I'm looking for something, rather rare. I've only seen it once in a book, but I had a fire and it got destroyed. Now I'm stuck because I don't remember the name of the book. I want to learn to sew and would like to find miniature size pattern printouts. I don't want to waste a full size pattern or a large amount of material. I would just use it to practice with as I learn to sew. Does anyone know where I can look or get printouts?
By Nicole from Cornwall, Ontario
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What do you mean miniature patterns, do you mean ones that you can enlarge? The smaller the item is the harder it is to sew. There really isn't anything to learning how to sew. Buy a real simple pattern; basically an A-line dress with no sleeves or collar and no zipper or buttons, then buy some really inexpensive fabric and read the directions that come with the pattern and you should be able to do the job.
For the fabric, you want to stay away from stripes, plaids or checks until you have more experience. You can also find books that teach how to sew. Your local library probably has some of them. I am 71 and started sewing when I was eight years old, by making doll clothes, and I did that, when people would give me scraps of fabric.
My late mother didn't sew, but she showed me how to fold the fabric in a rectangle and lay the doll on top of that and cut a rectangle shape, then sew the side seams, leaving openings for arm holes, then on one end sew shoulder seams and leave an opening for the neck. Then cut one side of the dress from top to bottom, so I could get it on the doll. Then hem the bottom and armholes, and neck opening. Then take a strip of the fabric to use as a belt to hold the dress on when it was on the doll.
By the time I was in middle school I was making skirts for myself without a pattern, just by taking a piece of fabric and cutting one end off, for a waistband, then folding the fabric in half short end to short end, making sure it is turned inside out, then gathering that onto the waistband, then sewing a sturdy snap fastener to the band, and hemming the bottom by hand.
By high school I was making a lot of my clothes with purchased patterns. I have never liked making doll clothes or even baby clothes because of the small seams.
You could also cut squares or strips of fabric and practice sewing seams on them.
I agree that you're better off not wasting your time sewing miniatures. To learn to sew on lines, and to change directions, you can trace lines on paper, and sew along them with no thread in the machine.
Once you are comfortable with stops and starts, turning, and all, choose one of the many "learn to sew" patterns that are out there. They include a lot of useful information in the directions. Choose inexpensive fabric, or use what you have on hand.
Simple items: bags, pot holders, etc. are great starter projects and buying fabric need not cost you an arm and a leg. www dot allfreesewing dot com has many, many projects and patterns for free!
The sewing pages at about.com have tonnes of information and free printable patterns to learn to sew on-you'll have something usable to show for your efforts, too:)
As for fabric, a great place to buy 'fabric' to learn to sew on is the second-hand, charity, or thrift shop. Look for decent quality bed linens. Run them through the washing machine with a disinfectant and you'll have enough fabric to work on.
For example, a single sheet (twin) will get you enough fabric for a short sleeve top, a double (or full) will give you enough to make a pair of elasticated or drawstring waist lounging trousers or pyjamas. A king (queen in the US and I think Canada too) is enough for the PJ top, too, lol, and a super-king (king) will give you enough for two pair of lounging trousers and maybe a vest (tank) as well.
I've used the charity shop bed linens for lots of things; once I found a chenille bedspread that I used to make a dressing gown, and another time I found a huge fake fur dressing gown that made up into a gorgeous bunting and snowsuit for my then eight month old son.
I make most of my husband's and my clothing, and save a lot on PJs, curtains, table linens, and other things by using charity shop linens. LOL, a few weeks ago I found a huge pair of microfiber drapes that I would have used to make a winter coat (lined with repurposed charity shop sheets and padded for warmth with charity shop duvets). Someone beat me to the dang things when I left the pair on the rack as I went to consult with my husband! Sigh.
Congratulations, and best of luck to you as you learn to home sew, you will be SO glad you learned!
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