Sewing/Hand sewing
For big projects such as sheets or clothing, sewing the fabric is done with a sewing machine, but for smaller/more precise projects, and parts that go on bigger projects, hand sewing is more practical, and finer details can be done. Examples of situations where hand sewing is a better option is for mending and closing seams, and doing decorative stitches, and when using very thin or thick fabric that a sewing machine needle can't go through.
Common utensils for hand sewing:
- Needles
- Pins
- Sewing thread
- Thimbles
- Thread scissors
- Measuring tape
Additional utensils
- Thread ripper
- Needle threading tool
- Scissors
- Pincushion/ Box for pins (for holding pins and needles)
- Chalk/Pencil (for marking up fabric, usually washes off with water)
- Embroidery thread
A new hand sewing project begins by the maker deciding what they want to make, using the materials they have. Common items sewn by hand are small bags, coasters, and decorative bows.
Patterns are commonly used in hand sewing. Patterns are like a 2D net that when sewn together at the right places, turn 3D and can be used. Patterns have markings to show where to cut, where to sew, where to fold, and where to pin the fabric together. Patterns can be found online and some are free and others are paid. Be careful when buying the paid ones online because they could be scams. Patterns can be downloaded and printed onto paper, cut out and placed onto fabric, and traced. Now you have the pattern on fabric.