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otohime0394 — Hand Sewing Basics - Tutorial
Published: 2012-04-12 13:32:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 124451; 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
nice job! ive been wanting to learn some sewing, starting with the basics of course, but most of the tutorials ive seen are for people who already know how to sew. thanks ill be using this soon!
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Thank you so much!
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Thanks for sharing~!
I've always wanted to start sewing *u*
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Oh, well I'm glad you like it!
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Also, the smaller the stitches, the stronger your seam will be.
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Okay if I knew more guidelines about writing critiques and was in a less funky mood I think I would take the time to write one, but...well, circumstances.
I just wanted to say this is a really, really nice tutorial. If not for the content, then for the clarity. Your pictures are excellent, the font is easy to read and not too fancy, and it seems to have enough steps. I really like the touch with the section view of the stitches. Maybe the only thing I could recommend for improvement would be direction arrows on the drawn views, but that could end up being a bit too busy.
This is really good and I really recommend this for people who want to learn to sew.
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Thank you so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it! And for the record, I think what you wrote there would have made a perfectly acceptable critique.
Ah, that's an interesting suggestion, actually. I hadn't thought of that... It might well look too busy, but it's something I'll bear in mind for next time.
Thank you again!
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Glad to be of assistance.
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WHY DOES EVERYBODY USE FELT WHEN I USE FLEECE?!?!?!?!? but this was a good tutorial about the basics of hand-sewing even though it didn't help me too much because I already have some prior knowlage of hand-sewing, but I didn't know the know trick. Overall, this is good for if you want to start sewing but don't know much about doing it by hand.
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I DON'T KNOW.
Personal preference? 
Thank you very much, I'm glad you think it's useful! c:
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the kind I use isn't overly thick but it's soft (nesecesary for be 'cause the sewing I do is normally dolls). One of the main reasons I use it is because I JUST CAN'T FIND FELT! but nonetheless, it does what I need it to do.
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Oh, really? That's odd, it's the complete opposite for me! I've only managed to find fleece in one place, while felt seems to be in abundance.
Haha, true. Perhaps I'll try fleece some time, it's definitely a lot softer than felt.
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I shop at hobby lobby, so it's easier to find fleece.
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Oh? I've never heard of that place. I usually go to Hobbycraft.
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never heard of hobbycraft. oh well.
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Thank you so much!
I was looking at another tutorial which explained the backstitch, but it didn't explain very well, and I was very confused. This was clearly worded and very, very helpful.
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Yay! Thank you, I'm happy that I was able to help. 
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Thank you so much 
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My pleasure!
Oh? That's cool that you're different! Nothing wrong with being a guy who sews.
What's a hacky sack? o3o
Thank yooou, I'm so glad you found it helpful And yes! For that I'd use ladder stitch (otherwise known as hidden stitch). I plan to make a follow-up tutorial with some more stitches including that at some point, but in the meantime I can recommend this tutorial which explains it pretty well.
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Nice im almost done with my first plushie but this will definetly help me with the ones i will do after
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Glad to be of assistance. 
Good luck with those plushies!
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Thanks for the tutorial!
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Wow, well good luck! :3 Just have patience and take things slowly, you should be just fine. 
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This is awesome! The instructions are simple, the pictures are relevant and the diagrams at the end are very helpful!
Thanks, this will be so useful!
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Yay, thanks so much!
I'm really glad you find it useful. c:
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No problem, it really helped! ^.^
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This is a very useful tutorial indeed, especially the overview drawings of the several stitches are helpful.
I do have a question though: Why do you and so many people use felt for sewing plushies? What are the main advantages of felt over other materials, especially cloth?
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Thank you very much, I'm glad you like it!
Ahh, okay.
Well, I use felt for two reasons, really. Firstly it's cheap, and as a sort-of beginner I find that useful since I'll likely mess up a few times! Buying proper cloth by the metre gets very expensive.
Secondly, it's very forgiving and easy to use. It can be manipulated slightly which means that if your seams aren't perfect, you can squish it around a bit and still get a nice effect. I've found with cloth that unless your sewing is incredibly neat and tiny, or you use a sewing machine, it's easy for it to end up looking sort of lumpy. For me, anyway! Maybe it's just down to personal preference.
I hope that answers your question, and thank you for the feedback!
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I like making hats for myself and my friends in my spare time~ This is very useful and informative~! Especially since I hate fussing with a sewing machine! XD
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Oh, that's very cool!
I'm so glad you like it, thank you. <3
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I have been back stitching the entire time (the 2 plushies I have made)...I didnt know there was other stiches
is that a bad thing??
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This is lovely. I'm definitely saving it to share with others later!
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Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it!
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WAY easier to understand than the videos I've looked at on YouTube. Thanks for the tutorial!
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I'm glad!!!
My pleasure, I hope it's of some use.
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My pleasure! 
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This is awesome! The steps are very clear, as are your pictures and diagrams.
Also, what font did you use for the headings? That handwriting is so cute! ouo
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Thank you so much!
I spent a long time trying to make things clear, so I'm happy that you think it works. ;u;
The headings are in a font called DK Morning Coffee .
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You're most welcome. ouo
I can imagine it must take a while, but it looks brilliant! c:
Thanks for the link!
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I certainly hope so, that's what it's there for! Thanks.
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