Here we go! It’s Learn to Sew time. Who’s ready?! This is Lesson #1 of the Learn to Sew Series. How to Sew a Straight Line.
This week’s post is sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop. They sell all kinds of fabric (great for these projects in this series!) and they are giving one of YOU a $15 credit to their store. (Enter at the bottom of this post.) Be sure to check them out.
Before you read this post please make sure you have Met Your Machine, checked out the Sewing Dictionary and know How to Buy Fabric. Also, please read through and commit yourself to our Learn to Sew Series Pledge. THEN you can get started.
How many times have you heard-”This is easy as long as you can sew a straight line?” Well, let’s start with the basics today and learn to sew a straight line.
Sounds easy enough right? Let me just preface this by saying, it takes time and practice to sew a straight line. Your lines may not be perfectly straight to start with. They may not be perfectly straight for a while. That’s OK! I promise. Just do your best and keep practicing.
How to Sew a Straight Line:
Get a piece of fabric ready to practice with-just a scrap of something will do. It’s going to be easiest if you fold it so that you are sewing through 2 layers of fabric while you practice.
First, thread your machine (including the bobbin of course). Make sure you have your machine set to sew at an average stitch length (your manual will probably tell you what that is).
Now, take your piece of fabric and place it under the presser foot. For starters I want you to line your fabric up so that the right edge of your fabric matches up with the right edge of your presser foot as you look at it like I have done in this picture below and lower the presser foot so that it is holding your fabric in place.
Before you start to sew use your hand wheel (or button if you have a computerized machine) to lower the needle so that it is all the way down into your fabric: (always do this when you begin to sew)
Now, slowly press your foot pedal down to begin to sew. Stitch for 1 inch:
Then push the reverse button or lever to back stitch for 1 inch (sew backwards over what you just sewed):
After you have back stitched over that 1 inch, proceed with a forward stitch again. You have just created a knot so that your stitches won’t come loose.
Continue to sew forward. As you do, try to keep the edge of the fabric lined up with the edge of your presser foot. This will help you maintain a straight line. Also try to keep a nice steady pace.
Once you reach the end of your fabric, knot it again. (Sew to the end, back stitch for about 1 inch then sew forward again.)
Raise your presser foot and gently remove your fabric. Snip the threads that are attached to your fabric. Guess what? You just sewed your first straight line!
But wait-there’s more to learn.
What if you are sewing a straight line and you come to a 90% angle corner (like if you are sewing a rectangle or square) that you need to turn to continue sewing (because you will in this week’s project)? What do you do?
Sew almost all the way to the corner, but leave yourself about 1/4″-1/2″ of space between your needle and the very edge of the fabric. Making sure to lower your needle all the way into the fabric (this is very important), lift your presser foot. Your fabric will stay in place because the needle is holding it, but you can now pivot it so that it is positioned to keep sewing, now in the new direction. Lower your presser foot and continue to sew. (See in the image how I have sewed down the fabric and I am now turning to sew a new direction. My needle is down in the fabric but my presser foot is lifted so that I can turn my fabric while not losing my place):
A couple more things. Sometimes you will be asked to baste. A baste is a long stitch that is much looser than a typical stitch. When you baste you do not knot at the beginning and the end. This is because you will probably be picking the baste stitch out (if it is just there to hold your fabric in place for the time being) or you will be using it to gather (which we will learn about in a few weeks). Here’s a baste:
A hem is when you fold under the fabric twice and sew it in place to create a nice finished edge (like at the bottom of your pants). To hem you will first fold the fabric under about 1/2″ and press (iron) it into place. Then fold it the same amount again, press it again and then do a straight stitch along it:
Here’s a hem being sewed:
And here it is finished:
Here’s an important thing to know when sewing a hem or at other times. If you are sewing a small area, like a pant leg, guess what? You can take off part of your machine to make it easier. See, now I can sew that complete loop so easily. Give it a try-that part of your machine will come right off and then go back on when you need it back on:
Now, I told you to use the presser foot edge and match it up with your fabric edge to sew a straight line. This is what I do at least 90% of the time when I am sewing, because it creates such an easy guide. But occasionally you will be asked to sew a certain seam allowance. When that happens you need to use your seam guides to guide you instead of the presser foot. In that case you will line up the edge of your fabric with the seam guide you need and try to keep it steady with that line as you sew:
OK, that’s it. That’s lesson #1-How to Sew a Straight Line. Practice, practice, practice. You will sew millions of straight lines in your sewing life. And you’ll get better as you go. DON’T get frustrated if it’s not perfect. It’s OK!
And, one last thing-don’t forget this guy-your seam ripper. When you make a mistake, the seam ripper will fix it. Trust me, I have been sewing for years and I use my seam ripper all the time. That’s the beauty of sewing. If you make a mistake, you can fix it.
Your Assignment (This Week’s Project):
With the lesson you just learned, you can now sew baby burp cloths made from cloth diapers. It will involve a hem and a straight line-perfect practice right? Here’s the tutorial:
Now, who would like to win $15 to Fat Quarter Shop? Enter Here:
Fabulous post! I absolutely love to make burp cloths :o) I’m actually hoping to get a few made today during nap time!!
Great lesson! Can’t wait to make a few burp clothes!
Thank you for your sewing classes! Very excited to learn! :)
Great first project for a beginner!
Great post! So easy to understand!
I don’t know anyone with a baby, so I made a little blanket for a plush animal instead. It went pretty well. The lines are not quite straight, but that’s okay. I will improve! Hope that counts instead!
Looking forward to trying out new techniques! I love colourful fabrics and would love to be able to make more things from them!
Perfect!
Can’t wait to get home from work tonight and give the lesson a try. I figure if I practice each day by the end of the week I should be an “expert” lol or at least a beginner…lol
I love how you make this simple enough to understand, and you don’t take for granted that we know little things that total beginners wouldn’t know. Just a couple of days ago, my sister was talking about hemming pants, and I said, “I don’t know how you can sew the fabric around like that without getting it tangled.” She thought I was kidding, and I didn’t have the heat to tell her I wasn’t–and here you explained it for me! Thanks!
So excited class has begun! Can’t wait to practice when I get home from work!
Great first project! Can’t wait to try out these burp clothes! Perfect timing since I have a baby shower to attend soon! :)
Great lesson! I can’t wait to get started.
Can’t wait to give it a try. Your instructions look so easy to follow
Great instructions easy to understand! Can’t wait to complete the project!
Excited for the challenge & tutorials!
So excited to start practicing! So easy to understand! Thc!
I can do this! Thank you!
Great job, Amber! Now I just have to find some cute fabric to make those burp cloths!
suzy
Great post, love the burp clothes thank you for running such a great series x
Thanks you for the great lessons. Your blog is wonderful and inspiring me to get my sewing machine going again.
I sewed my first straight line!!! Thank you for making it easy for me to understand… I’ve never done that before!! I even took a picture of my scrap practices and sent it to my mother!!! I think I’m going to practice some more and then try these burp cloths… :-)
Love it! Was your mom proud? :)
She
She was hysterical laughing at me. Lol. But I think so…. its nice to make your mom proud even at 35! Lol
Oh Allison, I’m 44 almost 45 and the other day when I was “practicing” I got a piece of scrap and just sewed a few lines to get the hang of the machine and the levers and showed my husband. You would have thought I was Martha Stewart I was so excited…lol So I completely understand. : )
Great first lesson! You did a good job…
Now to try a burp cloth :)
Thank you so much for doing this series!! I practiced sewing straight lines this morning and am looking forward to starting on the burp cloths, hopefully, this afternoon. Your directions are so easy to understand.
I got this! Thanks so much for posting these direction! :)
Just a question on seem allowance guide. My machine has the seem allowance markings but does not have the length listed just the lines. Where do I start to measure to know which line is 1/4 or 1/2….? Thanks for the first lesson.
If you use the presser foot edge you’ll be doing 1/2 inch.
Awesome. Thank you!
Thank you for the advise! And I can always use more burp cloths :-)
I never knew how to make a knot on the sewing machine *lol* No wonder all my stitching came loose! Thank you for starting with the bare basics, I need them.
–shaunterria
ca11i0pe.blogspot.com
Glad to help. :)
Thank you for this lesson.
Hugs, Uta
How fun! I don’t know anyone with a baby, so I made a little blanket for a plush animal instead. It worked out fine. The lines aren’t quite straight, but that’s okay, I’ll get there! Hope this counts instead!
That’s perfect. All of my projects are just optional ways to practice the skills. You can do any project you want each week.
Seam ripper in hand and SUPER Excited!!
Seam ripper in hand and SUPER Excited!! Thank you!!
Love this post, even as a beginning sewer I was able to learn something new. I’ve taken a beginner’s class before, but was never told to place my needle down into the fabric in order to turn. I was so disappointed with my “straight lines” that turned because they always looked cooky. Thanks for the awesome tip!
I think I found this class at the perfect time! I have been practicing all weekend!
What a great post. I wish my machine had those seam allowance guides. Mine just has lines but no numbers or anything. I’m thinking about making myself a small ruler I can tape on as sewing correct seam allowances have always been difficult for me to do.
I love how you talk about back-stitching too. I have only just started doing this instead of literally tying my threads together and it makes such a difference. Thanks!
Oh wow! That must have been a bit of a headache tying the threads. Glad I could teach you an easier way. :)
so excited i stumbled upon your blog. this is exactly what i was looking for as a beginner sewer.
Thank you for your sewing classes! Great Lesson!
What? A lesson and a giveaway? How awesome! Thanks Amber!
I’m not actually going to make this project…I have some sewing skills already, and I don’t have any reason to sew burp cloths! Thanks for the lesson, though!
Sure-all the projects are optional. :)
Great first post Amber! :) I already learned something new! I’ve never known official sewing terms so this is great! Thank you! :)
These will be perfect for the baby shower I need a gift for next week!!!!!
Yeah for this great series and giveaway, perfect for my DIL with her new sewing machine. Thanks.
Cant wait to do this. I have already been sewing and I have completed some big projects even being a beginner. I have been planning to make some burp cloths and this is the week to do it. I’m using terry cloth instead. I purchased a remnant from JoAnns.
awesome tutorial! can’t wait to get started. my sister taught me to use painters tape on the machine if you need to make a seam allowance, so it is easier to see.
Yay! So excited to start sewing!
Great post! Seems so easy to follow. Look forward to getting started.
So excited to start!!! Have all my stuff and am ready to go go go!!!
I couldn’t figure out what they ment by knot… Thanks for finally clearing that up (: great lesson. Do we have to use cloth diapers for the burp cloth? Would a hand towel work? I am not close to a target. And I ready to start tonight! (: thanks for the great lesson
Ya, a hand towel could work nicely!
I will give this a shot. I have no clue what I’m doing but here goes.
You can do it!!! :)
I’m so excited to get started! Someone I work with just had a baby boy, so he’ll be getting these as gifts!
I just had a baby 4 months ago. This is perfect two birds in shot. Learning and making something for my baby!!! I couldn’t ask for more. Have a Bless week.
Great idea for burp cloths. I usually use terry cloth & flannel and zig-zag around the outside. They make great washcloths that way, too.
Great post!!! I made some burp cloths today and instead of putting a strip down the middle I did a rectangle at the bottom! They look super cute!!! :) and so will my newly adopted niece! :)
The last line should say…I love them and so will my newly adopted niece! My fingers got ahead of my brain!
I really enjoyed making the burp cloth! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I LOVE that we’re starting with the very basics!! I’m so excited to move “ahead”, but know that this great foundation will help all of us to be able to do bigger projects correctly! Thanks!
I made 1 burp cloth tonight…it went well (if I do say so myself). My lines aren’t perfectly straight but this is only the 4th thing I’ve ever made so I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. I plan on doing another on tomorrow. Thank you so much for creating this series Amber! I am from a mall town and there are not many options for someone learning to sew so this is fantastic!
Yay this was great thank you! I can’t wait to start on the burp cloth!
I can’t wait to get started!!! :)
Straight line – check…..not doing so bad.
Burp cloth – not done yet……still working on it.
I am still a very new sewer, having tried a few simple projects in the last year. My straight lines are terrible. Thanks for the tips. So excited to test them out.
I was looking at making some burp cloths for my nephew, now I have an excuse.
I found you on pinterest and I’m soooo glad I did! I bought a new sewing machine and started a fabric stash and this was a great project for me thank you especially since I’m going to be an aunt again in a few months :]
This is a great tutorial – excellent pictures! I’m excited about our project for this week because I have a friend having a baby next month – perfect and easy gift!
BTW – Did I see you sew over that pin in the first three pictures!?!
If they were the pins going in sideways, yes. :) I was trying to show that if you put them in that way you can sew over them.
My sisters baby shower is coming up and will now have something handmade to give my new nephew! Thank you!
Wow. I have been sewing for years. And my girls are and have been learning just a little over time. But, as they get into their teen years, their patience with me and my “over-explaining” everything, has made those lessons nonexistent. Enter high school and the sewing class. They don’t need my sewing experience at all. :( But they still have a lot to learn, starting from the basics. Your post is as thorough or more so than I have been, but I can’t wait to show them the tutes in this series, as it will be much easier for them to learn from you at their pace than me. Pictures and print are way better than mom repeating. :) Thank you so much for this! Oh, and I came over from Straddling The Gap!
Awesome! I hope they will do it. Thanks for joining me. :)
Beginning sewer, SO EXCITED.. THANKS!! ;)
I’m super excited to be doing these lessons the next few weeks! I just got a brand new sewing machine and have always wanted to learn. So, I was very enthusiastic about the first lesson starting! My husband was too, haha!
I completed two burp cloths last night while my husband did his p90x. He was very impressed and kept stopping his workout to watch me lol. He would ask, “what’s that lever do?” Or, “what are you doing with that knob?” It was hilarious but he is so supportive and excited for me to be learning. I turned out two pretty good looking burp cloths I will be giving away to expectant friends. Thanks again for this opportunity! Can’t wait for lesson 2!!
That’s great! Way to impress the hubby. :)
That’s so exciting that your husband was so interested. :)
great job
Can’t wait to begin!
Hi there :)
So I’m completely new to sewing! I have wanted to learn for a really long time but nobody I know knows how to sew (including my mother).. So when I came across this on Pinterest I was so excited, and for the first time ever I now own a Sewing machine. I can’t wait for the next 6 weeks and thank you for helping beginners like myself!! :)
I am so happy I found this series. I have recently started sewing and wnt to expand my skills.
Getting started now. Baby burps cloths I will master you ;)
If you’re looking for cloth diapers don’t buy them at Target. They’re $17 where I live in Idaho for a 10 pack or 5 pack for $12.99!! You can buy a 10 pack at Walmart for $13.50. Just thought I’d share that.
Just finished my first burp cloth, not perfect but I think it looks great for my first sewing project!
No burp clothes for me! I’ve done them before for baby showers, and thankfully- mine are old enough to not need them!
So excited to start, I learned my lesson though to read ahead of time — tonight was set aside as sewing night and my diapers aren’t prewashed! :(
I just finished (it was a 3 day process – washing and ironing fabric on Monday, cutting and pinning hem Tuesday, and finally ironing, pinning and sewing today) and it went much better than I expected. Nary a hiccup and only had to seam rip once when for some reason my top thread got all bungled up on the bottom (do you know why that happens? Do I have it set up wrong?). But I noticed every once in a while a thread of the diaper itself got snagged as I was sewing and pulled and puckered the diaper. Sometimes I could pull it back, sometimes I couldn’t. Any advice?
Be careful that your threads aren’t getting tangled on or caught on the presser foot at all while you are sewing because that could pull them and cause puckers. Tension could be off?
Made three burb cloths tonight. Did a pretty good job. Learned a few things like make sure you iron everything first because it does make a difference. My lines were straight when I used the presser foot as the edge guide.
Thanks for the awesome tips!
Thanks for the tutorial…I will not be making burp cloths but hand towels instead and you are so right it is harder than people think to make a continual straight line but it worked out wonderfully….thanks so much.
Great tutorial for beginning sewers! Cute project too!
I made 6 so far! I’m so excited to be sewing again. I didn’t have space for a sewing machine in our old small duplex. We just moved and I have a whole craft room to myself. I am loving it!
Had a blast making these! Right now I have 6 lovely ladies that are expecting so these along with your diaper wipe bag are going to make cute gifts! Thank you!!
Yay! I think I have like 18 friends expecting. I need to make some more!
Thank you so much for this. I had no idea what a baste was! And I’m getting better at sewing!
Yay!
Thank you for this! *fingers crossed*
Thank you for the tutorial! I’m finally getting to start the burp cloths tonight, as soon as the baby goes to sleep. It’s been fun seeing the finished cloths on the Facebook group.
This is really great, I’ll sure follow your lessons! Thanks for them :)
So excited to start this week! I’m hoping to understand my new sewing machine a lot better after the 7 projects. Thanks for putting this together!
Finally made my burp cloth last night… I definitely wouldn’t gift it lol. I messed up several times (first time sewer–i expected it!), but couldn’t figure out how to use a seam ripper efficiently (do you have to rip out EACH stitch?). I’m proud that I did it, but I need more practice! :)
Rip out a stitch here and a stitch there and then just tug at it a little and it will all come apart.
Did it! I wasn’t sure I was doing it right because it seemed almost…. *gasp* … easy!! Thanks for the first lesson!! Looking forward to more!!
I’m loving all of the posting of projects on the FB page!
I made three burp clothes for a cousin, who recently gave birth to a beautiful little girl! I used a cute flannel fabric, in pink & green with butterflies. What a simple yet practical gift for any new mother! Thanks for the lesson, and the tutorial!
All Finished! I made five of the burp cloths for my little one. I found my biggest problem is knowing how to slow down! when I slowed down the stitches were much more controllable. Their not only very practical but very cute! Im so thankful for these lessons and am excited to try the next projects!
Going great! Fun project and great for practice!
Finally finished! I made 10, since I didn’t know what else to do with the diapers :) My stitches still aren’t perfect, but I’m getting there! Overall, it was a great refresher for me. I never got any further than sewing straight lines for the past 20 years, so the next few lessons will be awesome! Now if only I could do these projects without using my iron… :P
Thanks so much for this tutorial and series. I started sewing last year, with some major help from my mom. I’ve made a few cute things, but just got my own machine. I am about to go make my burp cloths right now–they are actually going to be doll burpies/blankets for my three girls. They are very excited to have them!
This was a great first project! I finally got it completed yesterday and I blogged about it today if you want to come see my results: http://craftymeggy.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/sewing-saturday-2/
Thanks for the tutorial!
Good work! :)
Thanks so much. I made my first one and will do lots more. Pam
Fabulous tutorial and you did an excellent job of including all the basics. It’s so easy to forget how hard it was to master those things :-) Pinned! Thanks so much for linking on Busy Monday!
Instead of doing burp clothes I have been working on two pillowcases. I didn’t have the supplies for the burp clothes and I live 1.5 hours away from craft stores, and 45 minutes away from the worst walmart ever. Thanks for the tutorial. I am so glad I get to participate.
Thanks so much! Great easy to follow directions.
(Almost) straight lines? Check! Thank goodness for matching thread and patterned fabric! :-)
Great tutorial,very useful little items too, Make several ahead for gifts! Cannot think of a better first project.
Woohoo! First sewing project ever, and I think they turned out great. Thanks so much! This was exactly what I needed to break my brand new sewing machine out of the box. Success!
Thanks for finally helping me understand how to machine baste stitch something. I do wish however that there was a way to see a printer friendly version of this blog post so that I can print it out each week and make a “Learning to Sew” Manual/Bible!
Thank you for the lesson. Take care. :)
Thanks Amber… my burp rags look suitable, well, to be barfed on. So I guess they are successful, then. Here’s to hoping I improve as we go. :)
A little behind, but so excited! I haven’t sewn anything since middle school home ec. but I bought a machine and just made 3 burp cloths (perfect since I have a newborn)! Thanks for the lessons.
Do you have any other projects that we can make using the straight stitch, other than the burp cloths? It would be nice to have some different choices.
Thank you for the lesson! I just completed the burp cloths and they are adorable.,,,on to lesson #2
you should post a picture of them! I’d LOVE to see!!
OK, apparently I am sewing machine illiterate. I’ve loaded everything according to the directions. Both the bobbin thread and the top thread pull easily when I pull extra thread through, then when I start to sew it all binds up and tangles. I seriously have a pile of thread that I’ve removed from this stinkin’ machine sitting next to me. It does fine until I either reverse stitch or if I try to sew a hem. What’s the deal!?!?! I know I’m doing something wrong but I don’t know what :(
PS. Mary Jane, my DD and I did manage to make a small pillow for her American Girl doll. :) all straight lines.
Sounds like maybe your tension is off? Do you know anyone that could have a look at your machine for you?
I have the same issue if I don’t have enough thread on the bobbin. I have to keep it pretty full or it tangles that same way.
Weird!
Hmmm, sounds like something might be wrong with your machine, not you. I wonder if you could take it to a local sewing machine repair shop and have them take a look at it.
Thanks so much for these tutorials!!! I just found them on Pinterest, and decided to follow along!! I’ve been doing some straight line projects, and I tried your diaper and wipes case! It turned out gift worthy!!! One pucker and a few runs with the stitch ripper but now I’m torn as to whether to use it myself or give it as a gift!! Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with the rest of the projects!!! Thanks!!!!!! :)
Thank you soooo much!! I needed this. I’ve always wanted to learn & just got myself a machine! You’re a life saver!
hi, just need some knot advice. It seems when i do reverse stitch and then go forward again, the stitching on the other side loops up…what am i doing wrong?
I’m not sure. That’s not normal. Does it do it every time? Have you rethreaded both the thread and the bobbin?