I recently received this comment on the site from Krista in response to my teaser post about the upcoming Little Black Dress pattern:
Hi Deby, it already looks amazing, can’t wait to see what the finished project will look like!
I love reading your blog by the way. I was wondering if you could explain how you grew from a beginning sewer to where you are now in such a short time. Did you just practice a lot? I know you followed Craftsy courses (I do too, that's where I found your projects first), but I still find the quality of my projects vary from nice enough to wear to “yikes!” I would love to hear how you perfected your techniques to the point where you were confident to wear what you made yourself.
Thanks and keep up the great blog!
Krista
I actually get lots of emails and replies often to my weekly posts roundup asking me pretty much the same kind of question – how do I learn to sew? People wanting to know how they can learn to sew – but not just that, actually learn to sew well and make projects that are good enough to wear and feel proud of.
Well, when it comes to learning to sew, Craftsy has been my hero!
I started out with some of the FREE CLASSES:
- Bag-Making Basics: Reversible Tote & Zipper Pouch
- Sewing Machine 911
- Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z
- Mastering Zipper Techniques
I then realised just how wonderful Craftsy was and signed up for my first paid class – Sewing with Knits.
At about the same time I also signed up for Pant Construction Techniques. Although this is an excellent class, I really wasn't ready for it. I was brand new to sewing and as any good sewist will tell you, fitting pants is HARD. I did have 3 attempts, made 3 muslins all with small improvements each time, and then my attention was drawn to the knits class more and I never completed the pants fitting course – shame on me. Perhaps I should set this as a target for 2014 to revisit and at last make myself some trousers.
I branched out a little at this point and became distracted by some of the other areas that Craftsy cover and I turned to the mouth-watering free classes:
- Modern Buttercream – amazing free cake class
- Perfect Pizza at Home – my husband would tend to agree!
But back to our subject, and next I decided I needed some help photographing my sewing projects for my site and for my online store on Etsy. So I took Shoot It: A Product Photography Primer. I think we can all agree if you look back to the very earliest posts on the site – even with my cheap point and press I made some major improvements. I'm not comfortable in front of the camera, and almost everything is shot with a timer, so there is still room for improvement yet – but this course made a huge difference.
By now I'm addicted to Craftsy and I want to sign up to all of their classes – and I did sign up for a lot! Many of which are still not started, but I did decide to make 2013 the year of the Perfect Fit and took the Sew the Perfect Fit Class.
Next on my work table is a huge step up in my sewing technique and quality – am I ready for The Couture Dress Class?
I'm slowly watching these classes when I get time – and I can tell you, it's already been a huge eye-opener and I've learned masses of techniques I am just dying to try out. One of which you will find incorporated into the Little Black Dress pattern which will be released early in November. As I start work more on this course and the project, I'll share my progress of course.
So what else am I signed up for but haven't started yet:
- 40 Techniques Every Sewer Should Know – Gail Yellen – essential viewing for new sewists and those looking to improve their skills
- Pattern Drafting from Ready to Wear – I hope to learn some skills here which I can use to develop more clothing sewing patterns to share with you
- Design your own Handbag – looking to learn some new ideas and techniques here to work on my own range of purses
- How to Teach It – an intriguing course on how to teach crafts. I'm hoping to be able to improve my pattern instructions to make them easy for everyone to follow.
I've not started on these courses yet, but after taking some from Craftsy already, I KNOW they are going to be awesome and each one will be filled with tips, techniques and tutorials to make my sewing go from Yikes to Yes!
So are you convinced yet of the benefits of online training courses for sewing? Maybe you have already taken one or more. If not, then why not give some of the Free Craftsy courses a try.
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Feature image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Hello. I found this article about 2 weeks ago, but just got around to reading it. I appreciate you sharing your journey and your openess on Craftsy. I’d heard many good things about most classes, but wasn’t sure about it. I’ve recently seen previews of classes and the quality of the videos seem to be good.
I ahd already signed up for a couple of free classes a few months ago, but haven’t gotten around to them.:-).
I was wondering: since it seems like you’ve investing in several Craftsy classes, and you said you’re viewing them as you have time, do you have a FT job? I work FT so the only time I have to really sew is the weekend & not every. :-).
I’m usually too exhausted after work and now that it’s dark by 5:00 p.m., time is really short. Thanks for a very informative article. -JC 🙂
Hi JC – yes my time is short too – I have too many things pulling me in all directions and I wish I had more time to sew. This seasonal sewing series has been a lot of work and I don’t think I have seen the inside of my sewing space so far this month. But what I like about the classes is that they never expire, are there whenever I want them, even if its only 15 minutes. Makes it perfect for me, there are no local classes I can attend and I don’t have to schedule a certain time each week – its whenever life permits!
Hi Deby. Thanks for answering my questions. Knowing that classes never expire is very tempting b/c as you said, you can review as many times as you need and in the comfort of your own home. Sometimes taking classes (even if some are available) can be draining if and/or when you have to come from work, fight traffic (and believe me, there’s a TON of traffic in my area–even on the w’ends). I see Craftsy is having another sale. :-). May take advantage of them. Thanks again! 🙂
If you are thinking of signing up for a course, I’ve heard a little whisper that waiting until 29th November might be to your advantage! There’s a good sale coming soon.
I am a good sewer and self taught..My only problem is the beautiful clothing items I finished never fit me.I can sew most anything and enjoy it a lot. Any suggestions?
I was struggling with the same issues Donna – fitting was the most difficult part and in the end no matter how beautifully finished, if it doesn’t fit just right, it wasn’t worth it! So I took a class online – Sew the Perfect Fit – you can find a full review of all the steps of the course over several posts and a final course round up HERE. Plus, you get a discount through this site too. I hope it helps. Deby
I have always wanted to learn to sew. Here lately, I’ve been making short strides to pass the beginners level…Huge challenge.. Thanks again Deby for everything. I still have the fire for my blog you created… Such a blessing..
My Mother was a professional seamstress. Her talents made it possible for me to bring a photo and some fabric to her as a teen and have an outfit made in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately only a little of her talents spilled over onto me, giggle. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. You help to make it so much fun.♥
Thank you for all of the great advice! I got a sewing machine last Christmas and I have been afraid to use it. I don’t even know how to turn it on. I will be sure to check out Craftsy!!!
Cindy from Superheroes and Teacups
I just took the Craftsy Design Your Own Handbag course and learned a few new things! You will enjoy it! You can see the bag I made over on my blog. I found your blog on Sew Much Ado, We Did It Wednesdays =)
I didn’t know craftsy had free classes…going to have to check that out, thanks! I learned a lot just from watching youtube videos! There’s a lot of information out there that you don’t have to pay a dime for, but can teach you so much.
I’ve just started trying to make a few Youtube videos myself. Its fun but the editing afterwards takes a lot of time. It might appear to all flow together, but that’s only because I did 10 ‘takes’ to get it right! Its a great resource for learning and I actually prefer videos over the written word for learning. Thanks for the comment.
Those free craftsy classes are great! I also signed up for Amy Gibson’s block of the month which helped with my quilting.
I signed up for that free quilting course too but I’ve got too much to do already without starting quilting as well! But I did watch and it looked fascinating and a lot of fun. One day….
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve always been way too scared to attempt to make clothes. I need to get over this, make a Craftsy class is the way forward for me. Thanks for the idea
Found you from the And Sew We Craft linky
Hello, Dropping in from Inspire me Monday to say thank you for the links to the free classes. I have been sewing for a long time, but bringing it up to the proud to wear level is a matter of practice. Zippers have been my downfall, but now thanks to your post I have signed up for a class. Thank you!
I can sew at a beginner level I really need to look at craftsy courses!
Ok, so I don’t sew. My husband does what he likes to call “Cloth welding” (sounds more manly I guess!) but I don’t even sew on a button! But I have been thinking about learning how to and that is what made me click on your link. My mother in law rocks at sewing and was just down here fixing my son’s halloween costume and just finally bought us a sewing machine so she didn’t have to trek hers back and forth. I am thinking maybe it is time to start? I saw this on Pin It Monday Hop Link Party and I am so glad I did! Maybe you could stop by my Link Up party on Friday for Family Fridays! http://livinthemomlife.com/category/link-up-party/
It’s only been just over a year now for me, but I’ve found it completely absorbing and entirely satisfying. Not everything has gone right, and even now I make a few clangers, but the perfect fit course I took recently I think is going to help with that. Now I’m always looking for little jobs that I need to use my sewing machine for.
I love to sew, and definitely need to work on my skill lever. I had never heard of Craftsy, so this is something I am DEFINITELY going to look into it! Thanks so much for sharing at the Pinworthy Project Party. I’ll be featuring this great roundup of information this Thursday!
I stopped over because my daughter has been inspired by my mother to start sewing, and I have NO idea how to sew myself (Hubby is a much better sewer than me). Are there any Craftsy classes for kids? I did get really excited because I’m interested in the Buttercream class and possibly the cake decorating class. I had never heard of Craftsy before, but it sounds awesome. Thanks so much for sharing on It’s Fall Y’all!
They don’t necessarily aim their classes at children, but there is no reason an interested child couldn’t learn from the classes. See how she gets on with the free mini classes – the longer classes do have hours of teaching, which of course you can stop and start when you like, watch over and over if you need to. And they do have some simple projects to get started, such a sewing an a-line skirt which would be a good place to start.
Thanks for the recommendations, Deby! I’d love to be able to sew, but I seem to mess it up each time I try, so Craftsy classes seem like a good place to start. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)