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A thread (lol) for absolute beginners who want to get started machine sewing! Sewing requires a LOT of initial investment and set up, but once you clear that hurdle you'll be set for LIFE. Pictured: a beginner sewing machine that retails for $90-$120: https://www.joann.com/singer-1304-start-essential-sewing-machine/14311898.html
Sewing machines are in HIGH demand right now, so it may be a little bit before you can get one. If in doubt, call your local Sew Vac store and see what they have in stock, they will be grateful for your business.
You can try Jo-Annes, Ebay, or Craigslist. Good brands to watch for are Singer, Brother, and Babylock but most brands will do you fine. Make sure your new sewing machine has a manual and a cover, but if it's very old you can probably find a manual online.
Next you'll want to order a copy of this book.
If you need to get started sewing right away, take a couple of hours to read pages 7-84 (you can skim, there's lots of illustrations) and pgs 121-144. That's all you need to get your bearings!
https://www.amazon.com/Readers-Digest-Complete-Guide-Sewing/dp/0895770261
If you need to get started sewing right away, take a couple of hours to read pages 7-84 (you can skim, there's lots of illustrations) and pgs 121-144. That's all you need to get your bearings!
https://www.amazon.com/Readers-Digest-Complete-Guide-Sewing/dp/0895770261
If you are making masks, your best bet is quilting cotton. Look for bundles of "fat quarters" (1/4 yards of fabric) as these are a great value. My favorite brand is Cotton + Steel; you can find lots of sellers of this brand on etsy! you will also need elastic or yarn.
Other materials you need:
* Fusible Interfacing
* Fabric Shears (regular scissors will not work)
* pins + a pincushion
* seam ripper
* an iron and an ironing board
* cotton or nylon thread; spools between 100 and 900 yds are fine
* Paper for tracing patterns
* A table to work on
* Fusible Interfacing
* Fabric Shears (regular scissors will not work)
* pins + a pincushion
* seam ripper
* an iron and an ironing board
* cotton or nylon thread; spools between 100 and 900 yds are fine
* Paper for tracing patterns
* A table to work on
Things that are non-essential but really good to have:
* tailors chalk in multiple colors
* extra bobbins that are compatible with your machine
* A rotary cutter with extra blades
* A cutting mat
* A 6x24" quilters grid ruler
* Bias tape maker
* A sewing ham
* tailors chalk in multiple colors
* extra bobbins that are compatible with your machine
* A rotary cutter with extra blades
* A cutting mat
* A 6x24" quilters grid ruler
* Bias tape maker
* A sewing ham
This is the mask tutorial I use:
If you're nervous about the seam in the middle, you can put a shop towel in the pocket! I add a 4 inch piece of 20 gauge copper wire inside the nose bridge, and I use worsted or bulky weight yarn for the tie.
If you're nervous about the seam in the middle, you can put a shop towel in the pocket! I add a 4 inch piece of 20 gauge copper wire inside the nose bridge, and I use worsted or bulky weight yarn for the tie.
If you want to expand your skillset down the road, Craftsy, now called Bluprint, is my favorite resource for learning everything there is to know about fashion sewing, and often have sales on their classes: https://www.mybluprint.com/
Thats all I can think of for now! I tried to make this as accessible as possible but I'm sure I missed something, so feel free to ask questions or chime in if you're a sewist!
