7 things to NOT do as a beginner at sewing! Don’t make these common mistakes!

It’s easy to find lists of tips, hints and things to do when starting to learn to sew but what about the things NOT to do? Let’s talk about my 7 top things not to do as a beginner at sewing and why not to do them.

✂
Take my free class and get started sewing (and beyond!)
✂

2:14 Don't use stretchy fabric!
3:49 Avoid trying to ‘just add or subtract fabric to the side seams’ to make something bigger or smaller!
6:14 Don't use different seam allowances
8:07 Don’t assume the sewing pattern has all the information you need to sew something together
10:22 Don't skip the pressing
11:48 Don’t ignore the grainline and/or layout instructions
13:39 Don’t sew late at night, whilst tired or cranky

// LINKS:

* Get my SEWING GUIDES

// WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:

4 FABRICS ALL SEWING BEGINNERS SHOULD AVOID! (*don't make learning to sew harder than it has to be!)

SICK OF COPYING THE SEWING PATTERN CUTTING LAYOUT? How to make your own layout and save fabric!

What is the grain of fabric? What is the grainline? And how to find and use it! - Sewing Terminology

What is a Seam Allowance? Sewing Terms - Learn sewing terminology

6 PROFESSIONAL SEAM FINISHES you can do without a serger or overlocker! (Try something new!)

What is a seam? Sewing Terms - Learn sewing terminology!

#1 WAY TO MAKE YOUR SEWING LOOK MORE PROFESSIONAL... plus (spoiler!) 3 tips on pressing and ironing!

TOP 5 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN LEARNING TO SEW // Advice to my beginner sewer self!

// FOLLOW me on my other social media channels:

*Some of these links are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from them. I thank you so much for using them, as when you do it helps support me and this channel so I can keep making these free videos for you.

…

#learntosew #sewingclothes #beginnersewing #sewingforbeginners #garmentsewing

[lorettatollefson]

Rule #8: don't sew while hungry. Even when you're not a beginner. Most of my mistakes happen when I kept going instead of stopping for lunch.

[kathrynd]

#8 Don’t cut out your fabric before you’ve washed it! (Unless of course it’s a fabric you won’t wash.) Saves breaking your heart when your garment shrinks the first time you wash it!

[kobaltkween]

I would say the biggest, most common mistake in learning anything is being afraid of mistakes and over focusing on avoiding them. People think that young brains are the big difference between child and adult learners. In my experience, it's that children and young people are expected to mess up new things and so they're not afraid of that. Adults, on the other hand, automatically try to skip the stick figure stage.

Especially women. We tend to treat mistakes as embarrassing, and embarrassment as worse than physical harm. So beginner mistakes often either trap us in the preparation phase or make us give up due to a "lack of talent."

Let your mistakes teach you, not discourage you.

[TheCratsky]

#8 - set a 30 minute repeat timer whilst sewing. When it goes off, stand up and stretch your shoulders, neck and upper back. A quick 1 minute stretch at regular intervals can help with aches the next day.

[vitogriffin]

I decided to start learning how to sew out of the blue a few weeks ago... Right now I'm at the stage where I have a new appreciation for being able to just go buy things that are already made... sewing is way harder than I thought.

[sandybush]

Make sure you have plenty light. Also, always sew a sample with the same type of scrap fabric, every time you switch threads, switch stitches (regular to zig zag, for example) every time you get your machine out to start a new project, etc.

[cindyrogers]

I’ve been sewing since 8 yrs old. I made almost all my clothes in high school. I’ve made every single mistake in the book, I think I invented a few new mistakes! But I learned through it all, I was never afraid try anything. Still learning new things.

[amysbees]

#7: Variation on my husband's advice: "Put down the [fill in the blank], and slowly back away."
This REALLY works!

[glowingpeestain]

these are all such good tips! the only one I would say to throw a little bit of caution to the wind with(within reason) is the "don't pick difficult fabrics" if you are following a specific pattern, absolutely use fabrics that the pattern was built for. but my first sewn "garment" project was a spandex bodysuit that required a complicated seam along the center front for a cosplay(Shego, from Kim Possible) the fabric was indeed a nightmare to work with, there was lots of frustration, but I always kept coming back to it. That was the costume I wanted to make, If I had decided to wait till I was inspired by something I could do in a cotton fabric I never would have actually finished a project, because what I wanted was the thing I saw in my head. If you have something that really inspires you, think logically, and research a ton, but don't let it being hard deter you from starting to sew completely

[leeway]

Longtime sewer, pattern maker, etc. When I was learning, I definitely have done all of the things she mentioned at least once lol. There is something to be said for doing the "wrong" things and seeing your project turn out not great and realizing it was because of the "wrong" thing you did. Just being told these things are wrong and even understanding why is very different from experiencing it happen to you in real time. My main point is for newbies to not berate themselves for going against all this super helpful advice. Sometimes you just need to do it wrong before you do it right.

[paraboo]

I used to skip the pressing or do it half-heartedly and the garments were all the worse for it.
It's so counterintuitive, because you think you'll put the garment in the wash anyway but a good press works miracles!
Also spray starch! Always have a bottle of that handy 😂

[nancyhurt]

I’ve been sewing for 50 plus years. The past 5-10 years with YouTubers like you showing skills has been a game changer for me. Who knew I was a visual learner! My skills are top notch and I keep learning with each day and sew gorgeous garments and bags. Unpicking is still a daily event! Enjoy the journey with each step!❤

[sharryjones]

Pressing is the difference between home made and hand made. It is a huge difference in the end results.

[catherinerw]

Another fairly long-time sewist here: knowing WHY some things are "don't do this" makes all the difference! So; "if you don't follow the grain line the garment will be wonky" is much better than "you must follow the grain line" :)

[shellseakr]

Buy fabric on sale to make a fitting garment. I use to hate to spend the money on that but it is well worth the expense. You can sew it, rip it apart, readjust it until it works for you. Then adjust your pattern from that for your wearable garment.

[kaiakoa]

Always thread your machine with the presser foot locked up. Having the presser foot down engages the tension unit. We want to thread the machine with zero tension in the top (bobbin tension is fine), otherwise the thread might not sit in the tension unit correctly.

You can tell you have done this if you go to sew and there is a mass of loops on your bottom stitches.

[gigiflame]

Just live the way you explain and your mannerisms. Also, love that you are speaking properly and not adding in vulgar language that I hear from others, it's such a turn off. Not all of us use or wish to hear vulgar language. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate your care with your language and explanations.

[The_momur]

We had sewing, cooking, wood shop, metal shop, electronics units back when I was a middle school student. Each is an extremely important life tool. Our first sewing project was to make a faced drawstring laundry bag with our name embroidered for identification. It’s a very good place to start. Your observations are very valuable. I used a denim-looking chambray with a blue floral print facing.

[obara]

When I was learning to sew in the beginning (unfortunately went back to art school and haven't had the time to sew in over a year) I definitely was very guilty of almost all of these. After I found out about grain line though, I did my best to never fail that step again.

My #1 sin from this list is sewing while frustrated. I have ADHD and a low frustration tolerance as a result of it so I'm very prone to breaking down and crying while sewing. Especially because the school I was at went at a punishing pace (that they were proud of), so I never had the time to relax and take my time.

[dizzyantennae]

Hi, Evelyn, I have an idea for a video. Could you possibly review some of the fabric types suggested on patterns that aren't commonly known? Names like lawn, voile, gorgette, crepe de chine, broadcloth, etc. My local fabric store doesn't label the apparel fabric types, so many times, I have no idea what those things are. It'd be great to have some sort of reference for those, or acceptable substitutes. Anyway, thank you so much for teaching us. I really appreciate you 😊