How to start sewing? Is it that hard?

It seems that the fashion for sewing at home returned and more and more people began to be interested in tailoring. No wonder – this is a great way to relax and even earn money. Are good intentions enough to create works of art? The beginnings can be difficult, but a good machine and basic skills should be enough to start making your first uncomplicated sewing projects.

People who want to start sewing adventure face dilemmas – what machine to choose and where to learn the trade? Some are lucky that both the equipment and knowledge they inherit from their mother or grandmother. Many people, however, decide to start sewing “from scratch”. Then they need solid support in the form of a good machine. There are devices to choose from:

• mechanical – classic, easy to use and the cheapest on the market. Good for the beginning, when you take your first sewing steps,
• electronic – more advanced devices which are intuitive to operate and have many useful functions, e.g. memory for stitch sequences and letters. You can embroider inscriptions and personalize your work. Their work also does not require the use of rotation regulator.

In addition to sewing machines, people interested in sewing can choose:

• embroidery machines – used at home or in industry, perfect for embroidering pictures, logos or inscriptions on the material,
• overlocks – will not replace the sewing machine, but will be its perfect complement. They allow you to perfectly in one operation, precisely cut and align the edges of materials, and then join them with a strong 4 or 5 thread stitch.

Choosing utensils and fabrics

Talent and thrust of knowledge are not enough to become a good tailor. A very important ingredient is a good machine. We work with different materials. Some are difficult to sew. Therefore, we sew elastic materials, thin materials that have a tendency to pull or crease. With professional 3-, 4- or 5-thread overlock you will cope perfectly even with problematic material, because the machine has adjustment of differential transport, stitch length or cutting width (e.g. Pfaff Coverlock model 3.0). If you have a good quality machine, you will create more easily by choosing even difficult fabrics. Remember that sewing is also supposed to be a pleasure!

Similarly when buying accessories. Often the best ones shorten and facilitate the time of performing – a given action. Sewing in an elastic band or trimming the fabric will become easier. Pay attention to whether they are compatible with your machine.

Where to get the knowledge from?

In the past, knowledge about the secrets of tailoring was passed down from generation to generation. Today many talented people still rely on the secrets seen in the workshops of mothers or grandmothers. However, the widespread access to electronic media and popularization of tailoring make the Internet not lack of tutorials and online courses. This is usually the most convenient way to polish sewing technique in the comfort of your own home. Many Husqvarna and Pfaff machines have built-in tutorials. Just one touch and we can enjoy the lessons in the form of videos and graphics.

Equally helpful not only in the initial phase, but also in a more advanced one, may turn out to be intuitive sewing machines. Computerized, electric models such as Husqvarna Opal 690Q or Pfaff Expression 720 have a number of features that facilitate learning and polishing skills. Among them, for example, special sensors to help with sewing, exclusive sensor systems or automatic settings for the best stitch parameters.

Passion and pleasure

Acquiring knowledge is a pleasure, but only turning theory into practice allows to draw satisfaction from completed sewing projects. For many people sewing is a source of joy, and regular clatter of the machine – a soothing melody. Can you really relax while sewing? Of course, especially if you work on intelligent equipment with automatic thread cutter(PFAFF QUILT AMBITION 630) or built-in over a hundred stitches(PFAFF AMBITION 610). More and more contemporary machines are designed in such a way as to support tailor’s work, making it pleasant and effective.

Hobby or professional?

It is difficult to hide sewing talent from the world. Many people who began their adventure with sewing from passion, over time, turned it into a way of life. Usually, news about talented seamstress from the area spreads quickly, and she herself gets further orders. Sometimes these are only alterations, narrowing, repairing clothes, sewing zippers, sometimes larger orders related to sewing clothes. Depending on whether you intend to sew amateur or rather try to make money on your hobby, you need to match the type of machine.

For home use (at least at first), classic mechanical devices will suffice. With time, you will be able to swap a simple device for a high-end equipment that will open new horizons for you. The prices of electric and computerized machines are usually a bit higher. Such an investment is worthwhile, especially if you are thinking about sewing for a living, on a larger scale.