Sewing has been making a massive comeback in the last few years. Concerns about the workers making store-bought fashion and the sustainability of fast fashion have driven the resurgence. Millions of women have turned to their sewing machines to make their own clothes. In 2016 alone, there was a 60% rise in demand for seeing patterns. If you don’t know where even to get started sewing your own clothes, don’t worry! This article will show even a novice how to sew.
Get Started Sewing Your Own Clothes
Before you start sewing your own clothing, you’ll need some equipment. The basics are:
- A sewing machine
- Scissors
- Pins
- A ruler
- A stitch unpicker
- A measuring tape
- Fabric
- Thread
- Sewing pattern
You’ll find all these items in a sewing store, or you can source them online. You may be wondering is it cheaper to sew your own clothes. In the long run, yes, it is, but you’ll need to spend a bit more as an initial investment to get started. Your highest cost will be the sewing machine; try to source this second hand or buy one with a friend you can share.
First Find a Pattern
Before you get started, you will need to decide what you want to sew. Start with something simple. Choose an item such as a sleeveless top, a loose dress, or a baggy pair of pants. If you aren’t sure about your skills, practice first on scrap fabric before making the real thing.
If you aren’t sure how to sew your own clothing, you’ll need to use a pattern. You can quickly source these online or buy them in a store. Some websites even provide the fabric with their sewing kit patterns. This makes it really simple to put your item together.
A top tip from the experts: always read through your whole pattern before getting started! You don’t want to make it halfway through sewing your clothes to realize you made a mistake.
Choose Your Fabric
Once you have decided what to sew, it’s time to choose the fabric you want to make it from. Cotton and linen tend to be favorites among people who sew their own clothes. These fabrics are easy to handle and last a long time. They are also more sustainable than many manmade materials. Did you know cotton can last for 100 years?
If you’re not sure where to source high-quality fabric, take a look online. Many sites sell material and ship worldwide. If you buy your own fabric, you will also know where it is sourced from. Many fabric sellers offer advice and tips on how to sew and make your own clothes.
Time to Get Started
So you’ve sourced your equipment, decided what to make, and have a pattern and fabric. It is now time to get started sewing your own clothes. If you aren’t sure about some techniques, you can always check videos online. There are plenty out there with great tips and tricks. You’ll be making clothes for all your friends in no time! Who knows, you might even start sewing your own clothing line.
We hope you got inspired by this article. Check out some of our other articles for some more inspiration.
