how to ACTUALLY start sewing your own clothes in 2022, beginner step by step guide

V I D E O S mentioned:

Free Beginner P A T T E R N S mentioned:

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[winterv]

For any other new sewers I wanted to add that it took me YEARS to realise that different fabrics sometimes require different needles to be put into your sewing machine! The torture I went through with some fabric to eventually find out I needed a "stretchy sewing needle" to replace the sewing machines default needle was unreal.

[aehogan]

the fact that my aunt just gave me her old sewing machine and I have no idea what I’m doing- perfect timing as always Jenna! <3

[bhelliom]

"Start with a beginner pattern"
*looks down at the corset belt I'm hand stitching, modified from a corset pattern with zero pattern experience*
It's actually going super well, my sporadic sewing throughout my life is paying off. If this one goes well I have several more planned, even though the way I'm constructing this one is way different than what I intend for my next. Adventure!

[meowdee]

With natural fibers, like cotton, everyone please pre-wash your fabrics (except for some like wool, which you shouldn't wash in the washing machine!)! Natural fibers CAN and WILL shrink, and it's so disappointing to have a perfect item be too small after a wash!

[morbidlyxobsessed]

I actually was the just wing it person, I wanted to make a wool coat and took my measurements, drew out out all the single parts on paper and started sewing. It was a struggle, especially the collar! But I learned to much doing it and ended up with a lovely (not perfect tho) coat that I’ve been now wearing for 2 years in a row :)

[krea]

Hot tip for finding a used sewing machine:
Be friends with older people who have sewn for a long time - I know so many and most had a multitude of excess machines that they'd be willing to either sell cheap or give away, but only to someone who will use them well!

I got my current machine from helping an older woman clean out her shed :3

[yureumdal]

Would love to make my own underwear, finding cute bustiers can be pretty hard and I really wanna use our old sewing machine! Also sweatshirts and pants would be fun to try, definitely looking forward to more of your sewing vids!

[valetterenoux]

I feel like all clothes I buy don’t fit me correctly, aren’t the exact style that I want, and feel bad quality, and I’m just so over it. Hopefully I can practice sewing enough to make my own clothes because I feel like I’d be much happier doing that.

[coraliemorin]

Learning how to modify patterns is really a life saver. Get yourself a base pattern and you can pretty much do anything from there. Getting an overlock machine also saves so much time if you can afford it. Also never trace your existing knit/jersey clothes to create a pattern if you're going to use 100% cotton for your project. Woven fabric always needs ajustements in the pattern and an opening system like buttons or a zipper.

[spwaff.]

*not* to go against what you said but i think that for *some* people, it might be a good idea to learn how to make the thing/clothes they *actually* want to wear even if they’ve *never* sewed because it will be motivating to sew! it *might* be painful but there’s *so many* tutorials, even on your channel that people can use to make what they want.

*so* like some ppl who might want to make a skirt, they could *watch* a tutorial on how to *set up* and *use* a sewing machine or something, use *whichever* sewing machine they have or borrowed, use some *old clothes/fabric* to up cycle, and *start* following a tutorial whether it’s hard or easy. 😺😺😺

[BethAge]

Thanks for the good advice! On the sewing machine: don't let anyone fool you - you can totally make your own clothes without one. I don't have space or money for a sewing machine and I've alr made plenty of simple garments by hand. Just takes longer, but I think the process is fun and you can sew while listening to audiobooks or watching videos on YT, your favourite TV show etc.

[pajamasam]

I love thrifting and have been watching you now for over a year! A few months ago I picked up a an old Singer sewing machine from Savers, literally manufactured in 1975. The thing works like a champ. My friend / sewing mentor is in her 60’s and says nearly any Singer machine is a great starter machine and is a tank! Recently lost my motivation to begin learning to sew even after teaching myself how to thread the machine and bobbin. I’ll take this wonderful video as inspiration to learn again! xx seriously love your vids!

[taniagarrigo-meza]

I got a sewing machine for $25 at the thrift store and I love it! I've only really started sewing 3 months ago but there's nothing this machine can't do.

[trees_louise]

I got a sewing machine for christmas and have been super intimidated on where to even begin so this was super helpful!

[smilingreshmi]

"step 1 get a sewing machine" and here I am sewing everything by hand :')

[anyuestory]

I really like how you talk like you are convering with an actual beginner (like me). No fancy terms and all, just realistic conversation. I'm really interested in learning sewing after I received a bridesmaid dress that looks absolutely awful(it felt like I wasted my money 😢). I thought to myself, why not try and learn to sew so you can make your own clothes and not be disappointed.

I'm looking for a secondhand sewing machine now and hopefully i can buy one soon so I can start this journey. 😊

[sarahh]

I've just started sewing as a hobby and this video was perfectly down-to-earth and inciteful. Thank you so much! I LOLed at the part where you talked about feeling SO amazing being able to sew in a straight line because I kid you not....I JUST finished sewing my first set of perfect straight lines on scrap fabric and felt like a boss lmao.

[janessamccarley]

It’s crazy that I have been following Jenna for almost a year and the moment I decide I want to start making my own clothes, she has multiple videos in a row teaching us how to do it. Jenna, you are a true gem 💕 thank you for being you

[alexandraking]

My worst sewing machine was a singer. It broke within a fortnight of having it so I returned it for another. Then after another couple of weeks, the tension was buggered... returned it and got an Elna... that was my most favourite machine ever. It did the best satin stitch. Came back to UK and bought a Toyota one. It wasn't the best but it worked.
(Modern Singers are not anywhere near as good as the old ones!) Xx

[smasheduppumpkinette]

I always think a basic elastic waistband skirt is a good beginner project. Excellent for building confidence and you get something wearable out of it.

2 side seams, hem bottom and fold over top (with elastic inside) for top. Easy peasy and lots of free YouTube tutorials are Avalon. You can also just measure and cut because it’s just two rectangles so no real pattern needed. Just a measuring tape.