Seam allowance explained for beginners: what it is, the standard widths (1.5 cm, 1 cm, 6 mm), how to tell if it is included, how to sew it accurately, and how to clip, notch, grade and press it.
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.
How to Sew Buttonholes on a Sewing Machine (Beginner Guide)
How to sew buttonholes on a sewing machine: how long to make them, where to place them, using a one-step buttonhole foot, opening them safely, sewing on buttons and fixing the most common problems.
How to Sew with Corduroy: 12 Tips for Beginners
How to sew with corduroy, step by step: choosing the right wale, prewashing, cutting with the nap, needles and stitch length, pressing without crushing the pile, and three free corduroy sewing patterns to start with.
9 Free Winter Sewing Patterns for Women (XXS–4XL)
Nine free winter sewing patterns for women in sizes XXS–4XL: a wool coat, jackets, a vest, cozy knit tops, barrel trousers and a flannel nightgown, with levels, fabrics and outfit ideas.
Barrel Leg Pants: Fabric, Fit and Styling Guide (+ 2 Free Sewing Patterns)
Everything you need to sew barrel leg pants: what makes the curve work, the best fabrics, sizing and length tips, styling ideas and two free barrel leg sewing patterns in sizes XXS–4XL.
How to Read a Sewing Pattern: A Beginner’s Guide to Sizes, Symbols and Markings
Learn how to read a sewing pattern: choose your size, read the fabric chart, understand every pattern symbol, seam allowance and PDF pages. A simple beginner guide with examples.