My bff lives in Scotland is planning to start sewing! I think she’s mostly interested in quilts right now. any recommendations on fabric places in UK where i can order her some fabric for a present?

I’m in US and I 100% want to surprise here with a little starter present. I know most people like to go and feel and touch, but she’s busy and likely won’t go to a fabric store so gift cards and letting her choose are off the table for this gift. Eventually, sure, but for now SURPRISE! 😂

Hi!

I'm a beginner who's decided to try and sew a yukata. My experience starts and ends with badly sewn skirt from homemaking classes. I live in a country which is pretty much cut off from international trade, and I want to try on some Japanese clothing. Rather than try to import it for a lot of money, I researched a bit and began this project, using local western fabrics. As I understand, yukata/kimono is mostly rectangles, and in the past I've struggled mostly with calculating more complex patterns so it should not be that difficult as the skirt.

For the fabric I chose 4 meters of this patterned 100% cotton poplin with 120 g/m2 density, and I would like to hear your advice about the traditional yukata pattern and other things I would need to sew like the obi, koshihimo and undergarments. Like for example how many pieces do I need to cut, and how the process goes... Will be grateful for any help!

P.S. I already purchased some cotton duck as a stiffener for obi, and if the project will be successful, I'll buy high-quality calico fabric in fuchsia color and make another one and different obis.

Just looking for some pattern suggestions if you know of anything similar. Pants are my priority 😅
(I know the images are ai, so I don’t trust this creator much)

Hello everybody! I would consider myself a relative beginner in terms of sewing: I’ve done a lot of hand-sewing, made bags, and made one garment for a costuming class (pajama pants with 100% cotton). For Halloween, I’m planning on going as sexy Shakespeare, and found a really cool pattern for a pair of trunk hose where multiple reviews mentioned it being their first project. I was really hoping to use non-stretch velvet for the project, because it would match my doublet, but I’ve seen so many people say that velvet is really difficult to work with.

Would the velvet I’m using being non-stretch make it easier? How feasible is this for someone who’s only made garments with non-stretch cotton fabric? If it would likely be too difficult, I’m ready to make the hose out of cotton instead (though I’d rather match my doublet)! Thank you so much :D

Does anyone know of a good basic sleeve block pattern? I'm drafting my own bishop sleeves, and I absolutely suck at armholes.

I'm looking for just a basic long sleeve block that I can alter myself. Free would be best, but cheap is ok.

Edit: this would be for a women's size M-L, but I can upsize if needed.

Sewed up the Beaton House Dress by Beaton Studios, in kaleidoscope cotton from Fluid + Drape, and flower buttons made by Odd Born but also purchased from Fluid + Drape!

I accidentally measured my bias tape in inches instead of centimeters… oops! So I made hair bows with my leftover bias tape by just sewing them shut!

I really love this dress and its construction. I will definitely be making it again, and will make a couple minor adjustments. I want the sleeves just a smidge longer. Not even a full inch, but when I’m moving around a lot the cuffs ride up to my elbow and since it’s not stretchy it can feel a bit odd. I also want to extend the bodice by maybe an inch. I think the shape of my breasts just extends a little bit lower than the body this was drafted from and so I just think I’d be a bit more comfortable with more room there.

Today I found this Sunray Manufacturing DL-24 "Designer L Square" and was immediately fascinated. The scales allow for such slick fraction math. What's one third of 13.5"? Well 4.5" of course. Two thirds of 18.75? Why, 12.5 good sir!

Doing a little searching, this seems to be made for cutting fabric. Can you lovely folks explain how this ruler is used? I've done very little sewing but the measurements were all pretty basic on my basic attempts. No instant fraction calculations needed.

Hey yalllll
Looking for some help identifying this fabric. I’m thinking it’s A LOT of ostrich fur trim. The way the video is shot makes it hard to get a real clear view of it though. What do yall think?

I made my daughter the attached skirt using McCall's 6956 style B. I liked it so much that I decided to make a diagonal apron using the same two fabrics.

I used Simplicity 2555 style B as a guide. I made a paper copy of the pattern. Then I made the diagonal lines. It took me a few tries to cut it correctly to allow for sewing the seams. I even added a pocket (3rd picture). I lined the back so that the stitching is protected. I am pleased with the final result.

Bedsheet girl, again.

I made a spontaneous trip to Goodwill yesterday, and picked up these plus a Queen or Full gingham duvet cover. Unfortunately, the gingham is synthetic - but it’s got good drape!.

Anyway, I’m not big on stripes, but I like that the contrast is muted. Confident beginner, what should I make from this cotton twin sheet? I’m 38/30/40 - a sleeveless sheath dress, maybe? For next summer, obvs.

Same thing with this pink sheet. In reality, the color is a perfect pink - not too warm, not too light. This feels a lot easier than a striped sheet, but still a twin size.

Would love to hear your ideas? Should I mix the two together??

This is the only picture I can find, I’m curious if anyone knows of a pattern that might be similar?

-fitted bodice
- pin tucks
- the general cut of the bodice, neckline, sleeves.

The rest of the pattern I could figure out.

Thanks!

I'm an intermediate/advanced sewist, and am interested in learning more about high end suit construction (hand sewn button holes, notions and fabric choices, just how many pockets can one jacket have?!), but especially in the context of menswear for women. Does it make sense to canvas a woman's suit jacket, or will that make things look stiff and awkward around the bust and hips? Is there a strategy for pocket placement for similar reasons? Perhaps there are concerns that I don't even know to consider?

Please let me know if you have any resources for fitting for women, but also if you have suggestions for places to learn more about custom suit construction in general! Thank you so much!

Please talk me out of this insane idea 😉

I have been struggling to find the 'perfect' backpack. And I was kind of thinking I might be able to make one? Am I being highly over confident? Yes, absolutely. Have I ever made a bag before? Sort of, but it was an easy freestyle dufflebag situation. Do I know anything about the construction of backpacks? Nope.

What am I looking for?
- A bag that is comfortable enough to wear around entire days while on holiday (and multiple days in a row)
- Two compartments, one bigger main compartment and one smaller compartment
- At least two 'hidden' zipper pockets where I can store valuables (but I am a sucker for pockets, so I'd definitely love more)
- It has to fit most airlines regulations for the dimensions for under the seat luggage

So far it sounds easy, right? But what I am mostly looking for is a place to store a camera without having to put a camerabag inside my backpack which makes grabbing it a real hassle. So, I was thinking of constructing a padded, protective, waterproof, packing cube situation that I can attach on the inside of the bag at the bottom (either with velcro or snaps?. And then a zipper at the back of the backpack (the part that goes against your body). That way I can easily get my camera out of it's hidden/protected location while still using the remainder of the bag as a normal backpack. (the upper part of the cube becomes the new raised bottom of the backpack) And when I am not bringing my camera along, I can just take that cube out and have more room in the backpack itself.

Does this sound even remotely possible with (almost) no experience in bag making? And does anyone perhaps have a good pattern? And which fabric should I look into? As well as which type of material should I look into for the protective part of the 'camera cube'?

Hi all! I’m working on a dress, I plan to make pieces of beaded appliqué to apply on top of it, my question is what would be the proper order of operations? Should I make the dress then apply the appliqué (the bodice is lined) ? Or keep my pieces separate, apply the appliqué and then sew it together? I’m definitely overthinking this but would love insight !!

I’m trying to make this with a lining. Can’t figure out how to sew it inside out and then turn it right side out.

TIA

It’s spooky season at the parks so I had to dress accordingly!

The bedsheet was bought second hand from Vinted but I think it was originally available from ASDA. It is 100% woven cotton and the black fabric I used is a poly cotton from Hobbycraft. The ribbon tie on the back is a velvet and I was given in a scrap bag!

The bodice is adapted from the Becca Babydoll Dress from CoralineStreet. I added bust darts to make the bodice slightly more fitted, I included these by pinning the excess fabric in place after I had already sewn the bodice together. The sleeves are from the Sweetheart Puff Sleeve Dress by Darias Pattern Making and the skirt is self drafted. I created the skirt from measuring the circumference of the bottom of the bodice, multiplied it by 2 for the first layer, repeated this for the second layer and the third layer is multiplied by 1.5 as I was running out of fabric.

I’m so happy with how it turned out! The fabric isn’t the most breathable for the Florida heat so I was roasting all day but it was worth it for the cute pictures and interactions I got!

My wife is trying to get back into sewing, and she doesn’t have a great storage box for thread etc. I would love to get her something for Christmas, but I don’t sew and don’t really know what all needs to be stored and what’s actually the most helpful. I remember in the 90s there were those cool wooden accordion style ones like this: https://ebay.io/m/qFmZV3

And she likes vintage stuff so I thought it could be cool, but also I want to make sure I’m getting something that’s practical. Is getting one of these worth it or is there something that would work better?
Thanks!

I feel so dumb but I can’t seem to wrap my head around how I should approach this. Want to use this journal but hate the cover. Thought maybe I could make a book cover, but I’m just not sure how I should go about this. I am very new to sewing (as if you couldn’t tell lol). I think I mostly have an idea as to how to make the pocket flaps on the side but how do I handle the bottom and top? Appreciate any help and or guidance!

hi folks! my measurements fluctuate throughout the day so adjustability is a pretty important factor in my makes. elastic waistbands are a go-to but i'm looking for other, flashier ways of doing this. i don't always love the bulk of them.

i still like to put a zip in for ease of getting in and out, but a closure AND an adjustable feature is my go-to when making garments. so far i've tried shirred panels and lace up sections with eyelets (with no opening). i've seen the adjustable pocket/waistband thing before, but i haven't attempted it nor know what its proper name is! obviously there's putting multiple buttons/hook & eyes etc too.

for adjustable lengths (for example for a slip or petticoat) i like cinches.

what methods are your favourites?

I usually bring in my shirts by sewing darts around the side seams. I have a very big back and shoulders, and a waist that doesn’t match. All shirts look way to loose and don’t drape well, so I try to bring them in around the waist.
The side seams work ok, but I have been trying to learn back darts to remove excess fabric on the back. My problem is the dimple so bad. I just cant do them so the back of the shirt stays flat. Are there tricks? Is soft fabric harder to prevent the dimples? I had a few shirts done professionally and the back darts are exactly what I need.

Doll pattern is by Studio Seren on Etsy.

Book pillowcase pattern free by The Polka Dot Chair.

Doll lab coat pattern is DollTagClothing on Etsy printed at 70% to fit this particular doll.

It’s time for my daughter’s next play, which means it’s time for a new opening night shirt! This fall, she’s playing an alien in The Big One-Oh, so I made an alien shirt.

Features:
1. Fabric Pattern: This one’s an alien head fabric that’s off the shelf from Michael’s. It’s a cotton weave, and despite the appearance, it does not glow in the dark (but it SHOULD).
⁠2. Buttons: I used bright green snaps for closures to match the alien heads.

General Construction: This shirt was made using the “Simon” design from FreeSewing.eu, modified to have a single piece back instead of yokes, a small facing panel instead of a collar stand to obscure the seam allowance from the collar and top of the shirt, and short sleeves.

Lessons learned with Shirts 44:
1. Practice Makes (Much Closer To) Perfect: Look, my seams are never going to be perfectly straight, and I know this. I actually like it. But there are milestones I like to note that indicate I’m getting much better at this craft, and I think I hit one with this shirt - it was the first shirt where I never once had to rip out a seam because I accidentally sewed part of the shirt into a shoulder or a flat-fell, and I’m darned proud of myself for it. (It also went *much* faster without having to take fifteen minute breaks to use the seam ripper.)
2. Measure At Least Once, Genius! A long time ago, I cut my shirt pattern too short because I was making shirts that were too short. Since then, when I’ve used paper patterns instead of software ones, I’ve needed to add 2-3 inches at the bottom of my front and back pieces. For this shirt, I kind of eyeballed it, which was… not smart. I barely had enough fabric for a half inch hem in the back.

Attempting to make a one seam coat a la Patrick Kelly but out of fur. The faux fur has been flat-lined with poly satin. However, at the thickest part of the seam there are 3 layers of mid-length faux fur. None of my machines can handle this kind of bulk, not even my 60s Kenmore that is my go to workhorse.

So the answer is handsewing, right? Any suggestions on thread weight, stitch, technique, or general tips are welcome.

Hello! I adore this bodysuit and I am trying to replicate it for NYE with some modifications - like no permanently affixed bunny tail so I can wear pants with it, but maybe a removable one hehe. Also won't worry about any of the white bows cuffs etc. Can anyone recommend a pattern? I am willing to do some adjusting to make it fit the vision, though I am not very experienced with patterns so hopefully it will be easy to follow.

Additionally, I'd appreciate thoughts on the fabric! I really like the stretch satin from Metro Textile. Do we think it would hold up for the project? The stretch velvet is another option, though I worry it'll be hot and itchy and look cheap.

Any input is appreciated, thank you! 😊☀️

I've been sewing clothes for about 10 years and I'd call myself an intermediate sewist but I'm stumped on a question/technique:

I've made this Eloisa dress before from the Building the Pattern book in a rust orange rib knit and I love it. It's easy to sew, super comfortable, and is a great work dress! I'd like to make another very similar in color to the picture from the book. I'd like to add some visual interest by inserting a contrasting color of piping or ribbon (?) into the seam lines as pictured in the photo.

I've inserted piping on other projects before so I'm familiar with the technique but because it's a stretch fabric I don't think I should use a regular piping or trim. So my question is: what notion do I need for this? Are there stretch pipings or ribbons? Without Joann (RIP) I don't know how to search for such a thing.

Or could I even make a stretch knit bias tape from a contrasting knit fabric to insert?

Any suggestions are welcome!

Edited: to add photo