Is it hard To Learn How to Sew? How Long Will it Take?

Question

I don't even know how to sew a pillow case, I have never done it but I want to be able to sew myself shirts and clothes and dresses and EVERYTHING reallhy! Is it hard to learn? How long will it take to get from no experience to professional :)

Answer 1

The fastest I've ever seen someone able to get to professionally-made-looking clothes was about 2 months. But he was working at it at least 50 hours a week, and working with a limited subset of fabrics. A more realistic goal is a project a week for 6 months, at least for most people.



Is it hard? Not especially, but you do have to pay attention to a lot of details like grainlines in order to make things look as good as readymade. (See. e.g.: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20946606 http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20946722 http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20946740 ) and learn to use a sewing machine properly (here are some ways newbies have trouble: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22521551) You have to learn how to match pattern to fabric, and how to cut accurately and sew accurately. See, e.g.: http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/the-7-minute-cutting-test/ http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/tracing_and_marking/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXlvc8BKJu8 (pay attention when he talks about "apprentices" -- this guy is a Saville Row tailor). And you have to know how to find or make or correct patterns. And yes, a good teacher can make it all much, much easier.



How long does it take? I've been machine sewing since I was 5, so more than 50 years. I make almost all my family's clothes except socks. I make custom patterns for hard to fit people. I do a little teaching. And I'm still learning about sewing after all these years --- that's part of what makes it an interesting hobby for me -- there's always something new to learn if I want a challenge, and if I don't, there's always something easy to sew around that needs doing (in about 10 minutes, I'm going to make a new cover for a ham radio linear ampllfier, and do the buttonholes on three pairs of pants I made the other day.)



It's a skill set like any other -- like swimming, like reading, like driving a car. Some folks pick it up faster than others. Some folks seem to have a natural knack, and others don't. Some folks are willing to put in the time to get good at it, and some folks are happy with sewing buttons back on their shirts. It's all in what you want to do and what you are willing to do to make that happen.

Answer 2

It's really simple, all you need is a sewing machine and any book about how to sew. Sewing is pretty much just a step-by-step process. It takes like 30 minutes to learn enough simple sewing techniques to be able to sew patterns and stuff, though it takes longer to get comfortable with the machine and learn more advanced skills.

Answer 3

how long will depend on how fast you pick up on it and how good you are at it. and where and who you learn from.



Taking a class is the way to go. but there are plenty of books to be found at the public library.



there is much to learn. How to sew on a sewing machine, about fabrics, how to read a pattern, lay out a pattern



Start with just sewing fabric on a machine. how to sew a straight seam and press it open. a pillow case is a good start. then get a very easy pattern for PJ bottoms.

It is going to be more than a month before you can start sewing garments. You need to know how to put in a waistband, sleeve, zipper, interfacing, facing, collar



Just getting to the point where you can read a pattern and put in elastic for PJ is very good start

Answer 4

It is not difficult to learn. There are a few basic things to learn, and then you can work your way up to something more difficult.

Rivers always says, LOL, that if she can learn to do something, everyone can learn it.



Learn to thread your sewing machine. Learn to sew on a button by hand, and put in a hem by hand. Also learn to whipstitch something.



Sew right sides together, except when instructed to do otherwise.



Learn how to use a pattern. In the US, a seam is 5/8 inch. Sorry, don't know what a Canadian pattern uses. Cut it out of the paper thatit comes in, lay it out on the fabric like the pictures say to, and learn to cut it out with all of the < type markings.

And read the back of a pattern. It will tell you everything that you need to buy to make something.



Start simple, a pillow case or a stuffed pillow is great to start on. You will learn how to sew something together, how to hem something, how to whipstictch, how to use a pattern. and how to stuff something.



I started with a sleeveless dress with princess seams. I learned how to "face" a collar and armholes, and make big long darts.



I have several sewing books, some simple, some difficult, that I love and use. "Vogue Sewing", the "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework"[this onet eaches hand needlework too] are two. And My Mom gave me one where at the time, you bought a custom loose leaf folder, then bought the lessons one by one.



I took sewing at school. My Mom taught me some basics, but she was not capable of teaching anything to anybody. I took 2 semesters, and learned some. The big project was to line a wool dress.



things to avoid when first learning. It takes special skills to put in a zipper, make a pleat, sew in a bustier, or to line something. Wait until you are proficcieant at basic sewing, the try a zipper.

Go find a project that does not have shiney slippery fabric, I recommend something out of polyester-cotton, it is easy to sew, and will not spend most of the time on the floor because it slid off.

Avoid doll clothes at first, they can be very difficult.



and with everything, you will learn at your own rate. You will quickly learn if you are competant, like Rivers, or if you have a special talent.



Go look through a pattern book at the fabric store, or on line, to see what is possible.

Choose your first projects from the section that has the words simple or easy in them. LOL, stay away from Vogue patterns at first, too. Very stylish, and very complicated.

Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's, Vogue, and there are others.



River's next project are curtains for the basement casement windows. Should be simple, if I could just get going on it.

pS, I made aprons for my friends last Xmas. One had a Xmas print, one matched her kitchen.

Answer 5

Way too much information for just a quick answer here. I love to sew, and would absolutely enjoy helping you in any possible way. If we can do a private message, I'd be happy to trade contact info. The desire to sew is the biggest step in the whole process. After that, it's all downhill! :)

Answer 6

a month

i know it would take a month

because my aunt was also learning

it is not so hard because she taught me tooooo.

go to youtube and find some help