threadWEAR 301

Sewing a dress can seem very intimidating at first.

Unlike shirts or skirts, dresses are a combination of a top and a bottom in one piece. This fact alone is enough to scare away new sewists from dresses entirely.

However, sewing a dress isn't as hard as you think.

That's why in this guide, we'll show you the nine steps to sew your first dress.

You don't need years of experience to do this. Simply follow the steps in this guide, and you'll end up with a simple yet elegant dress you can be proud of. 

Picture this:

You're almost finished with your sewing project, but there's just one scary detail left that's putting you off…

A zipper.

After teaching thousands of sewists, we've noticed that zippers are one of the most intimidating details for beginners.

However, with the right technique and some practice, you'll find that sewing in a zipper isn't nearly as bad as you think.

That's why in this quick guide, we'll go over how to sew a zipper, the different types of zippers you can choose from, and how to fix common problems when working with zippers.

With clear instructions and the right tools, you'll be sewing zippers left and right in no time. 

Are you tired of mass-produced shorts that fall apart after only a couple of washes?

Or maybe you found a lovely pair, but for some reason, they just didn't make one in your size.

We've all been frustrated by store-bought shorts before. This is why knowing how to sew one yourself is one of the most rewarding skills to have.

The good news is that sewing shorts is easy.

In fact, you can sew shorts from scratch in as little as 45 minutes — even if you're a beginner.

This article will go over the 8 easy steps you can follow to go from a piece of fabric to a lovely pair of shorts that you can be proud of. 

Imagine being able to sew your own skirt.

You can create any design your heart wants, and it'll not only look great, but it'll also fit you perfectly.

Plus, you can finally say goodbye to all those boring, expensive, or ill-fitted store-bought skirts for good.

Well... the good news is that you don't have to imagine!

Sewing a skirt is a lot easier than you might realize. It's so simple, that sewing a skirt is arguably the best first project a beginner can take on.

Plus, skirt patterns have lots of room for you to customize your design and create something uniquely for you.

But how exactly do you sew a skirt?

Let's go over the nine simple steps to go from plain fabric to a lovely skirt. 

One of the simplest ways to transform your garments from feeling homemade to looking professionally-made is by using French seams.

Instead of a simple side seam that most patterns use, French seams have you enclose the fabric's raw edges within the seam allowance.

This gives your garments a clean finish that works great for any piece, but especially well for business casual or formal wear.

This tutorial will show you how to sew French seams on a Riviera Shirt. However, you can use this for any pattern you have. 

Staring at a garment with misplaced bust darts is every sewist's nightmare.

You've spent hours selecting fabric, cutting pattern pieces, and meticulously stitching seams—only to try on your creation and discover those darts are pointing in awkward directions, creating unflattering pulls, or simply sitting in the wrong place entirely.

The truth is, even the most beautiful fabric and perfect stitching can't salvage a garment with poorly positioned bust darts.

But here's the good news: with the right measurement techniques and a few simple steps, you can nail your bust dart position before you even cut your fabric. 

Have you ever wondered why designers keep reaching for scuba fabric in their collections?

This unique double-knit fabric has taken the fashion world by storm, and for good reason.

While it shares its name with diving gear, scuba fabric is actually a game-changing textile that's revolutionizing how we think about structured garments.

Whether you're an experienced sewist looking to expand your fabric knowledge or just fabric-curious, understanding scuba fabric could open up exciting new possibilities for your next project. 

 Sewing your own clothes can be incredibly rewarding.

But when you take a step further and tailor them to fit perfectly—that's next-level satisfaction.

But here's the thing.

Pattern fitting is NOT easy.

It takes time, patience, and a lot of practice.

That's why, in this article, we'll go over everything you need to know before fitting your first pattern — from the equipment you need to how to test your patterns. 

Sewing can feel overwhelming at first.

Not only do you have to figure out how the machine works, but you have to keep track of dozens of tools and learn a hundred new terms.

Add patterns that look more like rocket-ship blueprints and it's enough to make anyone hesitate.

The Sewing Workshop is here to demystify some of the hesitancy of sewing for you. We've created a quick beginner's guide to sewing where we will give you:

• Step-by-step instructions on how to start
• Five easy projects beginners can take on, and
• Five tips to make your journey much simpler
• …and more!

So you want to learn how to sew, but don't know where to start?

You're in the right place.

Today, I won't only give you 28 beginner sewing projects — but these 28 projects are specifically designed to help you build the fundamental skills needed to become a great sewist.

Now, you don't have to do ALL of these projects.

Instead, scroll through these, pick something you'd like to work on, and get started!

Because the secret to becoming a great sewist is to START.

And that's exactly what I hope this blog post pushes you to do.

So without further ado, let's get into it! 

We love a pleated pants moment, and Linda showed us a fabulous version of this using our West End pants pattern.

The West End Pants are a wide legged pant, but by making a couple of simple changes to the pattern, you can make these pants even more exaggerated in width. Then add deep soft pleats in the front, patch pockets in the back, and deep hems and you have elevated this pants style to an avant grade designer look. 

Use the Hudson Top pattern to make an effortless layer in cross-dyed linen. This boxy poncho is open at the sides with ties at the waist.

The Eureka Top is a simple scoop-neck, boxy tee that has become a staple piece in our wardrobes. Linda took that classic shape and added some pizzazz by dividing the pattern and creating an altogether new garment, the Divided Eureka. Read on to learn how to create this fun variation!

​During my first weekend in London, I was able to attend the Balenciaga exhibit at the legendary Victoria & Albert Museum. The exhibit runs through mid-February and is an incredible showcase of the designer's exquisite taste, design, style and legacy. Here, I give you an inside look at some of my personal highlights of the exhibit. 

Alex took the new Memphis Dress pattern to the next level, making it her very own. Be inspired and get this look today.

Sequins. It's the perfect festive addition to your wardrobe and we've got the perfect pairing for you!

Have you seen a version of a beautiful oversized red jacket flying around the inter-webs? Well, according to Melissa Greene and friends, it's all over the place and she just had to make a version of it, and, well . . . we love it.