Sew frustrated

August 26, 2010 1:17 PM

Chicago Filter: I would like to take a hand sewing class - but NOT embroidery.

I have been sewing for 30 years. Hand sewing and machine sewing (the last 20). I'm no expert - I would call myself an advanced beginner.

That said, I would *love* to take a hand sewing class. I have always felt that my hand sewing skills lack a lot (my stitches? Not so even) and would love to have someone with more experience teach me what they know and show me what I'm doing wrong.

The Needle Shop offers an embroidery class, but for what it teaches and the cost, it isn't worth it to me (I already do embroidery, and will take something like that later). I'm far more interested in what Lill Street is offering, but it still isn't quite right.

I can hand hem, and my blanket/edge stitching works, but it's UGLY (not to mention not not so straight straight stitch). Help me make it prettier.

Thank you!

posted by bibliogrrl to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

My first thought was Vogue Fabrics, but it doesn't seem like there are any hand-stitching classes. Might I suggest simply practicing? Concentrate on making your stitches the same size - it seems to me that this is something that will get better the more you do it. If you still feel like you require instruction, perhaps you could hire a tailor or an experienced seamstress to coach you for an hour or two?
posted by sarajane at 1:43 PM on August 26, 2010

I don't have any specific recommendations, but it sounds like you might benefit from taking a quilting class -- or, even better, finding a quilting group with some serious old-timer quilters to learn from. I think for the kind of skill you're looking to develop, you'd be better off in a group, learning by watching and from getting tips and suggestions and advice from the other members of the group.

Alas, I do not know of any quilting classes or groups, but I do know there are quilting shops all over the place. I'd say stopping into a shop and asking the proprietors would be a good place to start.
posted by devinemissk at 1:47 PM on August 26, 2010

In case it's not clear, I mean hand quilting. Which is why I said "old-timer" -- a lot of old school quilters do everything by hand, even though you can do most of it on a machine nowadays.
posted by devinemissk at 1:49 PM on August 26, 2010

sarajane - I handsew a lot. So it's not so much that as my form needs correcting.

devinemask - oh what a GREAT idea. I hadn't even thought of that.
posted by bibliogrrl at 2:00 PM on August 26, 2010

I just noticed recently that my local library has a sewing group that meets once a week. They encourage hand sewers, embroiderers, knitters and crocheters to stop in. There is probably something like this in your area, through the library or a local sewing shop.

Sewing Review has online classes, but nothing right now is being offered in the area in which you are interested. I haven't taken an online class from them before, so take that for what it's worth.

I think what you might be interested in is couture sewing techniques. Many or most of those techniques are hand sewing. I just got this book, whose second chapter is entirely devoted to hand sewing. I haven't had a chance to scour it yet, but it covers needles, thread, and various stitches. I'm sure there are other couture sewing books out there, but someone on a blog recommended this one.(I don't remember which one, sorry) Once again, the library might be a go-to.

Good luck!
posted by annsunny at 4:42 PM on August 26, 2010