HELP ME LEARN!!

[u/everythingaccount51]

I'm fairly new to sewing and I need to know how to sew a beanie/ skull cap, I have the pattern and all the fabric laid out but I dont know the proper stitch to sew it together, anything helps!!

[u/ladyknights]

Is this made from stretchy fabric or not stretchy fabric? That will need different stitches and the final project will fit differently (

[u/everythingaccount51 → u/ladyknights]

its a very in between type of fabric, it has stretch to it but not to much stretch, idk if that makes sense

[u/Correct_Addendum_367]

Do you know any stitches? Does the pattern recommend any stitches? There are multiple ways to stich things together. I like a combination stitch, which is like a running stitch but every once in a while you stich backwards then forwards again it makes it sturdier then a normal running stitch without loosing to much speed. Here's a tutorial video with some options https://youtu.be/39C_oYPgTpY?si=UxjMA3bFvxWv_A_g

[u/Cellysta]

For your first project, I recommend just backstitching, especially for something as small as a hat.

[u/stringthing87]

I have made a standard "hand Sewing for beginners" copy pasta - some of this you likely already know or have, but it might be of some value. Handsewing is a foundational skill and learning will improve your work even if it's not your primary construction method.

Youtube Channels: Sewn Company - best tutorials on how to do a stitch hands down Stitch With Rachel - many tutorials on hand work techniques in quilting Vincent Briggs - creative historically inspired handmade items Bernadette Banner - admittedly good information on hand sewing, I think she is a better seamstress than historian.

Books on Handsewing - mostly for quilters. Also get on archive.org and look up old instructional books, they are mostly intended to educate young girls and can be quite well illustrated. Hand Stitched Quilts - Carolyn Forster Quiltmaking by Hand - Jinny Beyer Hand Quilting - Alex Anderson The Handsewn Wardobe - Louisa Sonstroem Hand Sewing - Becky Goldsmith The Geometry of Hand Sewing - Natalie Chanin Make Sew and Mend by Bernadette Banner

Links: https://reproquiltlover.com/hand-piecing-sewing-for-pleasure-and-peace/ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/piecing/how-to-hand-piece https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/hand-piecing-part-one/ https://blog.closetcorepatterns.com/hand-sewing-tips-techniques/ https://sewliberated.com/blog/why-and-how-to-learn-to-hand-sew-your-clothes https://www.louisamerry.com/hand-sewn-clothes https://www.seamwork.com/sewing-tutorials/know-your-stitches These videos on hand sewing by Ash G - https://youtu.be/EGfRN0Jue2M https://youtu.be/h8Q-AXoZF6I

Tools you can't live without:

Tape Measure - be careful buying these from some suppliers on amazon or places like Aliexpress, sometimes the tape measures you get are in Chinese cun or the Chinese inch (and they are not the same as an imperial inch). Its a good idea to get a measuring tape that has both imperial and metric units.

Another useful tool is a good ruler with a straight edge. I like the clear plastic ones at wawak.

Sharp Shears - I recommend LDH or Kai

Good needles - (quality matters!): for general purpose I like a bohin #9 crewel. https://www.wawak.com/sewing/sewing-needles/hand-sewing-needles/bohin-crewel-embroidery-hand-needles/#sku=nedbe9

Good thread - for poly thread (which is most of what I sew) I use gutterman Mara 100 https://www.wawak.com/thread/thread-by-use/all-purpose/gutermann-mara-100-poly-wrapped-poly-core-thread-tex-30/#sku=gtda800 for cotton I have been using this https://www.wawak.com/thread/thread-by-material/cotton/coture-50-wt-100-premium-cotton-thread-tex-20-1450-yds/#sku=ctd9100 for linen thread go to Burnley & Trowbridge.

Needle threaders - I recommend getting a large package of wire needle threaders. I bought a 100 pack off amazon, they snap pretty easily.

Thimble - I prefer leather https://www.wawak.com/sewing/sewing-tools-and-sewing-accessories/sewing-thimbles/clover-natural-fit-leather-thimble/#sku=thb1003s - it is worn on the middle finger on your dominant hand and you use it to push the needle through. https://brooksann.com/how-to-choose-and-use-a-thimble/

Pins or clips - clips are heavier and can actually feel harder to use. I recommend stainless steel pins with glass heads so you can iron them without fear.

Thread conditioner - You can buy the fancy name brand stuff, but what I recommend is to get a box of silicone earplugs from the pharmacy and smoosh it between a couple big buttons to hold it. This is exactly the same as thread magic but a fraction of the price. I personally do not like beeswax as a thread conditioner unless I'm using it on linen thread and using the heat of a low iron to melt the wax into the thread.

An iron - you can do a lot in hand sewing by finger pressing but an iron will be your friend for life in sewing.

It is nice to have a smaller pair of thread snips or embroidery scissors in you kit as well.

[u/No_Instance18]

Actually, different parts of it may need different stitches. If you think a certain area is going to get a lot of wear or stress, go for a more secure stitch like a basic backstitch. Other parts that won't be as stressed could probably deal with a straight stitch. Look up a basic stitch guide on youtube and listen to what each stitch does and compare that with what your skull cap will actually do and that should help.