Beginners Guide

Beginners Guide

If you're new to sewing it can seem like a daunting idea.

So we put this page together to show you just how achieveable it is.

This guide will lead you through the steps to sewing your own beautiful clothing.

Get Inspired

No. 1

This might seem like an obvious first step but believing that you can sew beautiful garments before you get started is half the battle.

We want you to be able to make the kind of clothes you actually want to wear from the start. Let's skip the lousy practise projects or unwearable first attempts. We're going in at a higher level.

Check out these amazing first time makes from beginners to see just what you can achieve.

MEREL

Worker Trouser Workshop

"

Modern Sewing Co. patterns and workshops are actually the reason I started sewing. Before it seemed so overwhelming to start a project but the videos helped me understand everything involved. Not only does the workshop guide you step by step, you'll pick up good habits along the way. You end up with a piece of clothing of high quality AND high level sewing skills!

"

Malin

Cara Top Workshop

"

Having the workshop at hand made a huge difference; it felt like Hetty was there with me throughout the entire process. It was so helpful to be able to rewind and see each step clearly. I'm so proud of my top, which looks so professional. I love the expert sewing techniques, and the garment looks as beautiful on the inside as it does on the outside.

"

Sareeka

Frida Shirt Workshop

"

The sewing process for me is like therapy. I became obsessed with sewing at the start of the year when I decided I wanted to make my wardrobe. I love how simple the Frida shirt is and it's perfect for someone at the beginning of their sewing journey. I took it slowly and didn't put any pressure on myself for it to be perfect, but I was amazed at the result and how it all suddenly came together.

"

Ivana

Over Shirt Workshop

"

I loved sewing the Over Shirt and as my first ever garment, it was challenging and incredibly empowering. I'm so glad that I did the online workshop with Hetty, I learnt so much and it gave me the confidence to make other garments by only following a pattern.

"

Yvonne

Over Shirt Workshop

"

At the time, the Over Shirt was the most complicated piece I’ve made. The workshop was so helpful for additional tips, a deeper dive into the instructions, and encouragement. In the end, I couldn’t believe I made such a complex piece only 2 months into my sewing journey.

"

Brooke

Frida Shirt Workshop

"

When I decide to do something new I want to learn how the right way so I don’t make bad habits so looked around for courses that would teach me to make professional looking clothes. My intent wasn’t to make quick things and I hated how I kept finding “hacks” to make sewing “quicker and easier”, I wanted professional results and am so glad I found Modern Sewing Co.!

I found the process very straightforward and easy to follow. I decided to start with the Frida shirt and it came out much better than I expected! I liked the pace of the class and that I could fit into my life with an baby and pause and come back.

"

free video series

No. 2

Next up it's time to familiarise yourself with the basics. And there are 2 ways you can do this.

First you can watch our free 'Getting Started' video series which will tell you everything you need to know about how to set yourself up for sewing.

Then have a read of tips from fellow beginners below. They've shared 'what they wish they'd known' to save you the hassle.

'getting Started' series

Your first sewing project

No. 3

Once you've brushed up on the essentials you'll be ready for your first sewing project!

We think there's no better place to start than the Zero Waste Pouffe. It's a nice easy piece to sew and you'll learn some good basic techniques. And the best part is that you'll be able to upcycle all of your sewing waste from the very start of your sewing journey.

Pouffe Pattern

Learn from professionals

No. 4

And lastly, it's time to learn.

Whether you choose a local in-person sewing class or an online workshop, we highly recommend investing in an initial class or two. You'll save yourself so much time and heartache on projects gone wrong and you'll be able to start wearing beautifully made clothes from the start.

If you're interested in our online workshops, we recommend the Beginner Series. Scroll down for more info.

Tips

from beginners

We asked some of our customers what they wish they'd known before starting.

It's not as hard as it looks!

"I wish I knew sewing garments is much less daunting than I first thought - after I bought the Beginner series from Modern Sewing Co it took me a good 8 months to get started and get out of the vicious cycle of postponing it, all because I wasn’t sure if I’d make a wearable piece. I strongly recommend the workshop videos to anyone who is a bit less confident about starting off like I was. Since I started with the Cara top less than 2 years ago, I’ve made many more Cara tops & also Frida tops - I’ve also made a few Daphne trousers that I wear proudly to work - all in under 2 years with no prior knowledge of sewing. For anyone on the fence about buying the workshop packages, this is your sign to do it!"

Pragna

Be prepared to spend time preparing

"I didn't realise much time would be spent on all the steps before, during and after sewing. eg washing, drying, cutting, pressing and more pressing. So give yourself time and embrace all the stages, because they really do make a huge difference in making something beautiful. And when you begin, making clothes is not as quick as it may look on tutorials but that ok, it's a beautiful way to counteract a society of instant gratification."

Ivana

Take your time

"Take your time with each piece to invest in its quality. Let projects take multiple days, or even weeks, to complete. You’ll end up with a piece that lasts longer and wear more often."

Yvonne

Use hand sewing to help you

"My biggest tip is to hand-baste the sleeves when you have pinned them in place. It really made the sleeve-process painless, as I could then attach them by machine without the hassle of having pins in the way and all layers perfectly secure and not shifting. Hand basting one sleeve took me exactly 86 seconds and saved me hours of sweat and tears."

Iris

Invest in good patterns and workshops

"My best advice to beginners is to be brave! Also, invest in good, clear patterns and workshops. It's not particularly difficult as long as you have patience and clear instructions."

Malin

Buy fabric you'll definitely want to wear

"I wish I'd known the quality of the trousers that I ended up with! I just thought ‘this is my first time sewing something ever, let’s not expect anything and use an inexpensive fabric’. Big mistake. Following the workshop I ended up with decent trousers (with some crooked hems) that I would totally wear in public! Using a higher quality fabric would have made my trousers so much neater and the sewing process a lot quicker."

Merel

Tips on tools

"I wish I’d realised I didn’t need to buy lots of kit before I started sewing, just a pair of scissors an unpicker and some pins."

Lucy

"A good quality pair of scissors makes the cutting process much nicer. And if you decide you want to start sewing regularly, get a proper ironing board! I used one of the mini travel ones for months and ended up with a bad back from hunching over!"

Sareeka