It’s taken a while, but I’m very happy with it and I’ve got so much more space than I had before. 2 main machines under the spotty covers on the desk and the embroidery machine to the side.

Extra clock on fabric recycling bin is necessary as time seems to fly by 😅

Newsboy/Peaky Blinders style cap from a free pattern with accompanying YouTube video.

I'm hoping it's big enough that I'll even be able to throw it on over curlers.

Made this one 26" circumference when my head only measured 24-ish because I wanted it to be big enough to accommodate my bigger hairdos. Most ladies hats fit quite snug. Deviated from the instructions when attaching my lining to make it inside-outable and topstitched instead of adding ribbon. Used some plastic cross stitch "canvas" to stiffen the brim. Added a piece of elastic to the inside. Didn't bother with a top button.

Both pieces of fabric were half yards of random polyester stuff in my stash that was thrifted at some point. I fused Heat n'Bond lightweight to the green stuff to keep it from disintegrating on the edges because it frayed very badly.

My young client wanted to be Wendy from the ABC series Once Upon a Time for Halloween but since that Wendy (Freya Tingly) is not as well-known as the Peter Pan animated version, wanted a mashup, hence the blue.

I used about 5 patterns from my stash to get all the pieces right. The sleeve is from a Regency dress pattern, the yoke from a pajama pattern, the bodice/skirt from another pajama pattern, the outer skirt portion modified to add flair, and I drew the collar (and attached it poorly, there was a rush.)

The fabrics are a white cotton lawn and poly cotton lawn, plus blue chiffon. Trims are poly lace, some cut apart to make different motifs, and grosgrain ribbon. I meant to add buttons but have not yet.

I used stills from OUAT to figure out the top bit of the bodice and a drawing by the costume wearer to adapt it. The client drew a picture I used to adapt it and also wanted a much shorter dress than either Wendy. The belt exists because I couldn’t get wider grosgrain ribbon.

Next time I would avoid chiffon as it is the devil, but despite searching a warehouse of fabric my options were this blue chiffon or a poly cotton that was exactly the right color for animated Wendy but the costume wearer rejected.

The bodice ended up slightly too wide, which dropped the sleeves down a bit but that’s what I get for only having time for one mockup and adding 2” instead of 1” on my pattern piece. I would also refrain from trimming the seam allowance at the top of the sleeve next time as it added to the puff, and I’d add some structure there. Luckily costumes are rarely requested two years in a row so I don’t need to remember any of this, just the happy costume wearer.

I recently got a Brother sewing machine after using one at the local library for a bit. My mom taught me the basics years ago and I made simple things like a drawstring pouch, and worked up to a quilt using my mom's old machine (finished by hand during lockdown).

But I finally got a (basic) pattern and finished a slightly more advanced project! It's a small backpack. I'm happy with how it turned out and also see all the imperfections lol! Just wanted to share.

Pattern from DLVP Patterns I used a slightly stretchy denim and vinyl and a heavy cotton fabric for the lining. I had some trouble with the interfacing but got that sorted out with some reddit help.

Anybody able to tell me what kind of fabric this is? I was gifted this fabric but I’m not sure exactly what kind of fabric it is. I believe it’s some kind of suiting fabric but I just wanted to confirm first. I appreciate any help!

Hi! I saw this online and I thought it was so cute. But when I tried to reverse image search I couldn't find it so I figured I could just make it. Is anything sitting on a similar pattern or have any pointers to where I could find something like this?

I recently recreated the tennis dress Nike designed for Roland Garros this year. Earlier in the year, I had drafted a recreation of the Kamperett Anemoia dress, which was quite difficult/time consuming. When I saw the Nike dresses, I figured I could pretty easily adapt those pattern pieces to the athletic fabric, and make a new dress. I had also patterned the lycra (shorts and tank combo) for a different athletic dress, so I had these on hand already.

The outer dress is three pattern pieces adapting a princess seam repeated twice for the front. The back pieces are almost the same, but they scoop back much more (are lower). The stretch fabric really limits how much you must change. There is a godet between each pattern piece (10 total). Each of the seams of the outer dress are french-seamed, as the fabric is transparent. In the Nike dresses, they look to be flat felled seams, but this seemed possibly tricky to avoid the fabric bunching even slightly.

I forgot to add fabric information - I believe the outer fabric for both are "athletic mesh," and the inner fabric is lycra. The Kamperett dress recreation is 100% silk. This video was helpful inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eya-Eux6KUo

The inner part of the dress is a tank-top and shorts sewn together. The top is two pattern pieces, and the shorts are three. One piece for each leg, a small triangle for the bum area, and a pocket. I designed the shorts based on a pair of biker shorts I had and liked.

I've now made two of these dresses, and they are serving me well!

It's fun to see how different patterns can be altered in small ways, used on alternate fabrics, and have such distinct end products. A wedding guest dress and a tennis dress!

I like how baggy shirts fit when you tie a knot in the back such as the picture. Is there a way to achieve this by altering them through sewing? Hoping to achieve this similar fit with a cleaner look than tying a knot

Hi all. Looking for advice, ive made my first corset in the photo above, looking to drape a sheer silk crepe over the top to look similar to the second photo.

Can I sew the draped fabric directly onto the corset? Or is there another method that would be better?

I’m a contestant in a local sewing competition, Project Runway style. Our prompt for the unconventional materials week was to create a costume using non traditional sewing materials. I cut down the maiden grass seed heads from our yard, sewed it onto some old craft paper I had saved, and secured the reverse side with brown duct tape. The head dress was constructed out of cardboard, an egg carton, and more maiden grass. The grass got progressively fluffier throughout the week and o really loved the texture it gave!

Handmade squid kitty from Coraline stuffed animal/bag charm for my niece as a Christmas present. Made with recycled materials.I made the pattern myself and cut everything and every stitch is hand sewn! Some progress pictures ✨

How I made my pattern: i sketched it out on a thicker paper and then I cut it and traced the pattern onto my fabric.

Fabric: lavender velvet and blush velvet. Embroidery thread and an o ring

I found these wool blanket scraps at a local thrift store. Any idea how these could be used? According to store owner, family member’s grandmother had them stored and never did anything with them.

Top is before bottom is after! My first time installing a zipper. Super proud!

Hi! I’m a confident beginner getting back into garment sewing. I made a DIY body cast with plastic wrap and masking tape which I marked, cut off of me, and made into these pattern pieces.

To those with more experience, does this look so wonky that I shouldn’t move forward with making a muslin to alter?

I have scoliosis, so I expected my pattern to be asymmetrical. I also realize I might be getting ahead of myself with this project/it might be too advanced for my skills.

While I technically have made garments before, this is the first time in nearly 20 years I’ve made anything to wear and decided to draft this here tomato costume for Halloween after struggling to find one to buy.

My partner is going as Denethor from Return of the King. IYKYK.

Got my machine serviced a few months ago after decades of disuse, got her all tuned up, and have been taking classes.

The front and back are just two ovals and two tapered 6” gussets with a neckline. Cut a 5” slit in the back I taught myself how to sew a continuous placket on (she’s ugly, but she’s finished, lol). Sort of free formed the collar, then taught myself how to make bias tape to finish the neckline. After realizing that bias tape really does mean you have to cut it on the bias (lol), I decided to buy bias tape for the hem. We won’t talk about how that went, just don’t look too close.

Hook and eye in the back because I misread my collar measurement by a bit. I still put a button in the spot where the collar gaps just for fun (yes, it is a tomato button).

I used only quilting cotton, thick fusible interfacing for the body, and thin for the collar. I thought about lining it and decided there were already enough new lessons in this project, lol.

Okay so as the jeans are currently, they sag a lot at the front which makes my tummy look bigger than it actually is and the fabric has weird bunching.

A belt doesn't really fix the problem, as the fabric just bunches even worse.

How can I fix this problem? I've already put two darts on the rear. I didn't realize how much they would stretch as I wore them, and I should have bought a smaller size but they were over $100 and I just can't afford another pair rn.

Hello! If I am using a serger to avoid fraying on the edges of pattern pieces, do I need to secure every serger tail? Seems like a lot of work.

I don’t know how to describe the problem other than the pant just will not go through the machine. One piece is getting caught on 2 points of the “feed dog” but the fabric itself isn’t going through at all. I’ve exhausted my knowledge so I’m turning to you all. What’s happening?
Turns out I can’t post a video here so now I’m really at a loss on how to describe this.

I’ve been sewing on and off since 2009, mostly making simple unlined knit dresses or pajamas. This project is my most challenging yet, and I’m very proud of it. I chose the Closet Core Patterns Kelly Anorak because it’s a popular pattern with plenty of resources available. I initially planned to make it for myself in green British Millerain Waxed Cotton, interlined with recycled wool, and lined in silk twill. However, I knew the cost would be much higher than buying the Barbour jacket I wanted, so I decided to test it on cheap fabric from a bargain bin. My 10-year-old daughter had outgrown her fall jacket, so I bought what I thought was basic 10oz. cotton canvas from an online retailer, which turned out to be LL Bean deadstock with a DWR finish. She chose the color and lining fabric, a cotton/viscose blend, which isn’t interlined for warmth since she prefers layering a sweatshirt or sweater on cold days.
The trickiest part was getting that tiny sleeve onto my machine arm so it would attach to the body. I also had a bit of trouble with the flat felled seam on the second sleeve seams. The sleeve was just too small, and the fabric was too thick, so I only managed to do the flat felled sleeve on the most noticeable one.
It took me about 10 days to complete, and sourcing all the notions was a bit difficult, but I feel ready to make it for myself now. I sewed her a women’s size “0” and didn’t shorten it because she’s tall and thin, so she’ll likely grow taller before wider, allowing her to wear the jacket for a couple of years.

Made my first pair of overalls!

I bought a pair at a market in France and absolutely loved them, but after wearing them throughout my pregnancy, the seams started coming apart. So I took them apart and used them as a pattern.

So pleased with how they turned out! Just sad that I have to wait until next summer to wear them 🥲

Second picture is the type of waist I’d like to create. There is no zipper on this dress but I intend to add one after I create the waist. Any tips or thoughts?