Learn to sew over the xmas break – top tips/sites to get you started

I am fairly sure that I have dropped enough hints to guarantee me one of the sweet John Lewis sewing machines previously featured on Mumzine recenty and I am hoping to spend some of the break teaching myself a few new tricks.

Learning to sew is a simple way to breathe new life into old clothes. It’s also a great opportunity to tap into your creative side, whilst learning a practical and money-saving skill. And it’s a more eco-friendly and ethical option than buying high street fashion.

I have been amazed to discover how much is out there on the WWW to get a total beginner started.

There are plenty of online sewing communities and websites selling interesting, quirky materials. Craftster, is an online community for offbeat craft projects that has detailed tutorials on everything from making a prom dress from scratch to transforming a pillowcase into a ra-ra skirt.

And sites such as bootyvintage.etsy.com, borntoolatevintage.com and misshelene.com specialise in selling lovely vintage sewing patterns.
Reprodepot.com offers vintage reproduction and retro fabric, plus hard-to-find Japanese import fabrics. They also stock unusual buttons, iron-on patches, and pretty ribbon and sewing patterns.

Or for tips on hand sewing and the four essential stitches, check out Start Sewing’s Basic Sewing by Hand guide.

If you’re thinking about learning the tricks of the sewing machine, check out StartSewing’s step-by-step, instructional videos for a complete beginner’s guide.

If you feel like you are a bit more of a hands on learner you could try an evening class to guide you through the basic sewing skills. Several local authorities offer classes for beginners and intermediates. Visit your authority’s website for more information.

You’ll need some basic equipment to get you started: thread, tape measure, tailor’s chalk, dressmaking pins and a few hand-sewing needles. Beginner’s sewing kits are available online and on the high street.

If you don’t end up with a sparkling sewing maching for xmas and are feeling a bit broke you can pick one up on freecycle or eBay, buy thread in charity shops and try car-boot sales for any other equipment

Alternatively if you can’t be bothered to do any of that yourself or you have something particularly tricky you could call in green fashion label Junky Styling who promise to give their customers’ old, worn out clothes a complete transformation.

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