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Intro to Illustrator for Sewing Bloggers

Free Video Tutorial: Intro to Illustrator for Sewing Bloggers

By on November 6, 2013 in Adobe CC Tutorials

Intro to Illustrator for Sewing Bloggers

Last week, I gave you a little teaser for some upcoming video tutorials I was working on. As promised, here is the first full-length tutorial!

So, I’m learning that video tutorials are a lot harder to put together than I had imagined. I always thought acting would be really easy, but after seeing my various weird facial expressions and filler dialog (“um, let me see”), I now know that being in front of the camera is hard, self-image-killing work! (Never fear; practice makes perfect, I suppose.)

Please note that Illustrator is a HUGE program with a million different ways to do a million different things. I’m sure that other people use the tools differently than I do, and I’m sure that others have probably figured out better/different ways to do things than I do. I just hope to get you started to finding YOUR individual method for using the software. :)

Without further adieu, I give you an Intro to Adobe CC Illustrator. PLEASE leave me feedback (positive or negative) letting me know if I’m doing it right. It takes a bit of effort to outline my script and edit the video, so I would really like to know if I’m actually helping anyone. Yes, these videos are free, but compensation comes in many forms. For me, I feel compensated when someone tells me I’ve done something that helped them accomplish a goal or learn a new skill. (Also, I’m using a trial version of Camtasia to put together these tutorials, so I need to know if it’s worth it to shell out the license fee in 25 days!)

Enjoy!

  • http://www.ajennuinelife.com Jenn

    Thanks so much for this!! I have been planning to begin offering digital patterns for sale for some time now, so I’ve been trying to gather any scrap of knowledge about Illustrator before I set off down that road.

    Love the cat wandering around in the background! I’m still watching, so I’ll let you know if I have any thoughts.

    • lauren

      I almost stopped when the cat started wondering around…but oh well, such is life!

  • http://www.ajennuinelife.com Jenn

    Really, really helpful. I think the Camtasia was helpful; I don’t know how else you’d be able to show your screen at the same time. You may have heard a bunch of filler words, but I certainly didn’t notice them. I can’t believe you were able to get such a seamless tutorial in one take.

    • lauren

      Jenn, thank you! It was thanks to a script and LUCK.

  • http://foursquarewalls.blogspot.com Andrea

    I thought it was great! I don’t even have Illustrator but I plan on skimming through your videos to see if I’m inspired to invest in the program at some point. I love that your tech tutorials are geared toward sewing bloggers — there are probably other Illustrator how-tos on YouTube, but are likely taught with a different kind of audience in mind. I think you’re a natural on camera, and a clear, focused teacher. Don’t worry about the “um, let me see…” fillers. It makes it feel more natural and it’s not distracting. Keep it up!

    • lauren

      Wow, what a compliment, Andrea! Thank you!! I definitely want to target the videos because like you said - it can be really hard to find exactly what you need and using the terminology that we sewists use. For example, we say “add seam allowance” whereas Illustrator would say “offset path.”

  • http://www.thelifeofacompulsivecrafter.blogspot.cm mae

    Welp, just finished this baby up& I am so pleased. I wasn’t confused what so ever and you covered a lot of basic questions I would have otherwise needed to ask in order to get use out of illustrator. I’m excited to see what’s to come!

    Mae

    • lauren

      Thank you for watching!

  • http://www.thingsforboys.com abby @ thingsforboys

    I’m going to sound like a spammer, but that video was awesome! I’m trying to draw up a bib pattern in ai, but having never used it before I couldn’t do anything. I’ve use ps for years, but that’s been no help. Your video answered so many questions and after about 10 minutes playing, I got my pattern almost done. Can’t wait for the next installment! Thank you!!

    • lauren

      Yay! I am so happy to help!

  • http://sewing.craftgossip.com Anne

    Wow! Awesome video!! I’ve played in Illustrator some, but always a “figure it out as you go along” thing that ends up frustrating. I can’t wait to see more of your videos! And I am super impressed that you did a 26 minute video! The ONE TIME I made a video tutorial, it was all of about 3 minutes long and I had to redo it 25 times because I kept stumbling over my words.
    I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/video-tutorial-intro-to-illustrator-for-sewing-bloggers/2013/11/07/
    -Anne

    • lauren

      Thanks so much, Anne! My secret to a successful video is a script. And lots of luck. :)

  • Pingback: Video tutorial: Intro to Illustrator for sewing bloggers | Sewing Patterns()

  • http://Seamssewcool.com Seams Sew Cool

    This video is wonderful! I teach sewing to kids and want to make my own patterns and instructions in illustrator. I am looking forward to learning more from you. Thank you!!

    • lauren

      You are very welcome!

  • Deborah

    Great Video - I too am wanting to know more about illustrator before making the investment for pattern making. Thanks so much for doing this. Very clear and understandable.

    • http://www.laurendahl.com/ Lauren Dahl

      Thank you for your feedback!

  • Vanessa Hewell

    great video! some things were a review for me but I learned a few new tricks and really look forward to more tutorials from you. thanks so much for sharing!

    • http://www.laurendahl.com/ Lauren Dahl

      It is my pleasure, Vanessa!

  • kw

    AWESOME video. Is the next one done yet? lol. REALLY wanting to learn how to do multipage layouts as I cannot currently do that with PS…and now I’m wanting to go back and re-do all the one-pagers in AI just to say I did it! haha. You are so super helpful! Can’t wait for more! Oh, and the IG feed of your baby playing to the left is so fun to watch while learning too!! THANK YOU LAUREN!!!

    • http://www.laurendahl.com/ Lauren Dahl

      I am so glad you liked it! The next one will be published tomorrow morning (Monday, November 11). The multi-page layouts will be covered soon - but they are done in InDesign! 😀

  • Kirsten Vander Kelen

    I have been hoping to find a tutorial like this forever now!! thank you soo much!! great job!. could you do some more about making patterns (full size patterns, and writing up directions) and some more like that?? I appreciate all the work you have put into making this for all of us thank you so much!!

    • http://www.laurendahl.com/ Lauren Dahl

      I am so glad you liked it!! Yes, I will be doing more tutorials like you mentioned. Stay tuned!

  • Julia

    Haven’t seen the video yet (certainly will this weekend) but having already tried learning Illustrator by myself and knowing how confusing and frustrating it can be, I thank you and applaud this initiative. You got yourself a loyal reader :-)))

    • http://www.laurendahl.com/ Lauren Dahl

      So glad you stopped by, Julia!

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