Sheila's Sewing School
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    • Home
    • Courses
      • BEGINNERS SEWING PT 1 & 2
      • BEGINNERS SEWING PT 3 & 4
      • BEGINNERS BAG MAKING
    • Projects/Downloads
      • Beginners Sewing Projects
      • Beginners Bag Projects
    • SEWING KNOW-HOW
      • SEWING TOOLS & NOTIONS
      • KNOW YOUR SEWING MACHINE
      • FABRIC FUN
      • TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS
      • HAND SEWING
    • SEWING TERMS
      • A - SEWING TERMS
      • B - G SEWING TERMS
      • H - O SEWING TERMS
      • P- V SEWING TERMS
      • W - Z SEWING TERMS
    • Blog
Sheila's Sewing School
  • Home
  • Courses
    • BEGINNERS SEWING PT 1 & 2
    • BEGINNERS SEWING PT 3 & 4
    • BEGINNERS BAG MAKING
  • Projects/Downloads
    • Beginners Sewing Projects
    • Beginners Bag Projects
  • SEWING KNOW-HOW
    • SEWING TOOLS & NOTIONS
    • KNOW YOUR SEWING MACHINE
    • FABRIC FUN
    • TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS
    • HAND SEWING
  • SEWING TERMS
    • A - SEWING TERMS
    • B - G SEWING TERMS
    • H - O SEWING TERMS
    • P- V SEWING TERMS
    • W - Z SEWING TERMS
  • Blog

welcome to the beginners sewing course

The beginners sewing course is organised in four parts each with a pdf download

Part 1 - Basic sewing knowledge and skills (click here)

Part 2 - Closures (click here)

Part 3 - Fabrics (click here)

Part 4 - Project Management (click here)

There are also 10 Beginners Sewing Projects (click here)

Watch this video  for an overview

Your course pdf downloads

 Start with Part One Workbook where you will cover everything from opening the box to sewing your first seam.  There is a video clip for each page of the workbook.  You should watch the video and review the workbook page.  Where there are activities to complete, pause the video while you complete them.  You do not need fabric to complete the exercises, you can use a kitchen roll sheet instead.  You will need scissors, a ruler or tape measure, and a pencil.  


Beginners workbook Part One - Unboxing to Seams (pdf)Download

Video - part one workbook

Let's get started!

Your first step to learning how to use your sewing machine.

Read the blog on unboxing your machine here.

Watch the Part One unboxing video here

How to Use the Workbook

Step-by-step instructions in print and click on the video start button here.

Sewing Machine Safety

Key points to note especially if you are sewing with children.  Click on the video start button

Know Your Sewing Machine

Identify the parts of your sewing machine using your machine handbook.  There is more video support  below:

Winding the bobbin blog and video and video

The needle blog and video

Threading the needle video

Using the Auto threader video

Hand Wheel video

Presser Foot blog and video

Feed Dogs Blog and video

Metal throat plate blog and video


Sewing Tools

Click on the video to find out about the basic tools you will need to sew.   

Watch the videos here and here to find bargain tools in your high street!

Alternative Sewing Tools

Once you have your basic tools, you can use a range of household items as a substitute for other tools.  Click on the video start button to find out what to hunt for around the house to see what you can find!  Watch a video here and learn how you can save up to £40 on tools!

Preparing to Sew

C;ick on the start button to find out about setting up your sewing work station

Starting to Sew Checklist

Click on the video start button and follow this procedure every time you sit down to sew to get best results.

Sewing Straight Lines

Here we go with sewing straight lines.  Click on the video start button and follow the video and sew on the lines on the paper.

Sewing Straight lines with backstitch

Click on the start button and find out how Backstitch helps to stop your seams from unravelling.

Sew and Pivot

Click on the start button to find out how pivoting is the way that you turn a corner on your sewing machine.

Sew and Pivot 2

Click on the video start button to start the  pivot exercise which you can complete in any way.

Sew Curves

Click on the video start button and find out more about how Sewing machines sew curves.  The sewist (you) needs to turn your fabric so that the machine sews in the right place.

Sew longer curves

Click on the video start button to find out how a longer curve requires gentle turning of the fabric.

Stitch Library

Click on the video start button to see how sewing a stitch library is a good way to try out each stitch on your machine and see what they look like.

Sewing a seam

Click on the video start button to start sewing your first seam using a seam allowance.

Ending the sewing session

It's important to clear up properly after your sewing session.  Click on the video start button.

Samples Record

Keep a record of your exercises.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have started your sewing journey!    Now look at Part 2 of the beginners course to learn about zips and buttons.

Your course pdf downloads

 Part Two Workbook covers closures including buttons and zips.  There is a video clip for each page of the workbook.  You should watch the video and review the workbook page.  Where there are activities to complete, pause the video while you complete them.  You will need a zip and buttons to complete the activities.


Beginners Workbook Part 2 - Closures: Buttons & Zips (pdf)Download

PART 2 VIDEOS

Welcome to Part Two

Click on the video start button and you will learn about attaching buttons and inserting zips.

How to Use the Workbook

Click on the video start button and follow the instructions on the workbook page.

Closures - Buttons, Zips and more!

Click on the video start button and find out more about these important elements of your sewing project.

Inserting a zipper

Click on the  the video start button and follow the easy steps to insert a basic zipper.

Making a buttonhole

Introduction - read the worksheet before working a buttonhole.  Click on the video start button for more information.

Making a buttonhole 1

Read the worksheet and click on the  video start button for more information about the the four-step buttonhole method.

Making a buttonhole 2

Click on the video start button  if you are using a buttonhole foot.

Sewing on a button 1

How to machine sew a button without a button foot.  Click on the video start button to find out more.

Sewing on a button 2

Click on the video start button to find out how to machine sew a button with a sewing machine which has a button foot.

Hand sewing a button

When you have no button foot for your machine you will need to hand sew the button.  Click on the video start button to find out more.

Congratulations!

You have now completed Part 2 of the Beginners Sewing Course.  You can now try projects that have zips and closures.  Read the workbooks on fabrics and project management too.

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