Okay, I thought there was a sewing forum. I could have sworn I saw one once. I can't find it, so I'm putting my question here. Mods, feel free to move it if it's not in the right place.

My kids are growing like weeds. I can sew a little bit, but not well. I'd love to be able to make them some clothes, I have tons of material, just don't have the skills to sew anything other then basic things.

Anyone have any tips. Sewing for dummies? An easy way to understand patterns? I'm lost, and most times I just wing it.

We need to save some money, and sewing clothes for the kids would really help. Summer is coming, so shorts, shirts, sun dresses for my daughter. Things like that.

I'm desperate. I can't find anything that's easy.

Darnit, I wish I had asked my mom to teach me while she was here. Too late now. Thank Dog I have all of you. Impress me with your knowledge, you always do. :)

Okay, that's weird. I just got an email advising me to bump my question. I thought we didn't like it when people bump.

Well, since I got the go ahead via email... bump, bump, bumpity bump. :)

My mom and 4-H taught me how to sew by hand and on a machine. Have you looked at Simplicity patterns? (Butterick are more difficult.) Do you have a sewing machine and know how to use it for making seams?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

My mom and 4-H taught me how to sew by hand and on a machine. Have you looked at Simplicity patterns? (Butterick are more difficult.) Do you have a sewing machine and know how to use it for making seams?

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I have my moms sewing machine, and after a lot of trial and error, I've figured it out. :)

It's a good machine. After all, my mom sewed for a living.

I've tried the Simplicity patterns. For me it's the terms that throw me off. I can cut the pattern, follow the pattern, but then they'll throw in some sewing term I don't know how to decode.

Usually at that point I get frustrated and just sew it the way I feel like sewing it. Sometimes it works, other times, not so much.

Either way, you can tell that the clothes that I make are made by me. When my mom sewed all her clothes looked store bought. They were gorgeous. I'm not expecting to get as good as she was, I'd just like to sew clothes my kids can actually wear in public. ;)

This one looks pretty basic (for Syd) --

SewingPatterns.com

I could be your email or phone sewing consultant.

I think the easiest things to sew are PJs and little handbags (.. they are the only things I know how to sew).

For pajamas, you can just trace a pair of your own. You just have to fold the legs as if you are folding dress pants to iron. Then trace, copy, and sew. The hard part is sewing the "belt" part and hem. You can find patterns at Walmart though. They come in little packages near the craft/sew area.

Pajamas are good for starters because they are easier to make than some other clothes. Plus if you mess up you're just wearing them to bed so you won't have to be seen in public wearing them :p

To sew a handbag or pouch, you just slap two pieces two cloth together and sew. You can make little pockets on it too and sew cute buttons on. :)