Sashiko for beginners: what this Japanese stitching is, the supplies you need, how to sew the basic running stitch, three easy patterns, and how to use sashiko to mend jeans, elbows and knees with a visible patch.
Sewing Blog
Our sewing blog is full of easy sewing tips for beginners, fabric guides, and roundups of free sewing patterns with printable PDF files. Find out how much fabric you need, what to sew with 1 yard of fabric, how to choose fabric for skirts, dresses and kids clothes, plus mending and upcycling ideas. Want quick answers? Try our free sewing tools, like the fabric calculator.
8 Free Sewing Patterns for Cozy Holiday Outfits (XXS–4XL)
Eight free sewing patterns for festive holiday outfits in sizes XXS–4XL: a pinafore dress, a bishop sleeve blouse, a turtleneck, tailored trousers, a peplum jacket, a vest, a coat and a Christmas-morning nightgown, with fabric ideas and outfit combinations.
Best Fabrics for Beginner Sewists (and Which to Avoid)
The best fabrics for beginners: cotton poplin, chambray, twill, linen blends, flannel and stable knits, what makes a fabric easy to sew, which fabrics to avoid at first, and how to read fabric weight and width.
Princess Seams Explained: What They Are and How to Sew Them
What are princess seams? Learn the difference between shoulder and armhole princess seams, why they fit so well, how to sew a smooth curved seam without puckers, and how to press and adjust them.
How to Sew Knit Fabric on a Regular Sewing Machine
No serger? No problem. How to sew knit fabric on a regular sewing machine: the right needle and stitch, how to stop wavy seams, stabilising shoulders, sewing neckbands and hemming with a twin needle.
Sewing Tools for Beginners: The Essentials (and What to Skip)
The sewing tools every beginner really needs: a basic sewing machine, fabric shears, seam ripper, pins, measuring and marking tools, an iron, the right needles and thread, plus what you can skip until later.