Finding sewing inspiration for your first clothes

If you’re relatively new to sewing and want to take the next step, you’re probably looking around for sewing inspiration. Many people begin their sewing journey with a dream of being able to make their own clothes. Its a wonderful goal that is totally achievable. With a few basic skills under your belt there is no reason why you shouldn’t get going straight away.

In my post finding inspiration when you are a complete beginner we looked at ways to find sewing inspiration for complete beginners. This post is focused on finding inspiration for sewing your first clothing.

Sewing inspiration starts with your own wardrobe

Spend a bit of time looking at the clothes you own. What do you love wearing the most? Are there gaps in your wardrobe for pieces you haven’t been able to find ready made or you can’t find in the right colour or fit. Starting a list of plans can help you focus on what to make.

There are lots of possibilities for clothing styles to make. While making a skirt might seem like an achievable first make there is no point making a skirt if you only ever wear trousers. On the whole trousers are trickier than skirts, perhaps a simple top might be a better start or some simple pyjama trousers!

Start a Pinterest board

Pinterest is a great place to start, you can search for project ideas and save ideas to boards. You can create separate boards for beginner sewing patterns, styles, colour palettes, future inspiration or whatever breakdown inspires you. It is a digital scrap book that you can add to or reference as a starting point at any stage of your sewing hobby.

Instagram and hashtags

Instagram is home to a huge sewing community who share their makes and opinions. Searching hashtag followed by the name of a pattern will show lots of versions of that pattern. This is a great way to see the pattern made up in different sizes, fabrics and colours. Many sewists will share tips and thoughts about the pattern too.

Search hashtags for sewing projects too. #beginnersewingproject #handmadewardrobe #diywardrobe etc.

Patterns

Sewing a garment often starts with a sewing pattern. There are commercial sewing patterns and independent sewing patterns. Commercial patterns include brands like Simplicity, Vogue and Butterick these patterns have been made for many years and usually assume a certain level of knowledge. While generally well cut and well written sometimes they not favoured by complete beginners. Indie pattern brands often include more detailed information and sometime have supporting video and blog tutorials.

A great place to search patterns by every designer is The Foldline You can search patterns by style, brand, size as well as sewing level.

Fabrics

You will soon discover an abundance of fabric stores especially online fabric stores. You might feel like a kid in a sweet shop there is so much choice. It is easy to carried away. The downside of shopping online is not being able to feel the fabric. Look for shops that will send samples, this is always worth the extra time and will help you get to know different fabric types.

As a rule of thumb working with woven fabrics is easier, craft weight cotton, cotton lawn and cotton poplin all make good beginner friendly fabrics. Check the details on the pattern you plan to make to see what fabric they suggest. Just like making a skirt when you only wear trousers, if you only wear stretch fabrics then its better to learn to work with jersey and find a simple pattern for your first make.

Garment shapes

There are sewing patterns for every type of garment you could wish to make. Getting started it is best to look for loose or unstructured styles. Fitting is an important part of making clothing however if you can avoid encountering fit issues on your first few makes you can focus on getting used to making clothing and build up to this.

Styles like Pyjama bottoms, skirts, loose tops, dresses or kimono jackets are all great starting styles.

Sewing inspiration for kids

Sewing for kids is a good introduction to sewing clothing. Sewing miniature versions of clothes uses less fabric. Kids don’t have complex body shapes to fit. They are also generally very grateful recipients and won’t notice a wobbly or mismatched seam!

Sewing your own clothes is very fulfilling, taking that first step to making your first garment begins building the skills. Who knows where it might lead!