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otohime0394 โ Hand Sewing Basics - Tutorial
Published: 2012-04-12 13:32:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 124442; Favourites: 1125; Downloads: 612
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Description
This is my first artisan crafts tutorial!
I've been trying out lots of sewing recently, and I've decided that it could be a good path to go down if I wanted to make some money from my art - making plushies to sell! I'm working on a couple of my own patterns (harder than it looks, seriously), which I'll probably also make tutorials for at some point, but I thought it would be best to make a tutorial for the absolute basics first!
This tutorial covers how to knot thread, running stitch, back stitch and whip stitch. There are a couple of others, such as ladder stitch and blanket stitch which I also wanted to cover, but I might do those at a later stage. I didn't want to overcrowd what is already quite a packed tutorial.
I tried my best to explain things in a way that everyone can understand, and to provide clear photos and diagrams. Please tell me if anything is unclear, so I can make changes! I'd like it to be easy to understand. I'm also conscious of how bad I am at proof-reading my own writing, so if there are any grammar or spelling errors, point those out to me too.
Other than that, erm... pretty self explanatory!
I hope I can be helpful, and if you have any feedback whatsoever on the design, layout, or content of the tutorial, I'd be very happy if you could drop me a comment or critique. Anything is helpful, so I know what I'm doing right or what I need to change for next time.
And speaking of next time, watch this space for more sewing basics and plushie tutorials! c:
I hope you like it.
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Comments: 149
This has helped me so much during my first plush-crafting project. Thanks for sharing such a detailed guide!
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Awesome! :3 Totally saving this to use later!
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That's great, thank you.
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This is so helpful. Thank you so much for taking your time to do this
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No worries, I had a lot of fun. 
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Very helpful! I will be looking to this tutorial for future plush plans!
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Glad you thought so!
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Oh most definitely! I would love to show you!
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I look forward to it.
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I dont know who taught you to whip stitch, but thats wrong.
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I prefer to use the term 'different method'.
The internet taught me to whip stitch and you may well do it differently, but this works for me and I thought it might work for others.
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Great tutorial! But, why are you using embroidery thread? (unless on purpose 
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Thank you!
As I explained, I am indeed using embroidery thread on purpose in my demonstrations. This was just to make the movements easier to see in the photos.
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this is so much help- and I got the knot on the first try! I am Wonder Woman!
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Hey, well done.
Glad you found it useful, and thanks for using it!ย
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thanks :3
no problem, it was awesome
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Quick tip about closing off a thread.
When you go to make you last stick, don't pull it all the way!
Instead leave a small loop for when you go back through.
Then you put the needle through the loop and pull tight.
Repeat this again and you get a nice strong end stich!
Be sure to test it holds before you cut the excess off, you may need to do more if the loop doesn't catch the end.
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Very good tip. 
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Been looking for something like this, very clear and helpful even for a beginner. Thank you!
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I'm very glad you found it useful.
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This is cool I've been looking for stuff like this. I've been trying back stitch and I was wondering what's the best stitch is best for fleece plushie?
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Thanks very much, glad you like it.
I use back stitch in the main seams for all hand-sewn plushies, including fleece.
However, fleece is pretty stretchy so you'll want to be careful that you're not pulling it too tight or stretching the fabric, which will mess up the alignment of your pieces. Pin it securely all along the edge before sewing to minimise this. 
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Thanks! I am terrible at this but I will persevere.
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I used to be terrible.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
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I'm considering getting into plushie-making, but I literally don't know anything about how to sew. This tutorial is so clear and perfect! Thank you so much!!
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Oh, awesome!
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This is a really useful tutorial! I make art dolls, but my sewing machine just broke so I thought I might go crazy if I didn't figure out how to hand-stitch while it gets fixed. Thank you for saving my sanity!
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Glad to hear it!
I'm sorry about your sewing machine... hand-sewing definitely takes some time if you're used to a machine, but hopefully you'll manage while your machine is being fixed. Glad to have been of assistance.
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Thank you for posting this. It's very clear and easy to follow.
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I'm glad you think so, thank you!
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If I ever try to make another plushie. I will use this guide to help me make a work I am proud of.
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Thank you! 
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You're the first person to explain backstitch in a way I can understand! Thank you <3
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Oh, good!
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im going to start my plush soon and this is really helpful for me well i think cuz i have no supplies yet i still need felt and suh ill try getting some cheap craft fely from bonnies sewwing center near my house eathier this or ill get a used sewing machine for 63$ lol i canget thread from my grandma lol
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Well, I'll be very glad if this is of any help to you when you start.
Good luck getting all those materials!
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there chibi ponys and this will help
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I found this really helpful; it would be ok if I put a link to it in a mobile caseยดs tutorial I made?. Thank you very much in advance.
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I'm glad!
And absolutely, that's fine with me.
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Nah, thanks to you. You did an awesome job. Thanks again for letting me link it :3
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I would like to start off by saying that this guide is very useful and I am and will use it in the future until I get the hang of things. I am planning on makaing plushies. So thank you very much for making this.
I have several questions however. I am very new to sewing in general. So I have no ideas on what materials to use, what needles or type of threads. So far I have basically bought some textiles, I have many different needles just laying around so I will use those but I'm not sure which one. Do I use a small or large one while making plushies? At the moment I will focus on getting the stitching down in general. But after that point I am a little lost. Could you give me any advise?
I would appreciate it very much if you could get back to me whenever you can. Have a nice day/night.
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Hii!
Okay, well let's see... In terms of thread, you'll probably be fine with anything that promises to be 'sewing thread'. Avoid embroidery thread, as this tends to be thicker and is not so well suited for the actual sewing of plushies (though it can be useful for embroidering faces or details afterwards). I'd recommend Gutermann sewing threads, but it really doesn't matter all that much. I must admit I'm not an expert on different types of needle - like you I had many lying around and just chose the one that seemed best!
What kinds of textiles did you buy? Generally anything goes, but I think fabrics such as felt or polar fleece are well suited both to sewing beginners and plushies in general, since they're nice and soft, and they're fairly cheap too!
Getting stitching down in general first is a good idea - just practice with anything! You may find it easier to start with a thicker thread as I have here in the examples before moving onto sewing thread, but it's up to you. Hopefully this epic long comment is useful to you, please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further queries.
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