I'm asking this here because I know we've got some sewers, and I'm just wanting to pick your brains a little (Diane and Carol, and anyone else!).

I'm wanting to work on my sewing skills a bit, haven't really done it since Home Ec. class. I have a VERY old sewing machine that I'm going to try to get working, and have another I could borrow otherwise. I'm wanting to do VERY simple pieces of clothing, t-shirts, shorts, pull on pants for my four year old, me and my husband. What's the best patterns for a beginner to get? Can I get them anywhere for free that you know of?

Thanks ya'll! :)

Beth

If I were just starting out and wanted very simple patterns I would probably buy something like Kwik Sew. When my children were small I used Stretch and Sew patterns because they had many sizes on one pattern and I could just trace the size I needed at the time, and years later use the same pattern just by tracing another size onto tracing paper. They are still in business but don't have a lot of childrens clothing to choose from anymore. That doesn't concern me much since I have 3 filing cabinet drawers filled with them. (grin)

A few years ago when I starting making children's clothing for a project, I bought one pattern at WalMart that had many sizes on it and I made a pattern for each size from it and made it more or less permanent. I buy pattern paper, but on small pieces, you can just lay wax paper over them and trace the size you want. In my case, it needed to be really tough so I have my patterns backed with a cloth interfacing, but that is because I use them over and over. For example, since the first of the year, I have made 6 tee shirts, 8 long sleeved pajama tops, 2 dresses, 5 tops for t-shirt dresses that other people are putting the skirts on, and I have 9 dresses mostly made that I will finish this week. So you see why I need durable patterns. LOL The t-shirt pattern I am using I have probably had for 40 years. If you just buy basic things, you can keep them for years and they don't change that much.

The WM pattern I bought was for girls, but it had shorts, pants, shirt, a skirt and vest, on one pattern if I remember right and it had several sizes in one envelope. Some people cut out what they want and ruin the pattern, but I make copies if I think I will use it several times. If you look carefully at patterns, you will find one with several items on it.

Above all, start simple. Don't get discouraged and each item will get better as your skills improve. Good equipment is necessary or you will just get upset.

I wish you lived close to me and I could help you get started. When I started this project with my church group, I taught a t-shirt construction project and I had 17 women attend. I had my serger set up in the middle of the room and had a shirt cut out. As I did each thing, I showed them how I was holding the fabric and where I was going to serge, and I just kept talking as I worked. Eyes popped and mouths fell open when I held up a t-shirt that was complete except for hemming in less than 15 minutes. My husband timed me one night and it was taking me 11 minutes to do one.

If I were you, I would start with a t-shirt with set in sleeves (not raglan) and a round ribbed neck line. You can do it all on a sewing machine, but it will be slower and the inside will not look as finished. Knit doesn't ravel, so you don't really have to finish seams. The same is true for sweatshirt fabric and fleece. With fleece you may need to make one size larger. Stretch of fabric always goes around the body, so remember that when you are laying out your pattern.

I could send you a t-shirt pattern in a size 4 if you want that, but it would just be cut from pattern material. I could also include instructions for construction. If you buy a pattern instead, try to get one that has several neck styles and has both long and short sleeves. You will use it over and over and over.

It is not my intent to scare you off of raglan sleeves, but although you are sewing straight lines, you are working with cuts that are on the bias. Later you can do that along with a V-neckline, but to start with I would do a set in sleeve. One more thing -- believe nothing that you remember learning from HomeEc. LOL

PS - I don't sew this much all of the time, but we have done about 400 pieces in the past four years, so I think we do enough to help a lot of children. I sew a lot, then take a break for a few weeks, then start again.

Walmart has a lot of patterns that are combinations of many different items. I have one pattern that is a T-shirt, loose pants with elastic in the waist, shorts, and maybe a vest. I think this would be a really easy pattern for a beginner. The less pieces to each garment, the better. I think the pants in this particular pattern has only the center seam, but I could be wrong.

Get the pattern, open it up and follow the instructions step by step, even the layout. Be sure to lay the pieces on the fabric straight with the grain or across it, whichever way the instructions say. It makes a big difference in the fit.

One thing I always do different than the pattern instructions is the sewn-in sleeves. Maybe they have changed the pattern instructions by now, I haven't read instructions for years. I had noticed that in clothing you buy, the sleeve is sewn onto the shirt after the shoulder seams are sewn together but before the side seams are. Then after the sleeve is on, you can start at the end of the sleeve, sew all the way to the armpit and then on down the side of the shirt. It is much, MUCH quicker and easier than trying to fit the sleeve into a hole.

If you have an old machine and you are going to sew with knit, you need to be aware that you'll need a needle on the machine made for knits. Some needles cut through the knit and it will tear there after it's been worn a few times. When sewing knits on a regular sewing machine, I always stretch the fabric a little as I sew, which prevents ripping the seam when the garment is worn.

There are lots of little tricks that you will learn as you go along. You are wise to start with something simple. There used to be a "Sewing With Nancy" program on the educational station. I don't know if there's anything on it now or not. But I just looked at her website and she had gotten too advanced for beginners. I did an Amazon search and came up with what looks like some good books. You might be able to check some out at the library.

Something I have done before is I have taken apart something that is old but that fits well. This can get kind of tricky if seams have been trimmed but you can cut where the garment has been sewn together and then add your own 5/8" seam allowance. I use newspaper for pattern paper. If you have a local newspaper plant, sometimes you can get roll-ends of unprinted paper from them and it makes great pattern paper. Although, if it's a pattern that I want to use over and over again, I do like Carol does and make it out of something more durable.

I've had a serger before but I just prefer to use my sewing machine. I do make a double seam, about 1/8" apart, for strength, and if it's knit, I make that seam closest to the edge with small zig-zag. (but not so small it looks like satin stitch!) Enough to give it some stretch.

You could also strike up a conversation with the person behind the counter where you buy your fabric. They can sometimes be a wealth of information.

Good luck to you, you never know what you can do till you try!

I used to sew for my kids when they were young so here are a few tips I used. Check the remnent* bend (pieces of fabric rolled together) you may find enough fabric there for your 4 year old to make a shirt or shorts for half the price it would cost you to have it cut off the bolt.

Also, if you have a old pair of shorts for any of you that fit you well, how about clipping the threads and using that for your pattern. Add a quarter inch all the way around the pattern for seam allowance and clip any curves about a quarter inch from the seam you made.

I loved sewing for my kids. It can be a very rewarding experience and a great hobby.

Hope this was helpful.
Teresa

Soonergrandmom, I got a serger not to long ago so I'm wondering when your having a Oklahoma Gardening Forum Serger Workshop......lol. I really have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to a serger.

Ilene in neok, I just started doing my sleeves like that when I saw a pattern with those instructions for the sleeves I thought that was great. I have just seen that one pattern with those instructions so far.

Jeana

When constructing a t-shirt, I sew the shoulder seams first, then put in the neckline ribbing, then the sleeves. At that point I start at the BOTTOM of the shirt and sew to the the end of the sleeve. It isn't easy to find good knit for t-ehirts where I live, and especially ribbing.

Since I don't live near a fabric shop, the only patterns I ever see are at Walmart. This town has quilting shops but no fabric shops. The closest one to me is in Joplin and it is JA's and I have had bad luck with their fabric. I buy something at the hobby store in Joplin on occasion, but they are expensive. Like Jeana, I have too much fabric, and love most of it. LOL At the moment I have even more because I have things that were donated to me for this project.

If you are happy with a pants pattern like the one Ilene discribed above then maybe you just want a scrubs pattern, but a pattern with no side seam will not fit as well and the overall look will make you look heavier than pants with a side seam. I kind of ignored the adult part of you question and was talking about childrens clothes.

What Ilene said about the grain line is exactly right and a pattern that is not cut out right will never hang right. I am such a stickler about grain line, that if there is any doubt that I have it on the grain, I measure from the edge of the fabric to the grain line on both ends of the line to make sure that it is straight. This is especially critical in long items like pant legs.

It is hard to give just general directions for sewing, but will be much easier when we are talking about just one pattern.

I was also going to recommend KwikSew. I have a few of their books. They have basic patterns in MANY sizes in the back and it takes you through a boatload of variations for each. You can make an entire wardrobe for several years from just one book. The books also have great instructions for beginning sewing.

These days, I don't use patterns much, I just mostly wing it. I do use some but modify them as I go. If I come up with a design I like, I trace it onto PatternEase (can get at Joann's or Hancock's, etc) or thin, white landscape fabric I find at Home Depot -- or even cheap muslin (starched to better hold its shape). I also use freezer paper for smaller patterns because it's so easy to work with.

There are a ton of free patterns and tutorials on the internet. I'll try to gather some links for you this week -- but please remind me if I forget to post them. I've been wanting to do that anyway for another couple of gals beginning to dabble in sewing. So, now that I've said it out loud, I'll get it done, right? LOL

I do still have a few storebought patterns that I'll sort through and either mail to you or bring to the swap if you'll be attending.

And old machines are the BEST! What model and how old?

Carol,
I might just move to Oklahoma to be nearer to you, lol! I'm sending you an email, having that one pattern would be a good start for me. I've done searches for free patterns, and haven't came up with much on the clothing front. I've got some apron patterns that I'm going to start out on, tho... I can use old clothes and practice that way.

Really, ANYTHING ya'll tell me will be of help, I'm such a novice! Last thing I sewed succesfully was an a-line skirt in 7th grade. :)

My WalMart took out their fabric dept. too, (WHAAA!!!). But I have a small fabric store about a block from my house. Will be going there tomorow to see what they have to offer. I have been thinking about making patterns out of older clothing too, so that'll be another way to do this.

Diane,
Lay some links on me! If you've got some basic patterns to share, I'm up for that too! Check out my page and see if there's anything you'd like to trade for, okay?

I'm not sure about the old machine, think it's an old Singer from the 70's... LOL! My husband has gone right now to get me the newer sewing machine tho. I DO have access to a serger, that my mil bought and never did anything with... but that thing looks super complicated to me!
I'll post more about the machine I have once it gets here, and what I can get at the fabric store too. If it's not a good store, I might have to make a trip to Jonesboro to get supplies.

Thanks ya'll! Just talking about it this little bit has helped me get motivated! :)

Beth

Maybe you guys have given me some inspiration to dig out my stuff again. I really miss sewing. In my old house, I even had a sewing room, but alas...when I married & moved...that just never got to be a priority. Also, Beth, check out Ilene's blog. She'd made the coolest quilt out of old jeans! It's a simple pattern and might give you some ideas! It's not finished yet, but she's keeping us posted!

Paula

A but more topstitching and I'll be done with today's sewing project -- a quilted tote bag out of pants. I completely winged it and am loving how it's turned out.

(Yes, I am as addicted to sewing as I am to gardening.)

Diane

I thought I set it to where people's blog updates came to me automatically, but I guess I flubbed that, lol! Not surprising. I need to fix that, and MY blog.

I finally got a very good look at older sewing machine I had from my husband's great aunt. It's a Necchi model 521... not even close to Singer! LOL! I'm going to clean it up and give her a whirl in the morning, maybe start on one of those aprons. I looked up the manual and the cheapest I could get it would be 20 bucks! I can't do that, I have Sluggo Plus to buy!

This is fun! Something to pass the time untill I can start seeds! I've even grabbed up an old crochet project, lol! :)

Beth

*drool*

*pant*

I owned a Necchi Lydia 3 a few years ago but had to sell it along with an Elna I had. *pout* I love my vurrent machines but, boy, do I ever miss my Necchi & Elna.

If I remember, I'll try to see if I can find you a cheaer (or free) manual.

Diane

I can sew but I haven't done it in years and years.

I have two sewing machines....a fairly modern one bought in the 1980s when I was busy making young mom type things like kids' Halloween costumes and home decor type stuff. My favorite sewing machine, though, is a beautiful old Singer treadle machine in a wooden cabinet with a very fancy (and hard to dust) wooden cabinet. It is hard to dust because of all the wood carving type stuff on the drawers. I've had it since I was 16 and even made the bridesmaid's dresses for my wedding on it when Tim and I got married.

I cannot find time to sew or crochet or cross-stitch any more. I can start projects, but I never seem to finish them. Since we got involved with the volunteer fire dept., that's where my spare time goes (whatever time I don't spend gardening).

Dawn

But, about the sleeve thing. I have put my sleeves in before sewing the side seam for years and never had a problem with the fit or with the effort. If you will notice, there are little dots on the sleeve pattern and on the pattern bodice front and back. The dots are supposed to be lined up. I put a double row of basting stitches on the cap of the sleeve, between these two dots. One row is inside the 5/8" sewing line and the other is outside it. (After the sleeve is sewn in these basting stitches are pulled out) I pull the end strings to help make the sleeve the right size to ease into the space between the dots on the bodice pattern, and this makes the easing process easier (Heh.). You will notice there is very little easing that is done around the armpit area because, well, too much of that would just look funny. Any easing that needs to be done there can be accomplished by pinning and stretching just a tiny bit while sewing between the pins. Every blouse that I have purchased has been constructed in just this way. There are some articles of clothing that you can't do that with, and that's like on some patterns I have used when I made lined suit jackets, where the sleeve is made of two pieces. I do fit those into the hole. But otherwise I just see no difference in the results at all and it's quicker.

I can only say to people, if in doubt, try it both ways and if you really think there is a difference by all means do it whatever way you like best. It won't hurt my feelings in the least if you choose not to follow any of my advice. It's just that advice was asked for and this is mine. :)

Pants or shorts with elastic in the waist is easy. You just make the "tunnel" that the elastic is to go into, leave a space unsewn in the back, thread the elastic into the "tunnel", sew the ends together and tuck it in. Slip the pants on and adjust the elastic where you want it. Pin this on the side seams (and front and back, too, if you want. Then take the garment off and sew in the ditch of the seam, over the elastic, at these spots. Your elastic will stay in place and not roll. You can sew up the spot you left open in the back when you're done. I know there are more professional and probably better ways to do this, but I have had a lot of trouble with the elastic losing some of it's elasticity when it's sewn down, even with a zigzag. For children's and adults casual clothes that you want to get done and in use in a hurry, this is a quick and easy way to do it. Plus it's easier to repurpose the elastic when the garment has served it's purpose.

I don't do very much sewing any more because I find it's just cheaper to buy ready-made clothing at garage sales. But I still do sew from time to time if there's something in particular I have in mind, or if I'm repurposing something, or if I'm making something for a gift. But in my younger days, I made all my clothes and all the clothes my family wore, including winter coats, men's zippered pants and suit-jackets.

Jacksonmom,
Thank you for that link! There's alot of information on there that I can use! Carol, your link is in the page that she linked, too. I've got a bunch of Chance's old t-shirts I can try that project on.

Ilene,
I'm copying all this informatin to refer to when I need it, you made the elastic sound easy to do! I'm a big lover of elastic waists. :) I usually do garage sales and shop at a consignment shop, but it's HARD to find stuff for Little Bryan! I think there's alot of boys his age in my area, it's hard to find good clothes.

Dawn,
Your schedule is so full I don't see how you have time to breathe! I do have trouble finishing my crochet projects. But they don't go nowhere, so I just pick them up again. I've been working on a yo yo type blanket for YEARS, for my mom. It's got little bits of yarn my grandmother left me after she passed away, so it's a special thing I won't give up on... LOL! Right now I'm working on making some bags out of... bags. Plastic bags from the grocery store! It's a cheap, fun project that goes very quickly... which I like!

Now I'm also wondering what all videos I can find on YouTube on sewing! I never think to look on there... must research more!

Beth

I have some pj material that I have wanted to make pj's out of. I've had it for several years and wanted to make my dtrs and I matching ones. I thought that would be cute, maybe too corny! lol. Anyway, I have sewn previously and just do it on occasion. However, I would like to get more into it. I've patched my hubby's jeans and hemmed the bottom of my son's pants for a wedding (he was only 5!). I also made curtains one time for my grandmother's house that we lived in (12 to be exact).

Last summer my kids and I were on our way home and saw an estate sale. We decided to stop since the sign said, "everything must go, make an offer!!". So, we walked in and you mainly just had to rummage around and look at stuff then make an offer. I looked in a closed and my eyes were exfixiated when I saw the word "BERNINA"!! I immediately grabbed it and while I was looking at it these 2 other women came in and were looking over my shoulder at it. I was like, "back off!!" lol. So, the guy came in and I asked him if he would take $10 for it. Yes, you heard me, $10. He looked at me and my 9 yr old dtr and asked if I was a seamstress. I told him I've sewn but am no seamstress. I also proceeded to tell him that we homeschool and that my dtr has been begging me to teach her to sew. He said he would take the $10 and then he gave my dtr another sewing machine!!! This one was an older model Montgomery Ward. Also, the Bernina came with a ton of different feet and the sewing box and so much other stuff!!! OMG, I was in shock. There was even a book that his mother had made with an example of every type of stitch and instructions. It is very detailed. As I was looking thru the book, I came across a receipt in which the mother had paid $1900 for just the Bernina!! That doesn't include the almost 20 different feet and tons of thread and misc stuff!!!

It is a Bernina Virtuosa 150 Quilter's Edition. I immediately got on the phone after driving off and called my Gma. I explained to her that I just got the "deal of the century!"

Anyway, haven't really gotten in to using it yet. But, my daughter and I did just make a neck pillow for my other Gma. I drew the outline on the material, she cut it out and we both sewed it. We used the montgomery ward machine. It runs so nicely. It has a button on it that I can adjust the speed. I like it.

Do not give up on the Necchi! They older ones so easy to fix compared to the newer machines. That's one of the reasons I loved my Necchi so much.

Mspriggs, what an incredible deal!! I would have fainted on the spot from the excitement of it all. LOL

Diane

I also did a "redo" on my blog, opening up one one WordPress, will link it. If you have any advice on how to work a WordPress blog, I'd take it! LOL!

OH, and I'm not giving up on the Necchi, don't worry about that! Just gotta get tha hubby to finally bring that other sewing machine over! It was his birthday yesterday, so we got sidetracked.

Thanks again everyone! I'll post about my sewing projects on the blog. :)

Beth

Diane

You also might try your local sewing shops (not Joann's) that repair machines. They're usually pretty great about helping out and many even have classes.

Diane

I'm still working on getting a working sewing machine... LOL! The two old ones I have need work, and I'm thinking it'd be better to spend the money on a newer model. I found a REALLY basic model for 55 bucks, think that's going to be my birthday present. :) AND I've got a beginners sewing book ordered that has basic clothing patterns in it, can't wait to get that in!

I'm still gonna sew, just taking me awhile to get going! :)

Beth

Suzie

Wish you lived closer so I could loan you a machine or two of mine until you're up and running.

What book did you get? One of the KwikSew ones?

Diane

Diane and Suzie,
WELL... OKAY. I'll look around for a used one. My birthday is in July, so I've got some time to look around before I TRULY decide what to do. Somehow the thought of a new machine with a bit of a warranty still sounds appealing to me tho, lol! I'll also go to our one and only fabric store and talk to the lady who runs it. Maybe I could get the Necci running well for te same amount or less than buying a new one.

Diane,
It's not a Kwik Sew book, durn it. I did one of those book club things, and finally finished out the contract. That gave me three books for free and this is one of them. Looks to be a good book tho! Simple shapes on the clothes. I ordered a book on sewing home decor items and one with a bunch of embroidery designs too... so I'll be busy once I get up and running proper. :) YEAH... I wish I lived nearer to you too, lol!

Beth