Sewing 101

Lesson #4 Final

Final Lesson! Let's finish our skirt. Remember to post any pics or progress shots and questions to our flickr group.

Lesson #4 Part 3

Today's video covers where we left off, securing our basting, sewing on our waistband, attaching our lining. We are almost done! I am signing off until next week so I can focus on this move.

Lesson #4 Part 2

Below is part #2 of lesson 4: Sewing Our Skirt and we are attaching our zipper, sewing our lining and test fitting! Sorry for the short post today dolls but I am headed to get boxes to start packing because we move in two days and I have not packed a thing, LOL

Make sure to post progress pics on our FLICKR GROUP and REMEMBER sewing is fun not stressful so if you make a mistake or it's not turning out perfect IT'S OK, you are learning and trust me when I first started I was in the same place you are now so just enjoy the learning process and practice, you have already succeeded because you are TRYING and that is half the battle ;-)

Lesson #4 Part 1

I hope your machines are set up and ready to go ;-) today's video is all about sewing! I will post the sewing videos in 3 or 4 parts over the course of this week so everyday until the end of the week we will  be sewing! In today's video we will be sewing our front pieces and back pieces together, stay stitching, pressing seams and attaching fronts to back.

See you tomorrow with my easy invisible zipper installation video using a standard zipper foot.

WATCH IN HD 720P FOR BEST QUALITY

xoxo
Mimi G

Lesson #3 Video

Hi Darlings!

Todays lesson is longer then last weeks so I had to move it to my vimeo channel which is actually easier for me anyway and it looks better ;-)

Today we are covering the pattern tissue, what the instructions look like and what they tell you; we also cover the markings and finished printed measurements and finally cutting of the pattern and fabric prep.
If you have questions make sure to leave a comment here or join our Flickr group where we will be able to post pics and ask questions.

If you are just starting to follow along make sure to visit the "Free Sewing Class" tab under the header so that you can start reading from the beginning.

Next Week:

Laying Out Pattern Pieces
Grain-lines and Importance
Cutting The Fabric
Cutting Interfacings
Creating a Lining
Preparing For Sewing
Sewing Part 1 (Step by Step)

Lesson 1: Intro to Sewing Basics

Today is the first video of many to come over the next four weeks. Today's video is a lot of me talking but we must get through the very basic things you need to know before we start our project so make sure to view the entire video and then follow up with a good read of your sewing machines instruction manual. 

Make sure to join our flickr group so that if you have questions or get stuck along the way you can share your progress pics and I can try to help you and answer anything you may be confused about. *Note: There may be things I will remember during the week that I did not include in the video so if that happens I will post an update video under the "Free Sewing Class" tab.

We are covering the basics today:  How I got started, How I Teach, Basic Sewing Tools for your Kit, Sewing Machine Basics: Threading and Understanding, Reading and Understanding the Pattern Envelope Front and Back. Make sure you read though the class supply list from last weeks post and that you have everything you need for next weeks class. Last weeks posts can be found HERE and HERE or under the "Free Sewing Class" tab under the header.

Lesson 1: Sewing Basics

Next Weeks Lesson:

Tackling The Pattern Tissue
Reading Instructions + Understanding Pattern Markings
Fabric Layouts + Choosing Your "FINISHED" Size
Cutting The Pattern

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Winners!!! + Class Supplies!

Hi Darlings!

Congrats to the following two winners of the Simplicity Pattern #2314 and the $25 Gift Card to Fabric.com! make sure to email me your name, mailing address and email so I can get you these out to you asap!

Thanks to Simplicity.com they have offered a 15% OFF the class Pattern and FREE SHIPPING! Use Coupon Code: MIMIGNL15 

*****READY TO WEAR SIZES AND PATTERN SIZES ARE NOT THE SAME. 

I wear a size 2 or 3 in ready to wear but I sew sizes 6-10 depending on the garment so don't be alarmed. 

I have highlighted the areas you need to focus on when ordering your pattern and buying your fabric.
I usually cut and make a size 6 for myself which is highlighted above and because we are making a skirt that falls away from the hips (non-form fitting) we only need to focus on the waist measurement today. 

#1 Measure your waist and select the size closest to that measurement.

#2 Just below that you will notice I pointed to skirt B (below knee) which is the one I will be making and it says I will need 1 1/2 yards of fabric.

*Note: The length has no bearing on the lessons so if you want to make Skirt A (long) or Skirt C (short) then choose the fabric yardage next to that skirt and under your size.

#3 Once you have determined your size and fabric yardage go ahead and order your pattern HERE and enter the coupon code to get 15% off and free shipping.

We will need to buy lining fabric for the skirt because as you can see this pattern is for an unlined skirt so we will be making our own lining. Make sure to buy the same amount of lining as you do your skirt fabric.

For Sizes 20-24 (waist 34" and up):  Butterick 3134 View B is a great option of you fall between a size 20-24 according to the measurements given on the back of the Butterick pattern. You will be able to follow along so dont worry to much about having to use an alternate pattern and choose your size and fabric yardage the same way as I explained for Simplicity 2314.

FREE!!! 4 Week Sew-Along: Sewing 101 

Simplicity 2314 HERE or Butterick 3134 View B HERE

(supplies are the same for both patterns)

Fabric (suggestions and purchasing links below) 

*remember to buy the fabric yardage according to your Size and Length you have chosen*

1.5 yards Lightweight Interfacing (@Joann's "Natural Ultra Weft 860F" or Online HERE)

Lining (same yardage as main fabric) suggestions and link below

9" Invisible Zipper (Ignore the pattern suggestion) 

Hook & Eye

Sewing Starter  Kit

If you need sewing machine suggestions go HERE for my personal choices.

FABRIC + LINING

Linen

Chambray

Challis

Poplin

Poly Crepe

Cotton Twill

African Prints (no wax)

Ikat Prints (my choice)

Lining Fabric

Any lightweight to medium weight Cotton, Denim, Pique, Polin or Crepe will be good, avoid anything that is slippery, silky or stretchy (like knits)

Week #1

Sewing Machine Basic + Threading
Basic Tools and Understanding
Picking a Machine + What To Look For
How To Read Pattern Envelopes
How to Understand Measurements
How to Read The Pattern
How to Gather Tools and Fabric

Week #2

Tackling The Pattern
Reading Instructions
Understanding Pattern Markings
Fabric Layouts
Choosing Your Size
Cutting The Pattern

Week #3

Discussing Fabric
Laying Out Pattern Pieces
Grain-lines and Importance
Understanding Pattern Pieces and Instruction
Cutting The Fabric
Cutting Interfacings
Creating A Lining
Preparing For Sewing
Sewing Part 1 (Step by Step)

Week #4 

Sewing Part 2 (Step by Step)
Sewing A Lining
Applying A Waistband
Applying A Zipper
Finishing The Skirt

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If you have ever wanted to learn to sew but classes local to you are difficult to find? expensive? or just not what you are looking for? Then this 4 week sew-along will help turn you into a bona fide seamstress! 

The video below will explain the sew-along and how to enter the GIVEAWAY so make sure to watch.

(subscribe to my youtube channel)

Every Friday I will post a new step-by-step video with that weeks lesson, handout and homework if applicable and you will get the chance to sew along other new seamstresses learning just like you. It will be like having me there with you every week! You will also be able to post your progress,  questions and finished your skirt on the FLICKR group I created (Click HERE to join) just for our little group.

This is what all you need to do to SIGN UP  for class! 

1. enter your email address in the "Follow by Email" box in my sidebar

 (If you already follow me here via email you are all set)

Simplicity.com has been generous enough to offer a GIVEAWAY of the pattern I will be using in class to twolucky winners! and I am GIVING away a $20 gift cards to help those two winners purchase fabric and notions! Enter to win by watching the video above and following the instructions given.

The Winner + Class Supplies Announced on Monday

Week #1

Sewing Machine Basic + Threading
Basic Tools and Understanding
Picking a Machine + What To Look For
How To Read Pattern Envelopes
How to Understand Measurements
How to Read The Pattern
How to Gather Tools and Fabric

Week #2

Tackling The Pattern
Reading Instructions
Understanding Pattern Markings
Fabric Layouts
Choosing Your Size
Cutting The Pattern

Week #3

Discussing Fabric
Laying Out Pattern Pieces
Grain-lines and Importance
Understanding Pattern Pieces and Instruction
Cutting The Fabric
Cutting Interfacings
Creating A Lining
Preparing For Sewing

Week #4 

Sewing Part 2 (Step by Step)
Sewing A Lining
Applying A Waistband
Applying A Zipper
Finishing The Skirt