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Welcome to the Learn to Machine Sew course for beginners! I created this free sewing course in 2014 after receiving loads of comments from readers saying that they love my projects, but that they don’t feel proficient enough with their sewing machine to attempt them. I realized just how daunting sewing can be to a true beginner.
My mother taught me the basics of sewing when I was in middle school, and then I learned the rest through sewing books, tutorials and videos online, and LOTS of trial and error. It took me years to put together the bits and pieces, so I decided to give my readers all the tools they need to learn the basics all in one place, that way they could start using my sewing projects and tutorials.
I’ve been an EFL/ESL teacher since 2000, so I know how important it is to practice, practice, practice in practical situations. The same goes for sewing. It’s important to learn the new technique, but you really learn it well when you use it for a “real-life” project. This is why I’ve organized this course with a classroom-style technical lesson, followed by a practice tutorial. That way readers can learn the technique, practice it, and then make something useful with it! (The first week of the course is the only one without a project tutorial, just to get students used to the basic tools needed.)
How to use this course
If you are an absolute beginner, I highly suggest you follow the structure of the course syllabus as it is laid out below. I have organized it so that each practical tutorial uses ONLY the techniques dealt with up to that point. If you already have some experience and know some sewing techniques, feel free to skip around, although I highly suggest reading them all, because there’s always something new to learn!
Or, if you want quick results, sign up for my FREE “Sewing Zero to Hero” sewing challenge! I will send you an email each day for two weeks, guiding you from knowing nothing about sewing to being able to sew your very first me-made garment! Click here to find out more and sign up!
Before you start machine sewing, you obviously need a sewing machine! If you don’t have one yet, first read this post on how to choose your first sewing machine.
Once you have a sewing machine, start with the first two lessons (Sewing Machine Anatomy and All About Fabric). You might also want to look at my series Cucicucicoo Recommends, in which I discuss the sewing supplies that I myself use and love.
I add to this course syllabus regularly, so make sure to check in every so often to see what’s new! If you don’t want to miss any of the lessons or practical tutorials in this course, sign up for the Cucicucicoo Newsletter! That way you’ll get notified of all the posts and also get free patterns and lots of other exclusive content!
If you have any questions, leave a comment below or write to me at lisa (@) cucicucicoo.com. Happy sewing!
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 Lesson: Sew with a Twin Needle |  Practice: [Coming soon!] |
 Lesson: How to use a Seam Ripper Correctly | Practice: [Coming soon!] |
Bias Tape Series
Lessons, tips, tricks and projects to learn what bias tape is, how to make it,
various ways to use it and practical project tutorials!
Extra Content
Winding a Bobbin on a Sewing Machine
How to Insert a Bobbin in a Sewing Machine
 Lesson: How to sew the blanket stitch | [More coming soon!] |
Using Sewing Patterns
 How to adjust the crotch curve in pants patterns for a perfect fit |  How to lengthen or shorten a sewing pattern to fit perfectly |
 How to reuse existing hems in repurposed fabric with sewing patterns |  How to draft your own pattern for pants with elastic waistband |
Don’t forget to Pin this course so that you’ll have it whenever you need it!
*Last edited 06 March 2020
Hi! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally
got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Texas!
Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!
Thank you so, so very much for sharing you knowledge and skills! I just bought my first sewing machine and am so daunted by starting…until I came across your blog!
As I live in Saudi Arabia, there is no place/or person who offers practice lessons, so your site is helping a tremendous amount!
Thank you thank you xxxx
That makes me so happy to hear, Joanne! I know that it can be daunting to start something so big as sewing, especially if you don’t have anyone to show you how to at least get started. That’s was exactly why I wanted to create this course, so that people learning can find all the skills they need in one place, plus ways to use the skills as they learn them! Good luck starting, but remember that sewing should be fun, so just enjoy it! Let me know how it goes!
Oh thank God…I was directed this way from MammaNene’s page, who I found through someone else’s page, blahblahblah…looks like your course might be right up my alley, and we’ll be creating actual, useful items, not all baby clothes (which are useless to me)…thank you! Let my education begin… (*trumpet blares*)
Hooray! That was my intention, to enable people to make useful things, so I’m so glad that you appreciate that! And I love the trumpet!! Haha! Welcome aboard!
This is such an amazing course for every beginner who has a passion for sewing. I have started following your guides and they are really informative. Thank you <3
That makes me so happy to hear, Kristina! I’m so glad that you find them useful!
How long does a rotary blade usually last? It seems that I use it once and it is done…is that normal?
No, Beth, it should last longer than that. Are you cutting something odd (not fabric) or a lot of layers at once? Or are you accidentally cutting into the edge of the ruler? I’ve ruined rotary blades by doing that.
Just inherited a sewing machine. I’m new to all this. Yours was the only tutorial that explained threading and pulling up the bobbin thread properly!
Wondering, when I cut the threads when I’m finished stitching, I seem to always have to rethread and pull the bobbin thread through. Is this normal, or am I cutting the threads incorrectly?
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge
Welcome to sewing, Karin! What an exciting time for you! I suggest you pull the fabric out from under the presser foot before cutting it. This makes the threads longer so that they won’t pull back through the needle eye or down below the needle plate. If you’re already pulling it out before cutting it, give a little extra tug to make the thread ends longer. Let me know how it goes!