How to Sew.

introHow to Sew.

This instructable will cover the basics of hand sewing - tools needed, threading the needle, knotting the thread, running stitch, basting stitch, backstitch, slipstitch, blanket stitch, whip stitch and finishing with knots.

Please comment with what you'd like to learn! I know this is not everything that needs to be covered, so I'd like input from everyone to see what you all want me to cover. :D

EDIT: Updated 7/25/08
Embroidery instructable recently added!
http://instructables.com/id/Embroidery-101/

Remove these ads by Signing Up.

step 1Basic sewing tools.

These things will make you a nice little sewing kit:

Needles - You'll want to look for "sharps" for basic sewing. "Betweens" are used for quilting. "Embroidery" or "crewel" needles have larger eyes (an eye is the hole at the top of the needle) and are used with thicker threads, like upholstery or embroidery floss.
Scissors - You'll want a good pair of shears (normally sold with names like "dressmaking shears") and a pair of pinking shears. Pinking shears have small triangular teeth that cut the fabric in a such a way that it lessens unraveling. Smaller embroidery scissors are also good for cutting threads.
Pincushion & Pins - You'll pin most everything you sew to keep the fabrics from slipping. A pincushion keeps them neat and tidy.
Measuring tape - For measuring. ;)
Seam Ripper - This will help you correct mistakes.
Beeswax - Sounds odd, I know. But essential for hand sewing. When you run your thread over the beewax, it gives the thread a nice coating that will keep it from tangling and make it stronger.
Thimbles - These can be wood, leather or metal. They'll keep your fingers from getting sore and/or pricked.
Thread or Floss - An all-purpose cotton thread is good for most things. However, there are many threads to choose from. You'll often pick thread based on your project - cotton fabric = cotton thread, silk = silk thread, etc. Floss is much thicker and normally comes in six-string strands. You'll use this for embroidery and finishing.
Fabric - Might I recommend going to your local sewing store and buying some remnants to start off with? Remnants are small bits of fabric from the end of a fabric roll. They're quite cheap, I love them!
Sewing Needle Booklet - You can either keep the packaging the needles come in or make your own! The strawberry one I have was made from this pattern on The Happy Zombie: http://thehappyzombie.com/pdf/strawberry.pdf

You may also want to invest in an iron, self-healing cutting mat, rotary cutter, and rulers. But they're not entirely necessary!

And now that we have the basics, let's thread a needle!

To Download the PDF or View All Steps,
Become a Pro Member »

102 comments	Add Comment

1-40 of 102

Mar 9, 2010. 5:37 AMnutellamonster says:

Here's a hint from my gran (always good, those) for threading needles: If you can't get the end through the needle's eye (maybe it isn't cut sharp enough or has frayed from all the luckless tries before), make a very short loop with the end of the thread you want to put through the eye. Then insert the needle's eye-end into this loop and pull it towards the closed end of the loop, holding the thread ends firmly with your other hand. Pinch the closed loop-end (maybe even with wet fingers) around the needle's eye end. Most of the times, that end is a little flattened from stamping the eye in during the needle-making process. So, pinching the loop here sort of "irons" the thread into a somewhat flattened, but rather precise point, or V-shape. Now just use the tip of that V to thread the needle. I use this "technique" almost everytime I thread a needle. I hope I have described it understandably and usefully...

Sewing

How to Sew.

introHow to Sew.

step 1Basic sewing tools.

More in Living

News & Updates

Pro Membership

About Us