Gertie's Top 10 Sewing Tips for Beginners and Self-Taught Sewists

Sewing machines give me the same feeling that eyeliner does. It can sense fear lmao

Single best tip ever: Always thread your machine with the presser foot UP. THe tension rods are closed when the presser foot is down and you’ll start with a nest.

My favorite (and most used) sewing machine is my 1913 Kenmore that started off it's life as a treadle machine. My Grandmother had it converted to electric in 1936 and had it put in a new cabinet in 1963 after the original was damaged in a house fire . I inherited it when she passed away in 1995. Still works a treat after 107 years!

As someone who realizes they haven't changed the needle in their machine once in the 3yrs I've owned it 😶🤦‍♀️

I just realised that the glamorous tattooed model in the pattern books at work (a Canadian fabric store) was you! Very cool!

Gee , I'm a senior Male from Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean . Done males and females garments . Enjoyed your sewing tips .Watch you for the first time today in your gathered skirt video , Notice it was hard on your fingers when putting on the hook and eye . I have two old school tips for you today # 1 :: A female thimble . # 2 :: Bee's wax to prevent thread from tangling when hand stitching . Thanks much , Will be on when having the time .

I feel so accomplished because I always start with my threads at the back 😁

I've sewn by hand for years, but I've just started machine sewing over the past week. I started making masks for my family, and sewing them by hand was just too slow. This is such a helpful video for me! Thank so much for sharing all of this information... some of this I'd already figured out, but it's wonderful to see it so clearly!

Thank you for speaking out about older sewing machines! I was a sewing machine repairman, and a now ex Viking dealer, and everything you said is true! Plus, a old machine, that is serviced at a shop will cost less then even buying a new machine, and chances are you'll probably get the same quality. I am so glad to hear your tip about the take up leaver! You know, I have read so many sewing books in my lifetime, and I don't ever remember any sewing book talk about that very point. The only place I have seen that tip in print is in a Singer instruction manual! Thats pretty sad, for as important as it is. I feel that any Seamstress or Seamster should not only have the knowledge of construction, but also a good immediate knowledge of how their sewing machine works. I feel that they go hand in hand! That helps troubleshooting when it comes about, and just makes things easier, and makes one get the most out of their sewing machine! =)

My mom had a singer sewing machine in the 1960's, good and heavy. My father's cousin had a treadle one she actually used, and she was a young woman. That was so fascinating to me as a young child. My daughter wants me to teach her how to sew (she's in her 30's now) and I'm going to use your videos to help her.

Dusted off the sewing machine to make masks. Completely forgot everything about sewing machines so thank you and the other OG sewers for making these videos! It is so helpful not only to the mask makers but to people trying to reduce stress by learning a new skill.

I have my grandma's old Singer Featherweight machine and I also bought a Good Housekeeper at a thrift store for $5. It is in a table with the knee peddle, which I absolutely adore. It is one of the best machines I have ever owned!

I would add stitch size!!!!!! When I taught myself to start sewing 13yrs ago. I had to rely on old books from mum and any book I could find on sale (not many back then). At no point EVER did I read "start with a 2.5 stitch length", or "go up to 3" etc for thicker fabric ....(the stitch needs to be larger to accommodate more fabric! So obvious after you hear it /read it.... isn't it!!!!) I look back at and/ still wear many of these old pieces, to find tiny teny stitches on them- because I didn't hear or read ANYTHING, EVER about stitch length size, until many many many years after starting to sew!!!

Tip #8: The few machines I've used all had the bobbins set as "q," not "p." I just make a point to refer to the specific machine's manual. 😁

Thank you so much for the tips. My grandmother is not here anymore and I don't really have anyone to go to about sewing questions. By the way her name was Gertha Mae, We called her Granny Gert. When I saw your name it made me smile and subscribe. :)

I sew pretty exclusively on my 1952 Singer 15-91. I love it. I have a fancier more modern machine that I only use for buttonholes and winding bobbins. I just love how beautiful my stitches are on the 15-91 and it's never given me any problems even being almost 70 years old. I love the all metal construction. I just keep it cleaned and oiled regularly and hopefully it'll still he going strong for another 68 years.

Love these tips and learnt a few new things too. Turns out I have been pulling my threads out the wrong way and possibly rushing through the threading stage through the lever. And P for perfect. Best Gertie tip though - buy a solid vintage sewing machine. I love, love, love my Bernina Record 830, made in Switzerland in the 1970s - solid steel. It gives me so much joy to sew on it. This piece of advice was given to me well over a decade ago by a costume designer when I was starting out my sewing journey. It is the best investment ever. So if you are beginning your journey - I recommend turning to eBay, or Facebook Market and definitely raiding your Grandmother's or Aunties attic like Gertie says to unearth a sewing machine treasure.

Great tips for beginners, I started on a Hand Singer Machine, easy to control. My Top Sewing Tip for beginners, when changing needle, place a small amount of fabric under sewing foot, if the needle drops it won’t go down into the machine, some new modern machines would need to be taken apart to retrieve that lost needle.

I started sewing by hand on my own. I've been looking for a sewing machine before all this covid stuff. I finally got a singer 4411 for my wedding gift. I am so excited and so thankful. It's a heavy duty sewer! I would recommend for a beginner. I can't wait to let my creativity soar! Love your videos!

Oh gads, I can't believe with as many years as I have sewed I pull the thread out the wrong way. Goodness, well now is a good time to do it the right way. Thanks for all your sewing genius. I love your you tubes and have most of your books. Love the 50s styles.