Were you lucky enough to get a new sewing machine recently, but don’t know where to begin? If you’re new to sewing, it can be a minefield choosing a pattern to make your own clothes for the first time! So here are my top 10 sewing patterns that shouldn’t send you into a blind panic when you open the pattern envelope! First-make sewing patterns needn’t be boring and unstylish!
TOP TIPS FOR SELECTING A PATTERN
Choose a pattern that has been designed for beginners:
Get to know the terminology. Check out our guide to Sewing Pattern Terms and what they mean
Select patterns that include the words quick, easy, simple and for beginners.
Check online to see what other people have to say about the pattern on websites like Pattern Review and watch technique tutorials online. Join a Sew-Along. Many sewing pattern companies have started doing Sew-Alongs when they launch new sewing patterns. These guide you through each step/process over a period of time so you get the best results from your pattern.
Choose a sewing pattern that has just a few pattern pieces to sew together.
Make sure you buy the right sized sewing pattern.
Read the pattern several times before doing anything else! Try to imagine making it step-by-step and thinking ahead to next stage. This can help to avoid sewing things wrongly together and having to unpick!
Choose a fabric from the pattern’s recommendations:
Selecting the right fabric can make or break a finished garment. To begin with, the best advice is to use one of fabric type that’s recommended on the sewing pattern envelope.
Easy-to-sew patterns will recommend easy-to-work with fabrics such as cotton, plain and knit fabrics that don’t fray, aren’t too slippery and where no pattern matching is required like prints, checks and stripes.
1. Lemon Drop Dress and Top
from Our Lady of Leisure
This top has a relaxed fit, with a folded sleeve hem and boat-neck neckline. There are two sleeve length options (short sleeve or bracelet-length sleeve), and the option to make dress or T-shirt silhouettes making in modern, comfortable and stylish. You’ll want to make one in every colour!
What fabrics should I choose?
Stretch knit fabrics of all weights – Ponte, scuba, jersey, interlock and double knits are all suitable. Real beginners should try more stable thicker knit fabrics first.
2. Tyra Trousers from Ploen Patterns
This trouser pattern from Ploen Patterns is the perfect addition to your wardrobe. It has two lovely versions – Culottes and Palazzo pants to create two very different looks! The flowy culottes have a wide calf length and high waist. They have pockets in front and wide elastic at the natural waist. Comfortable yet stylish, and perfect for a summer day. While the Palazzo pants are floor length and looks great with heels for a dressier look and they can also be worn more casually.
What fabrics should I choose?
Light to medium weight woven fabric like viscose, Tencel, polyester, crepe and other fabrics with good drape.
3. Sloane Sweatshirt from Named
This sweatshirt is comfort and style sewn up in one top! This smart yet casual sweatshirt has a straight cut, but the semi-loose fit and long diagonal bust darts add a touch of shape and sophistication, which makes Sloane ideal for lots of occasions.The neckline, hem and cuffs are finished with a ribbing.
What fabrics should I choose?
Choose a medium weight knit fabric with 30-50% stretch. Sweatshirt jersey, terry, teddy or even light Neoprene are all good options. This one was made of mesh neoprene, with cotton rib kit for the ribbings.
4. Pekka Jacket from Ready To Sew
This jacket takes its inspiration from traditional Japanese clothing. This oversized mid-season jacket has wide armholes and a simplified jacket lining that motivated beginners can tackle, as it is simple and easy to sew. With slightly cropped sleeves and gaping pockets, this stylish jacket is perfect for layering.
What fabrics should I choose?
Light denim, twill, canvas, gabardine, medium weight linen or medium weight wovens like cotton or wool flannel, chambray, poplin.
5. Bondi Top from Sew To Grow
The Bondi Top is an absolute wardrobe staple and perfectly pairs with skinny jeans, a great pair of fitted harem pants, or tucked into a skirt. It’s so versatile and a great way to show off fun prints. This top features a curved hem that is slightly longer in the back, and a contrast back yoke. Stylish simplicity and easy to sew!
What fabrics should I choose?
Rayon, voile, lawn, linen and other light to medium weight woven fabrics.
6. Pixie Tee & Dress from Chalk & Notch
This gorgeous oversized tee can be made with short sleeves and a gathered hem tie or a longer sleeve and hem bands or if you prefer make with a regular hem. Every view offers a dress option with dropped shoulder. The short and long sleeves are interchangeable too.
What fabrics should I choose?
Make in light to medium weight fabrics with a 75 to 100% stretch knit fabric with a nice drape and good stretch recovery.
7. Ninni Culottes from Named
The Ninni culottes are a pair of delightfully simple elastic-waist pants! These trousers have a generous amount of ease and come with handy side pockets. They are great to wear to work with a blouse or perfect for weekends with a casual breton tee or sweatshirt!
What fabrics should I choose?
Light weight or medium weight drapey knit fabric like . soft velour, sweatshirting, medium weight jersey or other similar knit fabric. It can also be sewn using woven fabrics with drape.
8. Lottie from Christine Haynes
The Lottie has been re-launched and gone through quite a few changes to make it more practical for everyday! It’s the ideal quick sew for an experienced sewer, or a perfect project for a new sewer! The pattern has three lengths and sleeve variations with options for patch pockets, a waist-cinching belt, and side seam vents. The dress, top, and tunic have bust darts, dolman sleeves, as well as a neckline that’s finished with a facing.
What fabric should I choose?
Lightweight and medium weight wovens with drape, such as linen, lawn, Rayon and Tencel.
9. The Sicily Slip Dress from Sewing Patterns By Masin
This romantic bias cut slip dress will make you think about summer road trips through Southern Italy and sitting in a cafe in sunny Sicily. This pattern is cut on the bias and going to make you feel flirty and beautiful. The dress pattern comes with two views, one with skinny straps and one with wider straps.
What fabrics should I choose?
Lightweight fabrics with a beautiful drape are best like satins, silks, viscose, polyester and lightweight crepe, rayon, viscose, chiffon and charmeuse.
10. The Collins Overalls from Our Lady of Leisure
Youthful, and a fun take on the utility trend, this all-in-one can be worn over a T-shirt in summer, a sweater in winter or just by itself! It’s such a flexible outfit. In sturdy plain fabrics, these overalls are a wardrobe staple, and in bright patterns, it’s a statement piece. The overalls are a loose fitting design with an exposed zip and have hip pockets and a straight-leg silhouette.
What fabrics should I choose?
Light to medium woven fabrics like lawn, broadcloth, jacquard, lightweight canvas, denim, corduroy and chambray.
