Sewing 101

Here are all of my Sewing 101 lessons compiled neatly into one place.  I have also assembled a handy list of tools might like for this course here. Enjoy! (and go hug your machine – it misses you!)

WEEK 1

introduction

tools of the trade

know your machine

winding & installing your bobbin, threading your machine

happy feet

WEEK 2

first stitches

seams of all kinds

darts and marking

tucks

shirring

WEEK 3

fastenings 1 (buttons & buttonholes)

fastenings 2 (zippers of all kinds)

fastenings 3 (snaps & elastic)

WEEK 4

Market Bag Pattern 1 (pattern buying, supplying, & sizing)

Market Bag Pattern 2 (layouts, cutting & marking)

Market Bag Pattern 3 (making magic)

39 Responses

  1. Laura G. 3 April 2012 at 9:05 am

    I hope to do this if I don’t get the new pt job I’m vying for. Oh, and I’d have to be able to get my mom’s old sewing machine over our Easter visit. Will one from the 80’s work?! As far as my sewing skills, I don’t even remember the proper way to thread a needle, so I am very thankful for this. The fabric out there these days is so adorable; I feel like I’ve been missing this exciting creative environment.

    • sarah 30 April 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Hi-
      I’m going to start your sewing 101 classes. I clicked on the link with the tools made easy to buy online, but they do not match with the tools that you listed on your website. Can you please direct me to the best list to get?
      Thanks,
      Sarah

      • raechelm 30 April 2013 at 4:09 pm

        Hi Sarah! Glad you’re doing the Sewing 101 course! This link should take you a little shop I put together for the convenience of all of my ‘students’. Hope you find everything you are looking for – and enjoy the course!! xoxo- Raechel

  2. Jessica 5 April 2012 at 7:55 am

    Thank you so much for posting this! I had been saving money for sewing classes at a design school, and this will save me a lot. I really appreciate this!

  3. Karina Dove 21 May 2012 at 4:56 pm

    WOW!!! I am so happy that I found your blog. I have my machine (brother nx-400) in my dinning table because I have been trying to get back to sewing. You have inspired me and help me to do that. I will be taking your course from the start and look forward making that bag you mention in this intro. Thank you Raechel.

  4. Jennifer 20 July 2012 at 6:11 am

    I love your sewing 101! I just found it a short while back & I still have weeks 3 & 4 to go. Thanks to you I can now do snaps!!! I have tried them before & they were just disasters. Looking forward to the zippers and bag tutorials. I also want to show your site to my God Daughter, I think she will love it too. Thank you!!!

  5. Hannah 30 July 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Hi Raechel! I bought a sewing machine and have gone through some of your sewing 101 and other tutorials, but now I’m stuck for what to make! Having no kids yet I don’t really feel like making kids stuff… but I really want to make something else. Any suggestions?? Ta!

  6. Miss Cecilia 14 August 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Thank you so much for this. I stumbled upon your blog from a friend’s, and, as I cannot even afford the sewing classes @ the community college right now, but have a beautiful machine, I thank you. I will let you know how I do!

  7. Shannon 12 October 2012 at 3:23 pm

    I just found your site through #shereadstruth (which I just started & absolutely love!) & I’m wondering if you could give me any recommendations for a sewing machine. I really want to learn how to sew, but I have no idea what to get….where to even begin! I’m looking for something somewhat inexpensive but don’t want to go total cheap-o. I’ve been checking out Craigslist but don’t even know what a good brand is to look for. Any help you could give me would be so much appreciated! Thanks!!

    • Raechel Myers 12 October 2012 at 10:53 pm

      Hey Shannon! I researched beginner machines a while back and kept coming back to this one. It’s a good price and got really great reviews. Since recommending it on my blog a bunch of girls have said they bought it and really love it. Hope that helps!

  8. Jennifer 22 October 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Hi Raechel,
    Just found your Sewing 101 course and planning to do it very soon… as soon as I get a machine! I was wondering, do you have any tips archived on hand stitching? Or resources you’d recommend? I am a beginner’s beginner… meaning, I’m still learning to do buttons and small hole repairs :)
    Thanks!

    • Raechel Myers 22 October 2012 at 8:33 pm

      Hi Jennifer!
      Glad you found Sewing 101 and I hope it will be a really useful tool for you! I don’t have anything specifically on hand stitching, but there is a day dedicated to buttons, so you will find some hand stitching there!

      Hope that helps!

      Raechel

  9. Tom 26 November 2012 at 2:16 pm

    My son (27) wants a Scottish kilt. I have played with my new Janome 2011 enough to know that I need help. I an looking forward to following your class.

  10. Renee 4 December 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Hello! I am new to sewing. My Mom just gave me her 1984 Singer sewing machine tuned up and ready to go!!! I finally learned how to thread my machine and now I’ve just completed your tutorial on straight stitches and posted them in my cute little notebook. I’m not sure if you can post pics on these blog comments but the cover of my notebook says MAKE SOMETHING GOOD TODAY in bright letters! Thanks so much for posting these tutorials they really put a smile on my face :) On to zigzags!

  11. rose 24 January 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Hi! I was so excited to find this blog! My New Year’s resolution was to teach myself to sew and your tutorials are a great start. I am bummed that I can’t seem to order the pattern for the bag off Etsy. I tried a couple of times and emailed customer service but they did not respond. Any suggestions?

      • Savannah 2 July 2013 at 12:11 am

        Hi there, looking forward to started your series, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!
        Just a note about the Sandi Henderson pattern, I ordered it in April when I first came across this website, and I never received it. I had to search and search for a way to contact her, and finally got ahold of her. I have gotten one response, waiting on the next.
        Maybe you would consider updating your first post to warn future Sewing 101’ers, or maybe contacting Sandi Henderson, to let them know they could be making money from this site if they got it together.
        Thanks, Savannah

  12. rose 25 January 2013 at 8:45 am

    Thanks for your quick response. I figured it was a long shot, I know these posts are old. I think I will watch your tutorials on patterns, listen to your tips, and then try something else easy on my own. I am enjoying myself and love the notebook idea. Thanks again.

  13. Toni Hauck 21 February 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Hi there! I just moved from Kansas City to Mannheim, Germany. I have a little more time on my hands than I’m used to, so I thought I would try to take up sewing again (especially since there are so many cool tutorials now on Pinterest). I have an old Pfaff sewing machine and I’m ready to get started! Thanks. :)

  14. Anthony W. 15 March 2013 at 8:00 am

    Hi,

    Thanks for all this great info! As a beginner its been very helpful to myself.. But I have a quick question. I want to make hats, do you need a special machine to see through something as stiff as the brim of a hat? I appreciate any info :)

    Thx

  15. Anthony W. 15 March 2013 at 8:01 am

    Hi,

    Thanks for all this great info! As a beginner its been very helpful to myself.. But I have a quick question. I want to make hats, do you need a special machine to sew through something as stiff as the brim of a hat? Or just a special needle?? I appreciate any info :)

    Thx

    • Raechel Myers 15 March 2013 at 8:45 am

      Wow, that’s a great question. I think it depends on the type of hat. Do you mean like a baseball cap? If so, I’m sorry to tell you I have absolutely NO experience there. I wonder if googling that would turn up some useful info? Sorry I couldn’t help more!

      • Anthony W. 15 March 2013 at 6:50 pm

        Ok thanks.. Doesn’t seem to be that much info out there, I find a lot of info on brim customization where people replace the fabric on the brim but they don’t sew through the brim like the manufacturer does, which I don’t want to do. I saw a thread and someone mentioned you may need an industrial sewing machine to do it Just in case anyone else was wondering. Sounds expensive lol! I’m making 5 panel hats they’re kind of like the polo hats with the drawstring in back.. But I guess the brim would be just as stiff as a baseball cap. thx again for all the info you post! Love it ????????

  16. Mary 26 March 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Hi, I am just wondering if there is something wrong with my links. I’ve tried to click, and none of them seem to work. Is there another way I can access them? I am really looking forward to learning!