Ten Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Sewing

I'm 70 and a relatively new sewer. Thank you for all these great pointers. I like your matter-of-fact teaching style.

I find it's nice to have more than one sewing machine. You never know when something will go wrong and if you have to get it repaired, you'll have withdrawals before it's done! I've found some really nice machines at thrift stores for practically nothing ($10-$15 for old Kenmore mechanical which are workhorses and $25 for new Singer computerized machine with tons of beautiful features and stitch patterns). Also, if you are in the middle of a FMQ project, you can't do anything else. The newer machines beep at you when the bobbin is out--I love that feature. You can also use the 2nd machine to fill a bobbin!

Love to watch you make a project, sew and give tips!

Thank you Tim for your very wise advice. I agree with you about wishing we had known so many thing when w first started out journeys in sewing, but then where would the adventure be? I love your attitude and how you approach the lessons we learn in life. I started sewing when I retired from a 41 year career as a nurse. I had never sewn before other than to sew the rank and command patches on my husband's uniforms and uniform jackets. So off I went to my local quilter's workshop, told the owner I did not know a thing about a sewing machine, took out my checkbook and paid for lessons. Here I am 8 years later and I'm quilting, sewing clothing, purses, backpacks, satchels, totes, repairing sails for a sailboat, making pleated curtains, etc. It has been the best adventure ever! And for people like you and others on YT to put up their sewing tutorials I have learned so much and am ever so grateful. God bless you and all the sewists in the world. You all rock! 💗🤗😊🙏👍

Although I can't sew a lick, I have worked where I had to wind bobbins by machine for others that were sewing and they really appreciated not having to stop their sewing when they needed a new bobbin. They just pulled a full one out and kept on going. Good advice.

Tim! Thank you for this video! I am, let's just say, a "little" older (64) than you and really just started sewing a lot over the last 3 years or so. I also don't know what to call myself (ie sewist, seamstress, etc), but it's ok. My daughter told me she saw some of your tutorials and recommended I check them out - which I have. Great stuff! I'm pretty much self taught and appreciate all the crafters out there are on YouTube posting tutorials. I entered my first craft fair last Nov and did pretty well because of all I've learned. I'm still learning and sewing has become therapy for me. So, thank you again! BTW...you have a calming voice and beautiful smile😃

I love that quilt you made for your grandmother! You put so much time into it. I know she loved it too. I wish I still lived in Central Florida so we could hit the thrift shops and fabric stores together. 👋🌞

I’ve really come to appreciate #5, everyone makes mistakes. It’s just part of the process & to enjoy the process.

Thank you! I wish I had learned that I have to square up blocks before sewing them together.

You will never know everthing.... I have been sewing for 60 years. And I still get tips from a youngster like you. Here are some reactions. Listen to your machine. If it is clattering, etc. Stop, clea, lubricate, inspect. In terms of quilting, be sure to plan your quilting before you start. I was a beginner and planned to quilt it by hand. If you want to use a stencil for the border pattern, make sur you border is wide enough to fit that border. And when you plan your quilting pa attention so you don't end up quilting on the seam allowances in every block. That bulk is hard to shove a needle through. Keep up the good work.

Tim, you are the first person I thought of to tell. I just found out that cheap oven cleaner cleans an iron plate. Of course, use in well-ventilated area, and after treating, use the iron on steam and high heat on cotton scrap fabric.

Thank you Tim, you're very kind for sharing your wisdom. I learned some things from your long term experience. Live long and prosper my friend. I just purchased a used sewing machine, because I wanted to hem a bunch of shorts, and convert some old jeans into shorts, and before I knew it, I was fixing hoodies that had failed zippers, and turning cargo shorts into chino style shorts. This youtube thing is great! I learned in 3 weeks enough material to be halfway competent with a mechanical sewing machine. It's folks like you that make learning easy! You are a fantastic instructor. Thanks!

Press your pattern before cutting out (no steam!). Buy the best tools you can find. Keep a ziplock bag of scraps of every kind of interfacing, fusible, stay tape, tear-away, etc close at hand, so you have No Excuse not to use that bit of support that will make your project faultless.

Loved this down to earth..video.. Smiles from NY

Thank you about saying that mistakes can be made...I spent all day yesterday making pinwheels, and ripping them apart, and putting together, and ripping apart til I got it right. Very humbling:)

Tim- I ❤ this. Wish I knew that actually sleeves have a front and back

Hello Tim, I did a comment on one of your videos this morning - because it was my 1st time in your channel. So now, I’ve already watched 3 or 4 of your videos!! This was an awesome video, as well! Just like my -st impression of you, I TOTALLY LOVE YOUR RELAXED TEACHING STYLE & EXPLANATIONS!! Your honesty really comes through!! I’m thrilled to have subscribed 👍👍🤗🤗😬👏👏!! Thank you!!!

I have found the best (and cheapest!) product to clean my iron is Crest Anti Cavity Toothpaste. It’s the most basic toothpaste Crest makes and I usually get it at Dollar Tree. I just apply it with a damp cloth onto a warm iron, then wipe off all the built up gunk, like glue from interfacings, etc. with a damp cloth. My iron gets clean AND the room smells minty fresh for a while .😂 Works for me.

I AM HOLLERING AT MY COMPUTER ABOUT THE BOBBIN! LOL!! OHMYGAWWD YESS!! OH THAT IS SO FREAKIN AGGRAVATING!!! I MEAN, YOU ARE SEWING ALONG, IN YOUR NICE ZEN MOMENT, LISTENING YOUR FAVORITE JAMS ON YOU TUBE THINKING YOU ARE DOING GREAT WITH YOUR SEWING THEN, YOU REALIZE, YOU ARE OUT OF FREAKIN BOBBIN THREAD!! LOL!! :face-fuchsia-tongue-out::face-fuchsia-tongue-out::face-fuchsia-tongue-out::face-fuchsia-tongue-out:

I know #10. At 70, having had a professional seamstress as my mother, I am continually learning from this wonderful community of sewist that are on YouTube. I don't make quilts so there are some things I have learned but not used. However most mistakes, problems, techniques and tips are lessons for general sewing, and sometime just life.