I learned to sew from the book "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing". A lot of other people did too. You can find copies at thrift stores or used bookstores, it has that oblong format like their other DIY books. Don't bother buying it new. And I kind of like the old edition better than the new one.

A great web site for learning to sew is Pattern Review, it has a very active forum and they love to help guys for sure, they have a section for total novices. You have to register to read all the forum pages, but it's free and can be anonymous:

[link to www.patternreview.com]

I think she has a lot of videos, CDs, courses etc. for sale too. I used to read there a lot more than I have lately.

Here is my best suggestion for learning to sew. Start by making sleepwear - some classic pajamas and robes. This way it doesn't have to be perfect but you can still use it even if it's a little screwed up. It has some construction details but no tailoring.

You want a fabric that has some body and isn't slippery! Very important! I would use a cotton flannel to begin with as the pieces will sort of cling together and not slip around and creep when you are sewing them. Also if you can stand to use a print, or if you can find a decent one, it is very very helpful for a beginner to use a fabric that has a clearly identifiable right and wrong side.

1. Get the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing book.

2. Pick a classic pajama and bathrobe pattern - I like Vogue patterns best. They are always 50% off at Jo-Ann and sometimes much more deeply discounted if you sign up for their sale flyers and watch the sales.

3. Choose a cotton flannel fabric with a clearly identifiable right and wrong side.

4. Read all the information about using the right thread and the right needle for the fabric and adjusting the tension - this is better information in the earlier edition of the book I recommended. Also if you are having problems with the stitch, make sure to check if the needle is inserted correctly, that it's the right kind of needle and a new one, and that the machine is threaded correctly, bobbin inserted correctly, etc.

And a good source that I respect, Kathleen Fasanella, says home sewers set their stitch length too short - so try setting it longer, like 8 stitches per inch instead of the 10 or 12 that a lot of sewing books say. Or maybe even 6 for a beginner - it's easier to rip out that way. Here's another idea, use a contrasting thread for your first projects, then you can see what the heck you are doing and also rip out easier if you have to do it over. You could even use a contrasting bobbin thread, just to get the concepts in your mind. And use good thread!

Ladies at the sewing store will love to help a guy, take my word for it.