My top posts here on the blog are consistently the sewing tutorial round-ups. People seem to love these, but I noticed a lot of comments about learning to sew from those sharing and commenting on the posts, and in emails.

I taught a hand sewing class at our homeschool co-op a few years ago and the book I used for that could actually be used for any age. It is called Sewing School, they have a second one called Sewing School 2 that is for beginning sewing machine work. The books are written to make sewing more accessible to kids, but beginner adults can use them. It would especially be a good fit for those wanting to learn to sew alongside their children.

But if you are looking for something more specifically designed for adults, the resources I’ve gathered here are just for you. These are beginner sewing resources for adults.

Beginner Sewing Resources for Adults

The internet can be such a wonderful place when you are looking to learn something new. People everywhere are sharing their gifts and talents with others and it is quite an awesome thing. We are going to start with something a bit more tangible though.

Books

As wonderful as the internet is, there is still a lot to be said for a physical book. It is why I spend so much time reading and putting together book lists on various subjects here. Here are five beginner sewing books for adults:

• Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns – Whew, what a title, lol.
• First Time Sewing: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide
• The Sewing Machine Classroom: Learn the Ins & Outs of Your Machine
• Simple Sewing: 30 Fast and Easy Projects for Beginners
• 1, 2, 3, Sew: Build Your Skills With 33 Simple Sewing Projects

YouTube

For the YouTube section here, I chose to focus on specific tutorials and projects instead of general channels. You can browse around and find LOTS of tutorials for just about anything. This is great for those who need to see something being done for it to make sense.

Sewing Basics

I found a couple good series for getting started on with sewing. The great things about these series? They are free!

• Understanding Your Sewing Machine
• Beginners Sewing Course – The Basics, Fabric Preparation, Sewing Basics, Zigzag Stitches, and Accuracy Tips
• Mimi G Style Sewing Course (geared towards garment sewing) – Sewing Basics; Pattern Understanding (this one was too long for YouTube); Grain Lines, Linings, Interfacings, and More; and Sewing Our Skirt – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4

Simple Projects

• Simple Felt Garland
• Zipper Pouch Sewing Tutorial (you will need a zipper foot for this project)
• Fat Quarter Friendly Draw String Pouch
• How to Make a Fat Quarter Infinity Scarf
• How to Make a Rag Quilt – This is a blog post with all the videos in one spot.

That’s it for today. The best advice I have for anyone wanting to learn to sew? Just do it. You will learn by doing and you will make a lot of mistakes. That is why the seam ripper was invented. You will be the best of frenemies with it. Just like I am.

But in all seriousness, I hope you find something on this list of beginner sewing resources for adults that gets you started. Sewing is fun and a great life skill to have. Give it a try!