Stopped sewing: 5 typical reasons for giving up

Have you stopped sewing and are struggling to get back into it? In this post, you'll learn the most common reasons for giving up sewing. And how you can manage to keep going anyway.

The most important things at a glance

• A cheap machine can save money. But it can also cost you your nerves: dissatisfaction with the sewing machine is the most common reason for giving up sewing. Better to look for quality
• Being overwhelmed by sewing projects can ruin the fun sustainably. That's why it's important to choose instructions that match your experience level
• Not enough guidance: Is there no one in your environment who can help you with sewing techniques? Doesn't matter, there are online and sewing courses!
• A common reason to hang up your sewing kit is the fear of mistakes and wasting material
• Don't know where to start because the topic is so overwhelming? My tips and links will help you

Once you've stopped sewing, it's hard to get back into it. If you look around, you'll encounter more and more sewing enthusiasts who make a large part of their clothing themselves. But that's not all! These enthusiasts sew bags and pouches, pillows, blankets and 1000 other great things for family, friends and themselves.

It's logical that these sewing artists are the star guests at every party, right? ;) Who wouldn't want to get their hands on such a beautiful, hand-sewn pouch?

What about you? Was there a point in your sewing career when you felt completely discouraged and demotivated and turned away from sewing? Take comfort, such a sewing blues happens to most people at some point.

And the reasons are always the same. In this post, I will reveal what moves sewing fans to give up. And with which tricks & tips you can keep going anyway.

5 reasons to stop sewing (and what you can do about it!)

The reasons for giving up sewing are very individual. In some points, the stories often repeat themselves. How do I know? In the comments here on SewSimple, on Instagram, Facebook and countless emails, sewing fans tell me again and again how they eventually lost their connection.

For all these people who share their sewing fate with me (and possibly for you too?), here are my tips on the subject of quitting sewing.

No. 1: Cheap sewing machine

The most common reason for a fast start with a sudden end: a cheap sewing machine. Of course, it's clear why many decide, especially at the beginning, to be rather cautious and buy a cheap model.

It may still be that sewing is "not your thing". And then such an expensive machine might just stand around unused. Besides, as a beginner, you don't even know what functions you need. And what is important when buying a sewing machine.

Then the time comes: The sewing machine is set up, the fabric is ready. And you sit in front of it tense, shoulders raised, and don't understand anything at all. A few stitches, maybe a few seams. Then comes the first thread change (difficult, difficult!) and the first broken needle. And for many, that's the end of it for now.

What can you do about it?

1. Get advice from a specialist shop: Experienced dealers will find out with you which sewing machine is suitable for you. And your fear that something will be "talked into you". Local dealers know very well that only satisfied customers return.
2. Set a financial framework that you can mention to the dealer. Then he has leeway to think of something for you.
3. Find out which projects you want to sew in the future. This influences which functions your sewing machine needs.
4. In case of doubt, I would rather advise a good used sewing machine than a cheap new one. Many dealers offer refurbished sewing machines that are affordable but still provide good quality.
5. Test different models from different manufacturers. This way you can feel what feels good and right for you.
6. Consider whether you can borrow a sewing machine first. Some online offers are really cheap. And you practically take no risk with it, because you can always return the machine.
7. Sewing virtuosos sometimes also get along with cheap and cheapest sewing machines. But that's usually not really fun for them either.
8. Let the dealer give you an introduction to the most important functions and ask if you can contact them if anything is unclear.
9. Even very good sewing machines don't have to be incredibly expensive. My Juki^* is a fantastic beginner model for around 800 euros and sews almost everything. Especially stretchy fabrics it masters so brilliantly that you practically don't need an overlock. Feel free to read my Juki experience report.

No. 2: Projects are too difficult

I can really understand it: If you look around on Instagram or Pinterest, you will find thousands and thousands of great sewing projects that you definitely want to implement. But hey: be careful when choosing projects!

Many sewing projects are simply not suitable for beginners. Especially with clothing patterns, you should check if they are really beginner-friendly. Most designers mention this in the product description.

Often very bad are classic paper patterns with an unmanageable number of lines, dots and dashes. That makes you stop before you've really started.

But sewing bags and other small things also has its pitfalls: zippers, darts, corners, hems or topstitching. There are so many sewing ideas (and so many materials!) that can make beginners throw in the towel.

What you can do about it

1. Choose projects that are explicitly suitable for beginners. A large collection of simple things that you can manage well as a beginner can be found here at SewSimple.
2. If you want to sew clothes, try a very simple wrap jacket or a jersey skirt. Especially for "getting into it", this is brilliant because you can achieve great results very quickly. And that motivates you to keep going.
3. Take it slow and use your motivation: If, for example, you are rewarded at the end with a beautiful, soft cuddly blanket that you have conjured up yourself from A to Z, it motivates you a thousand times more than a difficult project that ends up in the bin.

No. 3: Didn't read the manual

A blunder that even pros make again and again. Regardless of whether it's a new machine or a proven favorite: the operating manual of your machine(s) should be your best friend.

Of course, some functions can be "picked up" and used intuitively. But for more special settings and features, even pros need more information. Whether it's about finding the right language setting or getting to know all the options of your machine.

Often, however, one buys a machine used. Or even gets it as a gift. And there is no operating manual included. What then?

What you can do about it

1. Get in touch with the sewing machine manufacturer. Many manufacturers have websites from which you can download the manual for your sewing machine for free.
2. If that doesn't work, some dealers will also send you the manual as a PDF free of charge.
3. Imagine the manual is a DIY thriller: Read it with calm, interest and enjoyment. It will accompany you for several years.
4. While reading, apply the new functions to a test piece. Then you won't have stage fright during the first use under "real conditions" because you have already gotten to know and mastered them.

No. 4: Fear of sewing failure

What can't go wrong: The needle breaks, the machine breaks, you prick yourself with pins... and the good fabric you might also mess up!

All these are certainly reasons. But not reasons for hindrance. Mistakes happen. Without mistakes, there is no progress. So keep sewing. And love the process. :)

What you can do about the fear of failure

1. You can really learn everything in the sewing field. Needles can be replaced. Just take a look at the manual in peace. It usually even describes in pictures how such a needle is replaced. You have to learn it one way or another, because needle breakage is somehow part of it... ;)
2. Don't be afraid to wreck the machine. Sewing machines are robust little helpers that don't take anything amiss so quickly. Get to know them better by cleaning and maintaining them regularly. It will reward you with longevity and loyalty. And incidentally, you will learn how it is built and functions.
3. Get high-quality accessories that won't break so easily. I have put together a shopping list for sewing beginners that you just have to print out. Then you can start shopping.
4. Get cheap fabric to practice. Cotton or canvas are very suitable. With this you can already implement many small projects. And simply practice seams and machine settings. Because what you have already tried, will not make you shy away.
5. You can find cheap fabrics at Ikea, for example. Always take at least 1 meter of fabric with you. Then you have enough material to practice hems, buttonholes, cutting techniques. That's fun, you'll see!
6. Fabric and remnant packages (often found in fabric outlets!) are a good way to test your skills on various materials. Often Nicki, organza, jerseys and faux leather are included in the packages. Read my tips on the respective materials. This works great with the search mask on the blog homepage.
7. Realize: It's just fabric! In case of doubt, you can always make dishcloths and washcloths out of it.
8. Dispose of fabric scraps and failed projects immediately, then they won't remind you of your mistakes. They have served their purpose: You have learned from them. :)

No. 5: No orientation in the sewing jungle

Have you ever asked yourself: Where should I actually start? I can understand that well. Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

That's why the tips under No. 4 are so important: The decisive factor is not how well you master your first self-set sewing task. The decisive factor is what you learn from it.

1. Don't overwhelm yourself, set small goals. Sew a first seam on a sheet of paper. Then try a few straight seams on a piece of fabric from discarded clothing. Then maybe a decorative stitch.
2. Look at how thread and material interact with each other. Or test a hem. Observe how fabric and seams change through ironing. Give yourself time and do everything in peace.
3. Write your experiences in a sewing diary. Make sketches, glue in photos, collect ideas. Consider which topic you would like to start with.
4. Look for a sewing course in your area. In it, you will learn many basics and have the opportunity to ask directly if something doesn't work.
5. No time for sewing courses? Then try an online workshop at Makerist. There you will find many beginner courses organized by topic that you can watch whenever you have time and inclination!
6. Just get started. Your own, very special, individual sewing topic will find you if you give it the chance to draw attention to itself. That means: Just keep sewing and try everything out.

Did my tips help you?

Feel free to write about your experiences with the sewing blues in the comments!

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

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