THE Q & A SERIES - SELECTING YOUR NEXT PROJECT (FOR BEGINNERS AND BEYOND)
Hi Emily,
I haven’t sewed in years and I’d love to start making clothes for myself and my kids. Where do you suggest I start? I’m nervous about picking something that’s too hard and complex and scaring me away from sewing all together!
Thanks!
- Lauren
Darwin, Australia.
Hi Lauren,
How exciting that you're looking to get back into sewing!
This is a great question and I think it's one that a lot of beginners should be mindful of, as when you're starting out (or getting back into it) I think confidence building projects are your best bet. These kind of projects give you a chance to get acquainted (or reacquainted) with your sewing machine and get a handle on some basic techniques.
Depending on your sewing experience, I'd suggest that absolute beginners start with something like a cotton tote bag or elasticated pyjama pants / shorts.
If you're beyond that point and you're looking to get started on garment sewing, I have placed some of my patterns in order of difficulty below. This list might also be helpful if you’re looking to step up your sewing game, but you’re not sure which project to tackle next.
WRAP SKIRT
First up we have the Wrap skirt. I have placed this pattern as the most beginner friendly pattern in my range because you sew it from stable woven fabrics and it doesn't require a closure (except for a button hole).
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
sewing with woven fabrics
sewing darts
sewing french seams
RUFFLE SLEEVE TOP
The Ruffle Sleeve Top is a simple woven shirt with a v-neck, bust darts, elbow length sleeve with ruffle and a neck facing. It has a boxy fit and is the perfect piece to take you from day to evening. It slips over the head and therefore does not have a closure. This is a great project for those of you who would like to learn some new skills.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
Sewing a facing
Sewing gathers
Setting in sleeves
Sewing french seams
Collins top
The Collins top was designed with beginners in mind. If you have mastered straight and curved seams, you’re ready to take on this pattern. Through careful drafting and interesting techniques, this pattern will give you that confidence boost you have been looking for.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
sewing straight seams
sewing curved seams
piecing panels together
achieving a beautiful finish
working with bias binding (view A only)
finishing a garment with an all-in-one facing (view B only)
wrap top
The Wrap top is a cropped wrap top with three quarter length sleeves. It features a back neck facing and bust darts. Seams are finished with french seams for a beautiful and high end finish.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
sewing woven fabrics
getting a beautiful and clean finish with french seams
EVERYDAY DRESS
The Everyday dress is a knee-length oversized reversible dress. One side of the dress has a soft v-neck, while the other has a round neck. The dress features relaxed boxy sleeves, inseam pockets, hem splits and an optional waist tie. The neckline is finished with a facing, for a clean finish that adds a lovely detail on both the inside and outside.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
sewing with woven fabrics
sewing in-seam pockets
sewing facings
sewing a hem split
THE RUSHCUTTER DRESS
The Rushcutter dress is an oversized knee-length, A-line dress, designed for woven fabrics, available in two different styles. It is beautifully designed and carefully drafted to include many interesting details, to make this a very enjoyable sew for sewers at a range of different levels.
View A features three-quarter length raglan sleeves, large side pockets, invisible zip, bound neckline and a wide hem facing.
View B is a sleeveless version, with back button closure. It features in-seam pockets, with neckline and armholes finished with bias binding. Included in the pattern is an optional waist sash, that is suitable for both styles.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
sewing a straight seam
sewing a curved seam
bias facing armholes / neckline
sewing buttonholes
buttons and an invisible zip (depending on which view you decide to make)
FLYNN JACKET
The Flynn jacket is a loose-fitting jacket designed for woven fabrics. With two different styles, it is the perfect layering piece for autumn and winter.
Flynn features a wrap around collar, a high-low hem and in-seam pockets. All seams are finished with bias binding, for a beautiful and high-end finish. The Flynn jacket can be worn open, or closed discreetly with a hook and eye.
View A has a dropped shoulder and sleeve with a hem facing. It also features an inverted box-pleat in the back. The sleeves on View A are designed to be worn either straight or folded back, for a more casual look.
View B is sleeveless and features armhole facings and a flat back piece (no pleat). It has been designed to be worn over long sleeve tops and dresses. It works equally well worn over sleeveless tops and t-shirts. View B has a closer fit to View A, due to its sleeveless design and flat back piece.
The pattern is placed at a Level 2 on the In the Folds pattern skill scale, and was designed for advanced beginners who are ready for new challenges. Through careful drafting and beautiful finishing techniques, this pattern will have you feeling very proud of both the inside and outside of your new handmade jacket. It is a great entry level jacket as it does not require lining, and due to its oversized silhouette, it is easy to achieve a good fit.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in:
sewing curved seams
sewing pockets
setting in sleeves
bias bound seams
I hope this helps you select a project that will be rewarding and fulfilling (and give you something beautiful to wear)!
Happy sewing,
Emily
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
The Wrap skirt. Get the pattern here.
The Ruffle sleeve top. Get the pattern here.
The Collins top. Get the pattern here.
The Wrap top. Get the pattern here.
The Everyday dress. Get the pattern here.
The Rushcutter dress. Get the pattern here.
The Flynn jacket. Get the pattern here.
The Acton dress. Get the pattern here.
P.S. Would you like to know what the Q & A series is all about? This page tells you a little bit more about the motive behind the series.
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