Sewing by Hand Or With a Sewing Machine – Sewing Machines Los Angeles

In the current dismal economic climate and with little money to spare for luxury items, it is of immense importance to resurrect the traditional skills of knitting and sewing. Whether you sew by hand or with a sewing machine it matters little, both ways will let you end up with the desired item.

The sewing machine makes the process much faster and there are sewing machines that can be worked by hand or foot with or without electricity. You may be able to buy them second hand on the internet or from the wanted ads in your local paper. Treadle machines are those worked with the foot but no electricity, there are also hand turned machines with a handle on the wheel at the end of the machine, these are as good as anything to start a sewing career and can often be picked up very cheaply. Electric machines are probably more expensive but will make sewing a much quicker job.

If you sew by hand the whole process is much slower but just as enjoyable, to master your stitches and to make them as even and as small as possible is a triumph for the individual. There are many wonderful books available that will teach you to create different stitches and help you to develop the skills and expertise of a craftsperson. There are also classes where you can learn the skills of dressmaking, lace making and embroidery.

Working with sewing patterns that are available either in the shops or online you can produce fashionable items of clothing, soft toys and craft items. Sewing patterns are easy enough to follow although there are a few tricks to learn about laying them out on the fabric, direction of the grain and ‘nap’ on the fabric, but it does not take long to learn. Embroidery, tapestry and other hand made family heirlooms may be passed down to members of the family over the years. You can still find wonderful hand-stitched samplers from past times in antique shops and garage sales and hand sewn quilts are still much sought after.

Treat this new venture as a ‘fun’ exercise, get together with other members of the family or start a sewing circle with a bunch of friends. Go to each others homes, have a chat and a laugh, a cup of coffee and then get down to the business of sewing. Swap information, knowledge and skills. You will often find that one person might have the information you need. Don’t forget that the older generation might be a valuable source of expertise, many older people may have quilted or sewn handmade clothes for many years.