Can't even sew a button on!

[DJ1972]

OK all you sewing experts, you have made me want to learn to sew. I can't find curtains I want to buy, but found sheets that would make great curtains (if I knew how to sew), and I am tired of paying someone else to make simple alterations. I have a few questions....
1~did you teach yourself, take a class, or learn from family
2~do you prefer to sew by hand or machine
3~is there a basic sewing book I could get to start
4~what machine would you recomend for a beginner
thanks in advance!

[pita1213]

i'm not much of an expert, as i'm selftaught and don't do a whole lot of sewing. but get books from the library. if you are confused by the ones in the adult section, look in the kids section. my sewing machine is made by white. nothing fancy, but it does button holes and a bunch of different stitches. i have made some clothes for dd when she was little. some thing i did by hand just because i needed something to do that was portable and i wasn't into crocheting at the time. machine sewing is a lot faster. when you have some issues with paitence like i do, that means a LOT.
i can't recommend a specific book, just to look at the craft and hobby section of the library. if you still aren't comfortable, look around at fabric stores or your parks and rec dept for sewing classes. sometimes community colleges offer hobby type classes too. heck even the library might have a class or a sewing group that meets.
start with easy projects until you get comfortable. before ya know it you'll be sewing up a storm.

[geckoace]

i am self taught, i spent some time with my sewing machine manual figuring things out, then i got myself some really really basic books that i refer to when i need to. i dont do anything too complex so i basically jsut figuring out ways to pin things so they make the shape i want and running it through the machine LOL! but for what i am doing it works, i hope to take a quick beginners class at adult edu just to get some more basics

[nuisance26]

~I started with hand-sewing; just simple hair accessories and doll clothes when I was 8 or 9. My mother and older sister taught me basic sewing skills. From there I picked up sewing books at the library. I learned technique project by project. I preferred easy project books over actual sewing technique books. Just make sure the book you pick says easy or beginner on it or you may get frustrated. It's easy to teach yourself over time. Pick projects you WANT to do and ask for help if you get stuck. Happy sewing!~

[SewCrafty]

OK all you sewing experts, you have made me want to learn to sew. I can't find curtains I want to buy, but found sheets that would make great curtains (if I knew how to sew), and I am tired of paying someone else to make simple alterations. I have a few questions....
1~did you teach yourself, take a class, or learn from family
2~do you prefer to sew by hand or machine
3~is there a basic sewing book I could get to start
4~what machine would you recomend for a beginner
thanks in advance!

#1 I took a home economics class in junior high, and from there pretty much taught myself.

#2 I really prefer machine sewing as I like things done FAST. I don't have a lead foot when driving a car, but I sure do on my sewing machine.

#3 I have always found this book to be quite helpful. Check your library as they may just have it. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073942100X/simplicitypatter]Simplicity's Simply the Best Sewing Book[/ame]

#4 For a 1st time sewer, I would suggest a basic machine. That way you aren't investing tons of money only to find out sewing may not be for you.
Wal*Mart, Target and Sears carry some basic inexpensive machines. You can still do lots with them, just not a lot of fancy stitches. This is a decent machine in my opinion. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4764724

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

Okay, while I LOVE sewing, I know it isn't for everyone. So that said, you can make curtains without sewing. All you need is an ironing board, iron and some of this bonding tape http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase...p?ITEM_NUM=231 There are many brands out there and they can be found at fabric stores or even Wal*Mart. It will be in with the notions (pins, needles etc....)

[Jaded]

I'm no help, because I started sewing by hand when I was 5, and was taught to machine sew when I was 9.

I have an old Kenmore machine that runs great to this day, and it's almost 40 years old!