You’ve set yourself a goal to sew something for yourself and sew your own clothes. I’ll save you time by reviewing sewing patterns from top designers, with a professional industry eye. I’ve worked with sewing pattern designers for more than a decade, and I know what goes into good drafting, construction and sewing. I’ll share designers who craft patterns worthy of your time – and that help round out a handmade wardrobe that is both stylish and easy. I will not tell you to sew a prom dress or bridal gown, but I will help you through the best basic tee shirt patterns, the most flattering and easy to fit pants patterns, the dresses that will take you from brunch to dinner.
I started sewing when I was 9, with a wrap skirt made in a summer Rec program that I think was never hemmed and thus, never worn. I still miss that skirt. I could make another!
I then moved onto making all my boot cut jeans into skinny leg jeans in the mid 1980s, and then sewed mini skirts an hour before going to the bar at 11pm in college. I sewed a little in my 20s, but didn’t really get back into it until about 1997 when I sewed 11 sets of curtains or relaxed roman shades from an entire roll of home dec fabric for my first house. Those curtains (and blinds) are still up – having survived 12 years of our living there, and another 12 (so far) of rental tenant life. I began sewing again for myself and it just took off – blazers, pants, tops, swimwear, and eventually, most of my wardrobe (except for jeans.)
I’m 52 years old, and I sew generally a size 8-14 depending on the pattern company. I am 5’3″ tall. That’s not my real hair (I have alopecia areata.)
I sew for the same reasons you do:
Sewing represents creative freedom, the ability to craft something out of whole cloth (where do you think we get that expression?!) Of turning something 2D into something 3D. It’s freedom, expression, and happiness, all rolled up into one.
And I prefer to sew things I wear and use every day, and I also prefer to sew things that are EASY to sew. I have limited time (so do you!) and a lot of adventures to be had in my me-made wardrobe.
Join me here for weekly blog posts and sewing inspiration, patterns you might not have used from designers you might not have heard of!
