Seamingly Impossible? Become a Badass Sewist

Get started Sewing with this free online series.

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Welcome to Your Sewing Journey!

Hey there! I’m so excited you’re here and ready to start your sewing adventure. I remember sitting in front of my first sewing machine, feeling both thrilled and slightly overwhelmed. Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to get started on the right foot.

In this series of articles, we’re going to walk through all the essentials of sewing, step by step. Think of it as having a friend (that’s me!) guiding you through the basics. We’ll start with the fundamental building blocks and work our way up to managing your sewing time effectively.

Here’s what we’re going to cover:

• Tool Selection: We’ll explore what tools you actually need (and what can wait) to start your sewing journey.
• Project Selection: Learn how to choose projects that match your skill level and keep you motivated.
• Pattern Selection: Discover how to navigate the world of sewing patterns without getting overwhelmed.
• Fabric Selection: I’ll help you understand different fabrics and choose the right ones for your projects.
• Basic Techniques: Master the fundamental skills that will set you up for success.
• Time Management: Learn how to make the most of your sewing time, whether you have hours or minutes.

Quick note: I’ve arranged these articles in a specific order for a reason. Each topic builds on the previous one, so try to resist the urge to skip ahead (I know it’s tempting!). Trust me on this one – I’ve peppered lots of little tidbits of information in here that I’ve learned along my journey. So, even if you have some knowledge in some of these sections, you might pick up something you didn’t already know. (Or you might find a link to more information and a deeper dive into something you want to learn more about.)

Who is Neta?

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. I’ve been sewing for probably close to 4 decades if not longer. I don’t actually remember when I learned to sew specifically, I remember my mom teaching me some things way back when.

I also remember that I wanted to sew clothes for myself because I could make things that I either couldn’t find in stores, or couldn’t afford.

Some of my earliest creations were swimsuits that I made for myself around age 12 or 13. Nobody told me back then that Spandex and elastic was hard to sew, so I didn’t find it hard to sew. So, if you’re here because you want to learn to sew activewear and support garments like sports bras, while I’m not covering it in a beginner introduction, I certainly am not going to sit here and tell you not to try.

Some of my first outfits I made were sewn out of flimsy satiny fabric. This is one fabric I stand by others recommending beginners to skip.

I also made my fair share of mistakes when making garments. Especially early on when I’d skip steps. So, bear with me as I emphasize things like pressing and edge finishing. You want your stuff to look as polished as possible and hold up as long as possible.

As for who I am outside of sewing? Well, I love to read. I read all sorts of things from crime fiction to epic fantasy. And often I’ll sew with an audiobook playing in my ear.

I bellydance and do aerial straps. I love to make costumes for bellydance and as my straps ability gets better I’ve been thinking more and more about costuming for that.

I also make a lot of my own clothes and housewares (like curtains and cat cushions). And I have even dabbled in upholstery a bit.

Speaking of cats, I have some. And some of my projects revolve around the cats – either making things for them, or making things despite them trying to help.

While I do a lot of sewing and love to play with patterns and colorblocking, one thing I don’t do is quilt. So, if you are looking for quilting, feel free to use my site as a resource for basics, but I encourage you to find a quilter you love to learn the quilting specifics.

I also don’t do machine embroidery. I don’t have one of those fancy embroidery machines. Though, maybe someday I’ll splurge on that. But until that day arrives, if you want to learn machine embroidery, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Here you’ll find a bunch of information on sewing, with tips and tricks to save time and get better results.

You might see a darker aesthetic here since I’m a little darkly inclined. I will not go so far as to call myself goth, because I’m not goth.

You’ll also find the occasional or not-so-occasional foray into accessories and housewares.

Are you ready to dive in? Let’s start with Tool Selection – you’re going to love how simple it can be to get started!