Take it slow when learning to sew

The past couple of weeks have been very busy for my family.  In addition to our normal schedule of football practices and softball practices, I added making a costume for my 21-year-old who loves Halloween.
Actually, I do not think it is Halloween she loves as much as it is dressing up in costumes.  She will find any excuse to dress up in a costume.
For example, although her birthday is in February, she had a costume party to celebrate her birthday one year.
My oldest is very creative and has wonderful ideas for costumes.
Unfortunately, the costumes she picks usually do not have patterns and that is where my creativity comes into play.  As I have said before:  If necessity is the mother of invention, then desperation is the mother of creativity.  It is not unusual for me to have to combine several patterns to make a costume.
In the past I have had to do all the work alone, this time I was lucky enough to have both my best friend and my oldest who are interested in sewing and were willing to help.  Notice I said “interested in sewing.”  I did not say anything about them being able to sew.  My friend does have some experience and knows the basics.  My daughter, well, let’s just say she’s very much a beginner.
I must give my daughter credit for at least trying.  Although she is very gifted in art, she finds sewing a lesson in frustration.   I do not understand why sewing is so frustrating to her, anymore than she can understand why trying to draw something is so frustrating to me.
I have discovered that when teaching someone to sew, it is best to start on an item that is simple and not important.  For example, making pillows is a wonderful first project because they can be useful but are not necessary.  Another wonderful project to learn to sew on is a Halloween costume.  Why? Well costumes can be very satisfying to work on and since it is just meant to be worn a couple of times it is not a big deal if  it is messed up!
My advice to those who are beginning to learn to sew is start with something that you really want to make but that if you mess it up you won’t want to scream.
Also, read the directions through carefully before you begin so you know where you are going.  Then  read each step one by one and complete it.  If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a break.
And last but not least, remember you are learning to sew for fun!
If you have a question or comment for Mom’s Corner, please e-mail it to:  moms-corner@juno.com.