I've always deeply envied all the people that can make such cute creations with their hands. Sewing, knitting, and crocheting-- I can't do any of them, really. But I'm thinking instead of being up at 3 AM and totally brain-dead in front of a glowing TV with their nightly rotation of infomercials, I could be way more productive and creative with my time.

I was watching one of Anna Sui's runway shows the other day and there were a few things that I was wanting. But I'd be nuts to shell out around $600 for a simple cotton dress, you know?
I even have folders of images of various clothing items that I want and huge stacks of fashion magazines-- why not try making them myself instead of drooling over the pictures with my thumb up my ass? I even buy old patterns at various thrift stores thinking to myself "When I learn how to sew I can make these." It's been three years since I started doing that and still I haven't done hardly anything with my machine.

So yeah, I figured there are plenty of people on these forums that know what they're talking about when it comes to this stuff. I know what you do! I've seen what you've done! I was just wondering what you think about book-learning this sort of stuff or should I try to find a class to join? Is knitting easier to learn or crocheting? I want to know which is better to start on.

What good sites or communities you know that have really good (hopefully picture-driven) tutorials and tips for sewing/crocheting/knitting?

Anyone have any experience with Sixth & Spring books for learning? Would you recommend them? What books/magazines do you recommend?

But yeah, I hope to get good enough to where I can pass on my knowledge to my sisters (who've expressed the same interest) and we'll then be our own mini-sweatshop.

Awesome! =D

Myself, I'd heavily recomend classes, but it's personal taste. I don't like following instructions exactly, so books never worked for me, and I got so much out of my needle arts class. It allows you to socialize and vent to others while learning, instead of swearing in peace.

I started out learning how to knit, crochet has never appealed to me. However, I never have gone beyond scarfs, so I can't tell you much. However, I met an amazing knitter at Ohayocon, and her website should be able to help you if you look under links. If not, I'm sure she'd be willing to point you in the right direction.

http://stardragon.wordpress.com

Also, if you have time, check out embroidery. It's a really underapperciated form of needlework, and learning how to do it decently opens up other patterns.

Also, mastering takes time, but if it clicks you'll find it's time you enjoy spending.

Thanks, Yuffie!

I'm leaning towards classes but I'm not sure where to go for that. I'm trying to look it up on the university's site to see if there's one I can take (and maybe get a credit or two out of)-- no luck so far. And formal classes provided by various craft and fabric stores have some pretty steep registration prices. I don't know how they're getting these estimates, it's like the fabrics I'll be working with in these classes are made out of pure gold or something-- it would be cheaper to just buy tons of books on sewing.

There's a stitch n' bitch group stationed here in Lexington; it's a knitting/crochet thing and I'm almost certain it's for people who are already experienced. I dunno, I'll have to double-check.


I could try learning under my grandmother's supervision, but it's a bit problematic when I'm for the most part 120 miles away from her house.

I'm also getting interested in looms and weaving. LOL! I dunno, I'm just getting a huge urge to make stuff. This past fall it was all about photography-- I bought tons of cameras... It's a bit manic, don't ya think?

You could come up here, maybe. Every now and then some massive cosplay work happens here, and we have a dedicated cosplay room at the house.

You know what a lot of fun is?

Cross stitching. And it's something where you can just go to Wal-Mart and pick up a little kit. (lol Kentucky) It's definitely fun for a beginner on anything related to the crafting world.

As for sewing, I was self-taught, so I have no clue. What worked for me was learning the sewing terms, and then buying "Easy As Hell" patterns. Even now as a legit cosplayer, I still like to find basic patterns and just modify the hell out of them.

As for knitting vs crocheting, crocheting is infinitely easier to learn.

Also, 2nd on what Michael said. We're going to be having a lot of big projects this year in the sewing/cosplay room. ^_^

As fun as it would be, I doubt I could make the 5 and a half hour drive up there. Especially when lately my sister/roommate always drives to Louisville on the weekends for her Democrat Party-parties (no car).

Self-taught, huh? God damn, girl!

Yeah, I dabbled in some cross-stitching when I was eight or something. I stitched some yellow roses and a bird on a pillowcase, it would be great to get back into that. I have noticed some really cute patterns now for cross-stitching, too. Not in Walmart, though. Harsh. LOL-- I'm mostly-boycotting Walmart (I'd completely boycott but they're the only place that'll develop my medium format film for super-cheap). We have Targets and Meijer and Disney World-ish looking plazas with random suburban sprawl built all around it just like you all. Geeeez...

Thanks for all the advice, Codi.

Second on what Codi said, learn terms first and foremost.
Not knowing some basic terms is like playing an instrument without knowing how to read music. You can still do it, but you can do a lot more with that knowledge.

Also, maybe try some old clothes you may have and start taking out the seams. Don't rip them I mean, but rather grab a seam ripper and just get going. Taking apart backwards sometimes helps me see how it was put together.

Of course you're always invited up here when you get the chance <3

...Y'know, I blame my seamstress grandmother for the fact that I've known how to do all that shit for SO LONG I can barely remember not being able to. Cross stitching, knitting, sewing, crochet... I dunno, I've just known how to do it.

Which makes me a HORRID PERSON to ask for advice, because my advice tends to be 'uhhh, you just... do it? XD' 'course, then my grandma and my mom look at me like I'm NUTS for making shit without patterns, so I dunno, maybe I just have some crazy past life as a super sewer.

...that said, good luck with whatever you end up doing! You can do it ;p

I'd have to say my favorite form of needlework besides easy ol' sewing is cross-stitching. It's really a lot of fun and you can do a lot with it. I also taught myself how to sew and hem things and I've gotten pretty good at hand sewing which is probably why I can't seem to work a sewing machine very well >.<

I learned how to do the basics of knitting in this art club that my school used to have. That was way back in like ninth grade though and I can't really say I've done too much knitting since. I made myself a little headband though ^^

Oh, but you also said you were interested in looms and weaving. Are you interested in working small-scale or larger scale? Because I once made myself a little "loom" to weave a really cute pillow. It's really easy but the actual weaving takes a little while. Anyway, the self-made loom actually worked really well and it was made out of everyday household stuff. I'd look into it if I was you, actually. Weaving is very easy and it's one of those things you can do while talking to people or watching TV or whatever.

Well I'm a bit late to the party but the career center in my county has all sorts of programs and classes as a community outreach thing or something. Everything from Tai Chi to Clowning to learning guitar to operating a forklift. I'm pretty sure they have sewing and the like as well. Maybe you should check if a technical school in your county or a surrounding one does something like this.

Heh, this area is crazy for that. My friend takes bagpipe classes!

That really makes a lot of sense-- ripping out the seams. I never would have thought to do that. Good tip!

LMAO, thanks for the support, Lothlin.

I'd say both small and large scale for looming. Yeah, I'm sure it's a bit tedious work, but I don't mind that sort of thing if I get something cool out of it. I'm a bit of a graphics dork and I like a lot of color so I figured that working with a loom would be easier for incorporating both and getting a cleaner outcome, you know?

Yeah, I'm still looking into places that offer lessons, I would assume Lexington would have something similar. It's a pretty big town and it's a place that's really dedicated to the arts, so I guess I'm just not looking hard enough.

I got a machine for christmas, and i am still haveing a hard time lurning how to do it.

I'm not very good with my machine either. I usually end up hand sewing everything because it always looks a lot better that way. I guess it's good that I'm atleast good at hand sewing so I can get something done as far as sewing goes XD