Tips for sewing beginners

Are you a dressmaking newbie? Do you know someone who’s just started out their stitching adventure? You’re in the right place! Here at Simplicity, we like to think that lots of people made New Year’s Resolutions to start a sewing hobby. But getting going can feel daunting at first – which is why we wrote this handy blog post, filled with tips for sewing beginners! Read on to find out more.

Prepare!

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail! Our first tip is to take your measurements each time you start out on a sewing project, to make sure that your sizes haven’t altered. Doing this can avoid a real headache further down the road. Another thing to bear in mind is that being a size 8 on the high street isn’t the same as a size 8 in the world of sewing – so always remember to choose your pattern size by your measurements, rather than the number listed.

Plan!

Writing down everything you will need beforehand will help you get organised. Make sure you’ve got all the essentials; fabric scissors, a tape measure, thread, pins etc. Every Simplicity pattern comes with a sewing pattern guide, which has helpful instructions when it comes to measuring and getting started – make sure it’s stress-free by planning first!

Pick wisely

When it comes to your first sewing machine, rushing into making a decision is the worst thing you could do! Be sure to choose a reputable brand – this means that sourcing any spare parts should be easy! If your wallet can stretch to it, a computerised model is great for beginners – with automatic settings for length and width to suit the stitch you choose, it’s a great helping hand to those starting out.