Learning to sew can be fun and rewarding, but start small and work your way up. I've never been sorry that I caught the "sewing bug". The following is some information that should help in your quest. Please feel free to write any time! lois@sewingweb.com
The first stop is your public library. The Dewey Decimal System for sewing-related items in your library is here:
640 Home economics & family living
646 Sewing, clothing, personal living
Don't be offended, but I've found that the children's section of the library is a good place to look for sewing books for beginners. Do a couple of the truly easy projects (no one has to know!) and then move on to something more "complicated" like a garment.
Browse through the stacks of sewing books. Some are great and others are lame, but there's sure to be one or two that suit your needs. Singer has a great set of sewing books, and the Reader's Digest sewing book is good for beginners. I've found "how to sew" books on eBay and at yard sales, so you don't have to spend a lot of money. As well, most pattern companies (Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick, McCall's, to name a few) have basic sewing instruction books, and there is a Sewing for Dummies and a Sewing for Idiots, both aimed at beginners. If you're interested in buying any of the books you see, you'll at least have a good preview by borrowing them from the library first!
Fabric stores often offer classes. Find a reputable fabric store in your area and see if they offer craft or sewing instruction. Even if they don't, they may know someone who does. Check the bulletin boards at the store. Another place to check is your yellow page directory. Sometimes you can find instructors there. Check with your local Extension Agency or 4-H, if they are available to you. Again, the phone book is of great help in this respect.
If there is a sewing machine dealer in your area, check with them. They may already offer classes for the general public. If they don't you can suggest it to them!
Some public school systems and community colleges offer community education classes for adults.
Consider looking for an on- or off-line mentor. Other people who sew at church, sewing associations, quilt guilds, online communities, newsgroups, email groups - all good possibilities for mentors.
We will be putting sewing lessons on the site as time moves forward to complement our sewing projects. If there's something specific that interests you, let me know! I would love to take suggestions for what you'd like to learn in terms of "how to" projects - buttons, straight seams, pockets, sleeves, etc.
You are also welcome to stop by our online community. It's free to join and there's a good connection being made among the people chatting and discussing sewing there. We're all learning from one another on the message boards and in chat! We'd love to have you and it's a wonderful resource for beginners and old hands alike.
I hope this has helped! Good luck and come back often. We're here to help.
