So, I've really been wanting to get into sewing for a long time now. I have a machine, which is kinda old, but it still works well. Is there any tips or tricks that you guys would have for someone who is literally just beginning? Or, do you have any types of patterns that you would recommend for a beginner? I have a whole bunch of scraps that I'm thinking of using just to get the hang of it, and some patterns I bought like, five years ago, but what type of piece would be the best to start with?

The best thing to do with learning how to sew is to sew something that requires just straight lines so you get the basics down, and then slowly work your way through different things. Something like this might be helpful for practice using scraps of fabric: Easiest Pincushion Ever

If you don't have batting, you can still follow the directions and turn it into a coaster instead - just don't stuff the batting into it.

@ Moreux First, make sure you know how to operate the machine - basic, i know, but I'm sure you saw yourself just how many people simply skip instructions that are handy [even on here, but it's probably due to them not knowing where to look?]. And try out the different sewing stitches it has [if it has any.]

back to sewing. the easiest way to learn how to sew, is to practice straight lines, like Angelina suggested. Making pillow cases is the first example i can think of: just sew together 2 or 3 edges [depending on the size and shape of your fabric] and make sure you have an opening for the pillow to go in/out.

Making a small tote bag could be more difficult in some regards, but this item generally uses straight lines as well, therefore you get to practice and have a [maybe] cute shopping bag for your groceries [that's eco-friendly ;) ]

You can attach pockets to home clothes for instance since any squared or rectangle piece of cloth can turn into a pocket.... still relatively easy.

Since i'll be moving countries this year [i sure hope it happens this year, fingers crossed] i will wait with buying a sewing machine. plus, i don't need a fancy one, not for now. But in any case, i can't wait to get one to get into making things I'd like owning, but wouldn't spend money on. LOL or fixing the stuff that can get fixed... good luck!

I know this will be lame advice, but it worked for me (even though I was making it hand sewn, not by machine): Just try and find a pattern you like, with clear instructions, and follow it. There are hundreds of patterns on the internet. And remember, read the instructions first, or you will end up like me, with a scalemate that has one weird looking foot. OH, if you don't feel like embroidering eyes, buttons always give plushes a very cute finish.

I also am learning (or attempting to learn) to sew. I agree with all the advice I've seen. Learn the machine and figure out the stitches and tension adjustments first, which is something I'm currently working in still. And start with simple projects.

I have an apron that I wanted to do as a first project, but the instructions aren't the greatest, so it's becoming more of a chore. But something simple like what innamoramento suggested should be perfect to start with! (And are things I might switch to.)

Also, don't be afraid to ask people. For example, if you go to a fabric store for supplies, ask the sales associates and even other customers that are buying fabric if they have any advice or tips that would be useful for anyone starting to learn to sew. There are always people who can share tips and tricks and also suggest easy projects. Or even just be encouraging.

I took sewing in school. Teacher started us out with paper. Just to get the hang of sewing in a straight line. (we did not even use thread.) Then we moved on to learning to thread the machine, then the bobbin, then we learned how to back stitch on a scrap piece of fabric. Then we made square pin cushions. Then we moved up to square pillows but to close the pillow after stuffing it we did it by hand sewing using the invisible stitch.

We never actually had a specific sewing class in school. We had "home ec", which was a class that only lasted 1/3 of the school year (then 1/3 was wood shop and 1/3 was art) and that 1/3 was divided into a few different parts. One was cooking, one was sewing, and one was I think interior design...(I remember assembling rooms on a sort of transparency cling that was scanned so we could practice room design and color schemes.) So, for sewing, we really only got as far as sewing lines on scraps of fabric. But I have a vague recollection of sewing on paper like that. I was awful at it, but it didn't seem to matter, since we all moved on, regardless of how we were doing because there just wasn't time to focus on one lesson for too long. But that was maybe 15 years ago, so I don't really remember much from it. It would be an okay way to probably get back into sewing, but I don't like the idea of wasting all that fabric just to practice lines and back-stitching really.

well the pin cushion would be a great starting project. Since it is something you can use. It can hold your pins and your needle for hand sewing. We used cotton to stuff our pin cushions and pillows. We hand sewed both of them shut using the invisible stitch.

Im learning how to sew too :D Ive been making hearts stuffed with catnip for my local shelter out of two sets of old curtains!

good luck; I had the toughest time ever getting anything to come out right. always had fun tho

If you don't want to waste fabric then square pincushions are a good bet. My first solo sewing projects were a cat ear hat and a set of curtains for a small window in my grandma's basement (though I had a lot of help with the second and did the first by hand, they're useful and straight lined).

I can't find the tutorial I used for the hat since it was a decade ago, but it was super easy-- I could make you a new tutorial from memory if you're interested. This is a picture of it, the messy stitching and hem are what I thought looked cool in middle school. But it's really easy because it's all just one piece of fabric with minimal measuring and cutting.

I wanna learn to sew, too, because I wanna be able to make my own cosplays instead of having to rely on cosplay sites and having to shell out loads of money for something that could be done in a month. xD

Woo, so just as an update from my last time posting in here, I finally finished the apron I had started. As much as I like the idea with making a pincushion, I already own one, so I don't really need to make one. Instead of starting small, I've kind of just been diving into making things and have also made a "simple" circle skirt (which I massively screwed up the waistband on because it is actually not so simple), and have started making plans to make a dress with some inverted box pleats with underlay using a few different shark themed fabrics. But I am using a ton of videos to help me figure out exactly how to make the pattern and assemble everything so, hopefully, with some patience I can get it done. It actually doesn't sound super hard, just a lot of measuring and cutting fabric at the start. And also making the pattern for the bodice could be tricky, but manageable. Tbh, I'm kind of improvising a lot since I could barely find any instructions on the pleats with underlay/ 2 color pleats and the few videos I could find were for skirts only, not dresses.

oh, congrats on finishing the apron! I wanted to link you to the first one i made, using one i already owned XD Well, i'll link you anyways, on my blog, lol sometimes working with plaid or gingham fabric can be easy, to follow straight lines. My fabric here was STIFF >.> and wouldn't stay unpinned. It's a cheap polyester most likely (fabric was given to me, and i didn't do the fire test, nor that i need to). I don't dare to iron it -nor does it need ironing otherwise.
Any natural fabric would have been a better choice for a beginner. But since i'm wearing it while doing kitchen related tasks, i wanted a fabric that is easy to wash, and hopefully wouldn't stain? the colors will hide the stains too, so i'm pretty happy :) The colors are neon in real life XD

Thanks! I skipped the adding of a pocket because it seemed a bit too complicated (but if possible, may attempt to add one later after watching a few videos to clarify things some), but I still like how it turned out, even though I sewed one of the ties on upside down, so it's a little wonky where it attaches to the main part. Here it is if you're curious And it's just a half apron, not a full one, which I thought would be easier, but probably wasn't. XD

Oooh, yours is pretty cute! The colors aren't personally my fave, but they're pretty nice.

I learned that's called a pinny o.o hehe yours is lovely! <3 i really like the color combination <3 i really like purple! Seeing that you used 2 fabrics on yours, i understand why it was more complicated to make. And even adding a ruffle around it will complicate things. The pocket is pretty easy to add, in my opinion: just cut a rectangle out of the desired fabric, fold in the edges and press them. fold over one of the edges again and top stitch it. Place this piece onto the pinny/apron, pin it in place and top stitch. Make sure that the edge with a hem (the one you folded over twice) is at the top.

The colors on my apron aren't my favorite either: they're TOO loud/strong, and neon! -.- but somehow they match various other stuff i have in the kitchen o.o Fiancee says they like the apron and that i'm cute when wearing it XD My apron also has wonky parts: one of them is where the ties connect to it.. I didn't have enough fabric to make a single ribbon. and i didn't think to piece a ribbon together to make it long enough. The pocket is also not centered XD Meh, who cares? it's the first one and it does it's job XD

while i can't be much help for machine sewing (i'm still trying to get over my own fear of messing mine up, lol) rather than starting with a pattern or making something from scratch, i think a relatively simple first step would be learning to do alterations/simple diy projects.

when i first started learning to hand sew, i started with things like closing holes in my leggings, hemming pants, and other small quick fixes like that. i would also take old t-shirts i rarely wore (so that if i messed them up in the process i wouldn't be too broken up about it) and would cut and finish the armholes and neckline to make tank tops since the reason i stopped wearing most of them was most commonly dislike/discomfort regarding the sleeves and their texture.

other simple-ish alterations are things like adding grommet/eyelet tape to shirts for corset lacing, either functional or as detailing, adding inserts or gores, or adding lace to hems. all of these have the added ease of being mainly straight lines (or very gradual curves), both so you can tell where your seams might be wonky and so there's minimal fiddling with it.

the things i made when i was first learning how to sew were a rolley bag for knitting needles, a drawstring bag, a pillowcase, and then a quilt! the last one might be a bit of an undertaking but my whole family quilts so i wasnt doing it on my own....

i think its fun to just take a scrap piece of fabric and get used to all your machines settings before you start.... theres also so many good and easy patterns for beginners for free online!! i bet your local library also has vintage patterns if youre into that kind of thing!

One of the first things I did in my sewing class a few years ago was follow lines along a paper with the machine! You could also use a small piece of fabric to test out different types of stitches! You could draw various designs on a paper and follow them.

making bodice patterns is difficult for a novice, but once you've figured out your skirt, you can attach it to a bodice made from a pattern you bought.