Welcome back to Everything’s Famtastic! I don’t know whether you saw my post last week? You know, the one where I interviewed a great bunch of sewing bloggers, about how they got started sewing? Well, that turned out to be Part One of my interview with them all. You can read that post here and learn about what made these women, first learn to sew.
People new to the sewing world (sewing newbies, as I affectionately say) often ask themselves questions like “What should I sew as a beginner?” or “How do I get started sewing?” and “Why is sewing a good hobby?” or “Why is sewing good for me?”.
This post- my Part Two of interviewing these ladies- is full of plentiful ideas to answer exactly those questions! (Be prepared to have your creative curiosity awakened!! 😉)
Ready?!?
What Was Your First Sewing Project?
I don’t know about you, but I have seen some pretty ambitious “Wow I just finished my first sewing project!” posts displayed on social media and various websites. You know, things like an evening dress with a zipper in the back or a newly upholstered armchair. Call me a sceptic, but I question whether that was REALLY their first sewing project, because there are actually some basics to learn about a sewing machine and techniques before you can reach ballgown status 😉. Do not let these things scare you off from your own sewing journey!!!
Like many young girls, I had dolls and I turned my hand at trying to sew them some new clothes. Remember Cabbage Patch Kids? Mine was the recipient of most of my hand-sewn products. Back then it was only hand sewing for me: lay doll on cloth, cut out around doll, hand sew together and hope they kinda fit!
When I started learning to sew “for real” as an adult using a sewing machine my first project was a family of reversible beanies. I’m still really proud of them and I think that we still have all but one of them in regular use!
But beanies are just one ideal beginner’s sewing project. What other beginners projects do people typically start with when learning to sew? Well, plenty!
Simple décor and practical projects are easy to sew (often for the straight lines 😉). Lorna from The Accidental Sewist ‘s “first ever was a bookmark” while Cara from Sewing Society “was obsessed with sewing little drawstring bags” and Paisley Roots Karly’s “first ever sewing project was an embroidery pillow”.
If you are new to sewing, cushion covers, bookmarks, scarves, small carry bags, placemats and drink coasters are all perfect starting projects. Are you seeing what I mean? Straight lines!
Basic clothes like skirts, shorts and pyjama pants are also popular first sewing projects for beginners. Both Jo from A Rose Tinted World and Paulette from Petite Font sewed skirts for their very first project; Sherri from Mami de Sofiona too: “I had access to fabric swatches from my mother’s collection… I remember taking out some pieces from a drapery swatch book and fashioning myself a pencil skirt.” Sewing definitely helps you create one-of-a-kind clothing!
Your first sewing project will most likely become a special memory for you. I know how stunned and proud I was when I finished that first beanie the first time I sat down at a sewing machine! Just see how these women recall their early projects (I know some of these stories made me smile!).
Amanda from Hazel Alekmond ‘s “first ever project was when I was in high school, I had a dress up party and mum walked me through and assisted a lot in sewing a Little Red Riding Hood outfit”.
Ruby from Ruby Rose Sews told me that her “most memorable first make was a simple 60s style dress made from some curtains I bought at a carboot sale. I was 15 and I still own and wear the dress.” How cool is that?!? Sewing AND upcycling!
Julie from Machine Embroidery Geek “made some pretty epic shorts out of some old Star Wars sheets when I was in middle school. I pray that I never come across a picture of me wearing them.”
Dianne from Sewing with D recalls, “In high school home ec, I made myself some hideous orange double knit pants and a striped top to match (it was the 70s)!”
Danielle from Sew Gr8ful taught herself “how to use the machine and I made a dog bed, complete with an invisible zipper. I was so proud of that dog bed, which she promptly ate”. LOL!
What are the Benefits of Sewing?
While everybody sews for different reasons and creates different things, from the insights these ladies have shared with me, there are definitely some common themes when it comes to discussing what’s so great about sewing.
Clothes Made to Measure
There’s the obvious benefit of having individually-styled clothes that finally fit just right. I mean, who doesn’t like the idea of having perfectly tailored clothes that nobody else has?!?Just about all of the woman that I interviewed said things like Dianne, whose “clothing fits better than it ever did when I was buying my clothes… I love wearing what I make and being able to say “Thanks, I made it”, when someone compliments me on it.”
Karly loves “having clothing that really fits and more unique custom-made items that fits my family’s personality and style” while Lorna echoes loving individual clothes “I can lose myself in a sewing project but also… get unique made to measure clothes!”
More Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Lifestyle
Environmental awareness is on the rise and words like “upcycle” are becoming more common in everyday language. Being able to actively reduce waste by choosing to sew with second-hand fabrics to producing your own clothing and sewn items is brilliant!
Ruby sums it up so perfectly: “I can create a unique wardrobe of clothes that no one else owns, its far more sustainable and allows me to have fashionable clothes but without buying from fast fashion shops.”
I’ve seen people turn jeans into handbags, saris into home deco and duvet covers into dresses. You can grab some other fun upcycling ideas here, instructions on how to use fabric scraps to sew a patchwork infinity scarf and even my tutorial how to turn old curtains into cute storage baskets. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination!
And the benefits? Good for your wardrobe, good for your conscience and good for the environment!
Challenge Yourself, Learn and Grow
It can be a little scary trying something new. Whether it’s your first time travelling by plane, first time running a 5km or first time cooking a 3-course meal. But the challenge of learning something new is great for you. It pushes you to go outside your comfort zone, perhaps inspires you to do it again and progress even further. It opens you to new experiences!
Sewing is no different! When you are just starting out, perhaps that machine on the desk in front of you looks overwhelming. But it is worth allowing yourself the time to learn a new skill, and then bit by bit, new techniques, new projects and before you know it, the world is your oyster! Learning is fun! (And yes, even mistakes are an opportunity to learn 😉.)
Sherri elaborates on the “learning” aspect of sewing: “I love creating. But there’s something about sewing that allows me to feel like I’m constantly doing something new while still being fairly focused on a skill that is growing and expanding.”
Paulette too, says she really enjoys “constantly learning new things. I feel like there’s so much about sewing and making clothes that I don’t yet know, and I’m excited to keep learning. It’ll keep my brain agile as I move into middle age, and keep my creative juices going for as long as possible.”
And just look at how Gemia from Phat Quarters Sewing describes why sewing means so much to her: “I often feel like I am not accurate enough, or creative enough, or fast enough, but sewing has taught me to be kind to myself. It has taught me to persevere and to think outside of the box to accomplish my goals. I have become a better person, mother & wife, business woman, and creative because I have allowed myself to dream and use a seam ripper when it’s just not right.” WOW.
Joy and Fun
Personally, I LOVE sewing. I would happily spend a couple of hours each day sewing if I could. Which currently, I can’t, but… Sewing makes me happy. I enjoy the process of sewing, I enjoy the learning, I enjoy admiring the finished product, I enjoy watching my kids love wearing their personalised clothes. I like having time for ME to do something creative!
And I know the “It’s fun” opinion is not mine alone. The comments shared below by my fellow sewing bloggers are so passionate, so enthusiastic they almost spring off the page (well, screen 😉, you know what I mean)!
Amanda loves “the process of seeing something that’s 2D transform into a garment. Every fold, every cut and every stitch – the paper to fabric emerges into something that can be worn. It’s very therapeutic and satisfying.”
Paulette says almost the same thing: “Sewing is like applied geometry so taking a flat pattern and creating a 3-dimensional wearable piece out of that is like magic! I also love fabric and imagining what all different things it can be made into.”
Heather from Beginner Sewing Projects echos these sentiments: “I like seeing a vision of a completed project in my head and making it come to life. This is especially wonderful if the project takes less than 30 minutes. It is almost like instant gratification.”
Julie enjoys “wearing clothes that have a story. I like to pick up fabric when I travel and then bring it home to make something with it. I have trim from Switzerland and buttons from Japan. Working with and then wearing these materials remind me of my travels.” (Note to travellers: this is such a great idea as an alternative to the usual souvenirs!!!)
Di enjoys sewing because “Sewing brings me so much joy, relieves stress and worry, and gives me a sense of accomplishment.” Cara says “Creating stuff gives me a rush of adrenaline, which keeps me busy and happy.” While Saskia from She Who Sew ’s favourite benefits of sewing are “I find sewing hugely rewarding, and it’s ‘me time’.” Now go try find me a mother who doesn’t appreciate a bit of “me time”!!
If this post hasn’t fired up your sewing creative spark, I don’t know what will!!
As I have said before, not everybody knows how to sew already, but I firmly believe that anybody who wants to, can learn. Hey, I did! The fantastic, funny, and honest insider stories shared by all of these women above, show how they have turned their twinkling interest in sewing into a passion!
What’s stopping you?!?
If you have already learned to sew, what was YOUR first ever project? And if you are yet to start, what would you like to sew first? Share with us below!
I need to learn how to do so! Looks good.
Sewing is great fun! You “sew” should learn! 😉
Sewing is fun. When I was a kid I used to sew my barbie’s clothes. The easy stuff like buttons on the dress. It was so much fun.
I used to sew clothes for my Cabbage Patch doll 😉
I love sewing! I learnt how to sew back in 2017 when my husband bought me a sewing machine for my birthday. You just have to be careful with those needles!
Yay! Another lady who loves sewing 😉 What do you like to make? Yes, I have had to replace my needles more than once LOL!
I have never learned to sew but have always wanted to! I need to find someone to teach me and my daughters! And Cabbage Patch Kids….oh my…I was so obsessed with them! 🙂
Cabbage Patch Kids, LOL! They were (are?) SO expensive though!! You said you wanted to learn to sew… What would you like to do as a first ever project?
This is is so true, my mother loved sewing from the start, but she really started working on different techniques while using it as a way to relax when recovering from a tubal pregnancy. She ended up going on to win the largest quilt show in the U.S. at the time (Three years in a row actually, then she stopped entering.) as well as being featured on public television, among several other accomplishments.
Wow what a fantastic story! Your mother is clearly very talented! Did her sewing habit transfer to you too?
One of my sisters inherited most of it, although I did get a little. 🙂
LOL! WHat do you like to sew then?
Not really one thing in particular, my mother just seen to it that I was taught the whole sewing spectrum. What I tend to sew often depends on what my family’s current need is more than anything.
Great that you were taught a whole range of things by your mum! You’re lucky 🙂
It’s true. I have a vegetable garden and every year when I sow I get excited as if I were performing a small miracle.
Yes, growing your own plants and veggies is like a small miracle.
I’m not a good sewer but when I do sew it is very calming.
Oh that’s lovely that you can enjoy sewing even if you feel you aren’t so good at it YET 😉 Keep at it!
I don’t sew, but I imagine it to be a fun and creative process. If I ever do start, I’d start with something really easy!
Yep, starting easy is the way to go. I’ll bet you have some other creative outlet instead of sewing 😉