Basic Sewing with a Sewing Machine
A course by Julia Reyes Retana, Architect and Textile Designer
Learn to create unique and functional pieces from scratch with your sewing machine
Ever thought sewing seemed like one of the more difficult crafts? The reality is something quite different—it's accessible to anyone with patience, motivation, and attention to detail. If you want to learn to sew, then architect, textile designer, and founder of the brand and workshop Choccochips Julia Reyes Retana can teach you the basics of sewing with a sewing machine.
In this course, learn to use a sewing machine from scratch, get to know the basic notions of sewing, and make three original and functional pieces.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 13 downloads
What's included in this course?
Julia Reyes Retana begins by welcoming you to the course and telling you about how she decided to leave architecture to open her own sewing studio, Choccochips, in Mexico City. She shows you some of her main influences from the textile world and beyond.
Start getting to know your sewing machine, the basic controls, and each of the accessories it usually comes with. Also look at the tools, fabrics, and materials needed throughout the course.
Learn the fundamentals of sewing, starting with how to thread the machine so you can do your first stitches. Julia then walks you through the key principles of sewing that she always applies to her pieces.
Now it's time to get to work! Your first sewing project is creating a bag with a drawstring. Learn two methods to make and cut a square or rectangular pattern, then embroider it using the machine and assemble your first piece.
The second exercise is to let your creativity take over and make a patchwork cushion. Discover a very simple and effective tip for getting squares divided into triangles to make up part of the body of the cushion. Learn how to attach the zipper and join the two sides to put it all together.
In the final exercise, Julia takes the difficulty level up a notch and teaches you to create a tote bag step by step. Design your bag by working off a template. Look at how to use the pattern and identify each of the component pieces. Continue by assembling both sides of the bag, one of them with a little patchwork piece. Finally, learn to create lining for your bag with a pocket and then attach all the parts to bring it to life.
- 98% positive reviews (1.2K)
- 44,038 students
- 19 lessons (2h 50m)
- 13 additional resources (8 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create three pieces: a bag with a drawstring, a patchwork cushion, and a tote bag with many possibilities.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who'd like to learn to sew and dive into the incredible world of textile creation.
Requirements and materials
You don't need any prior knowledge to take this course as Julia teaches you from scratch.
In terms of materials, you need a sewing machine (mechanical or computerized), an iron, natural fiber fabrics, thread, fabric scissors, thread scissors, a stitch remover (just in case), pins, measuring tape, marker pen, and a zipper.
Reviews
Julia Reyes Retana
A course by Julia Reyes Retana
Julia Reyes Retana is an architect who, since 2004, has been designing and sewing small collections of objects with textiles as the common thread. She also designs scenery, lighting, and costumes for theater, has a diploma, and has taught multiple courses on various textile techniques. All this led her to found her sewing brand, Chocochips, in 2015, where she produces her own collections and teaches sewing courses.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
Equipment and Tools
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Basic anatomy: Controls and accessories
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Tools
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Fabrics and other materials
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U3
The Basics of Sewing
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To skewer!
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Now yes ... Sew!
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Maximum of sewing
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U4
Bag with Satchel
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Let's cut a pattern
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Embroidering by machine
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Armed with the sachet
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U5
Patchwork cushion
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Preparing your patchwork
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The closing
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Putting together the parts
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U6
Universal tote
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Design your bag
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Deciphering and cutting the pattern
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The two faces
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Cover
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Now yes, the final assembly
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FP
Final project
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Basic principles of sewing
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn basic sewing techniques, how to use a domestic machine, patchwork, pattern making, embroidery, and how to create custom garments and accessories. The course includes hands-on projects like bags, cushions, and simple clothing, plus advice on materials and tools.
This course is designed for those with basic sewing knowledge who want to refine their skills and explore creative projects. If you’re comfortable with the basics of a sewing machine, you’ll be able to follow along easily.
You’ll need a domestic sewing machine, a variety of fabrics (cotton, linen, rayon), threads, scissors, pins, measuring tape, patchwork rulers, rotary cutter, presser feet, and fabric markers. The course recommends specific accessories depending on the project.
Yes, the course covers designing and sewing simple clothes, original bags, cushions, and other personalized accessories using patchwork, pattern making, and embroidery techniques.
You’ll learn how to piece together different fabrics to create unique designs for quilts, bags, and cushions, using precise stitching, fabric selection, and professional finishing touches.
Yes, the course covers how to use a sewing machine: adjusting stitch length and width, changing needles, regulating thread tension, and using different presser feet.
You’ll complete projects like small bags, patchwork quilts, cushions, bags, simple garments, and accessories, applying sewing, embroidery, and fabric printing techniques.
As a beginner sewist, this course gave a very good start by teaching the basics of the sewing machine operation, and some simple (but beautiful) sewing projects. I really enjoyed watching the well-paced lessons, and Julia actually has a great sense of humor! Thanks for this.
Explicaciones muy claras, me ha encantado hacer este curso. Lo recomiendo para principiantes que tengan ganas de hacer algo fácil y que aprendan mucho.
Excelente curso
I really liked it! Very useful for people who, like me, need to learn the basics to start sewing on a sewing machine in a smart way!
Muy didáctico.
Excelente