Tips For Sewing: Beginners and Beyond

Sewing Clothes — 13 Sewing Tips To Get You Started

Maybe you have never sewn a garment, maybe you have sewn one unsuccessfully, or maybe you just need a little guidance to take your beginner skills to the next level. These tips for sewing will help guide you through your fabric and pattern purchases. You will be amazed at how something as simple as choosing the right fabric will enhance your seamstress skills and completed sewing projects.

Sewing clothes is a fun way to express your style and exercise your creative talent while perfecting the best fit of the clothes in your wardrobe.

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Updated 7/10/2024

1. Before You Shop

Decide what you are going to make before you get to the store

Now this sounds simple, but it is so easy to get distracted by all the pretty fabrics and enticing patterns. Are you in the market for a simple dress pattern? Maybe you are looking to make separate pieces, like a top and pants. Or, you may be stitching up the DIY craft path. Before you start sewing or shopping, you need to decide what you want to make.

I have some great beginner sewing ideas in Easy Sewing Projects For Beginners.

2. Selecting A Pattern

For beginners, Selecting a pattern is the first step

Choose a basic pattern that has clean lines and techniques you feel comfortable with i.e. zipper, pockets, buttons, etc. It’s great to stretch your talents, but that should be one or two new techniques, not the entire garment or sewing project.

As your sewing skills grow, you may find fabric selection comes first, but it is helpful for beginners to start with patterns. Patterns give you so much helpful information when it comes to selecting the right fabric, you’ll be glad you chose a pattern first.

Start with an easy sewing project, check out this list of Pattern Sewing For Beginners — My Favorite Pattern Companies.

3. Buying Gorgeous Fabrics

Select a fabric that is recommended by the pattern company

Once you have selected your pattern – read the back of the pattern envelope. There is
so much information there. Look at the type of fabric the pattern designer suggests and
use one of those. It’s okay to go off the rails with interesting ideas — this is what makes up our personal style — but make the garment out of a recommended fabric first. It will help you see what the fit, drape, style etc. was intended for this garment and will help ensure success.

My most frequently asked question from beginning sewists: where do I find great online fabric? I’m sharing my list here: My Favorite Online Fabric Stores

4. Seek Out Sewing Experts For Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Find the types of fabric recommended on the back of your pattern envelope – not all cottons, silks, wools, jerseys are the same. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, the sales people know their stock and are typically very knowledgeable.

Tutorials and sew alongs are perfect for beginners. You will get ideas for clothing you like, see how they go together, and what the finished garment or project looks like.

If you need help reading the pattern, start with this primer on How To Read A Sewing Pattern Envelope.

5. How Much Fabric Do You Need

Get enough fabric for the sewing pattern

On the back of the pattern it will indicate how much fabric you need for each sewing project in the pattern and the various versions offered. At this point, you can guess your size (don’t get me started on pattern sizing – it’s awful). There will be two lines for each size – 45” wide and a 60” wide (if you are not sure of the fabric width, measure it at the desk or ask the salesperson) each width will have a different yardage requirement. Be careful to take into consideration stripes, nap and one directional patterns – these may require more fabric.

My rule of thumb when I don’t know what I’m going to make is listed below. I have been sewing for years and purchasing fabric without always knowing what I’m going to make. Now, I don’t advise this process and the truth is I have lots of stuff (fabric and patterns) in my sewing studio.

I often choose a fabric from my stash and don’t have enough for all the pattern pieces. When that happens, I get creative with color blocking or pattern modification. It’s a fine balance between purchasing enough fabric and having enough to complete your sewing project.

• 3+ yards for a dress pattern – more if it is maxi
• 3+ yards for a jacket pattern
• 2.5+ yards for pants, but I’m short
• 1.5+ yards for a skirt
• 2+ yards for a blouse
• 1.5+ yards for a top

6. Completing Your Fabric Purchase

Gather everything you need cut before heading to the cutting table

Have your fabric and notions that require measuring cut at the cutting table. Again, if you are unsure, ask the sales person for help, you don’t want to make a mistake at this point. Most stores will not take a fabric back once it’s cut. Make sure you get one continuous piece of fabric that is not damaged. If you are shopping online, pay extra attention to your final yardage.

7. Necessary Notions

Tip: Check the back of the pattern to see what notions you need

Matching thread, of course, also zipper, buttons, tape, interfacing, lining, etc. Choose your notions carefully. The thread should match, for most beginner garments cotton coated poly is
fine. Zippers should usually match the background color – pay attention if it should be an
invisible, traditional or separating zipper and also what length. Buttons are organized by size, the pattern will indicate what size is recommended.

My Ultimate List Of Favorite Sewing Supplies will get you started with the best tools. 

8. Sew A Practice Garment

Make a muslin (practice garment) for the best fit

Measure your body and match those measurements to the body measurements on the pattern. The difference between body measurements and finished garment measurements is ease — how loose or tight the pattern fits.

Decide if you need to make a muslin (test fitting garment). It is always a good idea.
For this you will need an inexpensive fabric that has the same weight and hand as
your fashion fabric. Take the major pattern pieces (front, back, and sleeves) and baste them together. You can leave a large seam allowance for easier fitting adjustments. Even if you don’t make too many adjustments, it will be obvious if the pattern fits well, is long enough, and if you like the look on your body.

Watch my tutorial Body Measurements Vs Finished Garment Measurements for more information on how to determine the size you want to make. Using a measuring tape and testing your personal ease will save you from making unnecessary mistakes.

9. Prep Your Fabric

Tip: Always prep your fabric before cutting

For garment sewing projects, you need to prep your fashion fabric before you cut into it. If you are going to wash and dry your finished garment, then you need to wash and dry the uncut fabric in the same manner. For example, fine fabrics might require being washed in cold water and line dried — prep your fabric by cold water wash and line dry, then wash your finished garment the same way every time.

Handling fashion fabric in this manner will help prevent shrinking fabric. You put a lot of time, effort, and money into making this outfit, you want it to last.

Finally, you want to press or steam your fabric before cutting it out (many fabrics will require a press cloth). You don’t want any wrinkles in the fabric.

10. Cut Your Pattern Pieces

Sewing Tricks to get the most out of your pattern

I like to cut out my pattern tissue pieces to the size I require before I cut the fabric. If you are interested in saving the entire pattern, you can trace your size onto pattern paper, and use that to cut out your fabric.

11. Get To Know Your Sewing Machine

Have fun and enjoy your sewing journey

Getting to know your sewing machine is the first trick to advancing your sewing prowess. Learn how to balance the stitches, tension, and accessories; you will be sewing like a professional in no time flat.

If you have questions about your sewing machine, check the instructions manual — you can usually find one online if you don’t have a paper copy.

12. Master Essential Sewing Techniques

Master using Sewing Machines and your sewing skills will skyrocket

Start with sewing a straight line with my How to sew a straight line video. Get to know your sewing machine by practicing with scrap fabric. Perfecting your stitches is one step you don’t want to eliminate.

13. Optimize Your Sewing Space

Tip: Sew on a sturdy table with lots of space

If you don’t have a dedicated sewing space, then at least organize your tools in one spot. Either a sewing basket or tackle box are great for keeping all your sewing supplies together. There is nothing more frustrating when you get to your sewing machine and you can’t find your pins, needles, or other necessary tools. Honestly, it makes the job so much harder when you forget where your stuff is or can’t find a good pair of scissors.

Sewing Your Own Clothes And DIY Projects

It’s easy to plan stunning clothes and sewing projects for you and your family with these tips for sewing success. The art of sewing clothes is really just that — a form of artistic expression. And like any hobby or artisanal craft, you need to practice, try new things, and have fun! My hope is you will come to love sewing as much as I do.

Happy Sewing,

Sandi

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It’s easy to plan stunning clothes with these 10 tips to garment sewing success. The art of sewing clothes is really just that — a form of artistic expression. And like any artisanal craft, you need to practice, try new things, and have fun!

Happy Sewing,

Sandi

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