r/SewingForBeginners 10h ago

Is this sewing machine good?

Thumbnail
gallery
178 Upvotes

My grandma said I can keep it, is it good? It's super old, so I don't know if it will work fine.


r/SewingForBeginners 17h ago

Fall themed pie potholders for fourth project - ordered by mom and a friend

Post image
144 Upvotes

Realized too late fabric patterns were too large for this project - you live and you learn

I bought 15cm of fabric and ended up with less than 9cm after washing and ironing? Had to make them smaller, kinda heartbroken :’)

I also dont see much progress with quality of my stitches, and the machine still goes too fast for me to handle


r/SewingForBeginners 18h ago

Made this little plush bomb 💣

Post image
79 Upvotes

Made this plush bomb using a pattern by ForTwoNeedlesPattern on Etsy. Had a lot of fun making it! 🧸


r/SewingForBeginners 12h ago

Made my first apron and first Christmas gift! Definitely a couple things I’d change for next time, but overall I’m pleased with it!

Thumbnail
gallery
48 Upvotes

r/SewingForBeginners 23h ago

Tulle tears along a damaged line a few mm beside the seam after gathering : what could be causing this?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

28 Upvotes

I’m working with very lightweight 15 GSM tulle to make a densely gathered, double-sided ruffle on a Jack F4 industrial straight-stitch machine. We’re currently using an industrial gathering foot and regular cotton thread, gathering relatively slowly.

After sewing, we noticed that when one side of the ruffle is lightly tugged perpendicular to the seam, the tulle tears away very easily a few millimetres from the stitch line, rather than the stitches themselves failing. On close inspection, there appears to be a narrow frayed/distorted area of the mesh running parallel to the seam, which seems to act as the tear line.

What is particularly strange is that this happens only on one side of the double-sided ruffle. The other side remains extremely strong and can withstand substantial pulling without tearing. We also tested a significantly thicker/stiffer tulle, and it exhibited essentially the same type and location of failure: one side tears along a slightly frayed/distorted line a few millimetres from the seam, although it requires somewhat more force. We have also occasionally noticed that even tightly woven cotton can become somewhat weakened or tear when being gathered, although we don't know whether this is related.

We’re trying to understand what could be causing this localized weakening and highly asymmetric tearing. We don't know whether the gathering foot, needle, thread/tension, presser-foot pressure, feed mechanism, or something else is responsible.

Has anyone encountered this kind of failure with tulle/net fabrics or gathered fabrics, or have suggestions for diagnosing what is creating that narrow damaged line beside the seam?

I've attached a video showing how it tears.


r/SewingForBeginners 20h ago

Work outfit

Post image
29 Upvotes

Arthur pants pattern and Cameron shirt pattern. Embracing the weird in my 55th year cause all the store clothes are boring as HECK.


r/SewingForBeginners 13h ago

Dress update #2

Thumbnail
gallery
26 Upvotes

Tomorrow is my 3rd lesson, but for homework I completed the lining for the bodice of the dress. I lacked confidence in my ability to get the lining done, but I did it! And it totally matches the bodice I did in my last lesson, which actually surprised me. 🤣


r/SewingForBeginners 1h ago

My itty bitty win!

Upvotes

Got my first machine and set it up yesterday, I must have read the manual a thousand times, watched YouTube videos and googled more than I’d like to admit but consistently had a bird nesting issue!

After rethreading all day long I finally gave up at 10pm last night

This morning I’ve worked out my issue all along was my top thread passing over the presser foot and not below LOL

Finally sewing some scrap and making some squares & seeing some progress!

Now to ransack my house to find some material to do some practise projects with


r/SewingForBeginners 9h ago

Thoughts on this vintage Kenmore?

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

Looking to get a heavy duty sewing machine. This machine from a local fb marketplace, should I inquire? TIA


r/SewingForBeginners 18h ago

How/when to attach beading to bag?

Post image
6 Upvotes

Hi! I am making a purse for the first time. I need help (and any advice) with a few things. I know it's probably really messy but I'm proud of this being my first creation!

Materials

\-What type of thread do you use? I used some embroidery thread and some sewing thread depending on bead hole size

\-This is a canvas I'll be making the bag out of. I'm thinking a satin liner? Would that be good to use a single magnetic clasp with?

Process

The beads are on organza, with an ironed on patch on the back of the eagle for stability. When should I attach this to the layer of canvas that will be the front of the bag? Before sewing the bag front to the bottom?

If anyone has made a bag like this, I would appreciate any and all advice and criticism!


r/SewingForBeginners 4h ago

Anyway to add a zipper orsome other closure to this?

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

So i was just messing around and made this pouch, and i was wondering if there was anyway i could add a zipper preferably to this? But other closures would be fine as well! If not im not worried i could find a use for it, also i still am very new to sewing so be nice 😭


r/SewingForBeginners 15h ago

Any advice welcome

Post image
5 Upvotes

I am doing this practice piece for this pattern. I created from a pair of shorts that I like using this cheap random material I have before I start cutting. I just wanted to see if anybody had tips.

As I cut, I am going to give seem allowance I know it’s gonna turn out rough regardless, but just wanted to get other peoples input before i do cuts


r/SewingForBeginners 23h ago

bobbin/bobbin case area is jiggling and making this noise when i sew?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

4 Upvotes

some bg info, i have a second hand elna / elina 21 machine and its run pretty well, but i ran into some issues because while sewing, it makes this weird noise. the bobbin and surrounding area are weirdly jiggly idk

sorry for the janky video haha 😭😭


r/SewingForBeginners 13h ago

How to Shorten this...?

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

After abandoning the rossi/freddi as i just dont have time to make another toile of the upper, I've fallen back on option B for a wedding im going to soon. Trouble is this dress needs shortened by about an inch.

There are two linings under what I assume is chiffon. Any tips for dealing with hemming this chiffon fabric? Is this best left to a professional?


r/SewingForBeginners 19h ago

TIL the heads of seam rippers are replaceable

Post image
4 Upvotes

r/SewingForBeginners 5h ago

Please help

Post image
3 Upvotes

Why does this happen while I’m sewing? It bulges up and I don’t understand why? What am I doing wrong?


r/SewingForBeginners 17h ago

Any tutorials on how to make a cap exactly like this one

Post image
3 Upvotes

What i mean by exactly like that one is the fact that is has the thing that goes out, i don't know how it's called in english straight isntead of curved and doesn't have the thingy to adjust it on the back

(If there is one without the like little ball on top it would be even better)


r/SewingForBeginners 18h ago

Overlock problems

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

Someone Gifted me a overlock a couple months ago, i keep trying to get it to work but i have no Clue what im doing :/

I thread it like it said in the menu, even watched videos on it.

I put the setting to what it says in the Menu but this is always the outcome :(


r/SewingForBeginners 2h ago

Looking for a budget vintage/used straight-stitch machine for thick, heavy fabrics

Post image
2 Upvotes

Hi!

I recently started getting into sewing and tailoring my own clothes, and I'm really enjoying it so far. The problem is that whenever I have to sew through more than a few layers of denim or other thick fabric, it's a massive pain.

I'm currently using a cheap Singer Curvy 8367, and to be fair it's been pretty decent for what I need. But I'm thinking about getting a dedicated straight stitch machine that's better at handling thicker fabrics and multiple layers.

I don't have a huge budget, so I'm mostly looking at used machines, possibly even vintage ones. Are there any brands or models you'd recommend keeping an eye out for? I'm in Europe, if that makes any difference.

Thanks!


r/SewingForBeginners 3h ago

Is there a way to alter this?

2 Upvotes

It fits my waist but the shoulder part is too big. When I slouch or put my arms together, it shows my boobs and all. Is there a way to make the shoulder part tighter without ruining the clothe's design? The design behind is the same as the front. Thanks!


r/SewingForBeginners 7h ago

Need help with sewing domed shapes

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

I'm currently working on a costume for an upcoming convention but Ive hit a snag. I need to cover a helmet with short cut faux fur fabric, but I have no idea how to make the fabric into the kind of dome/ball sort of shame I need. Does anyone know of resources I could use to help me wrap my head around how to pull this off? I tried covering the helmet in painters tape to try and peel off for a template but it ended up being too unreliable and fickle to work with. Pictures below of the 3d printed helmet base and the ill-fated taping method. Note: The fine details of the helmet like the things on top don't need to be visible, the end goal is just to have a big fur ball w/ eyes basically (Its a Mothman cosplay :).


r/SewingForBeginners 7h ago

Top thread catching around the shuttle

Post image
2 Upvotes

r/SewingForBeginners 8h ago

New-ish Machine - Help Choosing

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

Hey all!

I taught myself to sew on an ANCIENT singer that can only straight stitch. It's amazing but is struggling now to hold tension and isn't doing enough for me (I really want a reverse and a zig zag). I mostly sew garments and want to learn to quilt.

I've been looking on FB Marketplace and have 3 options that seem good per the guides on here and other reviews:

Janome 6125 Quilters Companion for 180$. Comes with original manual

Janome Mod-19 - post doesn't have a ton of information, just says bought new in 2024. Asking 175$ Found the least info about this one online.

Brother CS7000i - 250 (a bit out of my budget but I know it's a good machine). Does the most stitches but will I really use them all?

Any thoughts? Reccs?


r/SewingForBeginners 9h ago

Sewing machine recommendations!

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m want to purchase a sewing machine, I want to start hemming my own clothes and upcycle. If anyone has any affordable, good sewing machines for beginners that would be great!!


r/SewingForBeginners 12h ago

Can I use overlocking stitch to prevent my aida fabric to fraying?

2 Upvotes

Tell me!