press it once more, and sew it down.
Raw edges hidden. Crisp clean folded hem. Done! ✨
8. How to Sew a Casing for Elastic or Drawstrings
A casing is a fabric tunnel that can hold elastic (hello, pyjama pants!) or a drawstring (think laundry bags or aprons).
To sew one, you fold over the edge of your fabric, press it with an iron, stitch it down (☝️remember to leave an opening).
Then thread your elastic or cord through with a safety pin and sew that opening shut. Voila!
9. How to Keep Your Sewing Machine Clean and Happy
You don’t need to know how to take your machine apart, but a few simple habits go a long way.
Wipe it down with a soft cloth, remove visible lint (especially around the bobbin area), and change your needle regularly.
A clean machine is a happy machine—and one that’s less likely to jam or misbehave.
Tip: See more about how to give your sewing machine some TLC.
Bonus Sewing Skill to Try: How to Sew a Simple Zipper
When you’re feeling ready for a new challenge, a basic zipper is a great next step. It’s perfect for zippered pouches or skirts and teaches you how to sew neatly around bulkier seams.
Grab a special zipper presser foot to give you as much room as possible to sew next to the zipper teeth.
Start slow, use lots of pins (or clips), and celebrate when you zip it up and it actually works! 🤩
More Beginner Sewing How-to & Help
✨ 15-Minute Quick Win Sewing Project
✨ Basic Sewing Pattern Terminology
✨ Dictionary of Sewing Machine Terms to Learn
✨ Life Lessons Sewing Can Teach You
✨ How to Choose the Right Sewing Machine for You
✨ Common Mistakes Beginners Make & How to Avoid Them
Learning to sew doesn’t have to be complicated. By mastering a few basic sewing skills that you’ll actually use, you’ll feel more confident, make fewer mistakes, and enjoy the process so much more.
Start with these basics, keep your machine happy, take it one small step at a time and be amazed at what you can create!
