Sewing Bee University

Welcome to Sewing Bee University or SBU for short!

Meet Wilma, the SBU mascot!  Isn't she bee-utiful?  

She's here to help you learn some basic sewing terms and techniques to help you master the fun of sewing!

So let's get started!  Click on each link to take you to the different sewing lessons.

Stitch by Stitch: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing

Sewing Basics

• Basic Tool Kit

• Essential Sewing Tool Kit: Everything You Need to Get Started

• Common Sewing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Top Tools for Hand Stitching Projects

Fabric

Tips for Working with Various Fabric Types

• Tips for Sewing with Vinyl Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Faux Leather Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Fleece Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Felt Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Fur Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Burlap Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Flannel Fabric

• Tips for Sewing with Chiffon Fabric

• Sewing with Metallic Fabric: Tips and Tricks for Shimmering Creations

Fraying Fabrics

• Non Fraying Fabrics

• How to Fix Fraying Fabrics

• Guide to Liquid Fray Preventers

Preparing Fabrics

• Preparing Your Fabric for Sewing Success

Measuring Fabric

• Tips for Measuring Fabric: A Seamstress's Guide

Fabric Recommendations

• Best Fabric for Baby Blankets

• Types of Waterproof Fabric and Recommendations for Baby Bibs

Other Fabric Tutorials

• Cutting circles on Fabric Guide

• The Ultimate Guide to Sewing with Batting

• Sewing Toys: Choosing the Fabric

• Guide to Sewing Stabilizers

• How to Fix Fabric When It Gets Stuck in the Throat Plate

• Tips on Sewing Thick Fabrics

• Fabric Fundamentals by Fabric Type

Decorative Sewing Elements

• How to sew with rick rack

• Bias Tape: Single Fold vs Double Fold

• How to Sew a Button
  

Machine Sewing

The Sewing Machine

• Knowing Your Sewing Machine

• How to Use Your Sewing Machine: A Beginner's Guide

• Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start Using a Sewing Machine

• Getting Ready to Sew

• Testing Thread Tension

• Tips to Sewing a Straight Stitch

• Why Does My Sewing Machine Keep Unthreading?

Shopping for Sewing Machines

• The Best Beginner Sewing Machines

• Features of a Great Sewing Machine

Sewing Machine Parts & Accessories

• Sewing Machine Parts Defined

  Bobbins

• Guide to Sewing Bobbins

• Bobbins Gone Bad: Common Problems and How to Fix Them

• How to Wind a Bobbin Correctly

  Feet

• Guide to Sewing Machine Feet

• Guide to Using a Gathering Foot

• Guide to Using a Walking Foot

  Other

• Tips for Choosing and Adjusting Thread Tension, Stitch Width, Length, and Needle Position

• Testing Thread Tension

• Choosing the Right Stitch Type on Your Sewing Machine

• Seam Allowance Guide

• Preventing Needle Breakage

• Sewing Machine Muffling Pad

Fixing and Cleaning Your Sewing Machine

• Common Sewing Machine Issues and How to Fix Them

• How to Clean and Maintain Your Sewing Machine

• Servicing Your Sewing Machine

Sewing Room

• Designing and Decorating Your Perfect Sewing Room

• Essential Tips for a Well-Organized and Functional Space

• Tips for Perfect Posture and Protecting the Back

Sewing Tools & Supplies

• Sewing Supplies Defined

• Cute Sewing Supplies You'll Find Online

• Pretty in Pink Sewing Supplies

• Let’s Talk Thread

Cutting Tools

• How to Sharpen Your Sewing Scissors

• Essential Cutting Tools for Sewing: A Comprehensive Guide

• Seam Rippers: The Unsung Heroes of Your Sewing Kit

• Guide to Choosing the Right Cutting Board for Your Sewing Projects

• Embroidery Scissors

• Pinking Shears

Measuring Tools

• Measuring Tools for Sewing

• Magnetic Seam Guides

Marking Tools

• Guide to Essential Marking Tools for Sewing

• Marking Tool Tips for Different Fabric Types

• Seam Allowance Discs

• Seam Allowance Disks vs Rulers

Pressing Tools

• The Ultimate Guide to Sewing Pressing Tools

• DIY Pressing Cloth

• Guide to Pressing Cloths

• Guide to Ironing Boards

• Guide to Pressing Sheets

• Pressing Cloths VS Pressing Sheets

• Tailor’s Ham

• Tailor’s Clapper

Needles & Pins

• Needles & Pins: Your Guide to Sharp Success in Sewing

• 8 Needle Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed

• Sewing Needle Guide

Sewing Weights

• Guide to Sewing Weights

• DIY Sewing Weights

• The Cutest Sewing Weights You’ll Ever Find

Special Products

• Guide to Using a Bodkin Sewing Tool

• Let’s Awl Talk About the Sewing Awl

• Guide to Thimbles

• Guide to Using Point Turners for Sewing

• Ditto Pattern Projector

• Tips on Working with Craft Wire

• Mastering Buttonholes - A Guide to Buttonhole Cutter

• Mastering Fusible Web - Tips for Seamless Fabric Fusing

Hand Stitching

• Backstitch

• Whipstitch

• Ladder Stitch - Stitching an Opening Closed

• Types of Stitches

• Hand Basting

Sewing Terms

• Sewing Terms

• Seams

• Fabric "right sides together"

Sewing Techniques

• Starting & Finishing a Stitch

• Stitching an Opening Closed

• Sewing a Dart

• How to Sew a Button

• Clipping Inward Seams

• Sewing Appliques

• Button Jointing

• Master the Art of Basting

• Sewing a Zipper: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Welting

• Chain Stitching

Sewing Toys

• Choosing the Stuffing

• 7 Suggestions for Making your Stuffed Animal Eyes

• Sewing Toys: Choosing the Fabric

Sewing Suppliers

• Sources of Sewing Supplies

• Where to Buy Animal Eyes for Stuffed Animals

• Shop Sewing Supplies & Fabric at Joann

• Shop Sewing Supplies & Fabric on Amazon

• The Cutest Sewing Weights You’ll Ever Find

Sewing Classes

• A Guide To Finding the Perfect Sewing Class

• Sew Kids Clothes with Rae Hoekstra

• Take a Sewing Class on Creativebug!

• Take a Sewing Class at Confident Stitch!

• Take a Sewing Class at Craftsy!

PDF Patterns

• How to Print, Assemble & Trace your Sew Cute Patterns PDF sewing pattern

Practice Your Sewing Skills - Free Patterns!

• Free octopus pin cushion pattern

• Free Reading Pillow Pattern

• Free Plush Puppy Pattern

• Free Elephant Pattern

• Free Burlap Snowman Pattern

• Free Paw Pillow Pattern

• Free Bow Pillow Pattern

• Free Plush Bone Pattern

• Free Moon & Stars Pillow Patterns