How did you approach sewing as a beginner?

An interesting topic that came up at last nights online social was how you approached sewing as a beginner?

I was full of confidence and went in gung-ho! My first proper dress was a knee length with princess seams, sweetheart neckline, gathered puff sleeves with a cuff and invisible zip in the back... what?! 

I'm a lot more restrained now for some reason, but should take myself back to that "I can totally do that" mentality!

I began sewing masks during COVID, having never sewed before. Then I quickly moved on to Gertie's (Charm Patterns) free circle skirt on YouTube. We drafted it, there was no pattern, it had a waistband, gathering and a laped zipper! Next I wanted a coat and decided on ByHandLondon's Rumana Coat with lining! I was too new to even realize what a job a fully lined coat in a wool cashmire fabric, was going to be! I figure I got most of the hard stuff out of the way early on so now, if there is something I want to make, I just go for it. No guarantees it will work out, but I'd say, Just Do It!

Oh wow Rita, that is really quite the project for a beginner! I think that's it... as you go you start to realise how big some of the jobs can be and maybe start to avoid them, I'm on a mission to be a bit braver!

I know you will succeed! Challenge yourself. You have enough experience and talent, Hayley, to make anything you wish. Now fitting vs sewing is another ballgame. Knowing what I do now about the work some patterns will require just to get them to fit me, makes me talk myself out of them. 

Which is bad (pant patterns being an example) because I could be missing out on all kinds of amazing pants that would work. I'm working hard this year, myself, to get over worrying about 'what if'.  I made the StyleArc Beth pants with very few expectations and to my utter amasement they fit right out of the pattern. Zero adjustments needed. Same with the Jalie Elenore Jeans. I won't go into some I've made (hello Pietra pants) that were a complete disaster.  Haha

Thank you Rita, I am definitely challenging myself more this year, I'm excited to see what comes of it! 

I sewed clothes as a teenager but then nothing for years.  my friend Debbie and I started quilting lessons together, and the obsession grew- although my first quilt was all hand pieced hexagons.  At the start of last summer I decided that I wanted to sew clothes - became addicted to the sewing been. My proudest moment was when I wore my first successful dress on a night out in Seville.  There had been 3 iterations and I had to order more fabric 😀

Love this Nikki! Can't believe you've only been sewing clothes a year!! 

Yes but I'm very much Bodge-it! 😀