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

• Tools You'll Use in Every Sewing Project

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

• Common Sewing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Top Tools for Hand Stitching Projects

• Tips for Sewing Faster & More Efficiently

• Sewing Dictionary

• Tips and Tools for a Quick Stitch Fix

• Teaching Kids to Sew

• Your Ultimate Fabric Tools Cheat Sheet

Fabric

• Guide to Common Fabric Types: Choosing the Right Material for Your Project

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

• Tips on Sewing with Knits

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

• Fabric Types and Best Needle Matches

• The Importance of Directional Sewing in Your Projects

Decorative Sewing Elements

• How to sew with rick rack

• How to Sew a Button

• Piping, Cording, and Bias Tape

Zippers

• Mastering the Basics of Zipper Sewing

• Mastering Zippers in Your Sewing Projects

• Zipper Troubleshooting Tips

• Mastering the Art of Invisible Zippers

Bias Tape

• Bias Tape - Tips on Working with Bias Tape and Alternatives

• Bias Tape: Single Fold vs Double Fold

• Master the Bias: How to Make and Use Bias Tape

• Bias Tape Makers: The Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed!
  
  

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?

• Sewing Machine Tension Settings Guide

Sewing Machine Sewing Classes

• Creativebug Sewing Class: Sewing Machine Basics

• Creativebug Sewing Class: Sewing Machine Maintenance

• Creativebug Sewing Class: Sewing Machine - Needle and Thread Basics

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

• Presser Feet 101 Sewing Class on Creativebug

• Essential Sewing Machine Feet Guide and Chart

  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

• Twin Needles

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

• Tips to Organize Your Fabric Stash

Sewing Tools & Supplies

• Sewing Supplies Defined

• Cute Sewing Supplies You'll Find Online

• Pretty in Pink Sewing Supplies

• Choosing the Right Tools for Your Fabric: A Sewist’s Guide

Thread

• Sewing Thread Types and Their Uses

• 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

• Rotary Cutters

• Cordless Electric Scissors

• Stay Sharp: How to Sharpen Your Pinking Scissors

Measuring Tools

• Measuring Tools for Sewing

• Magnetic Seam Guides

• Seam Gauge

• Expanding Sewing Gauge

Marking Tools

• Guide to Essential Marking Tools for Sewing

• Marking Tool Tips for Different Fabric Types

• Seam Allowance Discs

• Seam Allowance Disks vs Rulers

• How to Mark Fabric: Tools, Tips, and Tricks

• The Best Fabric Marking Tools for Every Fabric Type

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

• Pressing Matters: The Tools That Help You Keep It Together

Needles & Pins

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

• 8 Needle Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed

• Fabric Types and Best Needle Matches

• Sewing Needle Guide

• Sewing Clips

• Sewing Needle Guide: Types and Uses

• How to Pin Fabric for Sewing

• Clips vs Pins

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

• Pincushions

• 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

• Guide to Velcro

• Bias Tape - Tips on Working with Bias Tape and Alternatives

• Interfacing Types and Uses

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

• Sewing Appliques

• Welting

• Chain Stitching

• Fabric Facing

Zippers

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

Basting

• Let’s Get Basting: Stitching Together the Basics

• How to Remove Basting Stitches Without Damage

• Master the Art of Basting

Buttons

• How to Sew a Button

• Button Jointing

Sewing Curves and Corners

• How to Clip and Notch Like a Pro: Seam Finishing

• Sewing Curves Without Puckers

• Mastering Curves and Corners

• Clipping Inward Seams

Sewing Toys

Stuffing

• Choosing the Stuffing

• Secrets to a Perfectly Stuffed Plushie: Tips for Even Stuffing and Avoiding Lumps

• The Stuff of Dreams: Choosing the Right Stuffing for Your Toys

Face

• 7 Suggestions for Making your Stuffed Animal Eyes

• Embroidery Tips for Perfect Plushie Expressions

• Eye Spy: How to Choose the Best Eyes for Your Handmade Toys

• Tips for Adding a Mouth to Stuffed Animals

• Tips for Attaching Plastic Eyes

Fabric

• Sewing Toys: Choosing the Fabric

• Finding the Perfect Material for Handmade Toys

• Layering Plush Fabric for Dimension: Add Depth to Your Creations

Other

• Toy Sewing Myths Busted: What Every Beginner Needs to Know

• Upcycled Toys: Sewing Plushies from Old Clothes or Scraps

• Safety Tips for Sewing Toys for Kids

• How to Create a Story Around Your Handmade Plushies

• Customizing and Adding Personality to Plush Toys

• Must-Know Tips for Making Plush Toys

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

• Sewing Machine Basics at Creativebug

• Creativebug: Sewing Machine - Needle and Thread Basics

• Presser Feet 101 Sewing Class on Creativebug

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