5 Sewing Tips We Wish Mom Told Us

From one rookie to another.

Sewing mood board with a self-portrait, wearing an outfit altered by yours truly.

My mother took sewing classes in Iran when she was in high school and as the oldest daughter in a family of 7 children, it became her responsibility to make and alter clothing for everyone. My paternal grandmother, who also learned sewing at a young age, sewed and knitted practically every piece of clothing her children wore. These two women were essential in helping me whenever my clothes needed minor alterations. Over time, I began noticing that even with all their willingness to help, the alterations I wanted were becoming increasingly undoable for my mother and grandmother. My grandmother's graceful aging has restricted her sewing longevities and capabilities; my mother's inspiring work ethic has rendered her too busy to do much in her free time, let alone remember ways to sew pieces of clothing I needed for my own personal satisfaction. I began sensing the familiar feeling of the ethereal women in my lineage pass down the generational torch of responsibilities to me — this time, to become the designated sewer of the family.

I recently began taking sewing classes because I wanted to find a new hobby that would benefit my future while also challenging me. I also wanted to be able to help my family (namely, my mother and grandmother) by sewing clothes for them. Considering the countless studies that show the health benefits of sewing and my love of fashion, it was a no-brainer that I would begin my newest adventure as an "unemployed seamstress".

I have learned many things since I began my journey and I continue to learn lots along the way. I got to thinking and came up with 5 basic and nontechnical pieces of advice that I wish I knew sooner than later. Here is to hoping they save you some time and give you the push you need to get started and get sewin'!

1. Find a Mentor

I fortunately started my sewing journey with classes taught by an experienced, professional, patient, and caring fashion designer who knew the ins and outs of sewing more than anyone I had ever met. Years earlier, my teacher mindfully renovated her living room to a sort of sewing quarter, supplied with any and all things one may need to work on their newest project. Said classes recur on various days, with around three students attending at a given time. These students range from girls — who have yet to come of age and are possibly attending such classes on the advice of their doting mothers — to women — who are trying to find a way to pass the time as retirement sets in. These women have become instrumental in helping me remain motivated to continue my journey, trust in the process, and develop my newest passion for sewing.

I understand that there are many YouTube videos that explain to people how to do different things, but it is a world of difference to have someone help you by addressing your specific needs. You will have so many questions as you start on a new project, regardless of what level you are during your sewing journey. As I mentioned, my sewing classes range from beginners to seasoned retirees who want to expand their knowledge or find a place to socialize with like-minded people. Yet, despite their differences in experience, they all continue to ask the teacher questions. Additionally, these classmates vary in socio-economic status, so it is not the case that only the rich and privileged have the opportunity to attend classes. In fact, the class is fairly priced when considering the amenities it offers.

I know it is a privilege to take time away to drive to a certain place, pay for gas, attend a sewing class, pay for those classes, and take time for socialization. I know some people may need to save money for necessities; others may lack the free time that sewing classes require. However, if you are a person who may have the opportunity to attend classes, I assure you that there are so many different types of classes that you will likely find the perfect fit for you with a bit of research. Even if you cannot find someone to help you in person, at least try finding a teacher with whom you can seek guidance or even consider having zoom classes just once a week so that you have mentorship throughout the process. It is so worth it!

2. Buy an Organizer

Now that the most elaborate and essential tip is out of the way, my second piece of advice is to buy an organizer for all of your sewing materials. I am not talking about the inconspicuous pastry jar your mom recycled to house needles, bobbins, and thread spools. I am talking about an actual organizer with dedicated storage areas. You will be routinely reaching for specific tools, such as seam rippers, that you will need to put in a convenient place that you can easily locate. You will also want all of your sewing materials to be in the same place so that when you want to use a tool you do not typically use, you are not turning the house upside down looking for one.

I recommend the Singer Sew-It-Goes Stackable Sewing Craft Storage Case — it is what I currently use, and I find it perfectly adequate for addressing all my needs. It may not be the fanciest storage case, but it is reasonably priced and high quality enough to do its function. Also, have a neat little place dedicated to sewing, with all your materials in one place. Try to find somewhere that your sewing machine could make home. Personally, I find it charming to have a sewing machine out for display, like showing a bit of your personality through something that can both serve as tasteful decoration and artistic expression.

3. Research, Research, Research

I never realized how many rules there are to sewing until my teacher explained them to me every time I attended class. A skirt is just a skirt and seems easy enough to alter — until you factor in the material, desired style, sizing, budget, design, thread counts, sewing machine, and about 20 other things that you will need to take into account for your desired outcome. Therefore, really look into whatever you want to make or alter, look at the laundry tag attached inside the fabric that has all the information about its material composition, research the different ways people have altered or made that piece of clothing; contemplate how you can accomplish that look or style with your tools and under a budget that you set for it ahead of time. There are rules in place for a reason, and although you can embrace creativity by going with the flow, the trial-and-error method cannot be successful without prior knowledge of what would or would not work. So, save yourself the headache and do your research before you dive into your next venture.

4. Manage Your Time Accordingly

It may seem initially troublesome to try and find time to sew when a world of excuses exist before you. After all, you could just buy whatever you want, you could also continue wearing a piece of clothing that needs alteration because 'whose gonna notice that small tear anyway' or give your clothes to a tailor because 'they would probably do a way better job with it than I could'. With all the great things our modern capitalist society has to offer, it becomes difficult to allocate time for completing tasks that you know could be executed faster by either avoiding it all-together or paying someone else to do it for you. However, I am a firm believer that no one can truly make your vision come to fruition as well as you can with enough practice and expertise. I encourage you to challenge yourself: any time you are sitting down and watching the TV or aimlessly scrolling on your phone, pick up an article of clothing that you are working on and continue doing those things while simultaneously working on your project. At the end of the day, we are all human beings who need time to decompress — so in that bit of time, no matter the duration, dedicate it to giving yourself some love and attention by fixing that piece of clothing you always wanted to wear. Eventually, certain things will become second nature to you: things that took you an hour to accomplish will take 20 minutes, and soon enough, you are doing it without even thinking about it. Practice, practice, and practice until any idea other than doing it yourself seems ridiculous.

Be warned: as you practice more, you will fall in love with the process. You may even begin obsessing over finishing your project to the point that you are working late nights, your back is hurting, your sewing machine will not stop jamming, and your thread has run out for the second time. Know that it is okay to step away and come back another day. So what if you know you do not have enough time to work on it tomorrow? If you really think you are going to forget about your progress, I recommend taking a video that you can watch whenever you resume your work. Half the time, whatever was giving you so much trouble will somehow fix itself when you take some time off, so keep that in mind as you continue sewing.

5. You Can Make Do with the Basics

Lastly, you do not need the fanciest equipment to get you started. It can be tempting when starting a new hobby to want to get the best of something the field has to offer, but I believe it is better to hold off on those temptations and instead make do with what you can afford. I was fortunate enough to receive my sewing machine from a neighbor who wanted to start traveling full-time and had no further use for a sewing machine. Luckily, this sewing machine was practically brand-new and came with all the things it had in its original packaging. Since starting my sewing classes, I have come to terms with the fact that I am working with one of the most basic types of sewing machines in the market. Still, my modest sewing machine is perfect for me. Sure, if I wanted to become a full-time fashion designer or seamstress, I should look into getting a more advanced sewing machine. For now and for the foreseeable future, I am more than happy with my sewing machine and all I have accomplished with it.

Do not feel overwhelmed when you first start sewing just because there are so many choices in front of you. Do not give yourself the unnecessary burden of choosing the perfect equipment for yourself right from the get-go. Stick to something simple and affordable, and learn the basics. As you begin mastering your craft, you will know when (if at all) it is time to get a more high-technology piece of equipment. By then, you will know what to look for to fit your needs because you have the foundational knowledge and experience required to identify your needs in the first place. Regardless, remember that you are perfectly capable of achieving all of your sewing goals when going step by step. Get a simple machine that will help cover the basics first and worry about the rest later.

Anyways, I think that's enough thinking, so that's all — for now.