Sewing is a great skill to have, whether you want to simply hand sew a button back on a shirt or you want to learn how to design and construct original projects from start to finish. This course, produced in conjunction with National Sewing Circle, will take you through all of the essentials you need to know to get started sewing with confidence.

National Sewing Circle instructor Ashley Hough will start by going over all of the important components to know about your sewing machine, no matter what brand you have. While different brands, and even different models within the same brand, can look different and have different features, they all have some of the same basic functions that you will need to master in order to use your machine. This also includes the basics of learning how to follow a thread path to thread the machine and how and where to insert a bobbin. You will also learn about the different needle and thread types available and what is best used on certain projects.

Ashley will also go over many different types of fabrics and explain what kinds of fabric are easier for beginner sewers to use. This will tie into what you learn about the different needle and thread types, as fabric plays a very important role in determining which of these you should use. While some of the different needle and thread selections can be made based on what you want the end result of your project to look like, for example using a rayon thread so that your topstitching will have some shine, other selections can play a larger role in stitch quality and how your project comes together. You will also learn how to correctly and easily cut out pattern pieces using both scissors and a rotary cutting system. While a rotary cutting system, which consists of a rotary cutter, a mat and a ruler, is generally thought of as a quilting tool, it can make cutting out different pattern pieces for sewing projects much quicker and easier.

Ashley will also go over some basic sewing terminology that can be found on many sewing patterns and instructions. While different sewing pattern companies may word things differently or have you construct something in a different order, there are some terms that are used across the board.

At the end of this course you will also get to try out some of the new sewing skills you have learned by constructing an easy sewing tool pouch. This project will not only let you practice your sewing skills, but will give you a place to store all of the essential tools covered in this class as well. Also included with this class are multiple downloadable assets including a needle guide, general supply lists and a step-by-step guide for constructing the sewing tool pouch.