Five Tips for Beginner Sewists

If you find yourself wanting to learn to sew, you are not alone. Sewing is a fabulous hobby for creative expression, making high-quality items that last, and joy! 

At Lakes Makerie, we LOVE helping beginner sewists achieve success and build confidence. We are always here to help. Never hesitate to stop into the shop or email us with questions. Even better, sign up for an open studio session or class for in-depth support.  

Here are five tips for anyone who is interested in learning to sew:

1. Invest in a resource guide. The internet is great, sure, but a written resource is invaluable. Find a guide that makes sense to you. One of our very favorites is School of Sewing. 
2. Use your library. Your library has an abundance of resources for learning to sew and expanding your skills. We encourage you to check out books about sewing to find the ones that you enjoy. Many libraries even have garment pattern books, magazines, and patterns available for you to borrow. Simply trace the patterns and start sewing. Some libraries even have sewing machines and sergers available to use at specific times or even bring home for a limited time. Aren't libraries the best? 
3. Sharpen your tools. Dull needles, scissors, and pins make the sewing experience harder and less enjoyable. Get yourself some fresh new needles and pins. Don't forget to sharpen or upgrade your scissors. We promise that this will make a world of difference! 
4. Pick a high-quality pattern designed with a beginner in mind. There are so many patterns out there, it can get overwhelming. But please know that we are always here to help! Several brands and companies earned a reputation as ideal for beginners.
   
5. Pick high-quality fabrics that will set you up for success. We recommend beginners start with linen, linen blends, and high-quality cotton fabrics. These are not only more stable fabrics that will be a bit easier for you to work with, they will create a finished product that you will love!

We have so many recommendations for beginner projects! Here are just a few: 

• The Matchy Matchy Tote using linen, cottons, or a mix of both! 
• The Merchant & Mills Orton Tote using canvas. (Be sure to keep an eye out for a class on this fun project!)
• The Elizabeth Suzann Bel Skirt in a linen or linen blend. 
• The Merchant & Mills Betty Apron in a canvas, linen, or medium-weight cotton. 

If you're able to join one of our beginner classes at Lakes Makerie, we would love to see you here at our beautiful studio! You will learn a lot from our community of creative and supportive sewists. We promise that you'll have a lot of fun along the way.  

Happy sewing!