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Sewing 101 – Guide for beginners, like me…

Since I’m new to the whole sewing world, I put together a Sewing 101 – Guide for beginners, like me.

Sewing 101 for beginners like me. A sewing guide for beginners that includes a dictionary with pics, demonstrates how to install a zipper and lots in between. Great resource! #sewing #sewing101 #sewingguide #sewingtutorial #learntosew

I included everything I believe is essential to start sewing from a sewing dictionary, threading a machine, tools, fabric and easy sewing patterns.

Sit back and enjoy all these great sewing tips and tutorials.

This post also contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Sewing 101 – Guide for beginners, like me…

Sewing 101 - Sewing for beginners! A great guide for beginners!

Before we can actually start sewing, I believe it’s important to know all the necessary sewing terms.

Amber from Crazy Little Projects created an AMAZING Sewing Dictionary with Pictures.

Sewing 101

Now that we have a useful dictionary to refer to, we should probably get to know our sewing machines.

Sarah from Dwell on Joy created a wonderful Sewing Machine 101.
(I’m sorry, Dwell on Joy no longer has a website. I will look for another sewing machine guide to share with you.)

This guide is very useful, full of photos and explanations.  At the very end of the post she shares easy step by step sewing projects she created.

What’s really encouraging is that she was a beginner just like us when she created these posts.

Sewing 101

We now know our sewing machines better, now it’s time to thread them.  SCARY!!!

I know it seems scary, but once you know how and you have done it a few times, it’s really easy.

This video on how to thread your machine, is fabulous. YAY!

I found a great website called How To Sew from Better Homes and Gardens, they have a bunch of wonderful resources.

 You might want to surf around their website, there’s lots of resources available to you.

Sewing 101

Our sewing machines are threaded, now we need some tools to create some beautiful projects.

Pickup Some Creativity put together a Sewing 101 – Supply Must Haves.

They also have a GREAT Sewing 101 section, you should check it out.

Sewing 101

One of the tools that I’m nervous about using is the Rotary Cutter.  I actually already have one along with a self-healing cutting mat.

Purl Soho has a complete Rotary Cutting Tutorial section.  It’s quite amazing.

Sewing 101

We have our tools, we know how to use our rotary cutter… now we need some fabric.

A great place to get fabric is from Fabricworm.  Not only is the selection GREAT, the staff is AMAZINGLY helpful.

You’ll want to check our their blog, they often have sales worth checking out.

Sewing 101

Before we start to sew our new fabric, we might want to pre-wash it before we start.

Make It & Love It shows you how to pre-wash your fabric.

Make It & Love It is JAMMED PACKED full of helpful Sewing Tips.

I’m going to reference 3 more of their tutorials, but there’s a BUNCH more on their site.

Sewing 101

Fabric is washed now perhaps we’ll need some interfacing for our project.

 What is interfacing?  Good question.

Our friends at Make It & Love It explain what it is, which we need and why we need it.

Sewing 101

It’s sewing time!!  But what stitch?  Make It & Love It share basic stitches.

Sewing 101

You’ll probably need a zipper… thanks Make It & Love It for the great Installing a Basic Zipper tutorial!

Sewing 101

Craft Snob had a great Sewing 101 series, however the website is no longer updated.

She did share a wonderful sewing tutorial for beginners on my blog a few years ago: Triplet Tote Sewing Tutorial for Beginners.

It’s a fabulous tutorial!

I talk more about it towards the bottom of this post.

Now that we know all the basics, we need patterns to start sewing.  A great place to start is at The Sewing Loft.

 Heather has a great blog where she shares lots of tutorials.  She also has a shop where you can purchase patterns.

Sewing 101

Want more patterns?  How about stopping in a Noodlehead?

She’s AMAZING!!  And offers soooo many FREE Sewing Tutorials.  I’m dying to try them.  Really worth checking out!

Sewing 101

Another great resources for sewing projects is Allfreesewing. So many great projects for every level. I have a few of my sewing projects there too.

Guess what? I attempted my very first sewing project!! YAHOO!

I used this fabulous step by step tutorial for beginners.

Trust me, if I was able to make a Triplet Tote (a tote with three compartments) you can too!

Triplet Tote - Sewing Tutorial for Beginners. This is a perfect DIY sewing project for beginners. This step by step tutorial will have you creating your very first sewing project in no time.
Triplet Tote - Sewing Tutorial for Beginners. This is a perfect DIY sewing project for beginners. This step by step tutorial will have you creating your very first sewing project in no time.

Tissue Cozy Sewing Tutorial for Beginners

Tissue Cozy sewing tutorial for beginners like me! Let's learn how to sew together! This is a great sewing project for beginners!

Now that we tackled all these greats sewing tips for beginners, if you’re looking for some great sewing tutorials, you’ll want to check these out as well!

I have a collection of the best sewing projects of 2013, 2014, and 2015!

Top 35 Sewing Projects of 2015

Top 35+ Sewing Projects of 2015. Collection of sewing projects that you can make. Full of sewing inspiration and tutorials. BONUS: Includes 10 additional no-sew projects as well. thediydreamer.com

Top 30 Sewing Projects of 2014

Top 30 Sewing Projects of 2014. Collection of sewing projects that you can make. Full of sewing inspiration and tutorials.

Top 25 Sewing Projects of 2013:

Top 25 Sewing Projects of 2013

20+ Sewing Tutorials for Beginners

20+ Sewing Tutorials for Beginners. A great collection of sewing tutorials that are perfect for beginners. Happy sewing!
Sewing 101 for beginners like me. A sewing guide for beginners that includes a dictionary with pics, demonstrates how to install a zipper and lots in between. Great resource! #sewing #sewing101 #sewingguide #sewingtutorial #learntosew

I hope you enjoyed this Sewing 101 Guide for Beginners (like me).

I very much LOVED putting it together.

Do you have some sewing sites to recommend to me?

P.S. If you are looking for more sewing projects, check out my sewing section.

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Sarah Caraway

Sunday 19th of January 2014

Christine, Love this sewing section! Stumbled across your blog through the Frugal Crafty Blog Hop and wandered on to this page because I've been re-learning how to sew. Thanks for gathering all of these great beginner's resources!

Sara

Monday 9th of December 2013

Thanks you SO much for including me in this list. What a great roundup!

Nicole

Monday 4th of November 2013

Bookmarked this page to help refresh my memory on all of my sewing skills. It does come back though! Thanks for sharing!

Lucy

Monday 23rd of September 2013

I have been a sewer since I was very young. I am always happy to see someone else "get the bug". Can't wait to see your sewing projects! Please come check me out and hopefully I may be able to inspire you :)

Deonna

Thursday 15th of August 2013

The dictionary is so great. I have mostly taught myself from online tutorials from blogs and have even blogged about sewing myself but this helps! I will be referring back to this post quite often

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