My Nanna Betty made all her own dresses and never threw clothes away. Making your own clothes is the moment sewing really clicks. There’s nothing like someone asking “where did you get that?” and being able to say “I made it.” Here’s how to learn to sew your own clothes, what to make first, and where to find easy patterns.
Are you ready to sew clothes?
You’re ready if you can sew a straight seam, sew a curve, neaten an edge with zig-zag stitch and turn up a hem. If not, make a few bags or cushions first. Here are 16 easy beginner sewing projects that build those skills.
The best first clothes to sew
Start with clothes that have an elasticated waist. There are no fiddly fastenings and very little fitting, so they’re hard to get wrong.
- Elasticated waist skirt. The easiest first garment of all.
- Pyjama trousers. Comfy, forgiving, and nobody but you will see any wobbly seams.
- Gathered skirt. Adds gathering for a fuller shape.
- Simple top or tee. Look for a loose shape with no darts.
- Dress with an elasticated waist. A top and skirt joined together, and your proudest make yet.
Leave fitted dresses, trousers with flies, collars and buttonholes until you’ve made a few things.
The easiest fabrics for beginners
- Cotton poplin or quilting cotton: crisp, doesn’t slip, and easy to press.
- Brushed cotton: soft and cosy, perfect for pyjamas.
- Cotton lawn or viscose: lovely for summer skirts, but a little slippier. Try these second.
Avoid stretchy jersey, silky satin and very thick fabrics at first. Always wash your fabric before you cut it, because cotton can shrink.
How to choose your pattern size
Sewing pattern sizes are not the same as shop sizes. In my dressmaking classes, everyone chooses their size from their own measurements, then we adjust the pattern so it fits. Once it’s right, you can make the same garment again and again in different fabrics. Here’s how to start:
- Measure your chest, waist and hips with a soft tape measure.
- Find your measurements on the pattern’s size chart.
- For a skirt, go by your hips. For a top, go by your chest.
- If you’re between sizes, choose the bigger one. It’s easier to take in than let out.
Reading a sewing pattern
Patterns have their own little language. The three things to learn first are:
- The grain line: a long arrow that must run parallel to the edge of the fabric, so your clothes hang straight. Read more about fabric grain.
- Cut on the fold: place this edge on the folded fabric to cut one whole piece.
- Seam allowance: the gap between the cutting line and the sewing line, often 1.5cm. Here’s more on seam allowance.
Where to find free sewing patterns for beginners
- Tilly and the Buttons free sewing patterns: a small collection of easy free downloads.
- Simply Sewing free beginner patterns: lots of free patterns from the UK sewing magazine.
- Sew Over It for beginners: not free, but a good guide to beginner-friendly patterns.
When you look at any pattern, check it says “beginner” or “easy”, has only a few pieces, and doesn’t need a zip or buttons.
Before you start
Make sure you have the 10 sewing tools every beginner needs and know the basic stitches. If you’re wondering how long it will take, I’ve answered that in how long does it take to learn how to sew. For the bigger picture, start with my simple guide to learning how to sew.
Sew your first clothes with Nanna Betty
Nanna Betty Sewing School takes you from your first seam to your first elasticated skirt and pyjama trousers, with no fiddly fastenings. Simple sewing cards, short videos for your phone, and every make takes 2 hours or less.
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