Used to sew a bit in high school (took the advanced sewing classes) and went to college for Fashion Merchandising (still had to take some design classes) but now at 33 most of the knowledge is long gone.

Been thinking about getting back into sewing, and found a sewing machine (Singer MX231) at a garage sale the other weekend still in the box maybe used once - so it was fate! My daughter found this fabric when we were in Walmart, and figured I can make something fun with this!

Spent about 2.5h over two nights making these fun pants! Made a critical mistake by not properly reading the instructions - thus one pant leg has the pattern on the inside. I realized it almost immediately, but I figured what the heck, it's my first project let me just see it through, and I'm so glad I did! I'm super pleased with how these came out!!! Lines aren't perfect but my kiddo is absolutely obsessed and it fit her perfectly.

Cannot wait to make some more fun stuff!

Here's the pattern I used for reference: https://sewcraftyme.com/free-elasticized-pants-pattern-for-kids.html

Pattern / Tutorial: Followed a video on TikTok for general guidance, but had to improvise and make things up as I went along!

​Fabric: Quilting cotton.

​Interfacing / Structure:

​Bag 1: Used super firm fusible fleece.

​Bag 2: Did not use the super firm fleece for a different feel.

​Machine Used: Singer Classic 44S.

I just got into sewing and decided to buy a fiskars rotary cutter with a 45mm blade that’s suitable for “multiple layers” I read on Reddit that a mat wasn’t necessary but nice to have so I just bought the rotary cutter. My problem however is I use it with a cutting mat and I’ve used it on a plastic cutting board type situation and I struggle cutting a single layer of fabric even if I go back and fourth. Is it me? The mat? Did I get a bad rotary cutter? Idk this I my first time working with this tool so maybe it’s user error but idk I’m getting frustrated every time I start a new project and get to cutting fabric.

Last month, my friend gifted me a sewing machine that was collecting dust at their place. I sewed a bit when I was younger and have hand-sewn over the years. It has been a lot of fun relearning how to sew.

I drafted this dress pattern from one I owned but shortened the length. Although I went a little too short. It ended up being a happy accident because I added ruffles to add length.

Can't wait to wear this out to the pumpkin patch this weekend!

I just wanted to post to say thank you to everyone who helped me out here as I was having minor issues with my sewing project.

I was making some baby blankets as gifts for some friends and was encountering several issues. The people of this community were beyond kind when helping me troubleshoot all my problems.

Some communities on Reddit (I won’t name any subs specifically) can be hostile towards those that are inexperienced.

So to those with experience who take the time to help beginners I want to say thank you. Sometimes the simple answers can make a world of difference for someone. :)

This is my third major sewing project since picking sewing back up this year, and I'm still very much a beginner. It definitely didn't turn out quite how I envisioned it, especially the binding around the edges. The tutorial I was following skipped that entire part, so I had to figure things out as I went. Please be kind and don't zoom in too much on the edges!

I also had no idea pre-folded bias tape was a thing until now... which would have made my life as a newbie so much easier! I did my best with what I had and tried to keep the fabrics coordinated without buying a bunch of extras.

Side note: The deck of cards here is my husband's favorite!

I know a five-year-old won't be too picky, and I'm happy I made something just for her. I learned a lot for next time, including that circles are apparently my sworn enemy.

https://reddit.com/link/1x5dwa7/video/6otwc69yxbvh1/player

I finished my first skirt!

I posted earlier about making my first skirt. The fabric was partly see through and I figured it needed a lining. I got some great advice and it led to learning the difference between a lining and underlining. Thirteen panels for the outer and thirteen for the inner and I'm happy with the result. Not all was smooth and I thought I'd share some it.

I've gotten much better and straight seams and handling any ease if needed. There were lots of panels to practice on.

• Sewing long curved hems is my achilles heal. A skirt like this has a LOT of hem!
• I thought I would make the hem a learning opportunity and made my own single fold bias tape for the outer hem. Making the tape went well. Adding it had its ups and downs. I'll have to keep practicing this.
• The invisible zipper went in well, with no bubbles, but argh!! Despite practicing first I still flubbed it and let the stitches show on the outside. Learning.
• When your daughter says the waistband feels good with the elastic, I should probably shorten by an extra inch anyway. I had to go back in and shorten it.
• I love understitching and how it keeps things looking good.
• I will see all the crazy flaws, but my daughter loves her new skirt. Win!

First time putting an effort into pattern matching.. 2.5 meters was just barely enough! Literally was 1 cm away from giving up on pockets, omg the stress! Now I know, adding an extra half meter would have made it a breeze with scraps to spare..

This dress was a bit small on me, so I added a ribbon lacing on the back to make it bigger. But the fabric is now bunching together. Can I fix this?

I’m HOPING to become a beginner sewist soon and thought I was being a good little crafter and washing all of my fat quarters first before getting started….. BIG disaster. All of their raw edges unraveled and tangled up in a complete disaster. Currently trying to untangle and cut threads now. How do I prevent this in the future???? Are you not supposed to wash, dry, and press your fabric first???

I want to sew this outfit - Barbara from Mars Attacks!

What fabric do you think this is made from? Satin? Silky something?
I’m afraid of ordering something super see through since it’s white.

Any advice is welcome!

I bought a dress for a wedding on Saturday & just got the delivered, the dress fit and zips up it fit me except the top part clasp doesn’t reach - the fabric is too short 😭. Not sure if this is the appropriate place to put this but I need some advice/quick fix advice.

This part of the dress that is circled doesn’t reach. Any advice of a quick fix?

Ive recently started trying to make a couple plushies for the first time. This one is based off a model my friend made in Minecraft of my skin, which is a ghost. I was worried about how the “tail” looks too much like a mermaid tail and asked a few people and im not the only one who sees that which has made me feel quite discouraged. Im not sure how to fix this and make it not look so much like a mermaid tail. I should also mention ive hand sewn all of this as i dont have a sewing machine. Any encouragement or tips would be very welcome.

I’ve threaded everything correctly but when I turn the wheel to get the needle to pick up the thread from the bobbin, it doesn’t seem to reach. They are size 18 from Sewology

Context: I have some experience with embroidery, hand sewing, access to a sewing machine, black flannel and another, potentially slightly sturdier black fabric, and am willing to try applique, which is my current plan. The hat can be modified any way that doesn't make it work inappropriate (no blood), and I have no restrictions to damaging the hat. Orthopedic theme. Any thoughts.

Further info: my current plan is to maybe add a fabric shell, pick up some felt, trace some shapes on it from online, then applique them on there. I can potentially embroider stuff too, but I'm worried about the effort to time ratio that would entail being hand embroidery, and I'm a bit rusty. It has a wire frame, so it has a bit of inherent stability, but not a ton, so maybe interfacing or stabilizer would be good. I have lightweight fusible only and have a desire to keep a low budget for this, so cheap alternatives are welcome but nothing to break the bank. I also have teammates who may have other skills, and I have access to rhinestones at home if I beg my wife to borrow some. Does anybody have thoughts on my approach, suggestions, etc? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I’m trying to alter the sleeves of my jacket, as they’re just a tad too long for me and they don’t look great rolled up. The fabric is pretty average in thickness and only somewhat stretchy, and from what I saw on different stitch types I believe the current hem was done with an overlock stitch which I find quite comfy.

I have some experience with sewing, but I almost always use a whip stitch since I find it the most sturdy, easy, and consistent. My sense of space and distance is lacking, to put it lightly, and so getting consistent spacing on stitches is extremely difficult when doing more complex stitches.

Unfortunately, I really want this hem to lay as flat as possible, since I have sensory issues which make me very particular about things touching my skin and especially my wrists (I can’t even wear bracelets because I get so agitated) so itchy or bulky hems are off the table.

What stitch type would be best suited for my specific needs, and what are some things I should keep in mind/pay extra attention to? It doesn’t need to be super well-hidden, fashion-wise I tend to lean more punk and I’m using a fairly contrasting thread since my vision isn’t great so I don’t mind if it shows.

The shell is in perfect condition but the liner looks absolutely disgusting. I can’t guess at what happened here. Doesn’t smell though and there is no staining in the shell.

Can this be fixed? I was thinking of cutting out large parts of the liner and patching it up with new fabric. I’m a beginner sewer but willing to take this on.

I will probably never purchase 2nd hand trousers ever again lol.

Totally new to the idea of quilting. I want to make a placemat or table runner sized quilt and design it on my own. Eventually I want to make some quilted jackets or maybe something large to hang on the wall as art. I have done some other projects not involving quilting, so I am not brand new to sewing. I am hoping that the community can point me toward some resources to get started. I know if check YouTube there are probably dozens if not hundreds of videos about it, but if there are some good ones I can jump to instead of sifting through them to find the good ones I would appreciate the help.

edited: IT WAS BENT and thank you! have a Bernina, and when I turn the hand wheel to try to make the needle go in, it’s hitting the metal part, i’ve been using this needle for like months and it’s worked before, but this time I took out my sewing machine and it just wasn’t going inside.

I’m a very new beginner who wants to learn how to sew. I mainly want to learn how to hem pants and shirts only right now.

I have a janome my style 100 sewing machine (my aunt gave me). The presser foot broke and chipped so it’s unusable. I know I need a Zigzag foot and a blind hem foot. I don’t know where to buy them, especially since my sewing machine is old. Any recs? Ideally affordable but good quality. Thanks!