#I've got some holiday coming up in January where it might be nice to sew together

[badassindistress]

Hello! I'm a huge admirer of your work, you're amazingly skilled and I would love to follow one of your sew-alongs one day.

The only problem is, I'm terrible at sewing - I can't cut a straight line to save myself; I measure a million times and always end up short; all the different terms even in "beginner" patterns are confusing and overwhelming. But I really want to learn, and the few things I've managed to make, even though they look like trash, have made me feel accomplished. Any beginner projects you'd recommend and/or novice sewing advice for someone without a crafty bone in their body?

Thank you and can't wait to see what you make next!

What a lovely message to wake up to, thank you!!

Anon, I'm going to go and find the first apron I made just for you. it is terrible in both design and execution but it accomplished its goal of existing in a fit enough state to encourage me to continue sewing.

It sounds like your projects do that too, so you're already doing awesome!

One isn't born with crafty bones, one creates them in hellish experiments bathed in blood and lost scissors.

That said, there's lots of ways to make the experiments less hellish. As with most things, money or help from someone with experience can make things much easier.

Can't cut straight? If you've got the disposable income, get yourself a quilter's cutting mat and a rotary cutter, or at least a clear ruler like this:

Picking your battles also helps. Using fabric with a clear grain that doesn't fray too much as you start out will prevent a lot of headaches, as will sharp scissors and a good chalk marker.

Depending on what your interests are, these are things I would call good ultimate beginners projects: pillow covers, aprons, gathered skirts, straight capes.

But ultimately, the best beginners project is whatever you would be happy pouring the hours and effort in, even if the project won't turn out perfect. It's really about gathering experience and if you get that by stitching random squares together or attempting a ballgown for your dog, that's the way to go!

Anyway, your message came at a good time. I've been musing on doing a sewalong for true beginners, since my previous ones were more for people new to historical sewing than new to sewing in general.

Not quite sure what, though...

Maybe a cloak?