To those who use sewing machines for sewing clothes...?

Go for it. Stay away from the elcheapo machines... they'll frustrate you -- but there are still lots of good vintage machines around in the cheapies' price range. http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm A lot of the newer lower end machines do not have adjustable presser foot pressure, which I think really handicaps the person sewing with some of the new fabrics. And I'd also suggest you might want a machine with a blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches -- suggested reading: the chapter on blindhems in Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing (excellent book, available in most public libraries). My pick for brands for a new, good midline machine: Juki, Toyota, Viking, Elna, Pfaff, Bernina.

I think the thing you may notice first is that good fusible interfacing has improved, though there's still a lot of junk interfacing out there. And that misses' patterns are still mostly for Miss Perky B Cup, so you may get better fit from some of the independent pattern makers (http://www.patternreview.com/ is an excellent source of information on patterns)

There's currently a shirtmaking "challenge" going on at the yahoo group "creative machine" led by Pam Erny, a custom men's shirtmaker... you might want to at least read some of the archives. She's also got a blog called "off the cuff" with tutorials. Creative Machine might be a good email group to hang around in while you get your sewing chops back.

You can find classes at stores that sell sewing machines (Joann's, etc.) - I think it's like riding a bike - you don't forget. The only thing you may find is that you don't have the patience anymore for the little things - like pressing tiny corners.

I would also offer this advice - if you are buying a new machine, do not buy a cheap one. There is nothing worse that a cheap sewing machine. It will drive you to drink and end up making you hate the sewing. Consider buying a good sewing machine an investment. Think Bernina or Husqvarna Viking - it will be worth it in the long run.

Classes would be a good idea. I had not sewn in a long time. When I was in high school, I made all my clothes. Then for my children. Anyway, now an empty nester, I wanted a new sewing machine. I bought a Simplicity Denim Star and I love it. I am thinking about going for a few weeks of "brush up". Good Luck!!

I understand where you are coming from. I to let my sewing skills demisnish over 20 years. When I began again, I went back to the basics. Make a roll pillow or some call them a tube pillow.Then move on to reskilling yourself on making pleats. Just do the pleats on a piece of fabric about 18 inches wide and pleats about 1 inch apart. Next try another piece off fabric about 18 inches wide and do you hand stiching for making a waist. Double layer thread works the best, then draw it and pull. Another basic is to take a pattern and cut out 1 sleeve and the bodace. Remember to mark the points in the fabric and the sleeve before drawing the sleeve strings. Nex try a piece using interface, a neck or blouse front.Then you can try out the button holer on that. I am partial to a Singer machine.Once you do all the little things, you will remember how to do most all other things you used to do.This is how I taught my daughter and her friends when they were in high school. For heming skirts,slacks ect. I still prefer to do it the old fashion way by hand.

Find a class, things change in 15 years. Go to your dealer and look at the used machines, give them a test drive on your own fabric you plan on using. Think about buying a serger? I love my stitches on my Bernina 1130, don't use them enough, so I have made it a point to do something different everytime I make something with it. Have fun! Mary

Sewing is not rocket science. If you've done it professionally, you have a leg up on the rest of us.

You can buy a basic machine used at a tag sale. New machines are now available for less than $100.

i'm sure what ever knowledge you have of sewing will come back to you, but taking a refresher course couldn't hurt

your basic machine would be fine for the basic stitches like you mentioned.

if you wanted to take a class, usually the local technical college offers something like that.

There are some stores that offer sewing classes free if you buy your machine through them....but if you start with a simple pattern for beginners you should do just fine..Simplicity & McCalls make such patterns.....just be sure to pick a fabric easy to work with

I'm sure whatever knowledge y ou have would be fine and a bsic machine would be fine. I started with no knowledge and I never took classes and I do just fine.

Pick a few easy patterns and start on those. They all come with instructions and pictures. If it is too hard, sign up for a class.