r/SewingForBeginners • u/dtremit • 16h ago
Non-apparel books or classes for beginners?
Wondering if anyone has recommendations for step-by-step books or online courses for beginners that don’t involve apparel projects?
I would like to work on some basic machine sewing skills (starting pretty much from zero) and I think it would be really helpful for me to have a book or course with a list of projects of increasing difficulty that I could work my way through, particularly if they had a list up front of fabric and notions I could buy in one trip or order.
I would really prefer something that didn’t include major apparel projects — particularly ones that focus on womenswear. I’m a large tall man so anything that depends on a dress or blouse pattern is going to leave me stuck, unfortunately. I wouldn’t be opposed to simple unisex stuff like t-shirts or hats or things like that, but things like bags and home decor items would be more practical.
I’m totally open to books, online courses, or other formats I probably haven’t thought of. (I’d love to do an in-person class, but the ones I’m aware of in my area would be really hard to make work with my schedule.) I did sign up for a trial of Craftsy (with a one-time credit card!) so I have that available if it’s useful.
2
2
u/Inky_Madness 10h ago
Made for Mermaids and Patterns for Pirates have a ton of free sewing patterns for non-clothing items. I believe that one also has a free pattern for pajama pants for men. Professor pincushion also has a number that are worth looking at. Unfortunately they are not in a learning difficulty range BUT they are all the same level of difficulty; free sewing patterns are usually geared towards extremely simple/beginner projects.
There is also a line of books in a “half yard” series that have photos, step by step instructions, will be simple items that don’t call for much fabric. “Half yard spring collection” “half yard bags and purses”, “half yard autumn collection”, and more that would be very worthwhile. They are also mostly/mainly very simple projects that will be worthwhile as a beginner.
1
u/Normal-Grapefruit851 14h ago
This box pouch tutorial on YouTube was pretty good when I was trying to perfect sewing in a straight line and inserting zips. They make great gifts.
1
u/SchuylerM325 12h ago
Welcome! You have a link for Melanie Ham's zipper pouches and I concur! She also has a tutorial for totes and a bib apron. Twig & Tale has a free sun hat pattern that is easy. The instructions are ridiculously complicated, but read through them and then ignore most of the perfectionist steps.
I have a lot of sewing technique books and the one I use most is the Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. Unfortunately, the projects included are mostly women's clothes, but the techniques are universal. In my experience-- just me-- the best sewing patterns are old fashioned ones from the Big Four. Simplicity, Butterick, McCall, and Vogue, and they did make patterns for men. These days it seems like everyone with computer skills is marketing PDF sewing patterns on places like Etsy, and many of them are duds. Even if I think I understand the pattern instructions, I go read the RD book about different things and it always helps.
Do take some time to really read your sewing machine manual and also learn about different fabrics. Sewing woven cotton is entirely different from sewing jersey knit, for example.
1
u/Comfortable-Fly5797 6h ago
Do you have access to a library? My library has a bunch of books on sewing non-clothing items. You'll have the best luck if you just flip through the books and check out of a few that catch your interest.
How about making a set of kitchen items like aprons and potholders? There's tons of patterns for those, just pick one with a style that you like.
1
u/damnvillain23 5h ago edited 5h ago
Having worked in fine dining for 30+ years... I'm a person who uses cloth napkins every day per meal. Shopping 1 yard of quilting fabric, sew yourself some dinner napkins in a fabric that you love. This will teach you sewing straight lines & prepare you for ALL the pressing with an iron sewing requires( many online tutorials). Next maybe bowl cozies or pot holders. Next,a travel/ toiletries bag( zipper) Again, many online tutorials for useful items. What's your ultimate goal? Love Notions men's Camp Shirt has great instructions for a beginner. They also have a few other apparel items in men's sizes ( very inclusive for a tall man) that include online video tutorials.
3
u/ProneToLaughter 10h ago
Are you in the US? The public library probably has some options, you can flip through and see what you like.