Sewing guides
Practical, step-by-step guides for sewing your own clothes — from the first skirt to a dress with a zipper. Every guide links to a free pattern drafted to your measurements.
How to sew a skirtWhich skirt to sew first, what to measure, how much fabric to buy, and how to sew an elastic waist skirt, a straight skirt with a zipper and a circle skirt.How to sew a dressWhich dress to start with, the measurements you need, how much fabric to buy, and the sewing order: darts, shoulders, neckline, sleeves, zipper and hem.How to sew pantsHow to sew pants at home: the measurements that matter, fabric amounts, and the sewing order — inseams, crotch seam, waistband and hems.How to sew a zipperHow to insert a regular zipper and an invisible zipper into a skirt or dress: which foot to use, how to keep the seam flat and the ends neat.Bias tapeHow to cut bias strips, join them into one long tape, press it, and use bias tape to bind an edge or finish a neckline and armholes.How much fabric do I needFabric yardage for skirts, dresses, pants and shirts by size and fabric width (54 and 60 in), plus how to adjust for length, nap and pattern matching.Sewing for beginnersWhat to buy first, how to set up a sewing machine, which fabrics are easiest, and eight first projects that teach you the basics step by step.