I stumbled on the whole concept of "matching plaids" by someone complimenting me on what a good job I'd done on a garment. I was all of 12 and the outfit came out rather well but the idea of having the plaid pattern match at the side seams never occurred to me. They did come out very close and it was entirely by accident! But I've never forgotten it since.
My grandmother grew up in the 1930's. As long as I can remember she was a great seamstress. I always thought her ironing board set up in her sew area because that was where she did the ironing. Well now I know better.
My biggest glitches came from not trimming and clipping the seam allowances. I had collars with ball-shaped corners and necklines with a visible pull. Part of the reason was that I learned my first stitches at home, on very simple and straight things. Seam and hem allowances were always huge, to be able to let out stuff for growing children. It was a philosophy of my parents (WWII generation) to never cut down the fabric if at all avoidable. Naturally this did not work for anything but the simplest of garments. My poor parents almost suffered a shock when they saw me clip a seam allowance, open up darts and produce leftover scraps when cutting. "You will not be able to remake this!" I said I wasn't growing any longer but it still made them very sad that they had raised such a wasterel.
I feel your pain as I have used this logic as well. On the other hand, If I get school uniforms to alter; I don't cut, as generally they will be passed down to younger siblings or thrifted, and it really does prolong the life of the garment. I have come across my own sewing alterations in items that have gone through siblings as well as having been thrifted (it's a small world!), and I do appreciate it because when I alter something I always try to do it in a way that is reversible or easier the next time. I have found over the years that hems should be made wider rather than folded twice - folding twice alters the way the garment hangs/drapes visibly; whereas a deeper hem is far less noticeable. My favourite is elasticised waists - I generally add a buttonhole to the inside of the waist (the width of the band) to make changing the elastic easier without actually unpicking anything. And, if you use buttonhole elastic and a smallish plain button near the buttonhole opening of the band - you have greatly increased the range of elasticity at a moments notice! I got this idea from toddler pants!
Oh wow I had never even thought of leaving larger seam allowances on kids clothes! That's brilliant. But oh my gosh yes simple patterns are awesome but there are so many fun patterns to try that do include things like - gasp - trimming seam allowances. Good for you for trying new things!!
Back in my day (70's) it was assumed you'd either be taught sewing at school (me) or by a relative (definitely not my relatives) or, if neither, you bought a mighty and comprehensive manual on all the different techniques, like Vogue Sewing (me) or one of the similar manuals of sewing by Simplicity, Style, Butterick etc, or even the Readers Digest. I teach sewing these days and I very much recommend any of these older sewing manuals, none of the modern ones by celebrity sewers come anywhere close to the detail included in the older sewing books which, more often than not, were the only handy source of information and technique a home sewer had available. So look out for them in the charity shops.
I bought a number of vintage sewing books after Evelyn recommended them in a video and it turned out that some of them were from Western Germany, but others from the German Democratic Republic. These are really remarkable. Apart from being printed on really shoddy paper and miserable photographic reproduction quality, they showed that the home sewers were more or less using their straight stitch machines from, like, 1925 while in the west more modern machines with attachments and different stitches were available. When you now read these books you find that the authors had devised many creative and inventive workarounds to do everything on a straight stitch machine. Some are classics, of course, like the Hongkong finish, but others were totally new to me. Though I have to handle these books very carefully I use them quite often.
50 plus years ago when I was taught sewing in home economics my teacher stressed the importance of pressing and finishing seams. As fabrics changed I had no idea about needle sizes and types! Still learning that to this day!🙂 Sewing is a constantly changing craft with new materials and machines.
That golden rule explains so much. I learned some sewing as a teen, and absolutely no one told me to finish my seams. It left me with clothes that I couldn't run through a washing machine because they'd fray, and I thought all home sewing was like that. Other things that caught me with patterns include actually cutting out the little tabs (for matching up pattern pieces later), knowing what a grain line is, and noticing when a piece is supposed to be laid on folded fabric, to make the cut piece twice as big.
I collect vintage patterns---one of my favorite instruction sheets is pretty much as follows: "Cut out the pieces. Sew up the jacket. Sew up the lining. Put them together." The farther back you go, the fewer instructions b/c, as you point out, most women knew how to sew. My oldest pattern is from 1909 & it's just outlines of pieces, a few perforations to match up. No instructions. The other thing I notice, tho, is how easily adjustable garments were---people making their own clothing couldn't afford to throw anything away, so everything was relatively easy to cut down, "turn" inside out, re-purpose. Good lesson for today!
You might be interested in following Cathy Hay and Bernadette Banner (if you don't follow them already!) - they both sew historical clothing using old patterns and drafting methods and I am In Awe of their skills and what is possible for people who know what they're doing with those old books and patterns!
Not only women. Apparently my grandfather - born 1900 - a rugby player, was an even better sewer than my grandmother, Mum and aunts - and they were amazing!
One newbie mistake I'll never stop laughing about is when I sewed a skintight top, expecting it to somehow magically be stretchy (it was made of a somewhat thick duchesse satin)... 😅 P.S. Your intro music always makes me picture a steam train coming into the station, and it makes me very happy!
My great aunt taught sewing back in the day at my highschool. She expected me to do twice as much and know twice as much as my classmates. You are reminding me of things I forgot over the years.
Thank you for the series. When I was a teen I made all my clothes. We were able to take sewing lessons in school but my greatest lessons came from a friend's mom. She taught me how to take my finishes to the next level. I am so grateful to her. Your videos are so good to refresh and point out things that I may have forgotten or need to do. We are always learning and it is good to stay relevant. Thank you again for your hard work.
Dear ms Wood and fellow members of VSS, I have decide to become a paid member. I tried the free trial and I am sold on Evelyn as my first sewing teacher. I just ordered the basic sewing equipment and cannot wait to get started! xx
For my first blouse, I picked a lovely viscose woven fabric. I selected size 22 as per my bust measurements. The top I sew would have fitted the shoulder of an American footballer and the belly of 7 months pregnant mother-to-be. I did not know patterns were designed for a B cup!!!
I have that Complete Guide to Sewing and can confirm: It is a really amazing resource for someone who hasn't a clue!! I'm still a beginner but the first garment I made for myself was a historical shirt, using a recreated pattern that, again, expects you to know a whole bunch of things - and that book saved the shirt from becoming a UFO because it explains So. Much. Stuff that I desperately needed to know. (Also it's a nice book to look through when you have a cold and feel like your head's stuffed full of cotton wool, because it's got pictures on every single page and all the text is broken down into nice short manageable paragraphs.) I sewed my very first ever project on a hand-turned Singer sewing machine that didn't have a backstitch (or at least, I don't recall that it did) - I remember being taught to put the needle down, turn the fabric 180 degrees, stitch over the first few stitches, turn the fabric again and continue. A bit of a pain on something really big, admittedly, but I was only making a small bag and it wasn't that fiddly. Of course it's so much easier on a modern machine that can backstitch!
My aunt and uncle bought me that copy of the readers digest and she died quite recently and l treasure that book, they gave it to me for Christmas when I was doing needlework at school. Honesty even though l have more recent books, the readers digest maybe dates in the clothes styles but the way things are made is pretty much done the same way.
I have two vintage sewing books, kind of manuals on learning to sew, a Vogue and a Simplicity circa 1960’s. They are really the reference books a new sewer needs to have in order to learn how to do things for example, “ease stitch” “grade seams” “under stitch” and dozens more essential steps and techniques necessary to know when sewing. I think they both were purchased from EBay.
Singer by Mary Pickens or the one put out in the late 60's to early 70's (a very thick hardback) are my favorite ones for references. I also own a 60's simplicity & a mid 60's McCall books. I love these even to sit down and read thru. The pictures & descriptions are the best for how to sew. I've been sewing since I was 7 (on the machine by 9) and I just passed my birthday where in the USA you can get social security - that's a long time and I still enjoy this craft along with others I learned from a very industrial group of women in my family.
I had been sewing for years, 30+. When I bought my last sewing machine, I took their feee sewing class. Boy, did I learn A LOT!! I was amazed. I still am not a great seamstress. I do more quilting, than garment sewing, now. Really enjoy your videos! I learn so much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Aside from my mom getting me started when I was very young, I’m mostly self-taught - which means I used patterns to learn because that’s what was available at the time. I don’t recommend it. In the 70s, there were some “learn to sew” patterns that were helpful. Later, I joined a 4H sewing group and took a home ec class in high school. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned watching you and other RUclipsrs as I return to sewing. I truly appreciate it!
Thank you for your videos. When I tried to sew decades ago, I thought I could pick a pattern size that was my ready made dress size and it would fit. In my case everything was too small. Then when I got a tape measure and compared my measurements to the pattern sizes I was very confused and gave up. As a plus size woman, I am amazed at the number of patterns in my size, and I am fascinated that I can change the size of the pattern slightly if I need it to go up one size. I am thrilled at the prospect of having clothes that fit instead of being too long, sleeves too long, bust gaping, shoulders too big to accommodate my bust, and waist too big to get my hips to fit!
I learned a LOT when, unknown of these notions, I started to sew a velvet stretch fabric...with an universal needle and a straight stitch...you can imagine the nightmare 😭
Evelyn, the pattern your holding in your hand in this video is the exact one I used in the 70's to make that jumper (or pinafore for you) for school (high school) - nice to see that one again 🤗
For instructional books you all seem to forget about Singer! It's the ones I have the most of (about 10-12 of them) from different eras (late 30's thru to 80's) -- along with 2 McCall books & 2 simplicity ones (1 sewing clothes & 1 home decor ones) - the vogue & readers' digest never appealed to me & we're more difficult to understand -- personal choices. So don't fo get about Singer books - they are really excellent & available on Amazon or at thrift stores.
Another good source for sewing info is most of Nancy Zieman’s books. She was on tv from mid “80’s” then on RUclips till she passed away from cancer a few years ago. You may also find some of her videos available to watch. I learned a lot of pointer’s from her.
Have just started to try sewing again after a really long time. You mentioned in your video the “Readers Digest Completed Guide to Sewing, and I thought, I’ve seen that book and low and behold I have a 1970’s edition. So now I am you tubing your videos and reading the book also.. thank you so much, your videos are so extremely helpful and informative ❤❤
I have the Reader's Digest book (from many years ago) and, because I don't sew all that often, I am still referring to it. Always something new to learn and always room for improving our skills.
My mother in law bought me that book, I’m 74 now and still have it. I had to make my own clothes in the sixties as I was petite then but couldn’t by petite sizes in those days.
@@Laura55sere Hi Laura. Very few people fit the "size mold" of store clothes. For my width, I am apparently too tall -- i.e. my arms are too long for petite. Must have been a monkey somewhere in our genetics :)
hi i beg to differ the first thing you need to know first of all is the sizing as years ago i started making clothes i made so many mistakes in the sizing now i always look at the finished size before i even start been doing it for approx 40 year i am going to teach my friend how to sew and will give her my knowledge and start with finish size first before she buys her pattern other thing then in as when they come up and have a book to write in with her information as a reference she can look up if i’m not around keep up with your teaching as i have picked up a few hints from you always learning and i’m now 72 years old thanks from uk
Please forgive my humble question of complete ignorance. Special thanks to all those whom share their wealth of knowledge in these comment sections. I have noticed that there are like 4-5 different weights of interfacing. But often on patterns, it just says interfacing. How do you match proper weight of interfacing to the article one is attempting to sew? Sure one may be sewing this bag, but which interfacing does one use, heavy duty or extra heavy duty? Or is that I learn by trial and error from experience. It would appear to be determined upon the fabric weight that is being used, but in reality I am clueless (ie. Denim and Corduroy would require a heavier interfacing than a light linen or silk bag). The other elephant in the room: Interfacing gives the bag more "structure." Does using a heavier interfacing create a more heavy-duty bag that could theoretically effectively carry more weight? Thank You.
My real problem is the ease. How to decide how much ease makes my garment tight, slim, loose or anything between. How to decide which pattern would give me the slim fit I'm looking for.
Ooh, yeah ease, I never know what's going to make the garment comfortable. Thankfully when I've underestimated, I've been able to fake it with armpit gussets...
You are correct. Most of the sewing patterns being offered for sale today do not have as much information in them as the patterns printed and sold when I was much younger. However, most of the patterns offered for sale today are printed in more than one language. If the U.S.A. had switched to the Metric System (back in the early 1980's), the cost of new patterns (and many other items) would not be so expensive today.
Thank you for this! Here's one thing I encountered: not knowing on which panel to fuse the interfacing. I recently made a lovely 70's mini dress for my daughter that required interfacing on the collar. First it wasn't clear whether I could use fusible i/f and then it did not indicate on which of the top or bottom panel I should attach the i/f. ( It was a fairly complicated V shaped collar that also would have benefited from more explanations). Some patterns say to add the i/f on the top layer but I find that putting fusible i/f on the top layer can result in some visible stiffening and, sometimes, puckering. As for the mini dress, I'm not new to sewing so it actually turned out well but I'd still love to understand the whole i/f "world" better. Thanks again for your great videos!
I wish schools still taught sewing. I graduated high-school two years ago and learned no practical life skills. Like learning a language, I imagine learning how to sew at a young age is easier.
As a teen, I made a lovely lightweight jacket with metal buttons backed with buttons, and it turned out beautifully. It lasted a week until I washed it. Not only was the fabric 100% cotton and a constant rumpling, but it was too thin even with interfacing, and the buttons ripped out entirely, leaving holes. That was memorable. I had learned to sew at school and from my Mom, and was told I would get better if I followed the pattern directions, and was guided by trial and error. I have learned a lot more from these videos, though, lol.
My first none school sewing project had me taking a trip to my moms. She read through it declared the instructions stupid and did that part herself. I remember sitting on the sidelines thinking well this isn’t helpful! This was a few or a lot more years ago so no internet. Home computers were just becoming a thing. I ended up with books and television there were a lot of sewing and fitting shows on in the 80’s. Though I do remember at the time being in awe of the idea of not following the pattern verbatim! Now I take the instructions as a guideline. The biggest thing that got me and still does to sum extent is ease. I’m better about checking for it but it still sometimes gets me!
Agreed, ease is never easy. Hi Robin, Hope this finds you well. At the moment I am greatly relived that the year-anniversary for the "convoy" nutters was a bust. Maybe the fever of all that anger is finally starting to pass... Right now I'm about to start quilting in the details to my FR entry. This assumes that I stop delaying cutting into the final fabric... - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
@@stevezytveld6585 Cathy I’m glad the anniversary was a bust! The anger was over the top for something no one really had control of. They precautions! Quilting sounds interesting! Also I have faith that you can cut the fabric! You’ve got this!!! It’s going to be great!!
@@robintheparttimesewer6798 Thank you. I need to get out of my own head and just cut the fabric. Futz with the darts when it's all done and fingers crossed. Busty human problems, whatayagonnado. I'm using the Tristan quilt (the oldest known surviving quilt) for the starting point for my pattern. It's mostly going to be tone-on-tone quilting for the water. The fish are going to be soft sculptured with a contrasting thread, so hopefully it won't be too contrast-y,... if that makes a lick of sense... And yeah, thank everything the anniversary dance party was a bust. The cops are everywhere, so at least they're earning the salary we're all paying them. Next anniversary to brace for is the Valentine's day EA one.
@@stevezytveld6585 Cathy it sounds lovely. Tone on tone quilting is an art form. Can’t wait to hear more. So smile and cut fabric! May you always have perfect darts!!
I just love you’re enthusiasm and love of sewing! I have subscribed. I’m semi retired and I never had the time to learn very much about sewing. Thanks to people like you, I have started to enjoy it so much. You have removed the frustration of having to figure it all out by myself. Thank you for your content, be blessed😊
There is "ease" stitching. Where the shoulder--for example--edge of the front and back pieces are not quite the same length, the pattern will probably say "ease stitch." Like Mary Bogar, I was blessed with an expert in my life when I was young. I also had sewing lessons at school, but my expert (Mom) helped when the teacher's instructions didn't make sense to me. The only problem no one can help me with is patience. So, my #1 advice to anyone starting out is, if you don't understand something, stop. Take a break, do something else for a bit (I clean up some of the mess I always create) and then try again--look for a post from Evelyn that covers the problem you're facing. I watched a video from another sewing vlogger who admitted she rarely understands the pattern instructions--bless her little cotton socks!
Very very few patterns include detailed instructions but some I've seen around the 60's/80's had some. You have to think of patterns like individual projects. Then you need a manual to understand the trade. A good sewing book that explains everything from machine/hand sewing, how to alter patterns and facings/interfacings/linings. It's a lot. I grew up with my mother as a seamstress and can't image just looking at a pattern without that background. You have to learn soooo much to make a garment. Your videos are great and detailed with quality knowledge. Glad you are making this series as it's hard to find good content out there to refer new sewers to!
I just have to say thank you so much. Your videos have helped me SOOOOOOO much in my learning to sew! I just cleaned my machine and changed my needle and WHO KNEW, my machine runs so much smoother and straighter!! I started working on my first dress and I'm so thankful I found your videos. You are fantastic!! God Bless you my friend!! ❤️❤️
Patterns may or may not tell you everything required to complete the garment like thread, buttons, zippers, seam binding and heming tape. It can be frustrating to get home and realize you don't have everything you need. As an impatient beginner I learned the hard way to read through the directions of the pattern and ask more experienced people if my shopping list was complete.
A good resource for the advanced beginner or intermediate sewer working with vintage patterns is Sandra Betzina's book called Power Sewing. Get the old edition with the red cover. I think mine is from 1985. It also will help you understand how the patternmakers were thinking and then you can decide if you want to modernize the technique or not based on your experience.
I have the same Reader's Digest sewing book! It is still one of the very best, even though it's years old. I've been sewing for a long time and tailoring my own clothes since I was about 15 yrs. old. My biggest problem with patterns has always been fit, especially with pants. I gave up on commercial patterns years ago. When I was in the corporate world, I designed all my own clothes from basic patterns. I took a class recently with a well known designer on fitting pants. I finally have my own custom pants pattern that actually fits! I can't buy off the rack, everything is gigantic on me. Oh and the serger - best invention ever in sewing!
Two mistakes I made were when I tried sewing pajamas for my kids. One of my daughters wanted the nightgown longer than the pattern called for, so I just added on more material, but didn't widen it below the knees, so she couldn't take full strides or climb on our bed because it was too narrow. And my oldest son had a long torso and was very thin, so I used a pattern size matching his waist and just lengthened the torso. That all worked fine, but because he was thin, the neck hole was very tight and he really had to squeeze it over his head.
Excellent information! So enjoy your videos... I'm sure I thought I could learn how to sew when I bought my first pattern as well! It's a wonder I could even wear that blinding black with small yellow polka dot "Empire waist "granny" dress" with the three foot zipper, back in the late '60's! Ha! But I never gave up, and still using my grandmothers 1948 Singer Featherweight...That Readers Digest Book was a big help back then, yes! In my area on the Oregon Coast, the fabric stores are all closing, as are the department stores, sew I am grateful for what I find fabric wise at the thrift shops, and check there first...
I've been sewing for myself for around 8 years, and while it's always a learning process, I never had a problem that I couldn't fix. Now I'm teaching my 11 year old neighbor how to sew, and children's patterns have so much more ease in them than adult's patterns, it's insane. Children's patterns really are an entirely different domain of sewing.
Thank you for this series, I especially appreciate that you don't have an intro or any extra nonsense, but it's all so concise and straightforward, so I can watch all the way through the series without skipping. I am watching these while practicing hand stitching before I have a machine :)
I caught on early to the fact that sewing patterns assumed the sewist knew undescribed things in the pattern directions, however I definitely learned that the hard way!! Eventually, This was quite a while ago but I began writing the pattern companies (when you could actually find an address to write to) and sometimes they'd actually write back! I began sewing (well for real - seeing something I wanted to make an I'd dive in as if I knew what I was doing!) in the early 60s.
Thanks Evelyn. Just received Readers Digest newer edition. As a kid we had the old edition. Don’t know where that went. But glad I bought a valuable tool
Always, always wash you fabric before you sew (exception ofcourse certain fabrics, but dont start with them, they usually are expensive and difficult). Unsure if you did? Wash it again. Nothing more painfull to completly finish it and crimp in the first wash... Second never ever turn the pattern on the fabric, even if it reduce the amount of fabric needed (i'm dutch!) If it stretch in the length it will keep bigger and bigger.... Love the series. Specially now when im learning to draw my own patterns!
I’m so thankful that we have you tube and google and ones like Evelyn here to help us. I can catch on to the sewing part fairly easy but altering it to make it fit frequently gives me a fit.
Start simple while you learn; Wash fabric! and preshrink it so it fits later and you know the quality before spending hours of work. I also like to see a photo on the pattern similar to my body type if possible - not a leggy cartoon woman. Currently I am struggling with the hem roller - mastering it save loads of time finishing edges. I will check you list ❤
I was today years old when I learnt about ease. Explains why after very carefully taking my measurements and choosing the right size pattern the pants were AT LEAST a size and a half too big. Thank you. I have become interested in learning to sew after watching your videos initially for entertainment. You make it seem less scary with your easy manner and great explanations
I have been sewing a while. learned in High school, but probably not all that well. I have made ALL the mistakes. If I learned to finish seams, I couldn't tell you. I think that is probably the one thing I have never known! So embarrassing. I mostly have sewn for myself skirts as blouses and dresses seem way to hard for my shape. I would love to properly learn because I hate shopping for clothes, they never fit me. Thank you! Learning a lot already.
My biggest early garment sewing issue was body type and how to dress it. I didn't know that my upper torso is very short, so my waist and my bust are very close together. My daughter and her husband are the same height, but her legs are 4" longer than his. The last dress I made was a maternity dress 32 years ago.
One thing to keep in mind is seam allowances. Are they included or not? In many European patterns they are still not included so you have add them yourself. And if they are included, how big are they? You can’t just assume they are 1.5 cm / 5/8” because you’re bound to come across patterns with other widths.
Evelyn it's so funny that you spent time talking about ease here. Because of my most recent blunder. 😅 I've been trying to teach myself sewing for about a decade now and it's been a very slow and messy journey without proper guidance and knowing terminology. My most recent sewing project was a rather adventurous attempt at making a bunny suit corset. I've made a couple corsets in the past and I knew that for it to turn out I needed to 1.Take my time 2.Grade my pattern and 3. Pay attention to the grain lines. I spent a whole week with late night sewing sessions, finally put the corset on, and viola! It fit like a glove. Meaning, even fully laced it did not actually cinch my waist. 😅 I used measurements I took from my previous corset project and assumed they included negative ease. I really should have double checked. I felt ridiculous for failing to include waist reduction in a corset of all things, especially with how much attention I paid to everything else during construction. Luckily, the corset is for a costume, so I can make up for the lack of waist reduction by padding the waist and butt areas. I'll probably be more comfortable this way anyhow!
Ease. I need to learn about ease. Mostly because by the time I'm done modifying a pattern to fit myself, it's lost any resemblance to the original pattern and I don't know how to add ease back in to my now custom pattern.
Your videos are where I search first for answers to my sewing question. Thank you very much! I am so fortunate that I finally found a sewing class near me. My teacher suggested to do a practice dress out of muslin ( pattern called for cotton fabric). The first one came out quite off. Some had to do with the the way I cut out the pattern ( pieces didn’t quite match up) which I found out from one of your videos why that was lol. My second practice attempt is going much better. 😅
First of all, I have learned so much from your videos. I have been sewing since high school, and I always thought that the store sizes were the same as the pattern sizes. My next adve6is making my own dressform from a pattern. Being a plus sized woman, i think it will help me quite a bit. Thank you so much for your sharing your knowledge.
I still have so much to learn even though I have sewn my own garments over the last 40 yrs. Watching family friends sew has always helped. I often would get hand-me-downs that were home sewn and had to make adjustments to fit. Learned so much from doing just the adjustments. I have collected resource books that I go too often when sewing. I have Vogue/Butterick Step by Step to Sewing techniques-most used, Sew-Retro has great trips. I have How to Use, Adapt, and Design Dewing Patterns, which I still need to read thru. a few other books on sewing skirts ( I was in a phase). Love your videos Evelyn!
I am just in love with your channel. Thank you for sharing all this knowledge. I want to sew my own blouses/shirts. I did not take home ec but i did do some sewing in 4-H. But that was years ago. I want to know know KNOW!!!
Hi, this is great. For me it's understanding all the different markings on a pattern and what they mean, how you should mark them and how they should be interpreted. At the moment I am working on a vintage dress and so complex with the markings and not all of them are explained well at all. I will definitely be looking for that book. Thank you
When my daughter was in 9th or 10th grade, she was named to the homecoming court. We had no funds to buy a pretty dress, so I figured I'd just make it myself. It turned out beautifully - on the outside. I didn't know finishing edges was actually important. The fabric I chose was a coral colored satin, so it just unraveled and balled up every time she tried walking. I still cringe when I think about it. Her and her friends all took it in stride, one with a pair of scissors ready to snip all the ravels as needed. Needless to say, she only got to wear it once before it was unfixable.
My first garment sewing mistake- no where did it say to hang the skirt and expect it to stretch in the bias before you hem it. I couldn't figure out how I had gone wrong to make it so uneven.
Love your videos very informative. Iv done a little bit of sewing. My goal this year is to learn more /upskill in sewing I can't wait getting my sewing machine for my birthday 😍. Your a star
Evelyn. You need to use stabilisers for lace. Sheer fabrics and chiffon right? Is this right then? Can you do a video on stabilisers and when to use them? Pure.
Etsy is an awesome place to get detailed and size inclusive patterns. I’m 6’0 but thin so big brand patterns don’t really fit me without substantial alterations. But you can always find your size on Etsy. It’s awesome!
Thank you for all your knowledge. I noticed you have a serger behind you. I want one but only plan to spend around $400 with babysitting money. What is the best for home sewing. I have looked and there is soooo many to choose. I want to do rolled hem with what I choose. Thanks for advice.
Well whoops, I made a shirt for my dad for Christmas. None of the seams are finished. 🙈😅 Did press them all though, so points? Legit taught myself to sew that shirt by following the pattern and Googling/RUclips-ing everything I didn't know (which was about 99% of the pattern). Didn't even know that I was meant to make notches whilst cutting out so I was there drawing on the notches and where buttons should be with a tailor's blue pencil thing. But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat - I learn better by doing. Question, if I grabbed the shirt off my dad, is there a way to finish the seams without taking it to pieces?
Great work! And definitely points for the pressing! You should be able to finish some of the seams without taking it apart. Basically anything NOT sewn into something else 😀
I have always needed to enlarge patterns to fit me. My Mother and Aunt were my primary instructor's when I was a child but neither were close to professional. We would add a half inch to an inch to the entire pattern piece, all piece's. The garments never turned out right. They would be ok in some respect but then totally baggy or too large in another area (such as the neck circumference). I took me till adulthood and a sewing friend teach me how to properly adjust patterns.
The thing that trips me up often is not taking into account how a fabric stretches when worn. I would make a waistband from cotton, it would fit, then the fibres would relax & it would be too big but if I made one out of polyester to the relaxed cotton measurement then it would be too tight.
My most horrible mistake was a jacket I was making. The instructions said to apply the interfacing to the jacket front and back- not the facing (I guess they were talking about sew-in not self adhesive, which I was using). Against my better judgement, I applied it to the jacket front and back... HORRORS!! I still haven't finished it...I added lace to the bottom to lengthen it (I didn't have quite enough), which I am happy with, but haven't put lace on the sleeves or done the handwork. I just don't know what to do with it????
Alterations, if that is what the proper term. I am one of those extra large size people, if I see something that appeals I will buy and take it apart to see how it was made (factories cranking out 1000s not something one of one or two) but it becomes a bit hit and miss. Slowly developing personal patterns for upper and lower body items. For example, if the body of a jacket needs to be 4 inches longer how vital is the "where" of those inches being added? I assume that is a very different problem than having to add 4" around. I think "fitted" is the term? I mean humans are very much round, not many straight lines...and changing a curve can get weird quickly.
When I first started sewing, I didn’t understand the “baste for gathers” step. I tried to get help but I only got verbal explanations which discouraged me completely and I refused to sew garments. Fast forward 15 years and discovering the sewing community on RUclips, and I finally got my garment sewing mojo.
Urgh yes I got caught out by a Burda coat pattern. The instructions were half a page! I ended up giving up and just finding as many videos of each step as I could. I have a coat, is it the intended one on the front of the packet? Probably not.
For me, learning that "easy" was different for different patterns. I was a newby and picked up an "easy to sew" pattern for a Winter coat. It was so complicated I couldn't even figure out how to pin all the pieces together.
I have been trying to find out how to finish seams that are graded. If the seam is sewn, pressed and finished, grading it would remove the finished edge. Also, I have not found any mention about graded seams at intersections. Can anyone offer some help. Am I over-thinking this?
I’m not sure I completely understand your question but I’ll give you some thoughts. Graded seams are usually done to reduced bulk and are also usually fully enclosed so there is no need to finish the seam. Think necklines, for example. With intersecting seams you are usually instructed to finish the first seam and press it toward the back (for example) and then sew the next seam, keeping that first seam pressed to the back. Then finish that seam. Then press. I hope this helps.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I stumbled on the whole concept of "matching plaids" by someone complimenting me on what a good job I'd done on a garment. I was all of 12 and the outfit came out rather well but the idea of having the plaid pattern match at the side seams never occurred to me. They did come out very close and it was entirely by accident! But I've never forgotten it since.
Haha, I decided not to worry about it once and I'm still kicking myself about it every time I wear that housedress.
My grandmother grew up in the 1930's. As long as I can remember she was a great seamstress. I always thought her ironing board set up in her sew area because that was where she did the ironing. Well now I know better.
My biggest glitches came from not trimming and clipping the seam allowances. I had collars with ball-shaped corners and necklines with a visible pull. Part of the reason was that I learned my first stitches at home, on very simple and straight things. Seam and hem allowances were always huge, to be able to let out stuff for growing children. It was a philosophy of my parents (WWII generation) to never cut down the fabric if at all avoidable. Naturally this did not work for anything but the simplest of garments. My poor parents almost suffered a shock when they saw me clip a seam allowance, open up darts and produce leftover scraps when cutting. "You will not be able to remake this!" I said I wasn't growing any longer but it still made them very sad that they had raised such a wasterel.
I feel your pain as I have used this logic as well. On the other hand, If I get school uniforms to alter; I don't cut, as generally they will be passed down to younger siblings or thrifted, and it really does prolong the life of the garment. I have come across my own sewing alterations in items that have gone through siblings as well as having been thrifted (it's a small world!), and I do appreciate it because when I alter something I always try to do it in a way that is reversible or easier the next time. I have found over the years that hems should be made wider rather than folded twice - folding twice alters the way the garment hangs/drapes visibly; whereas a deeper hem is far less noticeable. My favourite is elasticised waists - I generally add a buttonhole to the inside of the waist (the width of the band) to make changing the elastic easier without actually unpicking anything. And, if you use buttonhole elastic and a smallish plain button near the buttonhole opening of the band - you have greatly increased the range of elasticity at a moments notice! I got this idea from toddler pants!
Oh wow I had never even thought of leaving larger seam allowances on kids clothes! That's brilliant. But oh my gosh yes simple patterns are awesome but there are so many fun patterns to try that do include things like - gasp - trimming seam allowances. Good for you for trying new things!!
Back in my day (70's) it was assumed you'd either be taught sewing at school (me) or by a relative (definitely not my relatives) or, if neither, you bought a mighty and comprehensive manual on all the different techniques, like Vogue Sewing (me) or one of the similar manuals of sewing by Simplicity, Style, Butterick etc, or even the Readers Digest. I teach sewing these days and I very much recommend any of these older sewing manuals, none of the modern ones by celebrity sewers come anywhere close to the detail included in the older sewing books which, more often than not, were the only handy source of information and technique a home sewer had available. So look out for them in the charity shops.
I agree. I bought the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing 45 years. I still refer to it today.
I have "The Complete Family Sewing Book" copyright 1971, Curtin Promotions, Inc NYC and still refer to it today.
I bought a number of vintage sewing books after Evelyn recommended them in a video and it turned out that some of them were from Western Germany, but others from the German Democratic Republic. These are really remarkable. Apart from being printed on really shoddy paper and miserable photographic reproduction quality, they showed that the home sewers were more or less using their straight stitch machines from, like, 1925 while in the west more modern machines with attachments and different stitches were available. When you now read these books you find that the authors had devised many creative and inventive workarounds to do everything on a straight stitch machine. Some are classics, of course, like the Hongkong finish, but others were totally new to me. Though I have to handle these books very carefully I use them quite often.
I found The Vogue Sewing Book with a copyright date of 1975 at a secondhand bookstore for $3
50 plus years ago when I was taught sewing in home economics my teacher stressed the importance of pressing and finishing seams. As fabrics changed I had no idea about needle sizes and types! Still learning that to this day!🙂 Sewing is a constantly changing craft with new materials and machines.
That golden rule explains so much. I learned some sewing as a teen, and absolutely no one told me to finish my seams. It left me with clothes that I couldn't run through a washing machine because they'd fray, and I thought all home sewing was like that.
Other things that caught me with patterns include actually cutting out the little tabs (for matching up pattern pieces later), knowing what a grain line is, and noticing when a piece is supposed to be laid on folded fabric, to make the cut piece twice as big.
I collect vintage patterns---one of my favorite instruction sheets is pretty much as follows: "Cut out the pieces. Sew up the jacket. Sew up the lining. Put them together." The farther back you go, the fewer instructions b/c, as you point out, most women knew how to sew. My oldest pattern is from 1909 & it's just outlines of pieces, a few perforations to match up. No instructions. The other thing I notice, tho, is how easily adjustable garments were---people making their own clothing couldn't afford to throw anything away, so everything was relatively easy to cut down, "turn" inside out, re-purpose. Good lesson for today!
You might be interested in following Cathy Hay and Bernadette Banner (if you don't follow them already!) - they both sew historical clothing using old patterns and drafting methods and I am In Awe of their skills and what is possible for people who know what they're doing with those old books and patterns!
Not only women. Apparently my grandfather - born 1900 - a rugby player, was an even better sewer than my grandmother, Mum and aunts - and they were amazing!
One newbie mistake I'll never stop laughing about is when I sewed a skintight top, expecting it to somehow magically be stretchy (it was made of a somewhat thick duchesse satin)... 😅
P.S. Your intro music always makes me picture a steam train coming into the station, and it makes me very happy!
My great aunt taught sewing back in the day at my highschool. She expected me to do twice as much and know twice as much as my classmates. You are reminding me of things I forgot over the years.
Thank you for the series. When I was a teen I made all my clothes. We were able to take sewing lessons in school but my greatest lessons came from a friend's mom. She taught me how to take my finishes to the next level. I am so grateful to her. Your videos are so good to refresh and point out things that I may have forgotten or need to do. We are always learning and it is good to stay relevant. Thank you again for your hard work.
Dear ms Wood and fellow members of VSS, I have decide to become a paid member. I tried the free trial and I am sold on Evelyn as my first sewing teacher. I just ordered the basic sewing equipment and cannot wait to get started! xx
I'm so excited too! 😊
@@Evelyn__Wood ❤️!
For my first blouse, I picked a lovely viscose woven fabric. I selected size 22 as per my bust measurements. The top I sew would have fitted the shoulder of an American footballer and the belly of 7 months pregnant mother-to-be. I did not know patterns were designed for a B cup!!!
I have that Complete Guide to Sewing and can confirm: It is a really amazing resource for someone who hasn't a clue!! I'm still a beginner but the first garment I made for myself was a historical shirt, using a recreated pattern that, again, expects you to know a whole bunch of things - and that book saved the shirt from becoming a UFO because it explains So. Much. Stuff that I desperately needed to know.
(Also it's a nice book to look through when you have a cold and feel like your head's stuffed full of cotton wool, because it's got pictures on every single page and all the text is broken down into nice short manageable paragraphs.)
I sewed my very first ever project on a hand-turned Singer sewing machine that didn't have a backstitch (or at least, I don't recall that it did) - I remember being taught to put the needle down, turn the fabric 180 degrees, stitch over the first few stitches, turn the fabric again and continue. A bit of a pain on something really big, admittedly, but I was only making a small bag and it wasn't that fiddly. Of course it's so much easier on a modern machine that can backstitch!
My aunt and uncle bought me that copy of the readers digest and she died quite recently and l treasure that book, they gave it to me for Christmas when I was doing needlework at school. Honesty even though l have more recent books, the readers digest maybe dates in the clothes styles but the way things are made is pretty much done the same way.
I have two vintage sewing books, kind of manuals on learning to sew, a Vogue and a Simplicity circa 1960’s. They are really the reference books a new sewer needs to have in order to learn how to do things for example, “ease stitch” “grade seams” “under stitch” and dozens more essential steps and techniques necessary to know when sewing. I think they both were purchased from EBay.
Singer by Mary Pickens or the one put out in the late 60's to early 70's (a very thick hardback) are my favorite ones for references. I also own a 60's simplicity & a mid 60's McCall books. I love these even to sit down and read thru. The pictures & descriptions are the best for how to sew. I've been sewing since I was 7 (on the machine by 9) and I just passed my birthday where in the USA you can get social security - that's a long time and I still enjoy this craft along with others I learned from a very industrial group of women in my family.
I had been sewing for years, 30+. When I bought my last sewing machine, I took their feee sewing class. Boy, did I learn A LOT!! I was amazed. I still am not a great seamstress. I do more quilting, than garment sewing, now. Really enjoy your videos! I learn so much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Aside from my mom getting me started when I was very young, I’m mostly self-taught - which means I used patterns to learn because that’s what was available at the time. I don’t recommend it. In the 70s, there were some “learn to sew” patterns that were helpful. Later, I joined a 4H sewing group and took a home ec class in high school. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned watching you and other RUclipsrs as I return to sewing. I truly appreciate it!
I think in the old days (early 70’s), they did not tell you to understitch, my mother taught me that. Great series, thank you 🧵🪡💕
Thank you for your videos. When I tried to sew decades ago, I thought I could pick a pattern size that was my ready made dress size and it would fit. In my case everything was too small. Then when I got a tape measure and compared my measurements to the pattern sizes I was very confused and gave up. As a plus size woman, I am amazed at the number of patterns in my size, and I am fascinated that I can change the size of the pattern slightly if I need it to go up one size. I am thrilled at the prospect of having clothes that fit instead of being too long, sleeves too long, bust gaping, shoulders too big to accommodate my bust, and waist too big to get my hips to fit!
I found the Better Homes and Garden Sewing Book from 1970 and it has been a great resource, for helping me understand Sewing.
Nice, I just bought it at Amazon. I hope I will like it, too
I learned a LOT when, unknown of these notions, I started to sew a velvet stretch fabric...with an universal needle and a straight stitch...you can imagine the nightmare 😭
Evelyn, the pattern your holding in your hand in this video is the exact one I used in the 70's to make that jumper (or pinafore for you) for school (high school) - nice to see that one again 🤗
For instructional books you all seem to forget about Singer! It's the ones I have the most of (about 10-12 of them) from different eras (late 30's thru to 80's) -- along with 2 McCall books & 2 simplicity ones (1 sewing clothes & 1 home decor ones) - the vogue & readers' digest never appealed to me & we're more difficult to understand -- personal choices. So don't fo get about Singer books - they are really excellent & available on Amazon or at thrift stores.
So glad you mentioned the Reader’s Digest sewing book. It’s fantastic!
I have that one too, turns out it was a way better resource from my grandmother than her sewing machine was!
Another good source for sewing info is most of Nancy Zieman’s books. She was on tv from mid “80’s” then on RUclips till she passed away from cancer a few years ago. You may also find some of her videos available to watch. I learned a lot of pointer’s from her.
Have just started to try sewing again after a really long time. You mentioned in your video the “Readers Digest Completed Guide to Sewing, and I thought, I’ve seen that book and low and behold I have a 1970’s edition. So now I am you tubing your videos and reading the book also.. thank you so much, your videos are so extremely helpful and informative ❤❤
The problem I mostly had and still have is sizing. I have found Berda is the best patterns for me,very little alterations need to be done
I have the Reader's Digest book (from many years ago) and, because I don't sew all that often, I am still referring to it. Always something new to learn and always room for improving our skills.
My mother in law bought me that book, I’m 74 now and still have it. I had to make my own clothes in the sixties as I was petite then but couldn’t by petite sizes in those days.
@@Laura55sere Hi Laura. Very few people fit the "size mold" of store clothes. For my width, I am apparently too tall -- i.e. my arms are too long for petite. Must have been a monkey somewhere in our genetics :)
hi i beg to differ the first thing you need to know first of all is the sizing as years ago i started making clothes i made so many mistakes in the sizing now i always look at the finished size before i even start been doing it for approx 40 year i am going to teach my friend how to sew and will give her my knowledge and start with finish size first before she buys her pattern other thing then in as when they come up and have a book to write in with her information as a reference she can look up if i’m not around keep up with your teaching as i have picked up a few hints from you always learning and i’m now 72 years old thanks from uk
Please forgive my humble question of complete ignorance. Special thanks to all those whom share their wealth of knowledge in these comment sections. I have noticed that there are like 4-5 different weights of interfacing. But often on patterns, it just says interfacing. How do you match proper weight of interfacing to the article one is attempting to sew? Sure one may be sewing this bag, but which interfacing does one use, heavy duty or extra heavy duty? Or is that I learn by trial and error from experience. It would appear to be determined upon the fabric weight that is being used, but in reality I am clueless (ie. Denim and Corduroy would require a heavier interfacing than a light linen or silk bag). The other elephant in the room: Interfacing gives the bag more "structure." Does using a heavier interfacing create a more heavy-duty bag that could theoretically effectively carry more weight? Thank You.
My real problem is the ease. How to decide how much ease makes my garment tight, slim, loose or anything between. How to decide which pattern would give me the slim fit I'm looking for.
Ooh, yeah ease, I never know what's going to make the garment comfortable. Thankfully when I've underestimated, I've been able to fake it with armpit gussets...
You are correct. Most of the sewing patterns being offered for sale today do not have as much information in them as the patterns printed and sold when I was much younger. However, most of the patterns offered for sale today are printed in more than one language. If the U.S.A. had switched to the Metric System (back in the early 1980's), the cost of new patterns (and many other items) would not be so expensive today.
Thank you for this! Here's one thing I encountered: not knowing on which panel to fuse the interfacing. I recently made a lovely 70's mini dress for my daughter that required interfacing on the collar. First it wasn't clear whether I could use fusible i/f and then it did not indicate on which of the top or bottom panel I should attach the i/f. ( It was a fairly complicated V shaped collar that also would have benefited from more explanations). Some patterns say to add the i/f on the top layer but I find that putting fusible i/f on the top layer can result in some visible stiffening and, sometimes, puckering. As for the mini dress, I'm not new to sewing so it actually turned out well but I'd still love to understand the whole i/f "world" better. Thanks again for your great videos!
I'm so glad I had sewing lessons when I was younger.
Same here. Wood shop, sewing, cooking, metal shop are such useful life skills, let alone vocational inspiration for young people.
I wish schools still taught sewing. I graduated high-school two years ago and learned no practical life skills. Like learning a language, I imagine learning how to sew at a young age is easier.
As a teen, I made a lovely lightweight jacket with metal buttons backed with buttons, and it turned out beautifully. It lasted a week until I washed it. Not only was the fabric 100% cotton and a constant rumpling, but it was too thin even with interfacing, and the buttons ripped out entirely, leaving holes. That was memorable.
I had learned to sew at school and from my Mom, and was told I would get better if I followed the pattern directions, and was guided by trial and error. I have learned a lot more from these videos, though, lol.
My first none school sewing project had me taking a trip to my moms. She read through it declared the instructions stupid and did that part herself. I remember sitting on the sidelines thinking well this isn’t helpful! This was a few or a lot more years ago so no internet. Home computers were just becoming a thing. I ended up with books and television there were a lot of sewing and fitting shows on in the 80’s. Though I do remember at the time being in awe of the idea of not following the pattern verbatim! Now I take the instructions as a guideline.
The biggest thing that got me and still does to sum extent is ease. I’m better about checking for it but it still sometimes gets me!
Agreed, ease is never easy.
Hi Robin, Hope this finds you well. At the moment I am greatly relived that the year-anniversary for the "convoy" nutters was a bust. Maybe the fever of all that anger is finally starting to pass...
Right now I'm about to start quilting in the details to my FR entry. This assumes that I stop delaying cutting into the final fabric...
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
@@stevezytveld6585 Cathy I’m glad the anniversary was a bust! The anger was over the top for something no one really had control of. They precautions!
Quilting sounds interesting! Also I have faith that you can cut the fabric! You’ve got this!!! It’s going to be great!!
@@robintheparttimesewer6798 Thank you. I need to get out of my own head and just cut the fabric. Futz with the darts when it's all done and fingers crossed. Busty human problems, whatayagonnado.
I'm using the Tristan quilt (the oldest known surviving quilt) for the starting point for my pattern. It's mostly going to be tone-on-tone quilting for the water. The fish are going to be soft sculptured with a contrasting thread, so hopefully it won't be too contrast-y,... if that makes a lick of sense...
And yeah, thank everything the anniversary dance party was a bust. The cops are everywhere, so at least they're earning the salary we're all paying them. Next anniversary to brace for is the Valentine's day EA one.
@@stevezytveld6585 Cathy it sounds lovely. Tone on tone quilting is an art form. Can’t wait to hear more.
So smile and cut fabric! May you always have perfect darts!!
I just love you’re enthusiasm and love of sewing! I have subscribed. I’m semi retired and I never had the time to learn very much about sewing. Thanks to people like you, I have started to enjoy it so much. You have removed the frustration of having to figure it all out by myself. Thank you for your content, be blessed😊
There is "ease" stitching. Where the shoulder--for example--edge of the front and back pieces are not quite the same length, the pattern will probably say "ease stitch." Like Mary Bogar, I was blessed with an expert in my life when I was young. I also had sewing lessons at school, but my expert (Mom) helped when the teacher's instructions didn't make sense to me.
The only problem no one can help me with is patience. So, my #1 advice to anyone starting out is, if you don't understand something, stop. Take a break, do something else for a bit (I clean up some of the mess I always create) and then try again--look for a post from Evelyn that covers the problem you're facing. I watched a video from another sewing vlogger who admitted she rarely understands the pattern instructions--bless her little cotton socks!
Very very few patterns include detailed instructions but some I've seen around the 60's/80's had some. You have to think of patterns like individual projects. Then you need a manual to understand the trade. A good sewing book that explains everything from machine/hand sewing, how to alter patterns and facings/interfacings/linings. It's a lot. I grew up with my mother as a seamstress and can't image just looking at a pattern without that background. You have to learn soooo much to make a garment. Your videos are great and detailed with quality knowledge. Glad you are making this series as it's hard to find good content out there to refer new sewers to!
I just have to say thank you so much. Your videos have helped me SOOOOOOO much in my learning to sew! I just cleaned my machine and changed my needle and WHO KNEW, my machine runs so much smoother and straighter!! I started working on my first dress and I'm so thankful I found your videos. You are fantastic!! God Bless you my friend!! ❤️❤️
Dear Ms Wood,
As always, I so enjoy listening to your videos! I would listen to them even if I weren't interested in sewing.
🥰🥰
Something the patterns don’t tell also is all about basting and seam ripping…oh yeah, lots of that comes with sewing too 🙂🌹🙏🏼
Patterns may or may not tell you everything required to complete the garment like thread, buttons, zippers, seam binding and heming tape. It can be frustrating to get home and realize you don't have everything you need. As an impatient beginner I learned the hard way to read through the directions of the pattern and ask more experienced people if my shopping list was complete.
A good resource for the advanced beginner or intermediate sewer working with vintage patterns is Sandra Betzina's book called Power Sewing. Get the old edition with the red cover. I think mine is from 1985. It also will help you understand how the patternmakers were thinking and then you can decide if you want to modernize the technique or not based on your experience.
I would be interested in learning about different type and different size needles and which is appropriate to use with what... PLEASE😇
The first thing to know is that sewing machines needles are standardized. I found the chart in my sewing machine manual.
I have the same Reader's Digest sewing book! It is still one of the very best, even though it's years old. I've been sewing for a long time and tailoring my own clothes since I was about 15 yrs. old. My biggest problem with patterns has always been fit, especially with pants. I gave up on commercial patterns years ago. When I was in the corporate world, I designed all my own clothes from basic patterns. I took a class recently with a well known designer on fitting pants. I finally have my own custom pants pattern that actually fits! I can't buy off the rack, everything is gigantic on me. Oh and the serger - best invention ever in sewing!
Two mistakes I made were when I tried sewing pajamas for my kids. One of my daughters wanted the nightgown longer than the pattern called for, so I just added on more material, but didn't widen it below the knees, so she couldn't take full strides or climb on our bed because it was too narrow. And my oldest son had a long torso and was very thin, so I used a pattern size matching his waist and just lengthened the torso. That all worked fine, but because he was thin, the neck hole was very tight and he really had to squeeze it over his head.
I just got the Readers Digest book that you referenced yesterday at a second hand thrift shop for $1.00!! It is a very nice reference.
Excellent information! So enjoy your videos...
I'm sure I thought I could learn how to sew when I bought my first pattern as well! It's a wonder I could even wear that blinding black with small yellow polka dot "Empire waist "granny" dress" with the three foot zipper, back in the late '60's! Ha! But I never gave up, and still using my grandmothers 1948 Singer Featherweight...That Readers Digest Book was a big help back then, yes! In my area on the Oregon Coast, the fabric stores are all closing, as are the department stores, sew I am grateful for what I find fabric wise at the thrift shops, and check there first...
Sad fabric stores are closing I love collecting pretty buttons
I've been sewing for myself for around 8 years, and while it's always a learning process, I never had a problem that I couldn't fix. Now I'm teaching my 11 year old neighbor how to sew, and children's patterns have so much more ease in them than adult's patterns, it's insane. Children's patterns really are an entirely different domain of sewing.
Thank you for this series, I especially appreciate that you don't have an intro or any extra nonsense, but it's all so concise and straightforward, so I can watch all the way through the series without skipping. I am watching these while practicing hand stitching before I have a machine :)
I caught on early to the fact that sewing patterns assumed the sewist knew undescribed things in the pattern directions, however I definitely learned that the hard way!! Eventually, This was quite a while ago but I began writing the pattern companies (when you could actually find an address to write to) and sometimes they'd actually write back! I began sewing (well for real - seeing something I wanted to make an I'd dive in as if I knew what I was doing!) in the early 60s.
Thanks Evelyn. Just received Readers Digest newer edition. As a kid we had the old edition. Don’t know where that went. But glad I bought a valuable tool
I have that readers digest book. It is from the 1980’s and absolutely fantastic. It goes through EVERYTHING.
Always, always wash you fabric before you sew (exception ofcourse certain fabrics, but dont start with them, they usually are expensive and difficult). Unsure if you did? Wash it again. Nothing more painfull to completly finish it and crimp in the first wash...
Second never ever turn the pattern on the fabric, even if it reduce the amount of fabric needed (i'm dutch!) If it stretch in the length it will keep bigger and bigger....
Love the series. Specially now when im learning to draw my own patterns!
I’m so thankful that we have you tube and google and ones like Evelyn here to help us. I can catch on to the sewing part fairly easy but altering it to make it fit frequently gives me a fit.
I have ordered the book, old version. Thank you so much, I look forward to learning more
Start simple while you learn; Wash fabric! and preshrink it so it fits later and you know the quality before spending hours of work. I also like to see a photo on the pattern similar to my body type if possible - not a leggy cartoon woman. Currently I am struggling with the hem roller - mastering it save loads of time finishing edges. I will check you list ❤
I was today years old when I learnt about ease. Explains why after very carefully taking my measurements and choosing the right size pattern the pants were AT LEAST a size and a half too big. Thank you. I have become interested in learning to sew after watching your videos initially for entertainment. You make it seem less scary with your easy manner and great explanations
Awww I'm so glad it hear it! More great video on ease coming up soon!
I have been sewing a while. learned in High school, but probably not all that well. I have made ALL the mistakes. If I learned to finish seams, I couldn't tell you. I think that is probably the one thing I have never known! So embarrassing. I mostly have sewn for myself skirts as blouses and dresses seem way to hard for my shape. I would love to properly learn because I hate shopping for clothes, they never fit me.
Thank you! Learning a lot already.
My biggest early garment sewing issue was body type and how to dress it. I didn't know that my upper torso is very short, so my waist and my bust are very close together. My daughter and her husband are the same height, but her legs are 4" longer than his. The last dress I made was a maternity dress 32 years ago.
You are right !I believe I need to be informed,to watch your videos,to exercise sewing!You are an inspiration for me!Thank you!👏👏👏😍😍😍
One thing to keep in mind is seam allowances. Are they included or not? In many European patterns they are still not included so you have add them yourself. And if they are included, how big are they? You can’t just assume they are 1.5 cm / 5/8” because you’re bound to come across patterns with other widths.
I have some patterns from the 40’s and the instructions are SO VAGUE. Thanks for this video! It really helped!
Evelyn it's so funny that you spent time talking about ease here. Because of my most recent blunder. 😅 I've been trying to teach myself sewing for about a decade now and it's been a very slow and messy journey without proper guidance and knowing terminology. My most recent sewing project was a rather adventurous attempt at making a bunny suit corset. I've made a couple corsets in the past and I knew that for it to turn out I needed to 1.Take my time 2.Grade my pattern and 3. Pay attention to the grain lines. I spent a whole week with late night sewing sessions, finally put the corset on, and viola! It fit like a glove. Meaning, even fully laced it did not actually cinch my waist. 😅 I used measurements I took from my previous corset project and assumed they included negative ease. I really should have double checked. I felt ridiculous for failing to include waist reduction in a corset of all things, especially with how much attention I paid to everything else during construction. Luckily, the corset is for a costume, so I can make up for the lack of waist reduction by padding the waist and butt areas. I'll probably be more comfortable this way anyhow!
Ease. I need to learn about ease. Mostly because by the time I'm done modifying a pattern to fit myself, it's lost any resemblance to the original pattern and I don't know how to add ease back in to my now custom pattern.
“Stay stitch all pieces before assembly.” That one got me.
Your videos are where I search first for answers to my sewing question. Thank you very much! I am so fortunate that I finally found a sewing class near me. My teacher suggested to do a practice dress out of muslin ( pattern called for cotton fabric). The first one came out quite off. Some had to do with the the way I cut out the pattern ( pieces didn’t quite match up) which I found out from one of your videos why that was lol. My second practice attempt is going much better. 😅
Great idea esp if you have expensive fabric 😅
In home ec class our first project was a drawstring bag. I must've seam ripped it a million times. My seams were crooked.
Love this series. 💕
First of all, I have learned so much from your videos. I have been sewing since high school, and I always thought that the store sizes were the same as the pattern sizes. My next adve6is making my own dressform from a pattern. Being a plus sized woman, i think it will help me quite a bit. Thank you so much for your sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for breaking this down so clearly!
I didn't know you were supposed to finish the seams when I learned to sew! I know now! 😄
I still have so much to learn even though I have sewn my own garments over the last 40 yrs. Watching family friends sew has always helped. I often would get hand-me-downs that were home sewn and had to make adjustments to fit. Learned so much from doing just the adjustments. I have collected resource books that I go too often when sewing. I have Vogue/Butterick Step by Step to Sewing techniques-most used, Sew-Retro has great trips. I have How to Use, Adapt, and Design Dewing Patterns, which I still need to read thru. a few other books on sewing skirts ( I was in a phase). Love your videos Evelyn!
I am just in love with your channel. Thank you for sharing all this knowledge. I want to sew my own blouses/shirts. I did not take home ec but i did do some sewing in 4-H. But that was years ago. I want to know know KNOW!!!
Hi, this is great. For me it's understanding all the different markings on a pattern and what they mean, how you should mark them and how they should be interpreted. At the moment I am working on a vintage dress and so complex with the markings and not all of them are explained well at all. I will definitely be looking for that book. Thank you
So excited I found your channel! Your charming and fun to watch as I learn🥰
When my daughter was in 9th or 10th grade, she was named to the homecoming court. We had no funds to buy a pretty dress, so I figured I'd just make it myself. It turned out beautifully - on the outside. I didn't know finishing edges was actually important. The fabric I chose was a coral colored satin, so it just unraveled and balled up every time she tried walking. I still cringe when I think about it. Her and her friends all took it in stride, one with a pair of scissors ready to snip all the ravels as needed. Needless to say, she only got to wear it once before it was unfixable.
My first garment sewing mistake- no where did it say to hang the skirt and expect it to stretch in the bias before you hem it. I couldn't figure out how I had gone wrong to make it so uneven.
I love your videos. Thank you for this information. Do you make all the clothes you're wearing in your videos?
Love your videos very informative. Iv done a little bit of sewing. My goal this year is to learn more /upskill in sewing I can't wait getting my sewing machine for my birthday 😍. Your a star
I’ve learned a lot from you Evelyn.
Evelyn.
You need to use stabilisers for lace. Sheer fabrics and chiffon right? Is this right then? Can you do a video on stabilisers and when to use them?
Pure.
A lot of indie pattern brands include a lot of this information that are not always included in commercial patterns
Etsy is an awesome place to get detailed and size inclusive patterns. I’m 6’0 but thin so big brand patterns don’t really fit me without substantial alterations. But you can always find your size on Etsy. It’s awesome!
Thanks for the info. Great message
Thank you for all your knowledge.
I noticed you have a serger behind you.
I want one but only plan to spend around $400 with babysitting money.
What is the best for home sewing.
I have looked and there is soooo many to choose.
I want to do rolled hem with what I choose.
Thanks for advice.
Well whoops, I made a shirt for my dad for Christmas. None of the seams are finished. 🙈😅 Did press them all though, so points? Legit taught myself to sew that shirt by following the pattern and Googling/RUclips-ing everything I didn't know (which was about 99% of the pattern). Didn't even know that I was meant to make notches whilst cutting out so I was there drawing on the notches and where buttons should be with a tailor's blue pencil thing. But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat - I learn better by doing. Question, if I grabbed the shirt off my dad, is there a way to finish the seams without taking it to pieces?
Great work! And definitely points for the pressing! You should be able to finish some of the seams without taking it apart. Basically anything NOT sewn into something else 😀
I have always needed to enlarge patterns to fit me. My Mother and Aunt were my primary instructor's when I was a child but neither were close to professional. We would add a half inch to an inch to the entire pattern piece, all piece's. The garments never turned out right. They would be ok in some respect but then totally baggy or too large in another area (such as the neck circumference). I took me till adulthood and a sewing friend teach me how to properly adjust patterns.
The thing that trips me up often is not taking into account how a fabric stretches when worn. I would make a waistband from cotton, it would fit, then the fibres would relax & it would be too big but if I made one out of polyester to the relaxed cotton measurement then it would be too tight.
I learned how to follow a pattern at school, but we were never taught how to alter a pattern to fit.
My most horrible mistake was a jacket I was making. The instructions said to apply the interfacing to the jacket front and back- not the facing (I guess they were talking about sew-in not self adhesive, which I was using). Against my better judgement, I applied it to the jacket front and back... HORRORS!! I still haven't finished it...I added lace to the bottom to lengthen it (I didn't have quite enough), which I am happy with, but haven't put lace on the sleeves or done the handwork. I just don't know what to do with it????
I'm a new beginners, just recently started. And thank you tha I found you, however can I state my fear regarding using the patterns. Is this normal?
Alterations, if that is what the proper term.
I am one of those extra large size people, if I see something that appeals I will buy and take it apart to see how it was made (factories cranking out 1000s not something one of one or two) but it becomes a bit hit and miss. Slowly developing personal patterns for upper and lower body items.
For example, if the body of a jacket needs to be 4 inches longer how vital is the "where" of those inches being added? I assume that is a very different problem than having to add 4" around.
I think "fitted" is the term? I mean humans are very much round, not many straight lines...and changing a curve can get weird quickly.
Thank you.
When I first started sewing, I didn’t understand the “baste for gathers” step. I tried to get help but I only got verbal explanations which discouraged me completely and I refused to sew garments. Fast forward 15 years and discovering the sewing community on RUclips, and I finally got my garment sewing mojo.
Urgh yes I got caught out by a Burda coat pattern. The instructions were half a page! I ended up giving up and just finding as many videos of each step as I could. I have a coat, is it the intended one on the front of the packet? Probably not.
For me, learning that "easy" was different for different patterns. I was a newby and picked up an "easy to sew" pattern for a Winter coat. It was so complicated I couldn't even figure out how to pin all the pieces together.
When I first started sewing, I had no idea that there was this thing called "ease".
Videos on that are coming up!!
I have yet to figure out how to use the button hole foot. It never comes out looking like a buttonhole. Can't figure out what I am doing wrong.
Great videos Evelyn
I have been trying to find out how to finish seams that are graded. If the seam is sewn, pressed and finished, grading it would remove the finished edge. Also, I have not found any mention about graded seams at intersections. Can anyone offer some help. Am I over-thinking this?
I’m not sure I completely understand your question but I’ll give you some thoughts. Graded seams are usually done to reduced bulk and are also usually fully enclosed so there is no need to finish the seam. Think necklines, for example. With intersecting seams you are usually instructed to finish the first seam and press it toward the back (for example) and then sew the next seam, keeping that first seam pressed to the back. Then finish that seam. Then press. I hope this helps.
Grade first, then finish , if needed.
@@denisedorsey2889 Thank you. I wish this process was explained like this. If it was, I missed it.