Sewing Tips and Tutorials

Sew vs Buy Part 11: Just Get Stuck In.

By Julia Claridge | December 27, 2025
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Over the last few weeks, I’ve been exploring lots of options and considerations you might think about when making your own clothes. The original intention was to help reduce overwhelm, but by the end of the series, I worry it may have created a little more — simply because there are so many factors you…

Sew vs Buy part 10: Understanding Dressmaking Cup Sizes.

By Julia Claridge | December 20, 2025
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Last week, I wrote about the foundations of clothing — in particular, bras — and how having a well-fitting bra can make a big difference to how your clothes sit and fit. Building on that, I thought it would be useful to talk about another bra-related subject that has become increasingly important for dressmakers over…

Sew vs Buy Part 9:Foundation Garments: Why a Well-Fitted Bra Makes All the Difference

By Julia Claridge | December 13, 2025
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We often focus on fabrics, patterns, and sewing techniques when it comes to making or choosing clothes—but one thing that gets overlooked is your foundation garments. Yes, your bra! It’s especially important if you have a bigger bust, but honestly, everyone benefits from a bra that fits properly. Think of your bra as the base…

Sew vs Buy: Part 8 – Proportions and altering length.

By Julia Claridge | December 6, 2025
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Sewing Considerations: The Rule of Thirds and Garment Length So far in this blog series we have looked at all sorts of different considerations that can impact your makes when sewing garments. I’m aware by now the list might feel overwhelming in its self and that is not my intention at all. Over time, whether…

Sew vs Buy: Part 7 Garment Shaping

By Julia Claridge | November 29, 2025
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Understanding Garment Shape: How Darts and Sleeve Style Influence Your Sewing Projects When it comes to dressmaking, the overall shape of a garment is one of the most important factors in how it looks, feels, and fits. While fabric choice and colour often catch the eye first, it’s the construction details—like darts and sleeve style—that…

Sew vs Buy: Part 6 – Pattern sizing and ease

By Julia Claridge | November 22, 2025
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Making Your Own Clothes: Understanding Pattern Shape and Design In this blog series, I’m exploring the different considerations when making your own clothing versus buying ready-to-wear. So far, we’ve looked at several factors related to fabric. Now, we’re turning our attention to pattern shape and design. It’s useful to pay attention to the information included…

Sew vs Buy: Part 5 – Understanding fabrics

By Julia Claridge | November 15, 2025
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Understanding Fabric – A Starting Point for Choosing the Right Material In this series, I’m exploring different things to consider when making your own clothes versus buying them. There’s a lot to think about, from choosing the right style for your body shape to picking fabrics that will work with your project. So far, we’ve…

Sew vs Buy: Part 4 – Exploring Fabric Prints and Patterns.

By Julia Claridge | November 8, 2025
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If you caught last week’s post, you’ll know we explored the importance of colour when it comes to making your own clothes. Colour can completely change how we feel about a garment and how often we reach for it. In this blog series, I’m exploring some of the differences and considerations that come with making…

Sew vs Buy Part 3: Colour Analysis

By Julia Claridge | November 1, 2025
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In this blog series, I’m exploring the differences between buying clothes and sewing your own. I often find that when working with new customers, the sheer number of choices can feel overwhelming. In this series, I’m looking at several areas that can help simplify decision-making and build a more cohesive wardrobe. Whether you buy or…

Sew vs Buy: Part 2 – Understanding Body Shape

By Julia Claridge | October 25, 2025
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This blog series explores the difference between making and buying your own clothes, taking a deeper look at the thoughts, choices, and creative decisions that go into handmade garments. Each post focuses on a different aspect of the dressmaking journey — from understanding your personal style to choosing fabrics, finding flattering shapes, and building a…

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