Sewing Essentials
Ashley Hough
Class Preview
- In-depth Instruction; over 136 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Session 1: Getting Started
7:05
Learning how to sew can be intimidating when you see all of the different products and tools available on the market today. Ashley will narrow it down and show you all of the basic supplies you will need to learn to sew as well as show you several products and tools that can really make things easier.
Session 2: Understanding Your Machine
16:29
Knowing how to use your sewing machine is one of the most important parts of sewing. Ashley will walk you through all of the important parts of a machine found on most models. She will also explain threading the machine, winding the bobbin and give you tips to make your first sewing practice go smoothly.
Session 3: Needles & Thread Selection
10:24
Even if you know your machine inside and out, you can’t sew without needles and thread. Learn about the different types of needles available and how to select the right one for your project. Ashley will also teach you a little about thread and explain which is the easiest to learn to sew with.
Session 4: Fabric & Interfacing Guide
19:05
Some fabrics can be easier to work with than others - learn which is which! Ashley will break down dozens of fabrics into either easy to work with or not and explain why. You will learn what fabrics are best to learn with and how to select the right interfacing for your fabric as well.
Session 5: Cut Like a Pro
17:43
Whether you like scissors or you’re more comfortable using a rotary cutting system, learn the correct way to cut out pattern pieces. Ashley will show you the correct way to hold and use your scissors to achieve a clean cut. You will also learn how a rotary cutter can save time when cutting straight lines and make cutting curved sections a breeze.
Session 6: How to Sew
17:22
Once you have needles and thread selected and fabric cut out, it’s time to sew. Learn how to properly align fabric and run it through your machine. Ashley will give you tips on how to ensure a straight, even stitch every time.
Session 7: Beginner Sewing Terminology
14:33
Not knowing what a sewing pattern is telling you to do can be frustrating when you are just learning how to sew. From basting to notions, Ashley will teach you some basic sewing terminology that can be found on many patterns as well as demonstrate them.
Session 8: Bring it All Together
32:41
Once you’ve learned how to sew it’s time to bring it all together and make something you can actually use. Ashley will teach you how to make a sewing tool pouch that can be easily customized. Cut out pattern pieces, fuse interfacing and use all of the skills you learned in the class!
Description
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. In this class, produced in conjunction with National Sewing Circle, Ashley Hough will take you through all of the essentials you need to know to get started sewing with confidence.
She 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.
Ashley Hough
Ashley has sewn for years. Her mother taught her at a very young age. When first starting out, she stuck to mastering commercial patterns before venturing into creating her own. Her patterns have been featured in <em>Sew News</em>, <em>Sew It All</em>, and she has even been on <em>Sew It All TV</em>. Quilting is somewhat new to Ashley, but she dove in head first – coming up with an original design for her first quilt that included curved seams and hand appliqué! She was even lucky enough to have it featured in one of Quilty’s "This is My Quilt" episodes. Ashley loves all things crafty, from sewing to knitting, crochet to quilting, and everything in between. When she isn’t working on a new project or learning a different technique she loves teaching her passion to others.
Bonus materials available after purchase