I am a middle school sewing teacher .What you just said sounds just like what I tell my students. I start my 7th graders out making a chef's apron, and 8th graders make elastic waist PJ pants. There is always someone who doesn't listen carefully, and brings in a stretch knit or minky, even though I explain thoroughly and show examples of what fabrics are best to use. I keep a collection of all purpose thread on hand to give to kids who bring in embroidery thread, metallics, quilting thread, and even button thread! I can relate to what you have shared 100%!
I remember watching the needle in my novice days, and the sewing teacher saying ‘don’t watch the needle, it’s not going anywhere. Watch the seam guide’ . That was probably the first thing i passed along when teaching my kids.
I loved Home Economics class! I graduated in 1980 from a small rural school in Minnesota - sewing classes for the gals and Workshop for the guys. We also had a year we had the guys learn to sew simple project and the girls worked in the woodworking shop. It was INFORMATIVE and so much fun! Today I have sewn my own clothing, costumes for ballet and clogging teams and now wedding design. I have also branched out into landscape art quilting designs (ie: small works of art for wall hangings - I don't care for quilting large blankets - I do raw edge applique and thread painting) Schools should keep these classes as elective courses that allow students to learn these skills! They are so useful in lifelong applications! Thank you for your excellent videos! I'm still learning and applying technique after 50 years of sewing - and I love it!
Beware of Vogue "easy" patterns. Their easy is another pattern maker's "difficult". Also watch for patterns marked easy that have many pieces and/or lining. I did one "easy" McCalls pattern that had no less than TWELVE pieces in the bodice alone. Geez! Who thought of that??
My sewing teacher told us to go pick out patterns for an outfit for our grade. I was lost in the fabric store at 13. I picked patterns for a shirt & shorts for gym class. White sweatshirt fabric for gym shorts. And knit fabric in hot pink and black small stripes. That teacher was angry about my fabric choices, I don't recall her telling us what to avoid. But that summer, I wore my shorts and shirt.
My Mom taught me to always have my take up lever up before stopping but she didnt tell me why. I was unaware you could even accidentally unthread your needle! That must be so frustrating for people who don't know!
In our local high schools it is generally taught as part of another class. I taught sewing within my theater classes, and it was also taught within some of the family and consumer sciences classes. A couple schools here also have Fashion Design as an elective and teach sewing within that.
I am a middle school sewing teacher .What you just said sounds just like what I tell my students. I start my 7th graders out making a chef's apron, and 8th graders make elastic waist PJ pants. There is always someone who doesn't listen carefully, and brings in a stretch knit or minky, even though I explain thoroughly and show examples of what fabrics are best to use. I keep a collection of all purpose thread on hand to give to kids who bring in embroidery thread, metallics, quilting thread, and even button thread! I can relate to what you have shared 100%!
Hahaha! Yup, it takes being a teacher to see these examples over and over 🤣
I remember watching the needle in my novice days, and the sewing teacher saying ‘don’t watch the needle, it’s not going anywhere. Watch the seam guide’ . That was probably the first thing i passed along when teaching my kids.
Great advice!
I loved Home Economics class! I graduated in 1980 from a small rural school in Minnesota - sewing classes for the gals and Workshop for the guys. We also had a year we had the guys learn to sew simple project and the girls worked in the woodworking shop. It was INFORMATIVE and so much fun!
Today I have sewn my own clothing, costumes for ballet and clogging teams and now wedding design. I have also branched out into landscape art quilting designs (ie: small works of art for wall hangings - I don't care for quilting large blankets - I do raw edge applique and thread painting)
Schools should keep these classes as elective courses that allow students to learn these skills! They are so useful in lifelong applications!
Thank you for your excellent videos!
I'm still learning and applying technique after 50 years of sewing - and I love it!
Thanks for watching!
Beware of Vogue "easy" patterns. Their easy is another pattern maker's "difficult". Also watch for patterns marked easy that have many pieces and/or lining. I did one "easy" McCalls pattern that had no less than TWELVE pieces in the bodice alone. Geez! Who thought of that??
12 pieces is not what I would call easy!
My sewing teacher told us to go pick out patterns for an outfit for our grade.
I was lost in the fabric store at 13.
I picked patterns for a shirt & shorts for gym class.
White sweatshirt fabric for gym shorts.
And knit fabric in hot pink and black small stripes.
That teacher was angry about my fabric choices, I don't recall her telling us what to avoid.
But that summer, I wore my shorts and shirt.
I'm glad her lack of instructions didn't turn you off sewing!
Thank you for posting the beginner sewing class. It has unlocked a new hobby for me!
You are so welcome!
Great advice. I am a beginner and have found the advice brilliant. Thank you. Looking forward to your beginner tutorials.
Glad it was helpful!
My Mom taught me to always have my take up lever up before stopping but she didnt tell me why. I was unaware you could even accidentally unthread your needle! That must be so frustrating for people who don't know!
Yes!
Thanks for sharing this invaluable information.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent ❤❤❤
Thanks
Good video! It's a good reminder for all of us! ~Nancy
Thanks for watching!
I didn’t think schools taught sewing anymore 😊
I took sewing and tailoring in high school, BUT, I graduated in 1972! I don't know if any schools around here teach sewing. ~Nancy
I know for a fact, it is still an elective class in some schools in Missouri and Kansas. My grandchildren have enjoyed the class.
In our local high schools it is generally taught as part of another class. I taught sewing within my theater classes, and it was also taught within some of the family and consumer sciences classes. A couple schools here also have Fashion Design as an elective and teach sewing within that.
I took it in high school in 1987 so that lets you know I am out of the loop lol😅
🙂