SEW IT! ACADEMY | COURSE #1.1

Hello lovelies. It’s time for me to dust off Elna and make my dreams come true by learning how to design and sew my own clothes. Follow my journey with Sew It! Academy.

Sew It Academy | Course 1 – Learn to sew

THE PROJECT – GETTING MY SEWING MOJO BACK

My dismal attempt at completing the Simplicity Wrap Skirt 8606 ready for Paul and my Rottnest weekend getaway hit me deeply.

The disappointment I felt combined with our move and the cancer fatigue (that I thought was from an iron deficiency or something) had me in a creative funk for 8 months. I couldn’t even think to write, which is unheard of for me. But as treatment progressed, I started getting my mojo back, and with that came my desire to shop!

When I needed to hem a collection of new winter suit pants I’d purchased from ASOS I dared myself to dust off Elna and give it a go.

Did I mention I don’t know how to hem?

It was whilst I had my lead foot on the sewing peddle, whizzing and blundering my way through, reminiscing about my high school sewing days, that I came to the conclusion that the only way I was ever going to improve my sewing (if that’s what I could call it) was to start with the foundations.

Over the duration of a week or two, I searched for Perth Beginner Sewing Classes near me however they were all held at inconvenient times. Plus, I didn’t see the value of learning how to make a dress at $60 an hour if I couldn’t sew a consistent straight line.

I don’t recall how I initially came across MimiG online (probably via her YouTube channel) but I did recall that she had her own online sewing course.

After a little research, I could see that the sewing classes are designed for complete beginners whilst also being really affordable at only $15 a month. Plus, they offered a free month’s trial so with nothing to lose, I signed up for the SEW IT! ACADEMY Womenswear course.

SHOPPING FOR SUPPLIES

The first course covers some of the very basics including setting up the sewing machine, and a basic sewing kit and familiarising myself with sewing vocabulary. Because learning to sew had been on my wishlist for some time, I had everything I needed to get started. What I really wanted to be able to do was sew in a straight line.

THE CHALLENGES

As incredibly basic as it was to crawl along sewing on paper without any thread, I realised that to achieve straight, even seams, it was time for me to slow down until I had enough practice which comes with time.

Sewing is a creative expression supposed to be enjoyed throughout the process but I kept trying to rush to the finish line. Perhaps it was an old hangover effect from high school where each project was rushed because there weren’t enough supplies for a class of 35 students. (One iron to share. Ugh) Whatever the reason, I had to be patient with myself.

THE RESULT

And even though I was only sewing on paper, I was making a start on finessing my sewing skills. I was quite chuffed.

If you’re wishing you could sew, make patterns, drape, fit, sketch, and much more for women, men or kids then sign up for a free month with Sew It! Academy which offers Step-by-Step Courses – Each course is designed to be concise and easy to follow and they’re a bargain at $15 a month.

Keep an eye out for my next project – SEW IT! ACADEMY | PROJECT 1 – SUNGLASSES CASE WITH LINING

QUESTION

What hobby are you currently loving? If you take a peek into my studio cupboards, I have so many “in the making” but for now, I will stick to sewing.

Do you shop at Spotlight? Did you know you can receive cash back when you spend money with Spotlight (& many other stores) by using an app called ShopBack? If you don’t use it, you’re missing out! My Shopback account has over $450 ready to withdraw into my bank account any time I choose.