How Difficult is it to Learn Sewing?

Are you interested in learning to sew but worried it might be too difficult? Learning a new skill may be easier for some than others. The challenges you face when learning to sew will depend on factors like your prior experience learning hands-on crafts, your experience exploring your creativity, and your attention to detail.

No matter your comfort level with sewing or prior knowledge of the craft, there are tools available that can help make learning how to sew easier than you might think.

What is Sewing?

Sewing is a popular craft among hobbyists that was once a necessity. Evidence shows that pre-modern humans once used bones and other natural materials to stitch together animal hides to create clothing and shelter. Humans throughout history learned and developed sewing techniques so that they could create and repair clothes to wear, gift, and sell. Techniques developed as well as the tools required to sew, like sewing needles.

The invention of the sewing machine during the Industrial Revolution resulted in major changes for sewers. When the sewing machine became less expensive in the 20th century, home sewing became popular but so did the production of ready-made clothing. As people began buying more manufactured clothing, they stopped sewing at home as much. Sewing then became relegated to a hobby and cottage industry.

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Today, you can still find avid sewers. There are still sewing shops that will repair your clothes and there are schools that teach sewing as a fun, practical hobby. Small businesses sell hand-crafted garments that they hand-sew to the specifications of customers. With such a strong community of active sewers, you should have no problem finding resources to help you learn.

Benefits of Learning Sewing?

Learning how to sew is a great way to begin making custom clothing. Hand-sewing is admired for its attention to detail and the unique features that can be added to pieces. Hand-sewn custom-made garments are typically considered longer-lasting than manufactured products and exclusive, which encourages consumers to purchase them. Once you have experience sewing, you can make custom pieces yourself to wear, gift, or sell.

If you find yourself suffering from stress or anxiety, learning to sew can provide you with a creative outlet. Sewers have commented on how relaxed they feel when sewing. They must focus on the project they’re working on, which leaves them with very little room to pay attention to stressors in their lives. This makes sewing a fun and distracting hobby.

Sewing can also provide physical benefits. Sewing requires constant motion of your hands and fingers. This can result in increased dexterity in your fingers and the loosening of joints. Arthritis sufferers have been known to experience less pain after taking up sewing as a hobby. If you suffer from pain in your hands and fingers and are concerned about the effect that sewing will have on them, some tools have been created to make sewing more comfortable for you, like ergonomic rotary cutters, lightweight irons, and compression gloves.

What Are the Hardest Parts of Learning Sewing?

As is common with learning any craft, you may face some roadblocks when learning how to sew. Common challenges faced when learning how to sew include fitting garments, working with difficult fabrics, and drafting patterns.

Fitting Garments

Fitting garments is considered one of the hardest skills in sewing. This involves making sure that the clothing will fit the body that’ll be wearing it. Many factors influence the fit of a garment, including body shape, fabric choice, and pattern size. Nobody wants to wear an ill-fitting garment, so it’s important that you learn this skill if you plan to sew clothing.

To ensure that you’re properly fitting a garment, you’ll need to learn how to accurately take measurements, select the right size pattern, and make the necessary adjustments. You can learn to do this by taking a basic sewing class. Many of these classes are centered around pattern making, which includes taking measurements. You can also learn these skills through online tutorials and by practicing on projects like t-shirts and skirts using your measurements.

Working with Difficult Fabric

Sometimes the problem you're facing is the fabric itself. Some fabrics are simply more difficult to work with, especially for beginners. This includes sheer fabrics and thick fabrics.

One thing that can help is making sure that the tools you’re using are appropriate for the fabric you’re working with. For example, sheer fabric can be difficult to sew because it’s so lightweight. You’ll want to use a very fine needle and plenty of pins when working with sheer fabric. Thick fabrics, like leather, should be sewn with a heavy-duty sewing machine that has a powerful motor. If you’re hand-sewing a thick material like leather, there are specialty needles that can help.

Drafting Patterns

Drafting patterns is when you create designs and then create paper patterns based on the design. It’s essentially the blueprint for your project. Some people have difficulty making patterns themself and may rely on patterns made by others. You can find free patterns online if you’re not ready to make patterns yourself.

It can be rewarding to draft patterns for your projects and know that you designed the piece yourself. To do this, you’ll need a thorough understanding of garment construction and be capable of translating your designs into a physical representation. You can learn how to do this using online videos and tutorials, or by taking a pattern making class. There are in-person and online pattern making classes that you can sign up for on CourseHorse that will teach you the basics of pattern making to prepare you to create your own custom pieces.

Key Takeaways

Learning how to sew is a fun way to create and repair clothing for yourself and others.
Experienced sewers sell their custom pieces online to customers who are interested in unique and long-lasting garments.
Learning to sew comes with several challenges, like properly fitting garments, difficult fabrics, and drafting patterns yourself.
These challenges are easily overcome with a little guidance and practice.
You can contact CourseHorse to find options for online or in-person training, including private group sessions, that will teach you to overcome these challenges and become a better sewer.