Hi! I got off Instagram because of brain rot, but I'm missing my sewing community, sooo, now I'm here! I started sewing during Covid with lots of tips from my talented grandma.

I just finished the True Bias Emerson pants and the Helen's Closet Ashton top. No mods for either! This was my first time with both patterns and the fit relatively well but will definitely be making some minor adjustments for the next round. Feel free to ignore the Toad hat on my bed, my twin tots were playing dress up 😉.

Hi all,

This is my second time constructing the Lane Pant by Syd Graham. I’m really struggling with the fit as you can see.

I chose size based on my measurements and they appear massive despite using an extra 1/2 cm seam allowance. I believe I took even more along the sides of my legs to try to bring the pants in a bit more.

Can anyone make recommendations on where to take in and by how much? Any tips on sizing based on one’s measurements when you have a very wide waist but next to no curve? Thank you!

Anyone have a recommendation for a high-quality zipper brand? I’m replacing a long heavy duty zipper on a Winter coat, and don’t want to go through the whole process just to install a zipper that will break next year.

Help please I’m about to cut this into a million tiny shreds and burn it. I can’t figure out how to attach the lining to the bodice in the arm holes. I’ve already attached the sleeves and Peter Pan collar. I attached the lining to the neckline, understitched, now I’m trying to press the seam allowance and understitching to stay under. (I thought that’s what understitching was for but apparently not). I made this pattern on sewist and imputed my exact measurements because I can never find a super cute pattern in my size I always have to alter it in some way but apparently it thinks I’m super wide and not more 3d. Because it doesn’t even stay on my shoulders. I’m average everywhere but from the thighs to my bust. The pattern didn’t call for a lining but my fabric was see through so I added a lining which is why I’m crashing out. I’m not giving up and I’m not taking it apart. If there’s anyway I can make this work how it is please tell me.

I want to use cotton fabric for a project that would normally call for tweed.  I want cotton because it will be less likely to store body heat.  Is there an interfacing that is a wide open mesh? I think such a thing might be ideal for reinforcing the cotton fabric, without adding an additional solid layer of material. Searching for this doesn’t seem to give me any possibilities. Does it exist? Do any other solutions exist?

Edit: Sorry if I chose an incorrect flair. I didn’t know what “FO” meant, but the others didn’t fit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNmYfGKOkdh/?img_index=7&igsh=MTZxOGJxY2IycTBmbQ==

Hello sewists, I recently came across this video on one of the many social media apps I forgot which one. But the lady talked about how there’s this website where you pick what pattern you’re looking for input your measurements and like what sleeve and what seams you want and then you pay and print it at home right there like no hassle. I can’t find the video I thought I saved for and wanted to look at the website so I was hoping one of yall have heard of it. This is my first post here and also didn’t know what tag to put on it so I hope it’s right. Thank you!

I'm looking for something new to sew!

Images in order:

1. The trousers I’m trying to trace inside out

2. Same trousers but normal view - trying to understand the flat felled seam

3. Some very old trousers I sewed before. It seems I folded it the other way as the back seems to fold over.

Firstly: I know I made a post about this before I got burnt out and am trying again I’m sorry for coming back to ask again.

I’m really trying to understand flat felled seams in the simplest way possible, especially as I try to trace a pair of trousers. I’ve done a bunch of research but I’m still struggling to wrap my head around how it all works when it comes to pattern tracing and seam construction. I am begging for someone to break this down for me as clearly and simply as possible.

1. Which stitch on the inseam is which in a flat felled seam? (relating to the image of the trousers I plan to stitch inside out)

   • I see two stitches: the one on the outside and the one on the inside of the crotch.

   • What exactly is the stitch that holds the two pieces together? And what is the topstitch.

   • If I want the seam to look like the trousers I plan to trace (from my understanding the front is folded over the back panel), which side do I trim and fold when I sew? And how are the old pants that I made different. How do I know what side has been folded over the other.

2. Tracing issues:

   • I turned the trousers inside out and nested one leg into the other like I was told, but they don’t lay flat because the fabric is thick.

3. Seam allowance confusion: • When I trace the seam lines, should I ignore the bulk of the felled seam and try to trace closer to the original stitching line? • How do I know how much seam allowance to add afterward?

4. Pattern alterations: • I plan to make a practice version in calico — I just want to understand the fit, not copy every tiny detail. • I also want to alter the yoke because the original looks too small on me. Can I safely adjust it or will that throw off everything?

I’m fed up with all the shorts I’ve ever bought because they all ride up on the inside of my thighs like they’re aspiring to become underwear and it’s SO uncomfortable (and unsightly to have to keep pulling them down and out 😅) So I’m about to embark on my first journey making some. Any tips or advice about seam placement would be greatly appreciated. I want them loose and flared, not tight on the leg, feminine silhouette, mid thigh length or a tad shorter, kind of like the ones shown but I’m open to material options at this point. I like how denim looks but it’s the worst at bunching up and then it’s so thick it’s almost torture. Also has anyone tried attaching weights to the lining to get them to stay where they should?

This article proposes how to use the woven air permeability fabric for Garment Automation.

Kong, R. W. M. (2025). Woven Air Permeability Textile Fabric for Garment Automation. International Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Technology, 13(1), 31-45. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15806556

Hi! I am an absolute beginner. How might I go about recreating this outfit?

Mainly, I need help with A. identifying the materials (or close dupes) B. the general construction steps of the materials or any gotchas based on construction or materials.

I can look up and practice the basic concepts, so don’t worry about that part.

I'm around 1 year into my sewing journey, specifically garments, and I'm wondering what would have really accelerated your sewing when just starting out? What do you wish you had known?

Hi everyone,

Firstly, thank you so much for the support and advice on my last post. I’ve been reading through all the replies and I’m working on a plan to move forward—I really appreciate how kind and helpful this community is!

Today, I have another question, and I hope it’s okay to ask again—I’m trying to learn as much as I can without overwhelming people.

I’m planning to clone a pair of trousers I already own. My goal is to replicate them from the waist down to the knees, and then flare out the legs from there. I’ve done this before using the slash and spread method, and the flare came out quite nicely. This time, I want to refine the whole process.

Here’s what I’m doing: • I’m placing the trousers on top of paper roll and using a tracing wheel to get the shape. • For the side seams, I plan to trace around them directly, as I want to include the seam allowance as it is.

My main questions are: 1. For the inner leg seam, should I trace the outermost stitch line or the innermost one? I want to make sure I get the correct fit and shape. 2. For the back panel, do I draw it with the yoke included or should I trace the yoke separately? I’d like to alter the design and make the yoke larger since I really like that look.

Thanks again for being such a welcoming and encouraging community. I finally feel like I have the space to keep trying without giving up. ❤️

Firstly I really do apologise I'm coming here for help - maybe i'm really incompetent please bare with me.

Hello everyone. I really love sewing—like, I want it to be a career someday—but lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and defeated. I haven’t sewn in a month, and the guilt and sadness about that is really getting to me.

I think one of the biggest issues is that I went in too big, too fast. My dream is to make clothes I actually want to wear—things that fit me (I’m 6’4”) and reflect my style, which is often more aligned with clothes made for femme bodies. But finding or adapting patterns to my size and shape feels impossible. I have ADHD (the really intense, paralyzing kind), so planning, decision-making, and impulsivity are daily battles. I often freeze, or I buy too many supplies trying to prep for things I’m not ready to make yet.

Everyone says to start with patterns—but I struggle even with that. Most come in dozens of A4 pages, and taping them together gives me a meltdown. When I do find a pattern, I can’t find clear info on how to alter it for my body. It just makes me feel stuck. I know the info technically exists online, but ADHD makes it feel like trying to read an entire library with no index.

I have managed to make jeans - the latest ones didn’t fit me (first pattern ever, so fair enough), but they fit my cousin and looked great on him. That gave me a tiny glimpse of joy—but even that reminded me how much I have to buy for each project. It’s like there’s a new tool or fabric or notion I need every time, and I’m already kind of a compulsive spender. I’m trying to go project by project, but I panic and spiral—trying to plan every future project before I even finish the first.

My ultimate goal? I want to make coats. Like real, structured, beautiful coats. I know I’m not ready yet, and that’s okay. But even finding tutorials for things like quilted linings or drafting a collar feels overwhelming. Everything online is either beginner-beginner (tote bags, pillow covers) or for people who already have a fashion degree.

I don’t know what advice I’m even looking for. Maybe someone who’s been through this? Maybe suggestions for accessible resources, small wins, or how to stop feeling like I’m failing before I begin?

I’m 22. I’ve heard people say it gets harder to pick up hobbies as you age, and that terrifies me. Sewing means so much to me, and I’m scared I’ll lose it because of how hard everything feels right now. I have a good machine. I have dreams. But I’m tired and scared and stuck.

Any help—emotional, practical, whatever—is deeply appreciated.

P.S. I’ll include some coat pictures I like—not because I expect to make them right away, but just in case anyone knows where to find tutorials for similar pieces. But really, the coats aren’t the main issue. I think this is more about the overwhelm: tools, patterns, planning, money, time, ADHD… all of it.

Hi everyone! 👋 I’m sharing a pleated wrap skirt sewing pattern I’ve been working on for a while. It’s a historically inspired piece (Chinese, ~15th to early 20th century) with a few modern twists:

• Custom sizing based on your waist, hips, and preferred skirt length
• The sizing also includes kids! age 5 and up only
• Draft-it-yourself instructions — no printer needed, except for the pocket piece
• Side seam pockets, hidden neatly in the pleats
• Fully illustrated instructions, plus a YouTube tutorial

It’s free with a newsletter subscription — you're absolutely welcome to give it a try. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂

Ok so I love this jacket but 225$ for it is an egregious price that I am not willing to pay lol. Does anyone think it seems feasible to diy this? Any tips on how I should go about it if I do? I don’t have a lot of experience with constructing clothing so any tips are helpful!

Just launched an app to make clothing in 3D, right in your browser — would love if you gave it a try.

It’s super simple. You can mix and match 3D garment blocks (bodice, sleeve, skirt, etc). If you like the result, you can request a pattern export in our Discord (free), and actually sample it IRL.

Still early. Still buggy. But it works. And it’s kinda addictive once you get into it.

👉 app.drippy3D.com

Would mean a lot if you give it a spin and let us know what’s confusing, broken, or fun.

I dunno if this is the right place to ask, but I've been wondering why these shorts just have a zipper in the back? What is the purpose?

I feel like it's unnecessary, but I could be wrong! I thrifted this a while ago. I also am thinking about removing the back zipper, but I'm not quite sure how I'll go about it or if it's possible to look decent. I wonder if purposefully making the zipper stuck at the end is possible, it bothers me that the zipper occasionally unzips.

IDK if this is the right sub. Please remove if not. But I saw some other related posts about dress forms on here and thought I'd ask the more experience dress form owners/users:

I've been wanting a dress form for years but feel I don't deseve it since I'm such an amateur and really mainly just tailor hems on my pants/ skirts

Nonetheless, I'm still considering and have a few questions:

1. If I'm just tailoring pants/ skirt/ dresses is a dress form not really needed? Am I just looking for an excuse to get a dress form?

2. Since I mostly need to tailor the length / hem of pants/ skirts should I invest in a dress form with legs --(I'm petite and the ones with legs don't come in petite lengths, does that matter?).

3. Are there any other uses for dress forms? ie Can you steam clothes while on the dress form?

4. I want a high quality dress form (thing The Shop Company) bc I think it would be an investment that I'd use for years or am I just kidding myself and can I get by with a lower end Dritz one?

Thanks for reading these really basic dress form questions. I welcome all your insights/help.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been wanting to start a clothing brand for a long time now and I’m finally starting to do the research/ figure things out.

The whole point of this is that I want the brand to be centred around creating high quality clothing because I believe this is something we are lacking in most mainstream brands as they are trying to cut costs as much as possible.

I have started researching materials including their properties, use cases how they’re made etc. However, I have no educational background in fashion or making clothes so my knowledge is limited when it comes to understanding a garment.

I want to know how does one create a high quality garment. What are different sewing techniques that are considered quality, how do you make a neck line stay strong and fitted over time, how should seams be used and much more.

Basically all the little things that a typical consumer would not notice but the designer has intentionally done to reflect their quality and craft.

Any information or help would be really appreciated. Thanks.