Replies

1. 
   crowseye | Feb 19, 2020 09:57pm | #1

   Don't fret. You have the knowledge from high school. Once you start sewing agian things will come back to you. I suggest stitching every stitch option out on muslin and make notes, ball point pen, next to each segments of stitches to refer to. Do the same with the button whole, too so you know what setting is required for various buttons. Watch videos, even if you feel it is repeatative you may pick up on a new technique. I recommend starting with the log cabin pattern. Check at your local sewing shop for the "rotary cutting supplies" and all the various rulers to assure you sew straight lines. Things that were not availble years ago are now available to make sewing easier.

2. 
   user-7322519 | Feb 20, 2020 02:31am | #2

   Loved your post, so relatable! I also hadn’t sewn for an extended period. I signed up for classes at a local sewing machine shop and that above everything has helped the most. Even the most simple patterns have techniques that instructors can teach. There is simple stuff too, like thread choice, needle choice, pattern and fabric selection, which can impact how something turns out and how easy it can be. I showed up to a class without my pattern cut out and felt unprepared but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the teacher had a lot of good info on laying out the fabric, placing the pattern pieces, pinning, marking and so on.
   So glad I am taking the courses. I’m on my third over the last year and a half and have learned a huge amount. Apprenticing is the way to go with any hands on stuff.
   Also I like Threads and sewing.patternreview.com (it’s a user run community)
   I hope you have fun! Sewing is a joy.

3. 
   Sedary | Feb 20, 2020 07:49pm | #3

   Just begin with easy things with very few seams and choose patterns that recommend cotton or predominantly cotton blends. No plaids! ;) Pre-wash and dry your fabric. Have fun. If you stress even looking at the back of the pattern, put it back and look for another one.

4. 
   smcfarland | Mar 05, 2020 05:08pm | #4

   Check out the Teach Yourself to Sew videos on our site. If you watch them in order, Judy covers all the techniques and includes skill-building projects that get progressively more difficult. It is a really wonderful sewing course.