Using fabric from old clothers is a great way to learn. That is especially good if your size has changed since you have more than you will need, but it will work for anything. An old tee can become undies... just use the good parts. An old skirt can become a tank or short sleeved top of some kind. Even bed sheets, if you use the 100% cotton sateen kind, will make acceptable things for everyday in the house. The jersey sheets can make pajama pants, tank tops, or tees. Those are my way cheap options for learning on.
Don't sew when you're tired. You will be using the frog stitch (seam ripping). Take the time to think things through. Test your stitches, buttonholes & serger stitches before just sewing away. Don't give up!
Patterns are only a red line to know a basic shape. So we can make bespoke clothes for are selfs. If you are unsure take your own clothes lay it on top of the pattern and look if it looks like your size and what to make bigger or smaller. Draw your sewing lines so you can folow the line to get the feel of your seamalowens. My mom draw with a grey pensil just the line i had to folow and just say at the start back and forwards at the end back and forward. Pj trousers in nice fabric can be realy good first everyday pair of trousers.
Great video Stephanie. What I wish I could tell a previous me is seam allowances are crucial. Things won’t fit if you don’t maintain an even seam allowance.
Love your advice. One of the best things that happened to me was I bought the first computer Viking sewing machine they offered. The dealer asked me to do a seminar showing the machine and everything it could do including all the stitches. It was a good turnout, I made a little $ but most of all It forced me to learn everything about my new machine that I had about 30 years before it gave up the ghost! I agree a tote bag but better would be a backpack. Boy, what you will learn as a newby. Welcome all new sewers and Stephanie is great as a teacher even her humor!
If you want to know how big a pattern will *really* turn out, check the finished garment measurements. If they're not on the pattern envelope (hello big four!) then measure the pattern pieces and deduct seam allowances to get an idea. Measure a garment you already own and like the fit of to see how they compare, so you know what ball park size you are - for that particular pattern!
Pyjamas, absolutely! And then it's only a small step from there to a simple skirt or shorts with the same pattern. I'm trying to remember my own journey - mainly one of frustration trying to fit my '6-foot' boobs. I might say 'find one simple pattern and repeat it in different fabrics', because so much energy is spent trying to fit and handle the next pattern and one can feel one is making no progress at all. I make all my own clothes now, because the ones I make look a whole lot more expensive than the ones I can afford to buy!
It think this more than anything else is what draws me to the Closet Historian. She uses one bodice block and skirt block, drafts her own patterns off of those, and goes to town! Her wardrobe is insanely gorgeous and the fit is perfection without mockups!
I am an absolute neophyte at sewing. I've been hand-mending for a few years now thanks to the courage the ladies of CosTube have given me. I'm talking turning crew necks into v-necks, cutting too-short pants (hello, 6 foot crew!) into the most flattering length of Capri, etc. I finally got up the nerve to pull out Grandma's sewing machine because my daughter wants to learn... and it was dead. 😂 So I bought a basic Singer and let it gather dust all spring. But now, I finally sat down and taught myself how to use it! I'm currently doing a few thrift flips for my daughters - turning adult t-shirts and bike shorts into modest skorts, turning a dress into a maxi skirt, etc. Once their wish list is knocked down, my plan is to make a bodice block first. Why? So I only have to buy one "cheater" pattern once, cannibalize it for bodice & skirt block basics, then I can make my own patterns! Yes, I watch too much Closet Historian. Why do you ask? 😂😂 But my next-to-last good bra just snapped its underwire, so I might have to move making the bra VS keeps canceling my next project. 🤦🏻♀️
Yeah 6 foot crew!!!!!! Sounds like you are having a blast with your sewing machine. Super smart idea to have your own block. I did that for pants since that's where I have the most fit issues. Happy sewing! And thanks for watching. ♥️
Great advice Stephanie, you learn more from your so called "failures", finish what you start and socialize with other sewists. Those three things are 🔑 🥰
110% correct... the only thing I would add is leggings are popular to sew but not as a first time garment... can't wait to hear more... things I wish I knew or learned early that I learned way later... n things I might still need to learn ... thank you for all these wonderful learning opportunities... blessings
I'd add: don't pick a pattern just because it looks cool on the skinny model. If you're going to spend many hours working on a garment, you better be positive it's something you'll wear!
Seriously! I love CosTube because of that! I can watch Abby Cox, who is as busy as me but more petite, or Stephanie Canada, who is roughly my size, or Bianca from the Closet Historian, who is smaller but proportionate to me and see how the clothes look on THEM first. Bianca can kill in her wiggle dresses, but I know the fit and flare will look better on me. 😂
My uniform for life is underwear, t shirts, skirts and jumper dresses, and Mennonite cape dresses for church and other more special occasions. So, though my staples look different from yours, I guess the thought would have to be the same. My trouble isn't that I don't know how to sew, it's that I lack any motivation to sew because it's so much easier for me to order my dresses from cottage industries that sew them for me. I have so much else that I have to do and sewing is always last on the list, especially since it takes me eons to finish one project. If I could sew a jumper in one day like other people can, I think I would like to sew more. How do I improve my speed?
Hi Megan! I guess my first question would be why do you want to sew your own? If it's something that is just going to add to your emotional load on top of everything that you have to do, just another chore on a list that's going to be stressful, then I say order away! But, if you do enjoy sewing and you value being able to wear things that you have made, or you get any kind of joy out of it, then yes! Let's find a way to make it work. We already know speed comes with practice but here's a way to be really efficient with it. Let's say we'll start with t-shirts. Start by making just one. If it takes days, who cares? Make any pattern adjustments that you might need like making it shorter or longer or giving more room in the bust. Whatever you need. Use that shirt to get comfortable doing things you have less experience with maybe that's working with knits in general or placing a neck band. Once you have given yourself the time to make that one and get cozy with all the steps, now it's time to batch! Do like 4 or 6. Cut everything, sew all your shoulder seams, place all your sleeves, stitch all the sides, etc. It saves so much time! Here is my video on batching th-cam.com/video/-X-FFKbypjY/w-d-xo.html One more thing, I don't know if you need to hear this but I'm gonna say it anyways. if you really want to sew and it's something that brings you joy, give yourself permission to have that time. Let it be a priority. Maybe something will go undone. Maybe you will have to get help with other chores or maybe your family will have to eat the same leftovers three nights in a row. Oh well! If sewing fills your bucket then it's worth doing. We can't fill anyone else's bucket of ours is empty❤️
Using fabric from old clothers is a great way to learn. That is especially good if your size has changed since you have more than you will need, but it will work for anything. An old tee can become undies... just use the good parts. An old skirt can become a tank or short sleeved top of some kind. Even bed sheets, if you use the 100% cotton sateen kind, will make acceptable things for everyday in the house. The jersey sheets can make pajama pants, tank tops, or tees. Those are my way cheap options for learning on.
Great ideas ❤️
Don't sew when you're tired. You will be using the frog stitch (seam ripping). Take the time to think things through. Test your stitches, buttonholes & serger stitches before just sewing away.
Don't give up!
Great advice❤️
Patterns are only a red line to know a basic shape. So we can make bespoke clothes for are selfs. If you are unsure take your own clothes lay it on top of the pattern and look if it looks like your size and what to make bigger or smaller. Draw your sewing lines so you can folow the line to get the feel of your seamalowens. My mom draw with a grey pensil just the line i had to folow and just say at the start back and forwards at the end back and forward. Pj trousers in nice fabric can be realy good first everyday pair of trousers.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing❤️
Great video Stephanie. What I wish I could tell a previous me is seam allowances are crucial. Things won’t fit if you don’t maintain an even seam allowance.
Great point Lisa!
I started with quilting and then bags and then decided to jump on the deep end 2 corsets and a circle skirt later and I'm doing a prom dress
Love your advice. One of the best things that happened to me was I bought the first computer Viking sewing machine they offered. The dealer asked me to do a seminar showing the machine and everything it could do including all the stitches. It was a good turnout, I made a little $ but most of all It forced me to learn everything about my new machine that I had about 30 years before it gave up the ghost! I agree a tote bag but better would be a backpack. Boy, what you will learn as a newby. Welcome all new sewers and Stephanie is great as a teacher even her humor!
Wow what a great experience Lavada. ❤️
If you want to know how big a pattern will *really* turn out, check the finished garment measurements. If they're not on the pattern envelope (hello big four!) then measure the pattern pieces and deduct seam allowances to get an idea. Measure a garment you already own and like the fit of to see how they compare, so you know what ball park size you are - for that particular pattern!
Great point! I find the big four especially often size very different from ready to wear clothes
Pyjamas, absolutely! And then it's only a small step from there to a simple skirt or shorts with the same pattern. I'm trying to remember my own journey - mainly one of frustration trying to fit my '6-foot' boobs. I might say 'find one simple pattern and repeat it in different fabrics', because so much energy is spent trying to fit and handle the next pattern and one can feel one is making no progress at all. I make all my own clothes now, because the ones I make look a whole lot more expensive than the ones I can afford to buy!
Oooh great tip! Make one pattern in several fabrics❤️ love that.
@@StephanieRubletz That would be a cool video: one simple pattern repeated and made increasingly ornate or couture....
It think this more than anything else is what draws me to the Closet Historian. She uses one bodice block and skirt block, drafts her own patterns off of those, and goes to town! Her wardrobe is insanely gorgeous and the fit is perfection without mockups!
I am an absolute neophyte at sewing. I've been hand-mending for a few years now thanks to the courage the ladies of CosTube have given me. I'm talking turning crew necks into v-necks, cutting too-short pants (hello, 6 foot crew!) into the most flattering length of Capri, etc. I finally got up the nerve to pull out Grandma's sewing machine because my daughter wants to learn... and it was dead. 😂 So I bought a basic Singer and let it gather dust all spring. But now, I finally sat down and taught myself how to use it! I'm currently doing a few thrift flips for my daughters - turning adult t-shirts and bike shorts into modest skorts, turning a dress into a maxi skirt, etc. Once their wish list is knocked down, my plan is to make a bodice block first. Why? So I only have to buy one "cheater" pattern once, cannibalize it for bodice & skirt block basics, then I can make my own patterns! Yes, I watch too much Closet Historian. Why do you ask? 😂😂
But my next-to-last good bra just snapped its underwire, so I might have to move making the bra VS keeps canceling my next project. 🤦🏻♀️
Yeah 6 foot crew!!!!!! Sounds like you are having a blast with your sewing machine. Super smart idea to have your own block. I did that for pants since that's where I have the most fit issues.
Happy sewing! And thanks for watching. ♥️
Pressing matters! Don't skip this step -
Good call Julee!
Great advice Stephanie, you learn more from your so called "failures", finish what you start and socialize with other sewists. Those three things are 🔑 🥰
I totally agree ❤️
And if I'm too lazy to alter it I'll give it to someone smaller. Famously a cloak that came out child sized. Big hit with the 8 year old ..
It always helps to have little ones around😃
@@StephanieRubletz what are considered little ones? Pets??
My Little ones are of the human variety. 5 and 8 yrs.
I believe Youngster Joey from Pokemon said it best, "I like shorts, they're comfy and easy to wear!"
Thank you!
My pleasure! 😁
110% correct... the only thing I would add is leggings are popular to sew but not as a first time garment... can't wait to hear more... things I wish I knew or learned early that I learned way later... n things I might still need to learn ... thank you for all these wonderful learning opportunities... blessings
Good point Cindy! Definately try fitting easier pants before going for leggings❤️ thanks for commenting.
I'd add: don't pick a pattern just because it looks cool on the skinny model. If you're going to spend many hours working on a garment, you better be positive it's something you'll wear!
So true! Great advice!
Seriously! I love CosTube because of that! I can watch Abby Cox, who is as busy as me but more petite, or Stephanie Canada, who is roughly my size, or Bianca from the Closet Historian, who is smaller but proportionate to me and see how the clothes look on THEM first. Bianca can kill in her wiggle dresses, but I know the fit and flare will look better on me. 😂
😀
My uniform for life is underwear, t shirts, skirts and jumper dresses, and Mennonite cape dresses for church and other more special occasions. So, though my staples look different from yours, I guess the thought would have to be the same.
My trouble isn't that I don't know how to sew, it's that I lack any motivation to sew because it's so much easier for me to order my dresses from cottage industries that sew them for me. I have so much else that I have to do and sewing is always last on the list, especially since it takes me eons to finish one project. If I could sew a jumper in one day like other people can, I think I would like to sew more. How do I improve my speed?
Hi Megan! I guess my first question would be why do you want to sew your own? If it's something that is just going to add to your emotional load on top of everything that you have to do, just another chore on a list that's going to be stressful, then I say order away!
But, if you do enjoy sewing and you value being able to wear things that you have made, or you get any kind of joy out of it, then yes! Let's find a way to make it work.
We already know speed comes with practice but here's a way to be really efficient with it. Let's say we'll start with t-shirts. Start by making just one. If it takes days, who cares? Make any pattern adjustments that you might need like making it shorter or longer or giving more room in the bust. Whatever you need. Use that shirt to get comfortable doing things you have less experience with maybe that's working with knits in general or placing a neck band.
Once you have given yourself the time to make that one and get cozy with all the steps, now it's time to batch!
Do like 4 or 6. Cut everything, sew all your shoulder seams, place all your sleeves, stitch all the sides, etc. It saves so much time!
Here is my video on batching th-cam.com/video/-X-FFKbypjY/w-d-xo.html
One more thing, I don't know if you need to hear this but I'm gonna say it anyways. if you really want to sew and it's something that brings you joy, give yourself permission to have that time. Let it be a priority. Maybe something will go undone. Maybe you will have to get help with other chores or maybe your family will have to eat the same leftovers three nights in a row. Oh well! If sewing fills your bucket then it's worth doing. We can't fill anyone else's bucket of ours is empty❤️
@@StephanieRubletzThank you. I needed that last paragraph.
You are a blessing
Wow thanks so much❤️ and thanks for watching!