Sewing - San Diego,CA

Sure. You can learn from a book.
For hand-sewing.
Perhaps for machine sewing.

Just get some scrap fabric, and experiment with your machine.
Learn how to work it/thread it/sew with it, even just straight basic stitches.
Start that way.
Just experiment with scrap fabric.
Don't expect to make ball-gowns, yet.
This is how everyone starts.

Anyone can learn anything, from a book.
Or, if you know anyone that sews, invite them over for an afternoon.

I sew.
I can sew by hand or by machine.
I learned from when I was a child.

Just start! Its fun!
Just practice and experiment for now, with scrap fabric. Don't buy expensive fabric for now. Just even make a draw-string bag.
You can do that by hand sewing or by machine.

If Saturdays are family fun day, then what are Sundays?
Is there a day/afternoon that can be only your time????
Everyone in the home must have 'their' days and activities... why not you?
Just make time. Maybe tell the Hubby/family, that you are learning sewing. And 'this is my time slot...." sort of thing.

Good luck.
Susan

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Youtube videos are great for this! Also, buy some cheap fabric and thread and experiment. Then you won't be afraid you'll mess up.

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I never used that particular book, but yes you can learn to sew with good books with great pictures and descriptions.

I loved the following:

http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Everything-Workshop-Step---Step...

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Photo-Guide-Sewing-How-/dp...

http://www.amazon.com/Yourself-Visually-Sewing-Debbie-Col...

http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Book-Encyclopedic-Step---Ste...

I actually prefer video because I want to see things in action. I like the following site:

www.threadbanger.com/episodes

This blog is great:

www.sewmamasew.com

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You can learn by yourself. I have found blogs and you tube to be very helpful in learning how to sew or make a curtain project.

Updated

You can learn by yourself. I have found blogs and you tube to be very helpful in learning how to sew or make a curtain project.

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Go to the library and check some out. FREE!

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I know taking lessons would be difficult for you because of your schedule. But do you know any home sewers? I would also look into classes at a technical school or maybe contact a local high school and see it they can connect you to a home ec teacher who might be willing to assist you. You might also be able to find someone to help at a fabric store.
Basic skirts, pants and tops are easy but when you get to the point ot putting in zippers, sleaves, pockets and some collars you might need pointers or tips. I've been sewing since 1969, I've made anything from jeans to evening gowns. Back in the day when I was learning to sew I had a hard time finding good fitting clothes since I need a tall in the legs and arms and a petite in the body. That's the great thing about being able to make your own clothes you can custom fit everything.

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Jump right on in! Buy a bunch of inexpensive remnants and try it out. Most of it is very logical if you think it through. Read through the "easy" pattern instructions. Have fun!

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I have that book and it is helpful. I also go to YouTube when I need to see what they are telling me in the book. Between the 2 I've been able to make halloween costumes and such. I would love to take classes but just havent' had the time.

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I am in the process of teaching two of my nieces to sew right now. For Xmas I bought them a copy of Reader's Digest Complete Book of Sewing. This is an excellent reference book and I still use it myself! You can find it used on Alibris.com or Amazon.com. Fantastic photos and clear instructions. Have fun. Also, there are a lot of very easy to sew patterns you can start with.

I always tell beginners two things,
1. Always pay attention to the grain line of your fabric and make certain to place your pattern pieces on the straight of the grain
2. Read the pattern instructions from beginning to end. Then perform each step one at a time and don't try to rush ahead. If an instruction step has more than one sentence, do everything up to the end of the sentence and then when that step is finished, read and perform the next step.
Have FUN!
2.

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I think you've gotten some great answers. I actually did take a couple of lessons, but I think with good pictures, you should be able to learn just fine. In fact, I considered buying a book as well and I HAD lessons! It just helps to learn the "lingo" when you're trying to interpret patterns and such. If you know anyone that sews, I would see if they would mind coming by just to show you how to start with your machine (threading the needle, winding the bobbin, etc.) and then just have fun with it and try making some things. I've found that the best way I learned with sewing is to just go for it. If I mess something up, I can always rip the stitch out and try again. I've made LOTS of fun things and I really enjoy sewing. So much so that I talked my husband into buying me an embroidery machine! LOL! We're in the process of moving, so I haven't been able to get it out of the box, but when I do....look out! :-)

Oh, and these ladies are right about You Tube. You would be amazed at what they have out there. It's awesome to be able to see the video so that you can see exactly how they're doing something.

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I agree with Mommyof2 you're better off going with youtube.. there's SO much on there.. and it's free. I'm not the type of person to learn from just reading a book, i do way better seeing the application of it and with sewing that's probably true for a lot of people.. Good luck.. and watch your fingers :)

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I watched Youtube vids, and had 2 friends who can sew come over and show me the ropes (I needed 4 or 5 "tutoring sessions", but they weren't long). Reading the book helps, but it's a machine and mine was/is temperamental. It helped most when I found a good sewer who had worked with the same machine as mine--she was able to give me the find tip I needed to get something decent out of the machine. I'm still not very good, but it's mostly due to my lack of practice/time to sew.

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