Q&A Monday: Getting Started!

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Welcome to the FIRST EVAH ReFashionista Q&A Monday!!! *drum roll*

I’m going to kick this week’s Q&A off with the most frequent question I get:

Q: I want to start refashioning, but how do I get started?

Trying something new is scary. What if you aren’t any good at it? What if you screw up? As Einstein once said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried something new.”

Listen to him. He knows his stuff.

Think on that.

When you were born, chances are you were pretty terrible at walking, speaking, eating, and not crapping all over yourself. The more you tried these things, the better you got (hopefully). Then you started learning new things, like math and reading– which you also probably sucked at when you were first figuring them out. Now you’re probably a bit better at these things (once again, hopefully).

Fast forward to Grownup You. Grownup You doesn’t want to screw up, and that fear of failure is going to hold you back from doing all sorts of awesome stuff if you let it.

So don’t let it.

You’re going to mess up a LOT of your refashions when you first get started. It’s okay. Your innocent victims only cost you a dollar, and they were hopefully ugly and unwanted anyways. You’ll learn from your mistakes, and you’ll get better. 🙂

Okay…so now you’re all psyched up and ready to get started with some refashioning! What now? What supplies do you need?

You really don’t need very much to get started. This is what my current sewing setup looks like:

This is where it all happens!

I use cheapo over-the-door shoe bags for storage!

My cabinet of patterns, dress form,& bins ‘o future refashions! 🙂

You might think that’s an awful lot of stuff, and you’re right. Luckily, you don’t need all of that to get started. Your beginner setup will look more like this:

The box of Pinot Noir is optional, but highly recommended.

Here’s all you need to start your own refashioning adventure:

A sewing machine (which should come with bobbins and a needle)

black thread

white thread

pin cushion

stick pins

needles for hand sewing

safety pins

seam gauge

tailor’s tape measure

small scissors

larger scissors

seam ripper

You’ll also want to have these guys on hand, but you probably already own them. 🙂

Remember us? 🙂

I keep all of my supplies out in the open (which is why I can’t use my dining room for actual dining), but I didn’t always do this. You can always tuck your machine and supplies in a closet or on top of your fridge (where I used to keep mine!) if space is scarce. Just make sure you can get to it easily and get it set up quickly. 🙂

So now you have your courage and supplies, but how do you actually get down to the business of learning how to sew?

I’m self-taught. I studied my sewing machine manual and checked out books from the library and eventually figured the basics out. I read lots of sewing blogs and googled lots of questions. Youtube was a big help. But, you could take a class (many craft and fabric stores offer them) or get a friend you know who sews to teach you in exchange for booze and food.

I hope this post gives some of you who are on the fence about getting started remaking your own custom wardrobes the push you need. Viva la Refashion! 🙂

Cheers!

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26 Responses to Q&A Monday: Getting Started!

You are so hilarious!! I love reading your posts. Keep writing and refashioning!!!

I love your blog!! And getting your emails inspires me to be creative and fun! I’m taking my first sewing class in two weeks! I’m super excited!

Thank you! Ooooh! That sounds exciting! Have fun! 🙂

Nice job, nice set-up. Simple, and do-able! So many are scared to just try…which is what makes those who do SEEEEEM so creative/ Really, creativity is just bravery: willingness to try anything!

Another idea for those with limited space: I use my ironing board as my sewing table. I like to stand to sew! It’s constantly set up in my garage (which makes for 3 miserable sewing months each year (So. California), but it’s functional for me.

That’s a really good idea! Oh…how I would looooove California weather right now! 🙂

Love this. Love Monday’s now. You rock!!

Love this! Love mondays now. You rock!!

You are so stinkin cute and funny. Just love your blog!

Awesome! Next question for a later post: Do you really just pin, sew and cut? You make it look so easy!
thanks!

I’m self taught, too! Awesome, now I don’t feel so disheartening for not have taken a professional class other than middle school home ec!

We have the same sewing machine YAY! It makes me feel cool. Like I can do this.
You inspired me to try refashion. I attempted to sew a skirt from pattern, and it was not bad the first time around (it was not good either but shhhh) Now I scored $3 skirt from Value Village (that I actually like) and I am trying to shorten it properly. So far the lining was shortened, I’m scared to move on to the skirt. My goodwill and thrift stores have nothing for $1. Where do you find deals like that?

Haha! Twinsies! 🙂 I live in Columbia, South Carolina. Different cities and countries have a wide variety of price points at thrift stores. There might not be anything like the stores I go to where you are. But, ask around! I find most of my awesome cheap places by word-of-mouth. Also, try garage sales and flea markets. 🙂

Thanks for the Q&A! I’ve been wanting to learn to sew for a while, and hopefully I can do that this year. Love reading your blog!

I continue to love your blog. Keep up the awesome work, I am a huge thrift store queen, I have not bought any clothes brand new except nickers, bras and socks for over a year. I will often buy pieces just for the fabric and refashion them into something completely different. You inspire me to be courageous with my refashionings and I always get a little thrill when I get a notice that you updated. Cheers

I’m so excited for this series. My sewing area looks similar to yours. I, too, am self taught minus the beginners lessons I got from my grandmother back in grade school. So excited to learn more about your dress form. I have the same one and want to learn to use it the “right” way.

I LOVE your setup – the clear bags to show everything are brilliant, much better than having everything in a sewing box. Love that thread holder too! I agree – the box of Pinot Noir is a really good addition, as long as you don’t drink the entire box and THEN try to refashion something!

I have all the basic supplies. I am working on the finding time and psyching up parts. 🙂

Doooooo it! 🙂

Why have I never thought of the wine box before!?! LOL I too am self taught and I’m still learning after many years of sewing. I have never refashioned anything but am inspired to give it a try…as I love to go thrifting and don’t always find what I’m looking for. Now I can look with a new set of eyes and creative thoughts. Love your posts, keep em coming!!!

Brillaint post and I´m with you on the wine!

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I’ve been following your blog for o couple of weeks now. So glad I found you 🙂 You are a big inspiration to me, and clearly to many others aswell. Refashion is the thing and you make it cool. Go gal!

Awesome!

Thank you!! That’s a great help in helping me calm my fear of failure and not knowing where to start. I have my machine, now for the rest!

Haha, very entertaining but also informative. That’s a good list of begginner supplies. Thanks for sharing a few tips.

Your gorgeously organized supplies alone earn five stars!! Thanks for this!

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Q&A Monday: Getting Started! | ReFashionista