If you’re petite like me, you’ve probably paid several visits to your local tailor—because let’s be honest, most clothes just aren’t made to properly fit a petite frame. From hemming pants, skirts, and dresses to shortening sleeves, these small alterations add up fast. Learning to sew has been a total game-changer for me, and I know it can be for you too. Instead of spending time and money visiting my local tailor, I can now do my own alterations in the comfort of my own home. It’s especially great for when you’re in a pinch and need last-second alterations. Same-day alterations are no problem when you’re your own tailor!
Not only is sewing an extremely practical skill you can use throughout your entire life, it’s also an empowering way for petite women to save time, money, and boost confidence by wearing clothes that fit just right.
In this article, we’ll break down the basics of using a sewing machine and the essential supplies you’ll need, so you can do simple, at-home alterations. By learning just a few DIY sewing skills, you can transform off-the-rack pieces into a wardrobe of perfectly tailored clothes to fit your petite frame.
The Learning Curve
If you’re thinking about learning to sew, you’re probably wondering if you even have what it takes to become a successful sewer. The straightforward answer is that anyone can learn how to sew. Sewing has several layers to it—you can stick with the basics, like simple alterations, or spend a lifetime mastering new skills and techniques. Either way, sewing is a practical skill that’s always useful to have on hand, and the time and dedication required will depend on your specific goals. However, no matter your goal, the learning curve will be significantly more enjoyable and efficient if you invest in the right resources, supplies, and equipment.
Selecting a Sewing Machine
For starters, you’ll want to invest in a quality, beginner sewing machine. Brother, Singer, and Janome are a few reputable sewing machine brands and have models specifically for beginners. The specific sewing machine you choose, again, depends on your goals and what you’re hoping to achieve with your machine—but in my opinion, there’s no need to overspend on an extreme, “high-end” sewing machine. Most “basic” machines nowadays offer sufficient functionality and plenty of features to begin developing your fundamental skills and become a successful sewer. The versatility of simple stitches often surprises new sewers. You can accomplish a wide range of projects using only the most basic sewing capabilities. With that being said, I would recommend sticking with a reputable brand, doing a little research, seeking advice from online sewing communities, and reading reviews before making your purchase. These resources provide valuable insights into machine reliability and user satisfaction.
Once you’ve found a sewing machine that best suits you, don’t forget to check out all the instructional materials, including step-by-step guides, user manual, and video tutorials that came with your machine. These resources alone are extremely useful and definitely worth checking out.
Essential Tools and Equipment
In addition to your sewing machine, you’ll need a handful of basic tools and supplies. Quality matters significantly in this category. Cheaply made tools can be infuriating and discourage you from continuing your sewing journey. Dull pins, scissors that damage fabric, and unreliable marking tools can lead to a very frustrating sewing experience. Below is a comprehensive list of the essential tools you’ll want to add to your sewing toolbox.
Machine Needles: Start with a variety pack containing different sizes and needle types. This will allow you to experiment and understand how needle selection affects your stitching. Most new machines come with a pack of needles, which should be all you need to get started.
Hand-Sewing Needles: Modern sewing machines can usually handle most tasks, but situations inevitably arise requiring hand-stitching. A variety pack of hand needles enables you to select appropriate needle sizes for different fabrics and projects.
Pins: Pins that are approximately 1 to 1¼ inches work well for most projects. The pins will of course need to be removed from your garment or fabric as you sew, so I prefer ones with large, colorful plastic or glass heads as they’re much more visible and easier to grab. Pins with really small heads are easy to miss, and you don’t want to accidentally sew over them.
Pin Cushion (or pincushion): While they may seem insignificant, pin cushions are very handy and will make your sewing experience so much easier. A pin cushion is a small, padded or magnetic pouf designed to hold sewing pins and needles. Some pin cushions are poufs or “cushions” covered in fabric and usually stuffed with polyfill or wool batting (almost like a mini pillow), and some can be worn like a bracelet while sewing for easy access. Loose pins are weirdly difficult to pick up off a table/flat surface, and they’re easy to drop. Not only that, but there aren’t many great ways to store them. If you keep them in the box they’re sold in, you’ll likely prick yourself when grabbing them from the container. Pin cushions very inexpensively solve these issues.
Fabric Shears: Invest in a pair of quality fabric shears with bent handles for cutting fabric. You might also want to consider a small pair of 4-inch scissors for trimming thread ends. Sharpness is key as sharp scissors ensure clean cuts all the way to the tip.
Marking Tools: White tailor’s chalk for marking dark fabrics and a washable pen or pencil for lighter materials. Always test your marking tools on fabric scraps to confirm they disappear completely after application.
Measuring Supplies: You’ll want to get a tape measure and a ruler marked in eighths of an inch. Verify that markings are consistent between your measuring tools, as some rulers contain slight variations.
Thread: Good quality, “all-purpose” or 40 weight polyester thread is a common, versatile choice that works on a wide range of fabrics. Polyester thread tends to be stronger and more durable than cotton thread. You’ll want to keep large spools of white, black, gray, and beige thread in your sewing kit as neutral colors are practical and blend in well with most fabrics. In general, you want your thread color and fabric color to match as closely as possible (but it doesn’t need to be an exact match).
Bobbins: The bobbin is housed in the bobbin case and holds the lower thread that connects to the top thread to create stitches. Without a threaded bobbin, the machine can’t create stitches properly.
Seam Ripper: Despite your best efforts, mistakes happen. A seam ripper is used to, you guessed it, rip seams without damaging the fabric. A seam ripper allows you to cleanly and efficiently fix sewing errors when they arise.
Iron and Ironing Board: The iron and ironing board you have in your home should be sufficient. You should always press your garment or fabric before you sew to remove any wrinkles. This will allow fabric to feed evenly through your machine.
The Big Picture
Before diving into a specific project, begin by gaining an understanding of what sewing is as a whole. How does a sewing machine actually work? What is the role of the top thread? What is the lower thread responsible for? How are the top and bottom threads combined to form a stitch? What is the basic sewing workflow, and what is the importance of each step? Gaining a big-picture understanding of sewing in general can help everything else click faster and allows you to see how each step contributes to the end result.
Once you understand the big picture, read through all available instructional materials, like your machine’s manual, to familiarize yourself with its specific features and requirements. I would recommend watching a step-by-step video tutorial on how to unbox and properly setup your machine to ensure your first sewing project is a success. The manufacturer’s website is a perfect place to find additional free resources and how-to guides, which are usually specific to each machine. For additional support, YouTube has countless videos that visually explain various techniques, which are a great complement to written instructions.
Develop Critical Sewing Skills
Once your machine is setup, you’ll want to learn some basic sewing skills. To get comfortable with your machine, start by practicing with fabric scraps before beginning your first sewing project. As a beginner sewer, some basic but critical sewing skills to develop include:
- How to wind a bobbin
- How to thread a sewing machine
- Selecting a stitch
- How to adjust the needle position
- Backstitching
- Pinning techniques
- Cutting techniques using fabric shears
- Understanding and mastering seam allowances
- Guiding fabric smoothly through the machine – avoid forceful pushing or pulling and allow the fabric to feed through the machine naturally.
Once you’ve gotten to know your sewing machine and mastered these foundational skills, you’ll be ready to dive into your first sewing project with confidence.
Although it requires patience, practice, and dedication, sewing is a very practical skill and lifelong hobby that opens up countless possibilities. It’s an especially useful skill for petite women seeking a custom fit without the inconvenience of costly tailoring. With hands-on experimenting and mastering basic sewing skills, you’ll have the know-how and confidence to do your own alterations. Each small sewing project builds your expertise and brings you closer to building a wardrobe of perfectly fitting clothing. There are few things more satisfying than being able to make or alter your own clothes, so they look and feel just right!