Intro to Sewing
For complete beginners who want to sew their own clothes
Do you want to learn how to sew but don’t know where to start? Sew Liberated’s professional online course, Intro to Sewing, is designed for complete novices.
The course covers ALL the information and skills you’ll need to know to begin your new creative hobby: a rundown of tools and supplies, how to operate your sewing machine, how to source the right fabrics, and how to work with sewing patterns.
If you want to learn to sew, but want to do it right … you’ll love Intro to Sewing. You’ll get the professional instruction you deserve and begin your sewing adventure on the right foot, saving you so much frustration down the road. These often-overlooked foundational skills are the key to a lifetime of sewing (and wardrobe) happiness.
In this thorough, warm, and supportive online course – designed to feel like a multi-week in-person class – you will gain the skills and confidence you need to begin sewing your own clothes.
Watch (and re-watch) the 6+ hours of video instruction at any time – your course access never expires.
what you’ll learn
Get to Know Your Sewing Machine
What kind of machine should I get? How do I use it? What in the world is a bobbin? And how do I troubleshoot wonky stitching and jumbled-up thread? You’ll know all these answers and more by the end of this module – you’ll be a competent sewing machine operator!
Your Basic Sewing Toolkit
A list of every tool and supply you’ll need to begin, as well as why you’ll need them.
Tips for Setting Up Your Sewing Space
Tour Meg’s beautiful home sewing studio and learn how she creates a cozy environment that is both useful and peaceful – no matter the size of your space.
All About Fabric
What’s the difference between wovens, knits, rayons, linens, cottons, etc.? What type should I look for? By the end of our virtual field trip to Mulberry Silks in Carrboro, North Carolina, you’ll feel confident in your ability to choose the right fabric for your first project.
How to Use Sewing Patterns
Learn how to read a sewing pattern info sheet, how to take your measurements and choose your size, how to cut your pattern sheets, and much more.
All that plus:
- Exclusive discounts at our favorite fabric shops
- Insider tips + insights
- Lifetime membership in our online course community
This course is step one of our Learn to Sew Your Clothes learning path, a series designed to accompany you as you level up your sewing skills, from beginner to advanced.
Hear what our Learn to Sew students are saying:
Which Learn to Sew course is right for you?
We have courses for sewists of all levels, from complete beginner to advanced.
Unsure about where to begin? Our simple quiz will find your perfect starting point on Sew Liberated’s Learn to Sew Your Clothes pathway.
Who is it for?
This course is perfect for the complete novice. Maybe you have wanted to sew your own clothes for years, but didn’t know where to start. You can start here. We will start out slow, and answer all your questions along the way. Sewing can feel overwhelming, and societal pressure often makes you think you need to learn something quickly and make a whole wardrobe fast … but this will only add to our stress and decrease your enjoyment of the process.
But we here at Sew Liberated have a different view – we want to not only teach you the best way to sew, but we want to help you ENJOY sewing as a slow hobby – something that fills your cup rather than depleting it. This course presents the essential information in an approachable, often witty way, with an instructor and fellow student who feel like friends. Together, we will help you overcome the fear of learning something new as an adult. You can, and will, learn to sew your own clothes … and you’ll love every minute of the process.
Your instructor,
Shaerie Mead
Teaching people how to sew their own clothes is Shaerie Mead’s jam, and she’s been doing it for decades.
In addition to being a patternmaker and designer of her clothing line, Iona, she owned the much-loved Sew LA, a workshop space where she taught hundreds and hundreds of folks how to sew.
Shaerie’s clear, detailed, and approachable teaching style will put you at ease and deliver so many “ah-ha!” moments. She really gets how beginners learn, and she’s got your back.
“Shaerie is one of the best teachers I have come across, and I have taken A LOT OF CLASSES!” – Karen
Your other instructor,
Meg McElwee
There’s little Meg loves more than bringing mindfulness and a little bit of humor to the practice of sewing.
She brings her background as a progressive educator to the design and back end of the Learn to Sew Your Clothes series, and can’t wait to pop into the lessons here and there to inject her expertise in sewing and creative styling.
Your fellow student,
Sophia Kiser
You won’t be alone on your journey! You’ll learn by watching upbeat and intrepid Sophia learn to sew.
She’ll ask all the important beginner questions that are on your mind. Thanks to Sophia’s candid learning curve, you’ll realize that everyone makes little mistakes, and it’s ok! Mistakes are simply the way we hone new skills.
You’ll be delighted to observe Sophia blossom as a sewist as the lessons progress, right alongside you.
“I’ve spent hours and hours with Shaerie and Sophia (I have taken every single class!) Sophia has grace, enthusiasm and a wonderful sense of humor.” – Lisa
learn to sew with friends
Join over 1500 students who have experienced the warmth and connection of Sew Liberated’s online course communities.
Your course includes membership in our online support group, hosted on our own website. No Facebook necessary.
Get encouragement and answers to all your questions suggestions as you learn to sew. And, most importantly, find new friends who totally get your passion!
FAQs
When can I start, and how much does it cost?
You can start right away! The cost is $79, which includes access to the Learn to Sew community group.
Will my course materials expire? Do I get lifetime access?
With your purchase you get lifetime access to the course videos, other materials, and membership in the private Learn to Sew support group.
What level of sewist should take this course?
This course is designed for the complete novice. You needn’t have ever used a sewing machine before. We will take you through all the steps of beginning to sew, with tips on choosing a machine, which types of fabrics to start with, and what other tools you will need, as well as how to operate and care for a basic sewing machine.
Do I need a machine and tools to get started?
To take Intro to Sewing, you DO NOT need a machine or any tools. In the course, you’ll learn what to look for, what to avoid, and where to source your basic sewing toolkit, and how to buy fabric, among other considerations.
What if I know how to use my machine, but don’t know anything about sewing clothes?
This class is still an excellent choice to begin with. While it is likely you will know the machine basics, Intro to Sewing also focuses on garment sewing basics, such as stitch types, choosing garment fabrics, reading sewing patterns, and more. If you are a very experienced quilter but new to sewing garments, you could also hop into Sewing Basics 1, if you prefer. If you are undecided, please reach out to us via email, support@sewliberated.com and we can help figure out the combination that will work best for you.