Help! I need some advice/tips from the sewing experts!?
I am just learning to sew, or trying to anyway! So I need some advice on what would be some good projects to start with. I need things that are really really easy, because I am new to sewing. I am also looking for something that I could sew for my sister, who is expecting a boy in December. We are having a baby shower for her in 2 weeks, and if there is something simple that I could make for it, that would be great!
I've sewed since I was about 10 years old -- it's a great skill to have. Believe it or not, I think the best "beginner" project is a simple cotton shirt with collar and sleeves OR a nightshirt. The reason is that there are not a lot of curved seams, darts or facings involved (which some things, like skirts, that look simple really are not.) You also learn a lot of basic skills of assembly and details that will be useful for other garments. Fit isn't as important as with a dress or pants so you don't have to fuss with that. Also there is not a lot of hand sewing with a tailored shirt -- you can do the whole thing with machine stitching. Pick a boxy looking man-tailored sort of shirt that the pattern catalog rates as "easy" Get woven cotton fabric or light flannel in a solid or small print and follow the directions carefully -- it isn't as hard as you might think. After all these years I can make a shirt like that in one evening. One suggestion for this time of year is a Halloween or Christmas shirt -- get some of the cute holiday prints. I used to make nightshirts for the kids in my family every year. The kids loved them and even some of my adult relatives asked me to make them one!
For the baby shower, a simple sewing project is the pre-printed baby quilt material the fabric stores sell. Most have several designs. You buy the panel (they are about 3' x 4') and a couple of packages of wide satin ribbon that you sew around the raw edge. You can customized it by doing a little hand quilting around the design if you want.
A useful gift for the mom that you can sew is to make a large curved pillow out of polar fleece (it will look like a giant version of those curved travel pillows you use behind your neck -- like a big piece of elbow macaroni). Just cut two oversized curve shapes, stitch together except for about 10 inches, then turn inside out and stuff it with fiberfill, hand sewing the gap closed afterwards -- this is very useful to prop under the mother's arm when she is holding the baby for nursing or to give him a bottle.
Look at the patterns for baby accessories and clothes. Making baby items is fun because they are so small and stich up quickly. Good beginner projects.
Have fun!
Sewn - Cracker: Best Boys
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FRANCES BRUNDAGE CHRISTMAS GIRL BOY HUG*(5)FABRIC BLOCK $14.00 |
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Pattern Simplicity Boy Wizard of OZ Lion Scarecrow Tin Man Size 3-8 NEW $6.99 |
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Butterick Childrens Top Skirt Pants for Knits RARE 6298 XS - L Boys Girls Sweat $5.99 |
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MCCALLS BOYS OUTERWEAR SHIRT VEST PULL ON PANTS SEWING PATTERN 3416 SZ MED-L-XLG $3.82 |
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greeter pattern 24" Hello Dolly boy & girl country doll $16.00 |
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Attic Babies cloth rag doll pattern large 27" primitive boy girl Marty Maschino $18.00 |
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BOY size 8 PATTERN Jacket Pants Shirt Slacks vntg 1968 $2.99 |
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6 Nutcraker Soldier Boy Sew-on Baby Embroidered Applique Patch #235 $5.00 |
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MCCALL'S 3789 COSTUME BOYS 3-8 WIZARD PATTERN $4.00 |
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NEW LOOK PATTERN 6336 BOYS GIRLS VEST VARIETY 3-8 NEW $5.50 |
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Vtg 80s cloth doll Moonbeam boy sailor pattern 20" $16.00 |
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Pink Lemonade 22'' Girl & Boy Doll Sewing pattern uncut $1.99 |
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Vintage 1960's BOY & GIRL RAG DOLLS & DOLL CLOTHES PATTERN $2.49 |
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Pattern McCalls Boy Super Hero Dracula Batman Zorro Costumes Sz 7-14 NEW $6.99 |
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1975 SANTA CLARA COUNTY COUNCIL Boy Scouts O-RAMA PATCH $3.99 |
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Folkwear Boy's Scottish Kilt & Prince Charlie Jacket Sewing Pattern sizes 4-14 $16.95 |
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Simplicity 8490 Kids Boys Girls Pajamas Easy Pattern Sz 3 - 8 $7.99 |
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Vintage Butterick #6095 Shirt Pants Teen Boys Sz 18 or 20 UNC 1970's $6.00 |
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Toddler Variety Pack Costume Sewing Pattern Fun Pack Halloween Girls and Boys $25.00 |
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Boys and Girls Mime Ranger Devil + More Costumes Sewing Pattern Halloween $2.99 |
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McCalls 4241 Girl's Or Boy's Shorts Size Large 12-14 $2.00 |
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PANTS FOR BOYS and GIRLS - Japanese Pattern Book $29.99 |
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Butterick 5433 KIDS Girls Boys Pajamas Nightshirt 3-12 $4.99 |
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BABYGIRL APPLIQUE T-SHIRT ONESIE BIB PATCH BOY "don't understand the no thing" $1.95 |
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BABY BOY APPLIQUE T-SHIRT ONESIE BIB PATCH BOY "I'm currently being distractedl" $1.55 |
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Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box This burgundy colored bento box features an owl and moon design. In Japanese culture, owls symbolize good fortune and happiness. The bento box has two tiers to keep food in separate compartments, and the top tier has a press on lid to prevent leaks. An elastic band is included to secure the two tiers together. This bento box is the perfect size for lunch, or to transport snacks or other edibles.... |
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Wilton Mini Holly Hobbie Girl / Robby Hobbie Boy Cake Pan (2105-778) American Greetings Retired Get close-up with your favorite character and create all kinds of exciting mini desserts. Great for cakes, candy, gelatin and brownies. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan clean... |
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Monkey Business Insulated Lunch Box with Wipeable Interior $25.00 Pack your little one a healthy homemade meal packed neatly into our reusable insulated lunch box. It's easier to tote than plastic or metal lunchboxes and are designed to keep food fresher, too. Finished size is 7" w x 7" h x 3" d with a 11" long strap. The shell is 100% cotton with a moisture-resistant, wipeable laminate interior with an elastic band to hold a juice cup. The insulated" Insul-Brig... |
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The Styro Wonder Hot Knife Cutter Plus $13.36 Be creative! Ideal for cutting styrofoam into a variety of intricate shapes. Precision control heats in less than 30 seconds convenient on-off switch. For ages 12 and up. Adult supervision required.... |
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Under the Sea Stencil Kit Wall Mural Stencil Kit for Kids Room $119.99 The "Under the Sea" stencil kit makes it possible for you to paint your own ocean theme mural for your child's bedroom or playroom. Our large stencils make painting a kids' mural fast, fun and easy. All stencils are self-adhesive, so no tape or glue is needed. Just stick the stencil to the wall, paint, remove, and reuse them again and again. In this fun mural painting kit you'll receive 45 stencil... |