How much? Sewing related

lilahbean13

So i have a sewing machine....it's been in the box since I got it about two years. I want to learn to sew pillow cases and drapes (seems simple in my mind but I am scared to death of this dang machine and I am so overwhelmed) None of the fabric stores around here offer lessons. I found one lady on wyzant that charges 60/hr for lessons. Is this a lot??? I feel like the classes would not have cost that much if the stores offered them.. So how much is too much? How much would you or did you pay someone to teach you to sew? 

pinkangelmoon

I have no idea but $60/hr?? Yikes! Is that one-on-one though? Maybe if you got a few friends together for a class it would be cheaper?

hokiemama06

I don't think $60 an hour is reasonable.  Just think of all the cute fabric you could buy with that!

Have you tried it at all?  I know they seem overwhelming, but perhaps just pull it out, and learn how to thread it (via the manual).  Maybe it won't seem quite so big if you just set small goals for yourself, like first, I'll learn the names of the parts, then how to thread, then how to wind the bobbin.  Then, if you do get overwhelmed, you can stop and pick it back up later.

Do you have a friend who sews?  Most machines aren't too dissimilar, so maybe have a friend come by, pour a glass of wine, and figure it out together.

Good luck!

lilahbean13

Ok Im glad I asked because I thought that was very high and I know I could buy at least 3 pillows for that lol 

@hokiemama06 that's a good idea. Im sure between the manual and Youtube I could figure it out I just hate failing and I am afraid if I can't figure it out I will get overwhelmed and just give up. 

@sunshinetwins Yes, My husbands grandmother is the best at sewing. She make Cooper clothes all the time and sells her stuff at a local boutique but she smokes and her house smells like cigs and dogs and my asthma flares up every.single.time I' m over here andplusalso I can't get her to make the 30 min drive to our house so really it's not an option 

I think I will just open it up tonight and see what happens. I taught myself to crochet from youtube videos so maybe I can do this??? I am such a chickensh!t 

lilahbean13

hahaha @jfresh lol crocheting wasn't difficult. I had a week where I was sick and confined to bed so I had nothing better to do. BUT I ill admit... the blanket I was making...ended up being an oval so it was ugly but my knots looked good ha 

lilahbean13

Trixi282 said:

If I were you, I would read through your manual, and look up some YouTube videos.  Then get some really cheap fabric and start practicing.  I would not pay someone $60/hr to learn, but then again I'm cheap.  I also learned from my mom, and it was also part of home ec in middle school too....

The things you listed are really easy to make, basically all straight stitching.  Join the 'Stitch N Bitch' thread and ask us all questions!  

ETA:  Almost all manuals will show you how to set up, thread, wind a bobbin, and will also go through all of the stitches the machine has, when you can/should use those stitches, what feet to use, etc.

 

I don't think I would have allowed myself to pay someone 60/hr. I am cheap to a fault. But I will look up some videos. We don't have internet at home so as soon as the dbag I work with leaves then I will start looking up videos here lol 

WonderJess

Oh yeah, I agree with everyone else.  That's a crazy high fee!

You've got this.  Seriously, what's the worst that happens?  It can definitely be frustrating to get your thread tangled, break needles, and try to figure out why your stitches don't look right but just experiment.  If you get overwhelmed switch it off and *walk away*! The things you want to make require only a simple straight stitch.  You can totally do it!

lewispm

Honestly, I used YouTube videos and online tutorials to learn to sew. I have never taken a single lesson and, while I am far from an expert, I can definitely sew pillows and curtains with no issues.

In my case, YouTube and Google were my free sewing classes.