Being a self taught sewist means I have Googled and searched YouTube on more than one occasion when I’ve needed help. I’ve used YouTube to help with many things such as how to change needles and, more recently, how to fix the timing on my machine. Sometimes you just need to see a video to really understand what to do! When I started sewing, there were no classes close by and I didn’t have anyone to ask, so these videos were a great help to me.
There are now many more sewing videos and vloggers on YouTube than when I started. Here are my favorite for beginners as well as those who are interested in learning new techniques and fit adjustments.
The Basics (start here!)
- Made to Sew: My favorite! Her videos are well made with clear instructions on a wide variety of topics. From how to use your sewing machine, seam ripping, learning about grainline and selvage, as well as fit adjustments–she a video for it! If you’re a first timer I recommend starting with her Beginners Sewing Course.
- Man Sewing: Where better to learn about machine maintenance than from a sewing machine technician?! The 3 part series covers: oil and cleaning, tension, and timing. This is also the channel to watch if your interested in learning to quilt.
- MADE Everyday: This short video cover pretty much all the basics of your machine and making those first stiches. Great for watching while you set up your machine for the first time!
Sewing with Knits
These videos will help you learn about knit fabrics and how to sew them with a sewing machine.
- Melly Sews: Melissa guides you through different types of knit fabrics and how they are made. This will help you understand the different types of fabric to make fabric shopping easier!
- Simplicity Video: Although the intro says how to sew with “performance” knits, these tips apply to all knits! It helps you understand how to choose fabric with the right amount of stretch for your pattern and how to sew knits on sewing machine.
- The Crafty Gemini: Vanessa has a 2 part series on sewing with stretch fabrics.
- Professor Pincushion: This channel has several videos on sewing with knits as well as many other videos with tips and techniques.
Sew Alongs
Once you have the basics down and are ready for your first project, check out these channels for some great sew alongs!
- Anita By Design: The beginners course will lead you through completing 6 different projects, each with very detailed instructions. All projects use paper patterns and the videos walk you through each step, including how to read and understand the patterns which is SO helpful for beginners! Oh how I wish these were around when I started sewing!
- The Crafty Pinup: If you love the vintage/retro style then check out this YouTube channel. It has a few stitch by stitch videos of several vintage and retro inspired paper patterns.
Learning to Use Your Serger
Sergers can seem intimating but they really aren’t bad at all once you learn the basics! I’ve included links to videos using some of the most popular sergers.
- Sewing Parts Online: A series with 13 short videos on how to set up and use your serger. A Singer Pro Finish is used for these videos.
- Sewing Report: This video uses a Brother 1034d serger, which seems to be the most popular serger for beginners!
- JessalliHandmade: The Overlocker Basics lessons covers how to thread your machine (I promise it’s really not that hard!) and standard and rolled hem finishing using a Janome.
These videos and channels will help get you started and give you the confidence you need to start sewing! Good luck–you got this!
