Learning to Sew
One
of the most common questions I'm asked by readers and in interviews is
"When did you learn to sew?" I always wish I had a touching story to
answer this question that involved sitting next to my grandmother as a
child while she patiently bestowed her sewing knowledge upon me. But
despite growing up with a grandmother and a mother that were expert
seamstresses, in reality I was too impatient to learn to sew as a child
and preferred to have my mother and grandmother sew things for me rather
than to learn how to sew them myself.
When
I was finally bitten by the sewing bug in my thirties, I was motivated
by an obsession with fashion and a never-ending desire for new clothes. I
learned to sew by taking a couple classes here and there to learn the
basics, reading sewing books, plus lots and lots of practicing. Now that
sewing has become hip again with a new generation, there are so many
more resources for learning to sew, from blog tutorials to streaming
video to DVD workshops. In the end, having someone show you the basics
is invaluable and saves you from many frustrating moments and
unsuccessful projects.
But
if you don't have access to in-person sewing classes, then a video
"class" is the next best thing. So when I was asked to choose my
favorite designers to work with on creating sewing DVDs with modern
appeal, Liesl Gibson, founder and designer of Oliver + S sewing patterns
and fabric and the Lisette sewing pattern line, was at the top of my
list. Her classic yet contemporary approach to garment design has gained
her a loyal following, not to mention she has impeccable personal style
and a personality that makes you want to be her best friend. Who better
to teach you how to sew?
So
I headed out to New York City with our video team, and we camped out in
Liesl's Brooklyn studio to watch her do her thing. Trained at the
Fashion Institute of Technology, she worked for top international
designers including Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren before creating her
home sewing pattern lines. So she's got great sewing tips and tricks
from years of design experience.
In her first DVD, Apparel Sewing Basics,
Liesl walks you through everything you need to know to start sewing,
from getting the right tools, supplies, and fabric to preparing and
cutting pattern pieces. Then she shows you the basic seaming techniques
used in apparel sewing, from curved seams and sewing corners to
gathering and ease stitching. This 90-minute video will give any
beginning sewist the foundation they need to start sewing clothes.
In
addition to great technique instruction, Liesl also provides insight
into her design process, from how she selects the right fabric for a
pattern to how she makes sewing fun, in inspiring interview footage
throughout the video. She confirms that whether you are a beginner or an
experienced sewist, sewing and creativity go hand in hand. And no
matter what, sewing should always be fun.
Happy sewing,
