Learn the essential sewing skills every beginner needs to get started with confidence. This category covers sewing fundamentals such as fabric types, tools and equipment, sewing terminology, cutting and pressing techniques, machine setup, and simple stitches. You’ll find step-by-step tutorials, practical tips, and troubleshooting advice designed to build strong foundations for garment sewing, pattern drafting, and DIY projects. Perfect for beginners and a helpful refresher for experienced sewists looking to master the basics and improve sewing accuracy and results.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to transfer darts from a sewing pattern onto fabric and how to sew darts on a shirt with precision. This step-by-step method will help you achieve clean dart tips, smooth shaping, and a professional finish every time. This guide is part of my shirt drafting series and is
How to Sew Darts on a Shirt: Precise Marking, Transfer and Sewing Tutorial Read More »
In this post, I show you how to sew a grown-on shirt button stand step by step, using a method that creates a crisp, straight finish every time. This is the easiest type of button stand to sew and is the most commonly used method in commercial sewing patterns. Whenever I sew a shirt, I
How to Sew a Shirt Button Stand (Step-by-Step Guide) Read More »
To complete a classic shirt or shirt dress with long sleeves, you will need to draft a shirt sleeve cuff pattern. A shirt cuff finishes the sleeve opening, controls the wrist fit, and together with a sleeve placket allows the hand to pass through the sleeve comfortably. In this tutorial I show how to draft
How to Draft a Shirt Sleeve Cuff Pattern Read More »
Knowing how to draft a shirt collar pattern allows you to expand your handmade wardrobe to include well-fitting shirts and shirt dresses. In this step-by-step tutorial I show how to draft a shirt collar pattern that fits any collar stand, using a collar stand drafted from a basic bodice block. You can read more about the collar stand
How to Draft a Shirt Collar Pattern (Step-by-Step Tutorial) Read More »
Knowing how to draft a collar stand sewing pattern is a fundamental skill in shirt pattern drafting. In this step-by-step collar stand drafting tutorial, I will show you exactly how to draft a collar stand pattern from your bodice neckline measurement, so it fits accurately and sits comfortably around the neck. You can use this
How to Draft a Collar Stand Sewing Pattern (Step-by-Step Tutorial) Read More »
In this beginner-friendly tutorial, you will learn how to draft a button stand step by step using a bodice block, explaining exactly how to calculate the correct width for any button size so your finished garment sits flat and professional. I draft all of my shirt and shirt dress patterns from a basic bodice block,
How to Draft a Button Stand (Step-by-Step Pattern Drafting Tutorial) Read More »
In this step-by-step sewing tutorial, I will show you exactly how to sew a buttonhole on a sewing machine using three methods: one-step automatic, four-step, and manual zigzag. You will also learn how to prevent puckering, uneven stitching, and thread jams so your buttonholes look clean and professional. I have sewn buttonholes on shirts, shirt
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If you want to start drafting your own sewing patterns, you do not need a studio full of specialist equipment. In this guide, I will show you the essential sewing pattern drafting tools I personally use, explain why they matter, and help you avoid buying tools you do not actually need. I have been drafting
Sewing Pattern Drafting Tools You Actually Need Read More »
In this step-by-step bias binding tutorial for beginners, you will learn exactly how to make bias binding (also called bias tape) using three practical methods: individual strips, continuous bias binding (no-waste method), and semi-continuous bias strips. Whether you need single fold bias tape, double fold bias tape, or a simple raw-edge bias finish, this guide
How to Make Bias Binding (Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners) Read More »
In this blog post I will show you how to add seam allowance to your drafted or traced sewing pattern at the drafting and cutting stage. I draft my own garment patterns for personal wear and blog tutorials, working primarily with natural fibres such as cotton, linen, hemp, rayon, and wool. The seam allowance recommendations
How to Add Seam Allowances to Sewing Patterns (Drafting & Fabric Cutting Guide) Read More »
