Sewing

The path

1. 1
   Level 1Free

   Machine Basics

   A pillow cover, a lined tote and pajama pants

   15 Steps, about 40 minutes each. Total beginners with access to a sewing machine (borrowed is fine) who want to make and mend things.

   1. Chapter 1: Meet your machine. Your machine threaded, straight seams with a steady allowance, finished seams, a button sewn on, and a finished pillow cover.
   2. Chapter 2: A lined tote bag. A lined canvas tote with sturdy straps and boxed corners, made from cut pieces to finished bag.
   3. Chapter 3: Pajama pants. A pattern made from pants you own, and a pair of elastic-waist pajama pants that fit you.

   1. 1
      Thread and sew a line

      Your machine threaded with a wound bobbin, and three straight lines sewn on scrap fabric.

      Threading a sewing machine and winding a bobbin are the first skills every sewist learns. A machine sews by looping two threads together: the top thread from the spool, and the bottom thread from the bobbin underneath.

      Every machine is threaded in a similar order, usually marked with numbers on the machine: spool, thread guides, tension discs, take-up lever, then the needle.

      The detail beginners miss is raising the presser foot while threading. With the foot down, the tension discs are closed, and the thread doesn't seat between them. That causes loops and tangles under the fabric.

      Here's an example. Machine turned off. A new universal needle put in, flat side to the back. Bobbin wound following the numbered path. Presser foot raised. Top thread threaded following the numbers, through the needle front to back. Bobbin inserted. Hand wheel turned toward you to pull up the bobbin thread. Three straight lines sewn on scrap fabric, slowly.

      Right is a threaded machine and three straight lines on scrap. Turn the machine off when changing needles or threading. Keep fingers away from the needle while sewing, and guide fabric with your hands to either side of the foot.

      Designs By SimiAll About Fabrics
      Show your group
   2. 2
      Seams and corners

      Practice seams sewn at an even 1/2 inch allowance, with backstitching and a pivoted corner.

      Doina Alexei
   3. 3
      Press and finish seams

      Your practice seams pressed open and their raw edges finished with a zigzag stitch.

      Tilly and the Buttons

   See all 15 Steps

   1. 4
      Sew on a button

      A button sewn on by hand with a thread shank, firm enough to use.

      Tilly and the Buttons
   2. 5
      Envelope pillow cover

      A finished envelope pillow cover that fits a pillow insert, with hemmed, overlapping back flaps.

      The Crafting Nook
      Show your group
   3. 6
      Prep and cut the tote

      Canvas and lining fabric pre-washed, pressed and cut on grain into the tote pieces.

      Seamwork
   4. 7
      Make the straps

      Two sturdy straps folded and topstitched on both edges.

      Tote Bag Factory
   5. 8
      Sew the outer bag

      The canvas outer bag sewn with boxed corners so it stands up.

      Rokolee DIYSew4Home
   6. 9
      Sew the lining

      The lining sewn the same way, with a gap left in the bottom for turning.

      Creative Simple Living
   7. 10
      Assemble the tote

      Straps attached, lining sewn in, bag turned and topstitched: a finished lined tote.

      Sew4Home
      Show your group
   8. 11
      Make your pants pattern

      A paper pattern for pajama pants, traced from a pair of loose pants you own, with seam allowances added.

      Swoodson Says
   9. 12
      Cut out the pants

      Two fronts and two backs cut from washed fabric, on grain, with notches marked.

      Make:
   10. 13
       Sew the legs together

       Both legs sewn, then joined at the crotch, with seams finished.

       Makers Gonna LearnSew4Home
   11. 14
       Elastic waistband

       A casing folded and sewn at the waist, with elastic threaded through and joined.

       Aina Sewing Patterns
   12. 15
       Hem and wear them

       Both legs hemmed to the right length and your pajama pants finished and worn.

       Madam Sew
       Show your group
2. Level 2Unlocks after Level 1

   Mending and Alterations

   Hemmed jeans, a taken-in shirt and a zipper fix

3. Level 3Unlocks after Level 2

   First Fitted Garment

   A button-up shirt from a pattern

Where it ends: clothes that fit you right

Free lessons in Machine Basics come from Designs By Simi, All About Fabrics, Doina Alexei, Tilly and the Buttons, The Crafting Nook, Seamwork, Make:, Tote Bag Factory, Rokolee DIY, Sew4Home, Creative Simple Living, Swoodson Says, Makers Gonna Learn, Aina Sewing Patterns, Madam Sew. We link to their work and never copy it.