Who taught you to sew? This is one of our favourite questions because the answers we hear always remind us that our craft is forged and fuelled by a meeting of minds. We sewists may be fewer in numbers than in the generations before us, but we’re more passionate and dedicated than ever before.

This is because since it’s been taken off the curriculum, we’ve had to go out of our way to learn, often turning to friends and family to teach us. Perhaps you learned from a relative, or got into sewing after inheriting a machine from a loved one. Having that special connection heightens our enjoyment, so the best gift we can give to another person is that same experience.

You don’t need to be a tutor to give the gift of sewing – there are plenty of ideas out there for sharing your knowledge, whether the lucky recipient has never sat at a sewing machine before or if they’ve been stitching for years. The most important thing is that you’ll enjoy spending quality time together, developing a shared interest, creating fond memories and having a few laughs along the way.

via GIPHY, artwork by Libby Vanderploeg

FOR THE NEWBIE STITCHER…
Helping someone get started is a great feeling, but take care not to overwhelm or put them off! Start simple and try to remember some of the questions you had as a beginner or things you wish you’d been told. This can also be a good refresher for you in consolidating your basic techniques.

A beginner-friendly sewing machine like the new Brother L14S and a personal lesson would make an ideal gift for getting someone started. It has 14 built-in stitches, a top-loading bobbin and comes with three presser feet. £99, brothersewing.co.uk

Some great lession plans for you…
Sewing machine 101: teach them the different parts of a machine, how to thread it up, and good maintenance practices
Sew a simple tote bag: it’s a good idea to start with a quick project ASAP, so your student will get the satisfaction of making a completed item!

via GIPHY

FOR THE IMPROVER…
We all have different areas of expertise, so if you’re a dab-hand at pattern-matching whilst your friend has mastered invisible zippers, get together for a skill swap or book onto the same workshop to learn together.

If you go together to a workshop…
Choose it wisely: ensure the lessons cover a technique or project that you both want to learn, and that they fit into your schedules and budgets
Research the workshop: find out if it’s right for you – it won’t be much of a bonding experience if you’re out of your depths!

via GIPHY

FOR THE CRAFTER WHO HAS IT ALL…
Asking a more experienced sewist to share their skills with you can be a big confidence booster for them. “The Hong Kong seams on the last jacket you stitched are beautiful, would you mind showing me how you did it?” After, make a gift for them using the technique they’ve taught you as a way of saying thank you.

Need inspiration?
Introduce a new technique: nobody knows everything! Buy your loved one a book or workshop dedicated to a subject they haven’t yet explored
Get their skills recognised: enter their best garment into our Dressmaker of the Year competition. They could be our next champion stitcher!