How To Make Your Own Clothes

Amy: Making your own clothing may seem like a distant dream, but if you take it slow and have a desire to learn, it can be quite easy! With a little bit of 7th-grade home ec class experience, a budget sewing machine, text exchanges with more sewing-savvy friends and so many internet searches, I dove into the exciting world of sewing a custom dress a few years ago in celebration of Me Made May.

I started this initial sewing experience super intimidated but quickly learned that every mistake could be undone or mended (sometimes quite literally!) My skills have leveled up with every project since and although there have been frustrating moments, I’ve found great joy in the process.

If you are interested in making some of your own wardrobe pieces but are finding it difficult to even know where to start, I’m here today to share some basics I’ve learned. I hope to demystify this practice and encourage you to take the exciting first steps towards sewing your own clothes!

Two of my favorite places to look for beginner-friendly sewing patterns are Peppermint Magazine and Seamwork. Our friends at Peppermint Magazine’s Sewing School offer pay-what-you-want patterns and release a new one every three months! Additionally, Seamwork’s Pattern Library has over 200+ patterns to choose from. You can start with a beginner-friendly and free pattern like the Sorbetto top and then become a monthly member to tackle more complex wardrobe additions as you grow and want. Seamwork also has a handy help section and clear instructions so it’s easy to learn as you go.

Here are four patterns from Peppermint Magazine and Seamwork perfect for a first project:

If you have access to a printer, you can easily print downloadable PDF patterns at home and assemble them together using scissors and tape. You can also research options like PDF Plotting to order a print of the entire pattern on one sheet.

After you’ve selected the sewing pattern you’d like to start with, it’s a good idea to take the time to read through all of the instructions. Google and YouTube are your friends as you research any terminology or techniques that are new to you. To start, here are the 10 terms I found helpful to know when I began my sewing journey. My top 10 list is only a start, but as you keep creating, your personal sewing dictionary will expand naturally as you learn.

1. 1. Backstitch – Every line you stitch with your machine should start and end with a backstitch! Begin with a couple of stitches and then secure those stitches by hitting the backstitch button to stitch over them.

1. 1. Baste – These are long stitches that can be done by hand just to hold pieces of fabric together temporarily and then they are removed.

1. 1. Cut-on-Fold – Wherever you see this on a pattern, the pattern piece is only half of the full piece you will cut out. If you fold your fabric and place the pattern piece on the fold where it indicates and cut the fabric together, you will get one full piece that is perfectly symmetrical.

1. 1. Hem – A hem is the finished edge of your garment like on the end of a sleeve or a pant leg. The most common kind is a double-fold hem, where the edges of the fabric are folded over each other twice to hide the raw edge.

1. 1. Mock-up, Muslin or Toile – All of these words could describe a kind of prototype for your garment and will help you test the pattern with scrap fabric first, so they can make any amendments the second time around.

1. 1. Notch – The notches on a sewing pattern are usually small marks like a line or a triangle shape that will help you match up the pattern pieces when assembling your garment. Notches can also be the wedges cut into the seam allowance of a curved seam to reduce bulk. Clipping is also an option depending on if the curve is concave or convex.

1. 1. Right & Wrong Side – The right side of your fabric is the printed side and the wrong is the other side that will be on the inside of your garment. This will be noted in your sewing pattern’s diagrams.

1. 1. Seam & Seam Allowance – A seam refers to the stitched line. The allowance is the space between the stitched line and the fabric edge. Sewing patterns will account for seam allowance and the standard allowance is typically 5/8″ (1.6 cm).

1. 1. Selvage – This refers to the tightly woven (often white) edge that runs along each side of a piece of fabric to prevent unraveling or fraying.

1. 1. Topstitch – This stitch was designed to be seen on the outside. Topstitching can be used decoratively to define and add detail, or functionally by providing an extra hold.

I hope you feel empowered to start creating your own wardrobe after reading my tips! Having garments in your closet that were made especially for you and by you is such a great feeling. Whatever your reason for wanting to make your own clothes, it is something that with a little time and helpful tutorials anyone can do.