Sewing Advice Please Help

I am another Janome fan. They too come with needle threaders.

Pfaff have models that have an automatic needle threader, which is a great help! Mine is a smarter by Pfaff 140 s.

There are also some great books out there. The Complete Sewing Guide was one. It tells you almost everything and is like an encyclopaedia, with pictures. I tend to prefer books to the net as you don’t loose the info and the links don’t break

Wow great responses! Thankyoooooou so much **smiling and waving You are awesome!

Old clothes from friends and relatives could be a source I’d free fabrics whilst you get the hang of it.

My first thing was a simple shift dress. After that Mum taught me to sew, sometimes successfully other times not so good. Later on, I had to sew because fabric was cheaper than buying the current fashion.

My daughter learned to sew recently. She started off by making a small quilt with squares of old fabric to learn to sew in a straight line. She went on to buy some fat quarters and a book about making things from them. The Works is a good place to look for this sort of book and they can be collected or even posted.

After all these years, I’m thinking of buying a dummy so the ideas floating round in my head for remodelling some clothes can happen

Just relax and enjoy.

I’d love to sew clothes for myself, but what puts me off when reading advise etc. It is recommended that I get a tailors dummy and alter the pattern after measuring myself everywhere. Does seem a lot of phaff.

I would make some patchwork bags. There is lots of help on the internet, the Missouri Quilt company does excellent tutorials. Don’t buy the quilting packs, as they are expensive and too good quality for a beginner. If you have old sheets or duvet covers they are a good start. Or buy some cheap,material from the market.

If you buy any machine from hobby craft you receive 4 free 1 hour lessons.
It fantastic, I was inserting zips by lesson 3 and well away!

Thankyou for taking the time to reply everyone. I've booked a course and am so excited imagining my new personal clothing range, Lol! The bunting sounds do-able anyway

It's finding them that's the problem crystaltipps

I think a beginners class is the way to go. I’ve done classes for years and have studied couture bridal and evening wear and I’m still learning! There’s a lot to learn at first- how to lay a pattern out and so on. You could make a simple draw string bag or some bunting as a way of learning your way round the machine. It’s just practice really and it’s so rewarding! Happy sewing!

Thankyou everybody! A lot to think about there

Butterick does "Easy pieces" or "Easy Stitch" patterns that are really good for "beginners! Some great simple tops, skirts etc. with clear guidance and no complicated bits. Last summer I made a really easy top and lived in it all summer . It's very satisfying wearing something you have made yourself, isn't it!

I recommend Janome from JL too, I've got a sewing machine and an overlocker, both are excellent. And I'd start with a cushion cover, or peg bag, just practice seams and hemming to start with. Happy sewing.

Pyjamas are a great start; lots of beginner dress making classes use them.

I’d second a Janome, I’ve got two, both from JL.
I bought a basic one and then one with a greater variety of stitches.
Neither are digital, I thought they were more likely to go wrong.

The Sewing magazines available in every Newsagent are really helpful. There are also a range of 'Learning to Sew' books around.

For a pattern, my money would be on a simple shift dress.

I recently returned to sewing after many many years . I went to John Lewis in Oxford and was helped to chose a machine by a wonderful sales assistant . I tried several that were on display, and settled on this one .https://www.johnlewis.com/janome-7025-sewing-machine/p231340608
She showed me all the functions and left me to ‘play’ until I was ready to buy it .

ananimous
For your first project I would attempt something that will give you instant gratification, otherwise you might be disappointed and give up.
I would suggest anything without a zip and fitting in sleeves.
Look at some very simple long shift summer dresses.

If you have any small girls you could sew a simple elastic waist skirt as the easiest of all. Just a tube for the required length and then make a turned -down band at the top for the elastic to go through. Or a cushion cover without a zip.

Several good sewing magazines on the market which explain things. Classes are fun and u- tube for specific instruction.

My wonderful BERNINA sewing machine is now 36 years old
it has been repaired once only, I have saved a fortune over the
years sewing curtains, clothing etc, it is really worth paying the
extra for this amazing machine.

Thankyou yes looking at the pattern, I think I may take classes

I began sewing when I was 10, started with a very plain shift dress and over the years have made all manner of clothes and soft furnishings. Skirts are relatively easy, the only fiddly bit is inserting the zip, but if you youtube or pinterest it, there should be lots of videos showing how to do it. I do think though, if you have never sewn anything before, you would be better taking a few classes first, or get a friend to show you the basics. It really isn't difficult once you get going, most of it is common sense. Good luck and happy sewing.

Thankyou, GrainnyLaine, much appreciated