Edit: Please note, that while I mention it's important to prep fabric before sewing, there are certain types of fabric that should not be washed, such as certain kinds of wool and silk, and must be dry cleaned instead (or cleaned using an alternate method). Please consult the instructions provided by your fabric supplier. My apologies that a couple sections are a bit out of focus. Please use the chapters to navigate through the sections with ease, and do leave a comment if you have any questions. Thanks so much for watching!
Most fabrics don't need washing first- only materials for shifts really. NEVER wash dry clean only fabrics before sewing, but you don't need to dry clean them either. In the day unless a fabric was known for colour running it would not be washed first- so why do it? The exception are materials for shifts and other underwear such as corset covers (not corsets though. It is sometimes given as an instruction in mid 20th century sewing manuals- written during WW2, but it's only necessary with very inferior materials, which was a problem in that specific period.
@@lauraholland347 I’ve had a very opposite experience of garments getting destroyed because fabric wasn’t pre washed. In particular with washable wool (of course washed on a wool setting, low temp, etc.) and especially without pre washing twill tape and things getting all warped and messed up. Our fabrics aren’t historical fabrics so they have to be treated differently. I never wash dry clean fabrics of course though, I just get them pre-dry cleaned as the fibres can indeed warp and change.
@@VBirchwood Well I can only agree to disagree, I don't think I've ever seen wool advertised as washable sold by the yard, the vast majority is official not washable- but can usually be hand washed successfully. Even wool that is "washable" I would never machine wash- it is far too harsh ,if you want it to last a long time. I've been making theatrical costumes professionally for 30 years. Cheap twill tape can be improved by boil washing before use- but usually I use tape which is good quality and doesn't shrink.
Excellent video! I'm 77 years old and stopped by here out of curiosity. To my happy surprise I discovered that these were the stitches my mother taught me 70 years ago. I never knew that they were the accepted styles of stitching. I just assumed it was 'the way my mother did it.' Thanks for the time you've taken to clear this up for me!
I stumbled on this site by accident. I am amazed that such a young lady knows this same stitches i learned a zillion years ago and have been using all my life. I was born and raised in a coffee and tobacco plantation in Africa. I lived with my Portuguese grandmother and she was a very strong and strict lady with no nonsense. Until going to á boarding school in Europe and during holidays i learned everything about running a proper household. From conserving food to sewing everything. We had a multitude of servants and cooks and whatnot, but i had to learn B everything correctly. Embroidery and lace making paralel to painting on silk to piano and bookkeeping was natural for me. Years after in exile those lessons were of great use. Now alone in America i benefit of those lessons and i make and use those lessons. Unbelievable that today such a young person knows how to use those skills. I bless the work of your hands, sweet girl. You keep an art long forgotten but of extreme importance in the complicated world of today where we don’t know what may happen tomorrow as the world is becoming so crazy and insecure. ❤🤗 😘 😊 from the old eccentric old Angolan in cold MN.
Same here! I stumbled on this thinking I'd find new things. Well, I did, but my new information is the names of some of the stitches I learned as a child.
@@mulatadesanzala2920 I live in MN as well! I never learned the things that you learned. My mother was busy earning a living to take care of her 3 children. I've tried unsuccessfully to learn how to sew, both machine and by hand. I've tried to learn how to do canning for food storage on my own. What a disaster! Lol. My mother died 12 years ago and I miss her terribly. I would love to meet a woman of your caliber! As an older woman myself, I have a grown daughter whom I love dearly and would love to teach some of these skills to her. When I was a much younger woman reading was my refuge and solace and I used to dream of living the life you grew up in! How did you ever end up in this frozen wasteland?! Though it is cold, the summers are hot and humid. And now I dream of simple things like planting a small garden. My hands still ache to create and I swear that I am cursed to love fabric and its rainbow of colors. I'm teaching myself how to felt (a lot easier than I imagined). I love to crochet, but I only know a couple of stitches. And out of it all, I start many projects but finishing is a problem. I wish there was a book of wisdom for older women who lost their mothers before they were able to pass on their essential knowledge. I hope this missive finds you happy and well as we enter the holiday season and the cold darkness of winter. Greetings and love from Inver Grove Heights!
I never knew there was a left or right handed sewing, as my Dad just said to me my weirdness is showing as I interchange left to right all the time, I write right handed but when sat at dinner I am left handed. I sew cross stitches and do embroidery work but as I said for some reason I sew with either hand I never knew any different as it’s something I have always done since I was a child. So I went and checked out how I also knit by checking a number of online knitters and found I hold the wool in my left hand and no my right hand but when I crochet I switch hands. I think me Dad is right my weirdness is showing.
I learned to sew right handed because my aunts that taught me were right handed. I also learned to crochet right handed. I do sometimes switch my sewing needle from one hand to the other if a particular section is awkward.
My great grandmother was a professional seamstress from about 1900 to her death in 1949. Many of these stitches were taught to me when I was small by my grandmother in the '60's. I can hand sew better than I can machine sew. I am also a lefty. I think lefty's are very under represented too.
My mom is a master seamstress from Holland and she taught me to not knot or secure the basting stitches so when you are done you can easily pull the thread out so it can be reused.
Not knotting them definitely is a great way to reuse the thread! I like to knot personally because I find it holds the pieces together much stronger, especially for a fitting of a tight-fitted bodice where even the mock-up or initial fittings can sometimes undergo a lot of stress
@@gmr1241 Looping the beginning thread end around an inserted straight pin is a way to temporarily secure it -- and allows for removal when the basting function is completed.
I, too, am a lefty. I've been sewing since the 1950's, mostly hunting, fishing and sports gear. Because my beloved bride of 55 years has arthritis I now do all the household's sewing. Many thanks for the tips and techniques.
Thank you from a lefty! We never see things demonstrated “our way”. I came here to see what terminology the young people are using for the stitches I learned as a girl, both sewing and embroidery. I’m so glad you demonstrated these stitches for people who want to hand sew. ❤
55 years ago, my mother taught me, those stitches. And stil use them. My favorite is allso the back stitch. The favorite of my mom too. She said, that’s a strong stitch. So it’s nice to see it now here, on RUclips 😊
Hah! A thimble is absolutely essential. I use brass half thimbles, just preference. I have hard skin on my fingers from times when I lost my thimbles. The times I’ve had to get blood off fabric… I know stitchers who do 10-15 mins warm up on a spare piece before they start. ( Er, not me) I have old/vintage pieces and am always surprised at the enormous variation in quality of stitching. Even when it showed. I’m in the process of starting a Chanel type jacket - and stitching it all by hand. Just asa project. That’s how I came here. I stitch every day, for my mental & spiritual health. It’s my meditation and mindfulness. I also end up with something at the end! Great video, it must have been very tricky to demonstrate the stitches, job beautifully done, thank you 😊
I appreciate the left handed demonstration so much 😭 I was telling a relative the other day that I've almost never learned left handed instructions from anyone. So I've gotten good at mirroring whatever I'm learning to do, but this is so nice!!
Excellent video!! I learned these from my mother but I am 60 yrs old now. It's too bad home economics was taken out of public schools. Learning basic living skills is essential. First time seeing your channel. I subscribed. I made 2 victorian christening gowns. Can't wait to see more of your vids.
Thanks so much! Definitely sad home economics has gone away. When I was of school age, they had already removed it from the school system, not to mention I went to school in a relatively poor and underfunded area and we didn’t have a lot of electives because of it. Because of that I had to teach myself to sew just a couple of years ago. I hope you enjoy the channel!
I've been watching flax weaving videos and one of the ladies sets her camera up over her shoulder which shows a really clear view of her hands, like how anyone doing the work would actually view their own hands. Just a suggestion you could try if you like. Wonderful video and i structions! I've been doing a lot more hand sewing recently as I can sit and sew with my young children rather than only when they let me hide away in my sewing room! Love the extra hints to get some more sturdy stitches. Thank you
Just starting to watch this series -- and even now, at the 3:17 mark of the second video, I have to thank you so much for using a left-handed technique. Being left handed myself, its just so nice (and rare) to see this. Thank you!!
I often use a running stitch but backstitch every couple of inches to prevent it from gathering. You can also double up on your thread for increased strength ( though it may knot up easier). GREAT channel- LOVE your content! Thank you!!!
Very comprehensive video! Well done! And your camera angle allows both righties and lefties to follow along, wonderful to see. For hand sewing with woven fabric, I was taught to use a thread from the fabric itself for stitching, but waxed. That way you match fabric colours perfectly. That said, sewing thread produces a stronger seam. And there are two edging stitches, the blanket and buttonhole, and I believe you demoed what I learned as the blanket stitch. The buttonhole stitch produces a slightly more pronounced ridge at the fabric edge, and is especially good for fabrics which fray readily. The only basic stitch I was taught that you didn't include was the chain stitch, which I was taught to use on seams where you might want a little "give", on armholes and waistbands. I also noticed you didn't mention the french seam, but I am not sure when that was introduced historically. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you! There are a lot of videos out there but you explained the securing knots very well. My absolute beginner brain was afraid to start sewing because I had no clear idea of how the thread was going to stay put and not start unraveling.
My pleasure! As they say, often getting started is the hardest part, and the same tends to be with handsewing, as knowing how to get going with the thread is intimidating! The Victorians actually traditionally didn't knot anything, they would just take a few back stitches in the same place to begin. I find this a bit too impermanent for my taste, which is why this is my preferred method. Thanks for your comment and I'm glad the video has been helpful. Most of all, happy sewing (you've got this 😊)
You have one of the best historical sewing channels on RUclips! I'm so glad I found it! 🥰 I relearned sewing last year and still need a lot of practice to make my stitches nice and even.
excellent how to. no extra talk, just simply the stitching. so much easier to follow and concentrate. thank you soo much :) 🌷🌱 just a note - you have beautiful hands and your movements are strong yet graceful. keep safe, sweetie. :) 🌿🌸
On behalf of my late, left-handed Mum, thanks for representing the South Paws. Great video. Thank you for the reminder for what left-handed sewing looks like. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
@@VBirchwood Actually, just Cathy. I didn't realize I was using Mister Husbands account on the shared laptop until well after the algorithms for "Recommended for You" were very well trained. Gen X Luddite. What can I say...
Love your videos. Regarding the sewing of buttons holes. The button hole stitch you are showing is the American method. In the UK we call this blanket stitch, which is a very useful stitch to know. Buttonhole stitch In the UK, I was taught to take the threads coming out of the EYE of the needle and wrap them around. This causes a larger knot which locks into place (still very tiny). It is very good for fabric which frays. I hope you find this helpful.
Thank you for speaking up - even sewing books published now often call the blanket stitch by both names! I love the buttonhole stitch for those fabrics that fray easily.
Even though I know how to sew, I really do enjoy your videos! It is easy to get lazy or be rushed and sloppy so rewatching tutorials always reminds me to stick to my proper training lol! Not just because it comes out better, but because I do enjoy the sewing process. Also, I REALLY appreciate when you demonstrate the left handed techniques. Of course I can still easily follow along with the right handed versions, but the left handed just naturally makes so much more sense to me. It is also a bit of a sigh of relief to not have to be forced to do something right handed when it can be done just as well left handed. Thank you
Thanks so much for your lovely comment LG! It does truly feel really nice to see left handed sewing represented. I’m ambidextrous with sewing so I try to use my left hand sometimes for tutorials, though I must admit my recent ones haven’t been with the left. I’ll need to include some more left handed ones! 😅
@@VBirchwood oh that's alright, do what you can. I find that certain projects or certain sides I will favor using one hand over the other. Also depending on my light source, I will switch hands before moving the lights around. I wanted to ask you, do you have a favorite brand of hand sewing needles? I haven't purchased needles in years and was curious what brands still have kept up a good quality today.
This was very helpful! I loved it. You are definitely a good teacher. The pacing and camera angles were great. As a beginner at sewing, myself, I can say this was very easy to follow and I'd definitely love to see more to help me on my sewing journey. :)
Glad it was helpful Nichole! This is a super old video (one of the earliest on my channel actually) so I have many others to help with sewing (and more) on my channel 😊
On threading the needle: when using a thicker thread consistent with those available prior to the 1970s (linen thread being absolutely ideal), you can lock the thread to the needle by simply passing the point of the needle through the long end of the thread three times, exactly as demonstrated in running stitch. One-two-three through the thread, pull through. To release the needle, simply pull the short tail through. If you can't get the nose in, separate the strands by twisting the thread.
I AM SO HAPPY THAT I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL!!! i have wanted to get back into sewing but never felt like i was doing it right… i love this video, your channel, and your whole vibe tbh hahah
Welcome to the channel, Alisa! Thanks for being here! I want to remind you, gently of course, that anyway you choose to sew is the “right” way 😊 it can be helpful and such to know certain techniques, but there’s no one way to go about this interest and it’s such a process too ❤️ I hope this video is helpful with knowing these stitches!
Mum taught me to wrap the thread before the needle goes through, makes knots, buttonhole stitch and blanket stitch a lot quicker, and much less difficult. when you end the thread, put a stitch in between layers, in the seam allowances where it won't show then stretch a bit and cut off. This stops the end from popping out and showing, the knot will not come loose either as it is liable to do when cut a bit short. For basting, start by doing 2 stitches of the same length in one space, no knots, thread will stay because the needle pierces the first thread. She also taught me to stay stitch button holes first, thus you get a stronger edge all around and a slightly neater hole. i was also taught to start at one end leaving knots out of theplace you need to stress, when putting a button through. An older friend of mine didn't have a machine, she made herself straight skirts for everday wear. She told me running stitch was often good enough if you put a knot after un gathering every few inches. thicker fabric did need back-stitch, though I was happier doing that like stem stitch, leaving a neater ravel.
This is very nice. Thank you. While I am not among the under represented left handed folk, it's easy to copy you if I am actually doing sew along because it's the illusion of the same hand.
@@VBirchwood reversed angle of the camera? So it was an illusion after all? Heh. At any rate, it remains easiest for me to learn from. I am curious to try the knotting technique.
@@VBirchwood Right now I'm finishing a 18th century men's shirt (underwear but I'm going to alter the historical version to make it wearable as outerwear), and it will be my first proper garnement (other than trials I only wear around the house^^). I also wanted to make a long black skirt because Samhain vibes (inspired by Victorian walking skirts) but I don't think I'll be able to finish that in the next few days :)
Beeswax has really changed my game I like doublethreading and hemming by hand. Handsewing is really underrated. I got a sewing kit from merchant and mills and I highly recommend! (They don’t use a lot of plastic so the stuff really lasts)
I hand stitch quilts and now I'm going to use back stitches in the first place to save time and energy instead of sewing twice to reinforce... Thanks for the reminders !
Thankyou very clear calm instruction, my education was a lot more intolerable, making my initial instruction quite SOUL destroying and TRAUMATIC making the very thought of sewing impossible and leaving me feeling most useless. I have improved 🙏my imperfection now I am too old!
Thank you for this valuable resource. I am coming to love hand sewing from doing free embroidery , and will be glad to perfect these stitches by learning more . 🌸
my mom's a lefty. she taught me to sew backward (sitting across from me), same as this video. she said this is how lefties teach righties :P I've always hated hand sewing, but this vid makes it a little less scary. Thanks Vasi
Thank you. I am left handed and quite a visually learner. I usually have to make a very conscious effort to find out how to sew stitches "in reverse". I have a tendency to just do it as shown, but I have finally learned that you have to adjust when you are sewing in the other direction. Next time, please turn the camera to let us see from the same angle as you see 🙂
Just found your channel and subscribe today, I’m looking forward to your videos and I’m watching them all starting from the beginning! Especially that left-handed sewing thank you
I find your 'Leftieness' a plus for teaching me a 'rightie' *S* as watching you work makes it 'right' for me to copy your 'ways' as i see you from the front, and my hands will work 'right' when copying *S* It would be difficult for me to 'copy' if i were watching 'over your shoulder' *S* Thank you *S*
Avid quilter here...your tools overlap with mine a bit. I do love scissors, but the rotary is my best friend! I most especially love very sharp scissors and rotaries!
A great video, really! I'm watching your videos since the beginning of this year and I must say they really have motivated me to wear historical clothing in the future as soon as I will begin hand sewing. I'm practising those stitches now for the first time... As you are talking about linings in this video, perhaps you could make a video about interlinings, if you know how to make them and if they already existed in the 18th century?
Thank you very much! I'm so glad to hear you're feeling motivated to wear historical clothing and hand sew. I promise it's much less intimidating with time, it just takes some practice and determination. Best of luck with practicing the stitches. Interlinings or underlinings were definitely used in the 18th century, more so though as structural layers or warmth layers, and from what I understand about them (as someone who has never actually opened up an 18th century extant) is they are essentially a slightly smaller copy of the outer layer, are then sewn onto the outer layer discreetly, and then covered by a lining. Though I don't know for sure, I doubt all garments had underlinings or interlinings but certainly it would have been necessary for some garments. I'll definitely try and do a video on this topic though once I've researched it more thoroughly, thanks for the suggestion!
@@VBirchwood Interlining would have been stitched onto the inside of the garment so as to not have to risk the stitches showing through to the right side. A good example of interlining is in reveres/lapels on a jacket. In the UK someone asked how the Queen could go out in cold weather wearing a lightweight garment. The answer was that an extra layer of warm fabric was sewn into the garment when constructing it - sewn as though the two fabrics were one piece. Sorry, I can't remember what that technique was called.
as to knotting the thread, i myself learned by the method that 1 the thread is measured and cut to a length about double as desired, knotted at the ends, and 2 the center-point looped end is then inserted into the needle-eye, and 3 the knotted tail-end is then loop-and-eye lashed to the needle and pulled taut (effectively making this double-threaded thread sewing task) (or if preferred, the first step of the process is doubled, resulting in a 'threading' of four or more strands of thread.) and 4, this process is generally repeated, but now upon the fabric, at the desired point. (5 you are now ready to hand-sew according to the length of thread.) i find that this makes for a stronger resultant sewing bind.
I just watched this video and i love it... Thank you so much! I have a lot hand sewing projects and with that knowledge i can definitely get further. 😍🖤
How often and when do you wear this type of clothing? Or is it daily wear? I’m wanting to learn to make my own clothes for working around a farm in a tropical environment. I’m a man and don’t have anyone to do household chores for me. I’m planning on growing flax to make linen. I’m a new subscriber and find your channel quite interesting. I’m also 57 years old. Thanks for your channel
Appreciate you showing left-handed sewing (as a "leftie" I was very frustrated being taught by right-handed sewers, my gran and mum) but I had to giggle when you pinned the hem with your right hand! Dangerous for lefties, as the pinpoint is exposed as one sews the hem from left to right! For some reason, I've always sewn my hems from right to left so the pin position you showed is correct for me. I'm curious to know how many lefties still use their right hand when using scissors? It's the only thing I do with my right hand, even though I own a pair of left-handed scissors, but do not feel comfortable using them!
I'm a lefty. So good to see a lefty demonstration. I learned from a seamstress in a RUclips channel that after finishing the sewing it is wise to do a couple of slip stitches (running stitch) either front or back as a precaution so that your stitches don't unravel. I practice that now. I did t understand about the threads. You said silk is best? What other threads do you suggest?
To be really accurate, you should make yourself a cupped leather thimble. Yu need a piece of thick leather, soak it in very warm water. Pull the wet leather out pat it with cloth so no water is sitting ontop. Pull the edges down, but put a round dowel in center. (Yes, it’s crude but think of how a condom fits) use a bit of thread twine or cloth strips to wrap the wet leather around the dowel. There are several videos on wet forming leather, but I’ve read where several old dress makers used this.
About knotting thread at beginning/ending - I prefer just stitching in the same space a few times instead. My work has never come undone. However, I like your video. First time seeing it.
Thanks so much! The multiple back stitched method is definitely great! I’ve personally never found it to stay put for me, in particular I’ve had seams pop that are on tight fitted Victorian or georgian bodices when I use the method, hence why I often knot now and then also use a back stitch 😊
Thank you for your demonstration on knotting the thread. This makes for a much stronger end than what I had been doing. Thanks. I need to find out how to hand sew, using the Georgian method, in sewing in a set-in sleeve. I have searched everywhere, but can't find any instructions. Can you help?
My pleasure! Typically with Georgian sleeves I will just baste the sleeve head in at the armscye and then use a back stitch to sew it secure. Then I’ll bind the raw edges of the sleeve head by creating a sleeve lining and then whip stitching the sleeve lining to the bodice lining. Hopefully that makes sense! I’m not aware of another method for doing so, though I’m sure there are other methods as garments were constructed in many different ways. Having a full lining with all finished seams like this, too, wouldn’t necessarily be something seen on tonnes of Georgian garments, as many things were left unfinished, much as in the Victorian period.
I should also mention, historically knotting the thread normally wasn’t done. They would just take a few back stitches in the same place to start and end a row of stitching. I, however, find this to be very insecure, and therefore have developed this altered technique where it is a back stitch but then knots are fed through the loop it creates for further security. This isn’t completely historically accurate, but I think it gives the stitching more durability.
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Edit: Please note, that while I mention it's important to prep fabric before sewing, there are certain types of fabric that should not be washed, such as certain kinds of wool and silk, and must be dry cleaned instead (or cleaned using an alternate method). Please consult the instructions provided by your fabric supplier.
My apologies that a couple sections are a bit out of focus. Please use the chapters to navigate through the sections with ease, and do leave a comment if you have any questions. Thanks so much for watching!
Most fabrics don't need washing first- only materials for shifts really. NEVER wash dry clean only fabrics before sewing, but you don't need to dry clean them either. In the day unless a fabric was known for colour running it would not be washed first- so why do it? The exception are materials for shifts and other underwear such as corset covers (not corsets though. It is sometimes given as an instruction in mid 20th century sewing manuals- written during WW2, but it's only necessary with very inferior materials, which was a problem in that specific period.
@@lauraholland347 I’ve had a very opposite experience of garments getting destroyed because fabric wasn’t pre washed. In particular with washable wool (of course washed on a wool setting, low temp, etc.) and especially without pre washing twill tape and things getting all warped and messed up. Our fabrics aren’t historical fabrics so they have to be treated differently. I never wash dry clean fabrics of course though, I just get them pre-dry cleaned as the fibres can indeed warp and change.
@@VBirchwood Well I can only agree to disagree, I don't think I've ever seen wool advertised as washable sold by the yard, the vast majority is official not washable- but can usually be hand washed successfully. Even wool that is "washable" I would never machine wash- it is far too harsh ,if you want it to last a long time.
I've been making theatrical costumes professionally for 30 years.
Cheap twill tape can be improved by boil washing before use- but usually I use tape which is good quality and doesn't shrink.
You are the best at giving practical instructions on the internet..
Excellent video! I'm 77 years old and stopped by here out of curiosity. To my happy surprise I discovered that these were the stitches my mother taught me 70 years ago. I never knew that they were the accepted styles of stitching. I just assumed it was 'the way my mother did it.' Thanks for the time you've taken to clear this up for me!
That’s so lovely to hear! 😊
I stumbled on this site by accident. I am amazed that such a young lady knows this same stitches i learned a zillion years ago and have been using all my life. I was born and raised in a coffee and tobacco plantation in Africa. I lived with my Portuguese grandmother and she was a very strong and strict lady with no nonsense. Until going to á boarding school in Europe and during holidays i learned everything about running a proper household. From conserving food to sewing everything. We had a multitude of servants and cooks and whatnot, but i had to learn B everything correctly. Embroidery and lace making paralel to painting on silk to piano and bookkeeping was natural for me. Years after in exile those lessons were of great use. Now alone in America i benefit of those lessons and i make and use those lessons. Unbelievable that today such a young person knows how to use those skills. I bless the work of your hands, sweet girl. You keep an art long forgotten but of extreme importance in the complicated world of today where we don’t know what may happen tomorrow as the world is becoming so crazy and insecure. ❤🤗 😘 😊 from the old eccentric old Angolan in cold MN.
Same here! I stumbled on this thinking I'd find new things. Well, I did, but my new information is the names of some of the stitches I learned as a child.
@@mulatadesanzala2920 I live in MN as well! I never learned the things that you learned. My mother was busy earning a living to take care of her 3 children. I've tried unsuccessfully to learn how to sew, both machine and by hand. I've tried to learn how to do canning for food storage on my own. What a disaster! Lol. My mother died 12 years ago and I miss her terribly. I would love to meet a woman of your caliber! As an older woman myself, I have a grown daughter whom I love dearly and would love to teach some of these skills to her.
When I was a much younger woman reading was my refuge and solace and I used to dream of living the life you grew up in! How did you ever end up in this frozen wasteland?! Though it is cold, the summers are hot and humid. And now I dream of simple things like planting a small garden. My hands still ache to create and I swear that I am cursed to love fabric and its rainbow of colors. I'm teaching myself how to felt (a lot easier than I imagined). I love to crochet, but I only know a couple of stitches. And out of it all, I start many projects but finishing is a problem.
I wish there was a book of wisdom for older women who lost their mothers before they were able to pass on their essential knowledge.
I hope this missive finds you happy and well as we enter the holiday season and the cold darkness of winter. Greetings and love from Inver Grove Heights!
I came for the same reason and my grandmother taught me how to hand sew 🪡 and this is 😊great!
I couldn't believe I discovered an actual video showing LEFTY sewing and historical stitches. Thank you!
My pleasure Skirted Galleons! I saw that it was missing as a resource in the community, and figured that someone could benefit from it 😊
Same! 👏👏❤️
I never knew there was a left or right handed sewing, as my Dad just said to me my weirdness is showing as I interchange left to right all the time, I write right handed but when sat at dinner I am left handed. I sew cross stitches and do embroidery work but as I said for some reason I sew with either hand I never knew any different as it’s something I have always done since I was a child. So I went and checked out how I also knit by checking a number of online knitters and found I hold the wool in my left hand and no my right hand but when I crochet I switch hands.
I think me Dad is right my weirdness is showing.
I learned to sew right handed because my aunts that taught me were right handed. I also learned to crochet right handed. I do sometimes switch my sewing needle from one hand to the other if a particular section is awkward.
@@VBirchwood yay, I'm lefthanded too
My great grandmother was a professional seamstress from about 1900 to her death in 1949. Many of these stitches were taught to me when I was small by my grandmother in the '60's. I can hand sew better than I can machine sew. I am also a lefty. I think lefty's are very under represented too.
Hi love from india
Can you give some tip for hand sew faster
My mom is a master seamstress from Holland and she taught me to not knot or secure the basting stitches so when you are done you can easily pull the thread out so it can be reused.
Not knotting them definitely is a great way to reuse the thread! I like to knot personally because I find it holds the pieces together much stronger, especially for a fitting of a tight-fitted bodice where even the mock-up or initial fittings can sometimes undergo a lot of stress
I do that all the time - I actually loop it sometimes but I never knot it. No point wasting thread, even if it is cheap and you have plenty.
You are correct, basting threads are not knotted or locked down.
@@gmr1241 Looping the beginning thread end around an inserted straight pin is a way to temporarily secure it -- and allows for removal when the basting function is completed.
That method was also taught to myself at school, no knots were ever used for starting off or finishing.
I, too, am a lefty. I've been sewing since the 1950's, mostly hunting, fishing and sports gear. Because my beloved bride of 55 years has arthritis I now do all the household's sewing. Many thanks for the tips and techniques.
❤
Thank you from a lefty! We never see things demonstrated “our way”. I came here to see what terminology the young people are using for the stitches I learned as a girl, both sewing and embroidery. I’m so glad you demonstrated these stitches for people who want to hand sew. ❤
Aww thanks so much for watching! Glad the left handed demonstration is helpful 🥰
55 years ago, my mother taught me, those stitches. And stil use them. My favorite is allso the back stitch. The favorite of my mom too. She said, that’s a strong stitch. So it’s nice to see it now here, on RUclips 😊
Hurray for lefties! Now I can see what my hand sewing is supposed to look like. lol Thank you! --Lyssa WA, USA
Hahaha amazing! I'm so glad that this is useful to you. Thank you for your comment Lyssa 😊
Hah! A thimble is absolutely essential. I use brass half thimbles, just preference. I have hard skin on my fingers from times when I lost my thimbles. The times I’ve had to get blood off fabric… I know stitchers who do 10-15 mins warm up on a spare piece before they start. ( Er, not me) I have old/vintage pieces and am always surprised at the enormous variation in quality of stitching. Even when it showed. I’m in the process of starting a Chanel type jacket - and stitching it all by hand. Just asa project. That’s how I came here. I stitch every day, for my mental & spiritual health. It’s my meditation and mindfulness. I also end up with something at the end! Great video, it must have been very tricky to demonstrate the stitches, job beautifully done, thank you 😊
I appreciate the left handed demonstration so much 😭 I was telling a relative the other day that I've almost never learned left handed instructions from anyone. So I've gotten good at mirroring whatever I'm learning to do, but this is so nice!!
Excellent video!! I learned these from my mother but I am 60 yrs old now. It's too bad home economics was taken out of public schools. Learning basic living skills is essential. First time seeing your channel. I subscribed. I made 2 victorian christening gowns. Can't wait to see more of your vids.
Thanks so much! Definitely sad home economics has gone away. When I was of school age, they had already removed it from the school system, not to mention I went to school in a relatively poor and underfunded area and we didn’t have a lot of electives because of it. Because of that I had to teach myself to sew just a couple of years ago. I hope you enjoy the channel!
@@VBirchwood I enjoy your channel immensely!! You are an old soul and do great work.
But now we have youtube and a lovely teacher/instructor and the whole world can learn from one teacher! I'm 67 years old and find the very exciting.
Thank you for the left handed demonstration. I wish I could give 100 thumbs up. I will be watching many more.
Thanks so much for watching! 😊
I've been watching flax weaving videos and one of the ladies sets her camera up over her shoulder which shows a really clear view of her hands, like how anyone doing the work would actually view their own hands. Just a suggestion you could try if you like. Wonderful video and i structions!
I've been doing a lot more hand sewing recently as I can sit and sew with my young children rather than only when they let me hide away in my sewing room! Love the extra hints to get some more sturdy stitches. Thank you
As the mother of a leftie, I appreciate this.
Just starting to watch this series -- and even now, at the 3:17 mark of the second video, I have to thank you so much for using a left-handed technique. Being left handed myself, its just so nice (and rare) to see this. Thank you!!
You're very welcome! 😊
I often use a running stitch but backstitch every couple of inches to prevent it from gathering. You can also double up on your thread for increased strength ( though it may knot up easier).
GREAT channel- LOVE your content! Thank you!!!
Very comprehensive video! Well done! And your camera angle allows both righties and lefties to follow along, wonderful to see.
For hand sewing with woven fabric, I was taught to use a thread from the fabric itself for stitching, but waxed. That way you match fabric colours perfectly. That said, sewing thread produces a stronger seam.
And there are two edging stitches, the blanket and buttonhole, and I believe you demoed what I learned as the blanket stitch. The buttonhole stitch produces a slightly more pronounced ridge at the fabric edge, and is especially good for fabrics which fray readily.
The only basic stitch I was taught that you didn't include was the chain stitch, which I was taught to use on seams where you might want a little "give", on armholes and waistbands. I also noticed you didn't mention the french seam, but I am not sure when that was introduced historically.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
as a lefty thank you for doing this left handed I can sew both ways but not having to piece my way through it to the left handed side is very nice
Thank you! There are a lot of videos out there but you explained the securing knots very well. My absolute beginner brain was afraid to start sewing because I had no clear idea of how the thread was going to stay put and not start unraveling.
My pleasure! As they say, often getting started is the hardest part, and the same tends to be with handsewing, as knowing how to get going with the thread is intimidating! The Victorians actually traditionally didn't knot anything, they would just take a few back stitches in the same place to begin. I find this a bit too impermanent for my taste, which is why this is my preferred method. Thanks for your comment and I'm glad the video has been helpful. Most of all, happy sewing (you've got this 😊)
New to me this type of securing thread too.
As a lefty, I believe this is the first time I've ever seen someone sewing left handed aside from myself. It is appreciated!
omg you look like a historical American girl doll I love your dress!
You have one of the best historical sewing channels on RUclips! I'm so glad I found it! 🥰 I relearned sewing last year and still need a lot of practice to make my stitches nice and even.
Thank you, Rachael! I’m really happy to have you here 😊 that’s wonderful that you picked up sewing again!
Hi love from india
You are lovely and you did an excellent video! It's awesome to know you are teaching the world to hand sew. Now the art won't be lost.
excellent how to. no extra talk, just simply the stitching. so much easier to follow and concentrate. thank you soo much :) 🌷🌱
just a note - you have beautiful hands and your movements are strong yet graceful. keep safe, sweetie. :) 🌿🌸
Thank you very much Alexa 🥰
On behalf of my late, left-handed Mum, thanks for representing the South Paws. Great video. Thank you for the reminder for what left-handed sewing looks like.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
Thanks so much for watching Cathy and Steve!! Proud to represent the lefties 😊
@@VBirchwood Actually, just Cathy. I didn't realize I was using Mister Husbands account on the shared laptop until well after the algorithms for "Recommended for You" were very well trained. Gen X Luddite. What can I say...
@@stevezytveld6585 Hahaha! This happens more often than you'd think. I've done the same before too 😊 thanks for supporting my videos Cathy!
Love your videos. Regarding the sewing of buttons holes. The button hole stitch you are showing is the American method. In the UK we call this blanket stitch, which is a very useful stitch to know.
Buttonhole stitch In the UK, I was taught to take the threads coming out of the EYE of the needle and wrap them around. This causes a larger knot which locks into place (still very tiny). It is very good for fabric which frays.
I hope you find this helpful.
Thanks so much! 😊
Thank you for speaking up - even sewing books published now often call the blanket stitch by both names! I love the buttonhole stitch for those fabrics that fray easily.
you are brave and inspiring to me
Mantua! I have a daily goal to learn something new, thanks. So very helpful
My pleasure! I'm glad it's been useful 😊And what a lovely goal to have.
The tiny bit of joy I felt when I noticed she had exactly the same set of little birdie scissors that I have!
This is great! What's funny is that these are stitches I've used forever, I think my Nanna taught them to me when I was very little ❤
Very helpful, thank you from a lefty
Thank you for thinking of us left handed sewers.
A wonderful video to help launch a brand new beginner like me into putting these videos to practice.
Thank you for this useful tutorial.
From a civil war "civiliian" (wife) and left hand seamstress (beginner), thank you for this video. Nicely done.
I'm left handed, it's so nice to see instructions for a left handed person. Thank you
So glad it was helpful!
From a lefty, thank you for this excellent video! The Mantua Maker's Stitch is life changing. I'm totally going to use it in future 😊
As a lefty, thank you !!!! This video was super helpfull in many ways,
Even though I know how to sew, I really do enjoy your videos! It is easy to get lazy or be rushed and sloppy so rewatching tutorials always reminds me to stick to my proper training lol! Not just because it comes out better, but because I do enjoy the sewing process. Also, I REALLY appreciate when you demonstrate the left handed techniques. Of course I can still easily follow along with the right handed versions, but the left handed just naturally makes so much more sense to me. It is also a bit of a sigh of relief to not have to be forced to do something right handed when it can be done just as well left handed. Thank you
Thanks so much for your lovely comment LG! It does truly feel really nice to see left handed sewing represented. I’m ambidextrous with sewing so I try to use my left hand sometimes for tutorials, though I must admit my recent ones haven’t been with the left. I’ll need to include some more left handed ones! 😅
@@VBirchwood oh that's alright, do what you can. I find that certain projects or certain sides I will favor using one hand over the other. Also depending on my light source, I will switch hands before moving the lights around. I wanted to ask you, do you have a favorite brand of hand sewing needles? I haven't purchased needles in years and was curious what brands still have kept up a good quality today.
This was very helpful! I loved it. You are definitely a good teacher. The pacing and camera angles were great. As a beginner at sewing, myself, I can say this was very easy to follow and I'd definitely love to see more to help me on my sewing journey. :)
Glad it was helpful Nichole! This is a super old video (one of the earliest on my channel actually) so I have many others to help with sewing (and more) on my channel 😊
On threading the needle: when using a thicker thread consistent with those available prior to the 1970s (linen thread being absolutely ideal), you can lock the thread to the needle by simply passing the point of the needle through the long end of the thread three times, exactly as demonstrated in running stitch. One-two-three through the thread, pull through. To release the needle, simply pull the short tail through. If you can't get the nose in, separate the strands by twisting the thread.
I do this when I sew leather.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing left-handed instructions!!! So helpful!!!
So glad it’s helpful! 😊
just found your channel and love everything about it and you
I AM SO HAPPY THAT I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL!!! i have wanted to get back into sewing but never felt like i was doing it right… i love this video, your channel, and your whole vibe tbh hahah
Welcome to the channel, Alisa! Thanks for being here! I want to remind you, gently of course, that anyway you choose to sew is the “right” way 😊 it can be helpful and such to know certain techniques, but there’s no one way to go about this interest and it’s such a process too ❤️ I hope this video is helpful with knowing these stitches!
Mum taught me to wrap the thread before the needle goes through, makes knots, buttonhole stitch and blanket stitch a lot quicker, and much less difficult. when you end the thread, put a stitch in between layers, in the seam allowances where it won't show then stretch a bit and cut off. This stops the end from popping out and showing, the knot will not come loose either as it is liable to do when cut a bit short. For basting, start by doing 2 stitches of the same length in one space, no knots, thread will stay because the needle pierces the first thread. She also taught me to stay stitch button holes first, thus you get a stronger edge all around and a slightly neater hole. i was also taught to start at one end leaving knots out of theplace you need to stress, when putting a button through. An older friend of mine didn't have a machine, she made herself straight skirts for everday wear. She told me running stitch was often good enough if you put a knot after un gathering every few inches. thicker fabric did need back-stitch, though I was happier doing that like stem stitch, leaving a neater ravel.
Very nice video. Clearly explained and well spoken. Video is great!! Thanks for sharing these techniques with us!!♡
Thankyou for the repetition and instruction on the stitches. 💜
Lefties unite, I am also a southpaw. Amazing how hand sewing gives you so much control in tight spaces and eases the mind about finishing. Lol
Woohoo team lefties! 😊 handsewing definitely offers up so much control. It’s really soothing and relaxing too.
Cool. Didn’t know name if the stitches I used here already lol
i love that you're showing the stitches with your left hand!! very helpful, thank you!
I’m so glad! 🥰🥰🥰
This is very nice. Thank you. While I am not among the under represented left handed folk, it's easy to copy you if I am actually doing sew along because it's the illusion of the same hand.
definitely! and the reversed angle of the camera I think helps as well for creating that illusion.
@@VBirchwood reversed angle of the camera? So it was an illusion after all? Heh. At any rate, it remains easiest for me to learn from. I am curious to try the knotting technique.
No nothing that has been edited. Just the camera is facing me across the table, versus being over my shoulder, which changes the perspective.
I may have posted earlier but I'm left hand. It's great to see demo for us
Your whole channel is a gem but this video especially is 🖤 I keep going back to it again and again while I'm sewing my first garnements
Thank you so much Mélisse! What garments have you been working on as your first ones?
@@VBirchwood Right now I'm finishing a 18th century men's shirt (underwear but I'm going to alter the historical version to make it wearable as outerwear), and it will be my first proper garnement (other than trials I only wear around the house^^). I also wanted to make a long black skirt because Samhain vibes (inspired by Victorian walking skirts) but I don't think I'll be able to finish that in the next few days :)
Sounds so lovely! I suppose you can always celebrate Samhain again too all of November 😉
@@VBirchwood Obviously I will 😊 Wishing you a happy Samhain/Halloween if you celebrate anything at this time of year :)
Thank you!! You too, I hope it’s a lovely one 🥰
Thank you so much for thinking of left handers! It never usually happens.
Beeswax has really changed my game
I like doublethreading and hemming by hand. Handsewing is really underrated. I got a sewing kit from merchant and mills and I highly recommend! (They don’t use a lot of plastic so the stuff really lasts)
I just want to mend my family’s clothing more aesthetically, this was really helpful.
I hand stitch quilts and now I'm going to use back stitches in the first place to save time and energy instead of sewing twice to reinforce... Thanks for the reminders !
As a left handed person, bless you for this
Awww yay I’m so glad!
Thankyou very clear calm instruction, my education was a lot more intolerable, making my initial instruction quite SOUL destroying and TRAUMATIC making the very thought of sewing impossible and leaving me feeling most useless. I have improved 🙏my imperfection now I am too old!
Thank you for this valuable resource. I am coming to love hand sewing from doing free embroidery , and will be glad to perfect these stitches by learning more . 🌸
Glad it’s helpful! 😊
Wow you totally nailed the historical hairdo well done! Also just love the video topic. Love hand sewing
my mom's a lefty. she taught me to sew backward (sitting across from me), same as this video. she said this is how lefties teach righties :P I've always hated hand sewing, but this vid makes it a little less scary. Thanks Vasi
Thank you. I am left handed and quite a visually learner. I usually have to make a very conscious effort to find out how to sew stitches "in reverse". I have a tendency to just do it as shown, but I have finally learned that you have to adjust when you are sewing in the other direction.
Next time, please turn the camera to let us see from the same angle as you see 🙂
This channel is amazing! Started binging yesterday. I'm so inspired!
Thank you so much! Welcome to the channel 🥰
Thank you.
I'm just getting back into hand sewing and your video was brilliant, thank you so much 😊❤
So glad it’s been helpful! Happy hand sewing 😊
@@VBirchwood thank you ☺️❤️
I’m looking forward to learning to be a better hand sewer, Vasi! Thank you!
Thanks for watching Lynne! Sending you big hugs 💓
Still learning as I want to improve my hand sewing.Thank you very much for sharing.❤️
Glad it’s helpful! 😊
Thanks I intend to give them a trie
Thank you for your visit videos!!!
Thank you for sharing Very informative video. Blessings
Thanks for the upload. I've always wanted to learn this.
Hi, thank you for this video, it is super useful! I will definitely be coming back to it as I am teaching myself how to sew.
So glad it was useful! All the best of luck on starting your sewing journey 😊
These videos are so good and I’m super thankful for your channel! Super excited for more
Thank you so much!! It's been such a fun ongoing project to share all this info. I really appreciate all of your support 😊
Love the bloopers!
Just found your channel and subscribe today, I’m looking forward to your videos and I’m watching them all starting from the beginning! Especially that left-handed sewing thank you
Thanks a ton Karen! I really appreciate your viewership 😊
I find your 'Leftieness' a plus for teaching me a 'rightie' *S* as watching you work makes it 'right' for me to copy your 'ways' as i see you from the front, and my hands will work 'right' when copying *S* It would be difficult for me to 'copy' if i were watching 'over your shoulder' *S* Thank you *S*
That’s awesome to hear!! I’m so glad 😊
thank you
Avid quilter here...your tools overlap with mine a bit. I do love scissors, but the rotary is my best friend! I most especially love very sharp scissors and rotaries!
A great video, really! I'm watching your videos since the beginning of this year and I must say they really have motivated me to wear historical clothing in the future as soon as I will begin hand sewing.
I'm practising those stitches now for the first time...
As you are talking about linings in this video, perhaps you could make a video about interlinings, if you know how to make them and if they already existed in the 18th century?
Thank you very much! I'm so glad to hear you're feeling motivated to wear historical clothing and hand sew. I promise it's much less intimidating with time, it just takes some practice and determination. Best of luck with practicing the stitches.
Interlinings or underlinings were definitely used in the 18th century, more so though as structural layers or warmth layers, and from what I understand about them (as someone who has never actually opened up an 18th century extant) is they are essentially a slightly smaller copy of the outer layer, are then sewn onto the outer layer discreetly, and then covered by a lining. Though I don't know for sure, I doubt all garments had underlinings or interlinings but certainly it would have been necessary for some garments. I'll definitely try and do a video on this topic though once I've researched it more thoroughly, thanks for the suggestion!
@@VBirchwood Interlining would have been stitched onto the inside of the garment so as to not have to risk the stitches showing through to the right side. A good example of interlining is in reveres/lapels on a jacket. In the UK someone asked how the Queen could go out in cold weather wearing a lightweight garment. The answer was that an extra layer of warm fabric was sewn into the garment when constructing it - sewn as though the two fabrics were one piece. Sorry, I can't remember what that technique was called.
@@eileenfb1948 Flat-lining! 😊
as to knotting the thread, i myself learned by the method that 1 the thread is measured and cut to a length about double as desired, knotted at the ends, and 2 the center-point looped end is then inserted into the needle-eye, and 3 the knotted tail-end is then loop-and-eye lashed to the needle and pulled taut (effectively making this double-threaded thread sewing task) (or if preferred, the first step of the process is doubled, resulting in a 'threading' of four or more strands of thread.) and 4, this process is generally repeated, but now upon the fabric, at the desired point. (5 you are now ready to hand-sew according to the length of thread.)
i find that this makes for a stronger resultant sewing bind.
Hand sewing can be very zen, and some areas on a garment relate better to hand stitching even for those who use machines 👍😍👌🏾🦹🏾♂️🧕🏿
Definitely!
I just watched this video and i love it... Thank you so much! I have a lot hand sewing projects and with that knowledge i can definitely get further. 😍🖤
Yay that’s great to hear 😊
Thanks for sharing I enjoyed your video!
As a lefty, THANK YOU!!!
You’re very welcome! I can understand the struggle, as I’m ambidextrous with sewing but do most things with my left hand 😊
Great tip about knotting the thread. I've been doing it wrong forever! Thank you
You're welcome Natalie 😊 There are lots of ways to knot them but I find this to be the easiest and most secure
If they way you did it worked, it wasn’t wrong, it was just different.
I hit subscribe and like and bell and everything i could find to do as soon as you said you’d show for left handed sewers… só cool!
Hahaha thanks so much!
Thank you for a tutorial that I don't have to figure out how to do backwards.
You speak and show it all with such clarity, thank you so much!
My pleasure!! 😊
Cool 😀
Wow! This is so good :D Thank you!
My mom thought my sister's and brother she didn't teach me I am self taught hand sewing I have a machine but I would rather hand sew!
How often and when do you wear this type of clothing? Or is it daily wear? I’m wanting to learn to make my own clothes for working around a farm in a tropical environment. I’m a man and don’t have anyone to do household chores for me. I’m planning on growing flax to make linen. I’m a new subscriber and find your channel quite interesting. I’m also 57 years old. Thanks for your channel
Appreciate you showing left-handed sewing (as a "leftie" I was very frustrated being taught by right-handed sewers, my gran and mum) but I had to giggle when you pinned the hem with your right hand! Dangerous for lefties, as the pinpoint is exposed as one sews the hem from left to right! For some reason, I've always sewn my hems from right to left so the pin position you showed is correct for me. I'm curious to know how many lefties still use their right hand when using scissors? It's the only thing I do with my right hand, even though I own a pair of left-handed scissors, but do not feel comfortable using them!
I knew all of these except the last. I make cloth rag dolls and I use the whip stitch to close their backs.
As always excellent video!
Thank you!!
Beautiful. Thanks for this demonstration.
Thanks for watching!
I'm a lefty. So good to see a lefty demonstration. I learned from a seamstress in a RUclips channel that after finishing the sewing it is wise to do a couple of slip stitches (running stitch) either front or back as a precaution so that your stitches don't unravel. I practice that now. I did t understand about the threads. You said silk is best? What other threads do you suggest?
Glad you like the video! I also really like linen thread but a very heavy button weight silk thread is my go-to.
To be really accurate, you should make yourself a cupped leather thimble. Yu need a piece of thick leather, soak it in very warm water. Pull the wet leather out pat it with cloth so no water is sitting ontop. Pull the edges down, but put a round dowel in center. (Yes, it’s crude but think of how a condom fits) use a bit of thread twine or cloth strips to wrap the wet leather around the dowel. There are several videos on wet forming leather, but I’ve read where several old dress makers used this.
About knotting thread at beginning/ending - I prefer just stitching in the same space a few times instead. My work has never come undone. However, I like your video. First time seeing it.
Thanks so much! The multiple back stitched method is definitely great! I’ve personally never found it to stay put for me, in particular I’ve had seams pop that are on tight fitted Victorian or georgian bodices when I use the method, hence why I often knot now and then also use a back stitch 😊
Thank you for your demonstration on knotting the thread. This makes for a much stronger end than what I had been doing. Thanks. I need to find out how to hand sew, using the Georgian method, in sewing in a set-in sleeve. I have searched everywhere, but can't find any instructions. Can you help?
My pleasure! Typically with Georgian sleeves I will just baste the sleeve head in at the armscye and then use a back stitch to sew it secure. Then I’ll bind the raw edges of the sleeve head by creating a sleeve lining and then whip stitching the sleeve lining to the bodice lining. Hopefully that makes sense! I’m not aware of another method for doing so, though I’m sure there are other methods as garments were constructed in many different ways. Having a full lining with all finished seams like this, too, wouldn’t necessarily be something seen on tonnes of Georgian garments, as many things were left unfinished, much as in the Victorian period.
I should also mention, historically knotting the thread normally wasn’t done. They would just take a few back stitches in the same place to start and end a row of stitching. I, however, find this to be very insecure, and therefore have developed this altered technique where it is a back stitch but then knots are fed through the loop it creates for further security. This isn’t completely historically accurate, but I think it gives the stitching more durability.