basics for

sewing your
own clothes

This is for personal use only.

The cannot be resold or distributed.

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basics that will be helpful
sewing machines:
Firstly, I think you should try to find one second hand at your local thrift store or online. If
you can’t find a secondhand, then I recommend borrowing, but if that is not possible, here
are some inexpensive options:

$ Singer heavy duty machine

$ Brother sewing machine
$$ Babylock Zeal

notions:

basic notions you’ll need

- Pins
- Thread (I recommend buying from thrift store to get lots of colours)
- Hand sewing needles
- Scissors (one fabric + one paper)
- Seam Ripper (more than one if possible)
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Tape Measure
- Safety pin (elastic)

Optional bougie notions for beginners

- Rotary Cutter w/ Cutting Mat
- Thimble
- Rulers
- Marking tools (chalk, washable marker, etc.)
- Pinking shears

fabric:

I recommend 100% cotton woven fabric for your first project, this will be the easiest fabric
to work with. This fabric is very readily available at your local fabric stores, walmarts,
michaels, Joanns and thrift stores (aka bed sheets).

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the basics you need to know:

Firstly, learn how to sew a straight stitch, preferably in a straight line. Next, move on to the
zig zag stitch. Those are the two stitches that a must.

The reason you need to learn the zig zag stitch is to finish the edges with this stitch. This
will keep the edges from fraying. Now I don’t think it’s as common to finish edges with a
zig zag, rather a serger or the fancy zig zag stitch that looks like a serger. Alternatively, you
can finish your edges with double straight seam finish, which ever you prefer.

Here are some videos that will teach more in depth on how to use the machine and the
sewing basics:

A Beginner’s Guide To SEWING! by coolirpa

Learn How To Sew, Easy Sewing Class For Beginners! by good housekeeping

Once you understand the basic stitches, you can begin your first project. Personally I start-
ed with a pair of boxer shorts. But I was in a classroom setting where they told me step by
step instructions.

I recommend a tote bag for your first project as you only need to sew straight lines and no
curved lines. Therefore you can practice on your straight sewing.

How to Sew for Beginners! by jenna phipps

first projects:

Pillow case
Tote bag
Scrunchie
Boxer Shorts
Tank
Basic Tee Shirt

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