I still have this Ladybird book from my childhood all about sewing.
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I know I attempted this simple needle case as my mum still has it.
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Eleanor developed an interest in sewing at an early age. I wanted to nurture this interest as I think it's such a good skill to have. We bought her a sewing machine one Christmas and she chose Textiles as one of her options at school and subsequently took a GCSE in it.
I thought I might borrow Eleanor's sewing machine and have a go at teaching myself to use it. I came across My First Sewing Machine Book by Emma Hardy and thought this might help. I know it's a children's book but I often find that they explain things in simple terms which makes it much easier to understand. It's also got some great, easy projects in it.
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There's information on techniques, templates for various projects in the back of the book and each project comes with step by step instructions.
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There's some very easy projects like these cute Pin-On Popsicles, but harder projects too for when you've learnt the basics.
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Each project is grouped in to four different chapters:- Clothes and Accessories, Bags and Cases, Things For Your Room and Toys and Games.
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There's 35 projects in all, I'm sure that even I'll manage to find something I can make, and as I build up the skills, I'll be able to move on to something a little more difficult.
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I've never touched a sewing machine since I was at school, and I wasn't very successful with it then, so it's definitely going to be a steep learning curve.
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I've got some Christmas knitting projects on the go at the moment but I aim to get started in the new year. Who knows, I may want my own machine once I get going.
How exciting, a whole new adventure. I really wish I had opted for sewing when I was back at school. Looks like a really good book to start with, maybe I should get one too x
ReplyDeleteIt is exciting when you embark on something new, who knows where it will lead. I really wish I'd learnt to sew at school, unfortunately, I didn't have any help at home as my mum wasn't a sewer. I think it helps if skills such at these are passed on from a parent or grandparent.
DeleteGood for you. I'm sure you will get along fine with it and a machine of your own will be on next years' Christmas list
ReplyDeleteGill
I'm nervous just thinking about getting the sewing machine out, but you may be right, a machine of my own might very well be on next year's Christmas list, along with fabric.
DeleteI have a similar book on quilting that has been written for children. I have recently had a go at using a sewing machine again after 35+ years. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be and I did have a lot of help from a very clever friend. Will have to write a post about it sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteI love children's book, they're so much more user friendly than many adult ones. How lovely that you've had a go with a sewing machine yourself recently, I think it must be about the same length of time since I used one at school, though it was a bit of a disaster so I don't expect any knowledge to come flooding back.
DeleteGood on you Mitzi, but then I'm a avid sewer, and bought my eldest granddaughter a machine when she was 12. Hope you are enjoying and would love to see a post about it.
DeleteEleanor was about the same age when we bought her a machine for Christmas. I was pleased she showed an interest in sewing so I wanted to encourage it. I'm looking forward to seeing a post too.
DeleteThis post brings back fond memories of mum sewing, either by hand or on her Singer sewing machine. Happy sewing! xx
ReplyDeleteI would have loved my mum to have had a sewing machine when I was young. I do remember her sewing by hand though, and darning too, something else I've never mastered.
DeleteOoo, you need to be careful... Sewing is seriously addictive, spreads all around the house and causes the development of a fabric stash before you can say 'i'll just buy one metre '. Wonderful idea, you go for it!
ReplyDeleteShhh, don't let Mick hear you say that, he'll say there's enough yarn spread around the house as it is without fabric. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, not to mention fabric shopping.
DeleteFelt and cotton are very good fabrics to start with, they hold in place. Start with something simple which you can finish and then as your confidence grows so will your projects. It's a brilliant idea to use children's books, can't wait to see what you make.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advice. I never thought of using felt for machine sewing, but did think I'd start off with cotton. There's some lovely little projects in the book which look easy enough to have a go at so I've got plenty of choice for a first project.
DeleteExciting, go for it I'm sure you will soon be whipping up loads of fabric delights. I was hounded at school for being left handed and had a hateful teacher so i gave up and did something else, so I have done as you are doing self taught and thoroughly enjoying it xcx
ReplyDeleteBeing left handed can certainly be a disadvantage when trying to learn a craft, though many people manage perfectly well, it's just that the teachers are unable to work out how to explain to someone who isn't right handed. I'm pleased you're enjoying sewing, I hope I do too.
DeleteGood luck with it Jo.
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew at school when I was 11 - my Mum hated sewing, and so did my Grandma. I fell in love with it and have never looked back. Because I was academic the majority of my teachers saw my taking Needlework at O level as a wasted option, but it has stood me in good stead and saved me a fortune over the years.
I was around the same age when I started sewing lessons at school, but we only took it for so many weeks and then went on to home economics (cooking). I think you've proved your teachers wrong, it certainly wasn't a wasted option when you consider how much money you've saved through being able to sew.
DeleteThe new book looks great and I think you'll find that sewing isn't very difficult at all once you know the basics. Just take your time and learn all the settings and experiment with them. I'm sure you'll be making lovely things in no time. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the sewing machine is very scary, I shall have to get my head round that first of all. There's some lovely little projects in the book so I'm sure I'll be able to manage something, I shall take it very steady and start with very easy projects until I gain a little more confidence.
DeleteWhy, oh why can't I be there for you, but I'm only an email or phone call away. Once you get Xmas out of the way and you're stuck indoors on a snowy cold day, just settle down and get to know the machine first, then start on a simple project. Practice and patience are what it's all about. I'm proud that you are going to give it a go. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI think getting to know the machine first is sound advice. I haven't a clue where sewing machines are concerned so I want to learn all about that before I even attempt any sewing. I'm looking forward to getting started.
DeleteAs you know, Jo, I'm always sewing something so, if you ever need to ask questions, feel free to ask me. I'm always happy to pass on the addiction! :oD
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind, thank you. That's the beauty of blogging, there's always someone who is kind enough to offer their help and advice.
DeleteGo for it! The book looks lovely and uncomplicated, but you'll find when you get going that it just runs away with you.....
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping it's not the machine which runs away with me, I'm a bit nervous of using it if truth be told, but I'll take it nice and slow and hopefully, I'll be fine.
DeleteI hope that you enjoy it and have some fun learning something new Jo. xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to learn something new, and I'll never know if I enjoy it or not until I try so I really must give it a go.
DeleteWEll done - I hope you get the hang of it soon. For some people their sewing machine just seems to become an extension of their arms. I'm afraid sewing and I don't get along too well together. I can do it but it wouldn't be my first love. I enjoy hand sewing - embroidery, cross stitch and so on. Mostly I stick to knitting and crochet.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great skill to have, even if it's not your first love, it's so handy for mending or making instead of buying. I've seen so many lovely things on blogs which people have made, it's made me want to try myself.
DeleteGood luck! I've always wanted to learn how to snow, it's on my long to do list :) Looking forward to seeing how you get on :)
ReplyDeleteThere's so many things I want to have a go at, if only there were more hours in the day. I'm hoping to start my sewing adventure after Christmas so I'll post an update of how I get on.
DeleteI sew now and again, we are limited with space, so it can't be left out. A couple of years ago Mikayla and I made Christmas stockings and had alot of fun doing it and they came out great! Your book has some nice things in it to try. I know the fabric stall in the covered market in Leeds is good, I think you posted about that place. Have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteIt's the same here for space. I'd really love a place of my own for crafting. We used the market stall in Leeds when Eleanor needed fabric for Textiles at school. They have some lovely fabric there so I think I might pop in and have a look what they've got at the moment.
DeleteGood luck! I can knit and crochet but machine sewing is one skill I lack. I tried to teach myself but it was hard. I want to take lessons though and may sign up next year.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same, I can knit and crochet but sewing skills have passed me by. I too may end up taking lessons if I find it hard to teach myself.
DeleteI reckon you'll be able to create all sorts of sewing projects. You are naturally crafty and I think you'll crack the sewing too. The children's book is an excellent idea to start with. I love those lolly brooches! Really fun.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I'll have to see if I've got the patience for sewing, I'm not the most patient person in the world. I love all the jolly colours and happy illustrations in children's books, they tend to keep me interested. The lolly brooches are lovely, aren't they?
DeleteGood for you, having a go. I don't do that much sewing but it isn't something that scares me as I grew up with my mum and grandma always sewing both by hand and machine. They made everything. My gt grandfather was a tailor by trade so he passed down all that knowledge. My grandma's favourite tip was to always change her sewing machine needle for a new project. Have fun experimenting!
ReplyDeleteI shall have to remember that tip. I think it's lovely when knowledge is passed down through generations. It's such a shame that my mum wasn't a sewer as I'd have loved to have learnt when I was younger, still, better late than never.
DeleteGood for you! Even though (allegedly) I can sew, I too find GBSB very inspiring and can't wait for the next series :}
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the Children In Need specials as most of the celebrities were non sewers so it was interesting to see them progress and some of them made things which were quite good. I'm looking forward to the next series too.
DeleteI totally agree that when it come's to beginner how-to's children's book are often the best place to start. Have fun ... the sewing bug is sure to bite :)
ReplyDeleteI think children's books contain more interesting projects too, more to catch the imagination. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in now, as you say, I'm sure the bug will bite.
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