Want to learn how to sew clothes you’ll actually want to wear? Sewing your own garments is one of the most rewarding, creative hobbies you can pick up, and the best part is you can start today. With the right sewing pattern, and a few basic tools - you’ll be making outfits you’re proud to show off. In this blog post I’m going to share 6 steps that are perfect sewing tips for beginners.
Hi I’m Tammy, the founder of Tammy Handmade. I design beginner-friendly, size-inclusive sewing patterns that make it easy for anyone to start sewing (without hours of frustration or confusing instructions). My goal is simple: to help you sew clothes you love, in less time, with less stress.
Whether you’ve never touched a sewing machine or you’re dusting off one from the back of your closet, this guide will walk you through the basics of sewing clothes. I’ll show you exactly how I can help make the sewing process fun, achievable and enjoyable with easy sewing projects I recommend to start with.
Why Learn to Sew Clothes? 5 Benefits You’ll Love!
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about why learning to sew clothes is worth your time (and why so many people never go back to store-bought once they start).
- Perfect Fit, Every Time – Say goodbye to ill-fitting clothes and awkward sizing charts. When you sew, you adjust garments to your exact measurements.
- Endless Creativity – Choose your fabrics, colours, and details so your clothes are 100% your style.
- Better for the Planet – Slow fashion means less waste, longer-lasting clothes, and more thoughtful consumption.
- Budget-Friendly Wardrobe – With the right patterns, you can create designer-inspired looks for less.
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A Relaxing Hobby – Sewing is mindful, calming, and incredibly satisfying (trust me)
Step 1: The Sewing Starter Kit That Will Save You Hours
Do you want to know the biggest beginner mistakes I see beginners make? Starting without the right tools. Now you won’t need expensive equipment but you will need a handful of sewing essentials to make your learning process smoother.
You’ll first want a beginner-friendly sewing machine like this Brother LS14s. It was the exact machine I bough 6 years ago, at the start of my sewing journey, and it still works great to this day! I recommend a budget friendly sewing machine under £200 to start off with. Here’s a few more I recommend at a higher price point but still under £500: Brother Innovis A16, Brother FS60X, Brother CS10s, Brother Innovis A150.
Next you’ll want a good pair of fabric scissors. Please for the love of god, don’t use your kitchen scissors to cut out fabric or your sewing patterns. Buy a pair of good quality scissors like this pair, specially for cutting out fabric. A sharp, new pair of scissors will make cutting more accurate and faster. When it comes to cutting out your patterns or paper, use general all purpose scissors like these ones.
A big part of sewing is taking accurate measurements, so you’ll want to buy a flexible measuring tape like this one. You’ll want one that bends easily around the curves of your body, and thankfully you can find this rather cheaply online.
You’ll also want these key sewing accessories: pins or clips for holding the fabric together before sewing, sewing thread that’s good quality and an iron for pressing your seams. I like to keep a sewing draw or basket filled with smaller items like this so they don’t get lost!
When you have the right tools to begin with, it means you’ll be able to start your sewing projects easily. There are definitely more items you could buy like an overlocker but the ones I’ve mentioned above will be more than enough to start!
Step 2: Pick a Pattern You Can Actually Finish
Here’s where a lot of beginners get stuck: they pick a gorgeous pattern that’s way too complicated for their first try. The result? Half-finished garments and a massive amount of frustration. I know how tempting it can be to want to sew the prettiest dress you can find, but you’ll want to start with easy, quick win projects to get you into the art of sewing and making clothes at home.
There are so many beginner sewing patterns out there that have simpler construction methods and easy guidance for you to follow. I recommend trying my Free Etty Camisole pattern which also comes with a video sewing tutorial.
Whatever pattern you choose make sure they are:
- Beginner-Friendly – So no complicated jargon or unexplained steps.
- Size-Inclusive – So you can sew multiple sizes
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Quick to Sew – Can be completed in an afternoon.
If you’re looking for easy sewing projects for beginners that you can start and finish in an afternoon, why not try my Rhea Dress Pattern, Naya T-Shirt Pattern or Amelia Skirt Pattern. My sewing patterns have been loved and sewn by thousands of people across the globe, their easy and fun sewing patterns that teaches you the basics without hours of struggle.
Step 3: Choose Fabric That Won’t Fight You
The fabric you choose can make or break your first sewing experience. Trust me, I’ve been there! I always recommend beginners to start with easy to handle fabrics like cotton, linen or denim. When you choose a fabric like cotton, it’s easy to cut out and will press really easily with your iron. This will make the sewing process to much easier to follow because you’ll be able to sew more accurately. I used a gingham fabric to sew these mustard pair of Hena Shorts and it worked out beautifully!
Fabrics you’ll want to avoid as a beginner are viscose, satin, silk or georgette. These fabrics may look gorgeous but they can be very difficult to handle and sew accurately with. Once you’ve had a few successful projects under your belt, then feel free to explore more slippery fabrics like these.
I personally love to shop for fabric online at sites like Minerva, Etsy and MyFabrics. They all have a huge amount of fabrics and I always find the quality good and affordable.
Step 4: Master Your Sewing Machine Without Overwhelm
Before you even cut into your fabric, spend some time getting to know your sewing machine. It’ll come with a manual for you to understand how your machine works, you could also search on google for tutorials of your specific model. I recommend practising some basic stitching on spare pieces of fabric to begin learning how to sew as well as the following:
- How to thread your sewing machine
- How to wind a bobbin
- How to adjust stitch length
- How to sew a straight line
- How to sew around a curve
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How to back stitch
You’ll be amazed how much faster your first sewing project goes when you’re confident with the basics. Remember to always press your seams with an iron after sewing to give a smooth and clean finish.
Step 5: Cut and Sew With Confidence
Now is where the magic happens! Cutting into your fabric and sewing your first project. It’s such an exciting journey to embark on and with these tips you’ll be ready to tackle anything.
First up is to read through all the instructions before starting. As long you’re following a reputable beginner friendly sewing pattern that has been sewn by others, you should end up with a gorgeous final result. But it’s still worth it to read through the entire pattern and instructions file to see the big picture. This way you’ll roughly understand how the garment is constructed and can prepare in advance. Kinda like when you’re following a food recipe, you wouldn’t start cooking without checking all the steps first.
Next you’ll want to cut your fabric slowly and carefully. Cutting inaccurately can mess up your sewing project, honestly even a few cm’s out can make your garment fit poorly. Make sure to pin your pattern to the fabric and then cut it out, or use pattern weights to help keep the fabric and pattern laying together.
When it comes to sewing your project, make sure to use pins or clips to hold the seam together before you start sewing. This way, you can check all your seams match up and be much more accurate when sewing. Take your time and remember to backstitch at the start and end of your seam to keep it from unravelling. A good rule of thumb is to press every seam once sewn with your iron to keep things like crisp, accurate and more professional. Trust me, it’ll save you headaches later and will help make sure the garment looks and fits as best as possible. If you are working with a digital sewing pattern, you will be able to follow the instructions as you go on your laptop, phone or iPad but if you prefer you can always print out the instructions and tick them off as you go.
My sewing patterns are packed with step-by-step illustrations so you’ll always know exactly what to do next. I also include video sewing tutorials incase you prefer learning visually as I talk you through the entire process as I sew the garment.
Step 6: Finish Like a Pro (Without Complicated Techniques)
Finishing your sewing project well can make the difference between “homemade” and “handmade.” You don’t need advanced skills for a professional finish - just a few simple techniques.
Make sure to trim any excess or loose threads using scissors. Look at your garment from the wrong side and follow all the seams with your fingers to find the loose threads and then cut them away. I like to then turn the garment to the right side and check again.
As you sew your project, you’ll mostly by finishing the raw edges to make it neat and last longer. I like to use an overlocker but I know when you’re just starting out you might not have the budget to buy one. In this case, use tools like Pinking Shears to neaten the raw edges or a simple zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine. These steps will make a huge difference in the longevity of your garment and make it look much prettier on the inside.
You’ll want to press your seams and garment to make sure everything is lying correctly and try it on to see how it fits. If you find small things like the hem of the dress is too long, you can always cut it shorter to your liking and hem it again.
Ready to Sew Your First Garment? Start Here
The best way to start sewing is with easy projects you know you can finish. Tammy Handmade Sewing Patterns are perfect for beginners because they are flattering, versatile, and sewable in just an afternoon. You’ll learn all the core skills while making something you’ll be proud to wear. They also come with video sewing tutorials to help you every step of the way.
Learning to sew your own clothes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, a beginner-friendly pattern, and a little guidance, you can go from complete novice to confident sewist faster than you think. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone! Whether you start with my free Etty Camisole or one of my paid sewing patterns, I’m here to guide you through every stitch. So grab your fabric, thread your machine, and let’s make something beautiful together.
