How did you learn to sew?

I learned in 4-H at the age of 9. I would highly recommend taking a class at a local quilt shop, or finding a friend to do some one-on-one stuff with you. They can help you understand what the pattern is really saying, and show you some easy shortcuts. You might try watching some tutorials or sewing tv shows to get tips. I owe all my sewing skills to all my wonderful 4-H sewing and quilting leaders!!!

My Grandmother taught me some very basics as a kid (barbie clothes that were just straight seams and such), had a bit of learning during Home-Economics in middle school, and then just stopped for years. Now in my early 20's I'm wishing I knew more. Just started learning a bit again and trying some basic projects. Grandma is back as my teacher, but only when she's up from Florida in the summertime! Needless to say, I've got about 5 patterns (or more) that I've been saving up to try when she was around this summer to help me get through the tricky bits (pockets, collars, etc.) I'm a learn by doing type person, and I really need to set aside some more time to just experiment and work things out for myself!

Great thread!

Great post. I too am a beginner and appreciate the advice. It's a great time to be a beginner; there's a wealth of information out there! Best wishes in your new sewing adventures!

I taught myself!  I had lessons when I was in middle school, but after making a circle skirt that I hated, I gave up.  Ten years ago, my MIL gave me a sewing machine that she bought at a yard sale.  It sat on a shelf for another 7 years, until I finally decided to play around with it.  I've picked up techniques from books and online tutorials. 

And I'm having a blast!

Laura

I had the desire to learn to sew in 2006. I borrowed an old sewing machine,(with out a manual) and figured out how to wind a bobbin myself. I took a few classes in church: sewing purses,blankets, and an eye spy, and everything else I basically learned from patterns or tutorials online. The biggest thing though, (when I bought my own machine) is learning to follow the manual, which taught me applique and appropriate stitch/tension settings for each. I love sewing, it is such a forgiveable hobby since you can just seam rip your mistakes away, and I'm beginning to learn to quilt!

Thank you all!!  It certainly is reassuring that "trial and error" worked for lots of you.  I picked up "Sewing for Dummies" and have been glancing at it occasionally and I think I have read the manual for my machine (Kenmore 385) at least a dozen times.  I did manage to finish the Kimberbell Kids doll (simple dress and panties as well) and my mom thought it looked great...woohoo!!!  I'm off to check out more of the books and websites recommended...

I have great memories of my mom teaching me how to sew.  She started me on extremely simple things like an elastic-waistband skirt and shift-like top.  I'll never forget my first mistake of cutting up the folded edge.  But she just sewed in a little seam to put the piece back together and things were okay.  It made me realize that even bad mistakes can be salvaged. 
Now when I come across a pattern or idea that I'm unsure about, I try to use really cheap fabric to try it out first (old bedsheets are great for that!).  That way I get to practice and I don't ruin my good fabric on a bad pattern. 

My first project was a jumper in 6th grade home economics.  Then a blazer in home ec in high school.  My mother and I  became members of the SCA, which is a group that reinacts the middle ages when I was 16.  We had to make clothing to wear.  My mother who already knew how to sew then taught me.  I've been sewing ever since. I am a stay at home mom now and I am planning on making my 5 year old daughter most of her summer clothes.  We stopped at our local Ben Franklin store today and picked up a yard of material for some new pj's for her. Besides halloween costumes, this will be the first thing I have made my daughter to wear.

I started by assisting the costumers in the dance dept. during college. I did everything but sew. after graduation, i bought a sewing machine and read the instructions, asked my mom when i needed help with the lingo. when my oldest was ready to sew, i bought a kids book which taught us both a LOT that was not in my machine's user manual. my oldest still teaches me -- she introduced me to the crazy quilt, which i just finished -- http://wanderingknits.blogspot.com

I am fairly new, but learned most of what I know from watching my mom sew when I was little. She made my sister and I amazing matching dresses and even shirts and pants for my dad and brothers. I started out with some simple projects that I found free tutorials for online...like a car trash bag, a cosmetic bag (my first zipper ) and a baby dress. I mainly did small projects because if I hated sewing I didn't want to have a huge investment in it. I love it, however, and am now making my second quilt!

I too started when I was pretty young, but I learned much more about sewing as an adult. My mom was still learning when I was in my teens, and I have some memories of interesting clothes (mostly homecoming dresses) that looked very homemade. Anyhow, I really started to learn more when I did 2 things: I started going to a block-of-the-month class at a local quilt shop because it was so cheap (if you brought in your finished block, the class was free), and I took a beginners garment sewing class at a local junior college. There is nothing like hands-on experience for sewing!

It's sad to say that I didn't understand some basics before those classes. Changing your needle, grainline is very important, etc. but I also learned great techniques that make it easier and more enjoyable.

I have to agree with the previous poster - your first projects may not look amazing, but keep trying. You will make amazing improvements with experience!

My mom taught me to sew starting when I was 6 years old. I made a little bear from a kit, I remember it being pre-cut. At age 9 I started doing 4-H in the summers and I got a good "classical" sewing education as I did 4-H for 4 summers.

I took sewing in 8th grade but didn't learn anything new.
In high school I took 2 full years of sewing classes.

After I was married I took a free motion quilting class. 

Anyway for learning to sew I suggest pajama pants, pillowcases, even small simple quilts. I still have a bit of a hard time making things fit right on myself, and I plan to master that eventually, but for now most of my sewing is for my kids (or it is quilts) and kids are pretty easy to fit especially if you have good patterns.

I think you should ask lots of questions here and not worry about sounding silly, there are no dumb questions!

Not counting 7th grade home ec (15ish yrs ago) I taught myself. Basically trial and error!

My Mom taught me to sew when I was 5. I did various projects up ubtil I was about 12 with her.  Then I wanted nothing to do with it.  I just started sewing again last year after not touching a machine in almost 20 years! So I consider myself a newbie as well.  I made some pjs, a couple bags, and I am working on my first quilt.  Most of the projects I tackle are trial error.  But that's how I learn.  I am know to harrass my Mom on occassion though.    

My mom taught sewing so I learned young but then didn't sew for years.  Making quilts is a good way to start.  I just made a rag quilt and was able to show my friend, who has never sewn, how to make one in an afternoon.