5 Sewing Techniques Beginners Need to Learn

If you’re a beginner in sewing, you might feel like you have a lot to learn before you can start sewing beautiful garments like the ones you see in different sewing projects. And while this hobby is definitely a skill you can perfect over time – provided with lots of practice and patience – becoming familiar with various sewing techniques, such as below, will give you the confidence to start tackling garment sewing.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 techniques for sewers who have just began their sewing journey.

Adding/Making Buttonholes

A lot of garments involve one or more closures to help them fit and function. Buttons are one closure option. Sewing button holes seem daunting at first, but most modern sewing machines have an automatic buttonhole attachment that makes the process quite simple.

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Just like with pattern cutting, a little attention to detail will save endless frustration. Taking the time to make sure the placement of your buttonholes is all lined up correctly will ensure that you are pleased with the end result.

Cutting/Transferring Patterns and Pattern Marks

Knowing how to cut out and prepare your fabric and pattern is the beginning of a successful sewing project. Remember that accuracy and attention to detail make a difference in sewing. In fact, even small mistakes can lead to a lot of frustration down the road when you are constructing your garment. Hence it’s important for you to learn different pattern cutting tips to help you start off on the right foot.

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Furthermore, most garment patterns will include marks of some kind, which will indicate things like pocket, zipper or buttonhole placement, or notches to ensure that separate pieces are aligned correctly when being sewn together. Much like cutting a pattern, transferring these marks accurately is very important.

Zipper Installation

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Another essential and indispensable sewing technique is installing zipper. First, zippers aren’t so bad, but they do require a bit of practice before you feel truly comfortable sewing them in. Well, lucky for you, there are various online tools and classes where you can learn different zipper installation techniques. Going through with these tutorials will have you installing zippers like a pro in no time. Once you’ve got zippers under control, you might want to try out an easy technique for covering the zipper end.

Adding Darts and Pleats

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Darts are commonly used in design to provide shaping to a garment, particularly in the bust area. It’s really important that you learn how to mark, sew and press the perfect dart. Pleats are also used on garments to provide shape or texture. In my opinion, it’s easier to sew a crisp pleat than it is to sew a perfect dart, so don’t let this technique trip you up.

Topstitching

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Topstitching is any stitching that is sewn on top of the garment, and it is typically decorative as well as functional. Topstitching can be intimidating, though, especially to new sewing enthusiasts because it means the stitching will show on the right side of the garment; making it quite difficult to hide any less-than-perfect or slightly crooked stitching. The key is to take a deep breath, because this is an easy hurdle to clear.