Once you’ve decided to learn how to sew, the next question is how. Do you book a sewing class near you, or learn to sew online at home? I’ve taught both ways: in colleges, in open studio sessions and one-to-one lessons around Manchester, and online with fabric kits posted to people’s doors. The honest answer is that it depends on you. Here’s how to choose.
Sewing classes near you
The good bits: a teacher can see what you’re doing and fix it straight away. You meet other beginners, and you don’t need your own machine because most classes provide one. It’s a lovely social night out.
The not-so-good bits: classes run at set times, so missing one can leave you behind. They can be expensive, and the nearest class might be a long way away. Many people also forget what they learned by the time they sew at home.
How to find sewing lessons near you
- Your local adult education service or further education college
- Sewing cafés and independent fabric shops
- Community centres, libraries and repair cafés
- Sewing schools, like Sew Over It in London
Before you book, ask how many people are in the class, whether machines are provided, and what you’ll make. Small classes with a finished project at the end are best.
Learning to sew online
The good bits: you learn at home, on your own machine, whenever suits you. You can pause and rewatch a tricky step as many times as you like. It’s usually cheaper than a class, and there’s no travelling.
The not-so-good bits: there’s nobody beside you when you get stuck. Online courses vary a lot in quality, and it’s easy to lose motivation without a set time each week.
What to look for in an online sewing course
- Short lessons. Videos of a few minutes are easier to follow than hour-long ones.
- One skill at a time. Each lesson should teach one thing, clearly.
- Real makes. You should finish something useful, not just practice squares.
- Works on your phone. So you can prop it next to your machine.
- Written steps too. Something to glance at without pressing play.
Free ways to start learning online
You can try sewing for free before spending anything. YouTube has thousands of sewing videos, and Simply Sewing magazine has free beginner patterns. The downside of free is that it’s scattered, so it’s hard to know what to learn next.
Do you need a sewing qualification?
Not to sew for fun. But if you’d like a certificate, some colleges offer City & Guilds courses, such as the Level 1 Award in Fashion: Sewing Machine Skills.
So which is best?
- Choose a class if you love learning with others, don’t own a machine yet, or need a set time to stay motivated.
- Choose online if you’re busy, live far from a class, or like to learn at your own pace.
Lots of people do both: an online course at home, plus the odd workshop for a treat. A good book helps too. Here are the best sewing books for beginners.
Wondering how long it’ll take? Read how long does it take to learn how to sew. And if you’re just starting, begin with my simple guide to learning how to sew.
Learn to sew online with Nanna Betty
Nanna Betty Sewing School was built to give you the best of a class at home. One card teaches one skill, short videos play on your phone next to your machine, and every make takes 2 hours or less.
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