[NFB-Blind-Crafters] Learning Standard Sewing Blind

[carcione at access.net]

Hi Ellana.
I was hoping Ramona would answer, but she's very busy.  Hopefully she'll see your message.  
I'm not sure what you mean by standard sewing, but I use sewing to replace buttons, fix holes and do hemming.  I usually do hand sewing.  I have a small sewing machine, but I have to figure out how to thread it, and I just haven't tackled that project.  
I did machine sewing a long time ago, and it worked fine.  I had to be careful to go slow and not run over my finger.  I remember someone talking about a magnetic guide that helps blind people stay straight while machine sewing, but I can't remember the details.  
The hardest thing to me about sewing clothes is getting a usable pattern.  My mom cut out some for me by pinning construction paper to a regular tissue pattern and then cutting it out.  But I don't have that kind of sighted help anymore.  I've wondered if I could pin paper over a garment I like, then carefully cut it out, leaving a seam allowance.  It should work, but I haven't tried yet.

Does that answer some of your questions?  Do you have more questions?  Maybe other people will chime in.
I gave a simple hand-sewing class a while back, and could give another, if people are interested.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ellana Crew via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2025 1:52 PM
To: nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ellana Crew <eemcrew at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Learning Standard Sewing Blind

Hi all,

I have been very interested in learning how to do standard sewing for a few y= ears, but I=E2=80=99m unsure what kinds of blindness accessibility issues ma= y come up. I am particularly interested in learning how to do things like he= mming, fixing holes, and eventually maybe making some of my own clothing lik= e simple skirts. I have been considering signing up for local sewing classes=  in my area, but since I don=E2=80=99t have experience yet, I=E2=80=99m nerv= ous about what kind of accessibility issues might crop up.

Does anyone here do standard sewing? If so, what kind of blindness adaptatio= ns have you found helpful, or what advice would you give to a new blind pers= on wanting to learn? I will be especially curious about techniques used with=  sewing machines too.

Thanks,
Ellana=

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