Any beginner sewing activities?

Question

I am a serious beginner! The best thing I've sewed was a hole in pants! I've also turned an old sock into arm warmers. I can already make a quilt with old rags. I want easy activities that will make me better every time I do one. I want a website or your own personal things or something. You guys know what I mean! ("/) :-) :-D

Answer 1

Hey, I'm a beginner too! The best thing I've sewed was a tiny cushion decorated with beads and buttons (and I mean it, the cushion's really tiny, its smaller than your hand!) Keep working.

Answer 2

You could go to the fabric store and look through the pattern books. Patterns are inexpensive and there are lots of things to choose from: pretty clothes, home dec, toys, you name it. Start with patterns labelled "easy", and progress your way up from there.

.

Answer 3

http://www.sewing.org/

http://sewing.about.com/library/blfeatur...

My suggestion is to pick a pattern and make it three times, right in a row, cut out to finish.  Each time, try to make it more precisely, more carefully.  Three pairs of shorts or three t shirts or three pillows can teach you a lot about both the sewing process and about better ways to handle something.

Suggested reading:

Carol Ahles: Fine Machine Sewing

Connie Crawford: Guide to Fashion Sewing

Any of the Kwik-sew books (http://www.kwiksew.com)

Simplicity's Simply The Best Sewing Book (geared for beginners)

Suggested viewing:

Studio Sewing Skills (which is intended for beginners and takes you through the construction of a camp shirt, starting with threading the machine and learning to sew a straight line)

http://www.fashionpatterns.com/NEW_DVD_S...

Answer 4

Your local library would be a great source of quilts to try. I would suggest a sampler quilt. It is usually 6-12 blocks and each block teaches you techniques you would use for other sewing as well: sewing curves, dealing with bias, matching points etc. If you have  a local quilt shop, they may offer sewing classes too, but they can be expensive. I would start at the library and see what you like...plus it is free. Good Luck.

Answer 5

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns

http://fosteringlove.tripod.com/id6.html

http://fosteringlove.tripod.com/id12.htm...

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?C...

http://www.ericas.com/sewing/patterns/st...

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/...

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/expl...

http://www.blockcrazy.com/Preview%20Page...

http://www.mccallpattern.com/

http://simplicity.com/

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_sewing/...

You may like this one too.

http://www.offray.com/howto.html

Hope this is what you meant in your question and you have fun searching through.