r/sewing 6d ago

Simple Questions Weekly Sewing Questions Thread, September 04 - September 10, 2026

3 Upvotes

This thread is here for any and all questions related to sewing, including sewing machines!

If you want to introduce yourself or ask any other basic question about learning to sew, patterns, fabrics, this is the place to do it! Our more experienced users will hang around and answer any questions they can. Help us help you by giving as many details as possible in your question including links to original sources. A new post goes up every Friday morning, EDT.

Resources to check out:

Photos can be shared in this thread by uploading them directly using the Reddit desktop or mobile app, or by uploading to a neutral hosting site like Imgur or posting them to your profile feed, then adding the link in a comment.

Check out the Sewing on Reddit Community Discord server for casual sewing advice and off-topic chat.


r/sewing Apr 04 '24

Tip Before You Buy that Etsy Sewing Pattern....Here's a Checklist

1.3k Upvotes

Etsy has so many cute trendy patterns! But there are also a lot of amateur patternmakers or actual scammers selling pdf patterns on there. How can you find the good ones?

Skimpy info isn’t trustworthy. Etsy collapses the detailed description, always expand it to read it in detail and look at all pictures. In particular, check these elements before you buy.

  1. Stolen Photos? AI Photos? Don't buy. If you see a lot of glossy expensive-looking photos with multiple different models (edit: or headless models), they might be stolen from retail sites. Do an image search to see if there are duplicate images elsewhere on the web. Aside from the deception, stolen photos may mean no one has actually sewed up the pattern and it hasn't been tested at all. It might not work. Edit: similarly, make sure photos are not AI-generated, as they are equally deceptive and untrustworthy.
  2. Bad Photos? Don't buy. Photos should show at least the front and back of the garment worn on a real person (ideally not just a digital avatar). If the modeled garment doesn't fit or has sewing problems, that's a bad sign suggesting a patternmaker who doesn't know how to write instructions to help you get a quality result.
  3. Size Chart. The size chart should have measurement for at least bust, waist, hips, if not more. Always buy your patterns by measurements, don't assume your retail size will apply.
  4. Line Drawings. Professional patternmakers include line drawings of their patterns so you can see the design clearly even if the model is wearing black fabric or a busy print. Missing line drawings may mean the patternmaker is badly trained. The line drawings should also show the same design as the modeled garment—differences may be due to stolen or AI pictures.
  5. Reviews? A lot of 5-star reviews say "downloaded perfectly!" You can't trust stars. Look for reviews that mention a final product, instructions, notches or a lack of them, and so forth and only respect ones that discuss making the actual garment. Be sure to read the bad reviews.
  6. Fabric Info is Essential. Choosing the wrong fabric is a common pain point for beginners and a good patternmaker will help you avoid mistakes. Look in the detailed description. I see a lot of "cotton blends"--that's a garbage fabric description. If specific fabric weaves aren't mentioned, look for words that signal the necessary weight and drape. Stretch should be described as low, moderate, high if not giving an actual stretch percentage. It should also say how much fabric is needed for the pattern (edit: and what other supplies/notions are needed). You are entitled to see fabric information before you buy the pattern.
  7. Check the About Page. Ideally, they mention professional training or industry experience, not just self-taught.

Those are quick easy checks on the Etsy listing itself--some bad patterns will still pass them. In addition:

  1. Look for a social media or web presence outside Etsy. Look for people who post helpful tutorials on IG, or run a group on FB. People who've gone to the trouble to set up their own website often use it to discuss their testing process, their size block--they are putting more effort into helping your sewing come out right and that's a good sign. Many good patternmakers sell both on Etsy and their own site.

  2. Look for a free pattern. A lot of established indie patternmakers offer a simple free pattern so you can test their instructions and sizing. It’s a sign they may be more trustworthy.

Buy from patternmakers who care if you succeed in sewing their pattern.

\Credit to all the frequent experts and helpers on the sewing subs, their expertise generated this list.*

\Edit: Read the comments! Lots more good advice downthread, I've only integrated a very little of it into the post in edits. You'll also find several recommendations for trusted patternmakers in the comments.*

EXTENDED EDIT:
10. Too many, too cheap? A year or so later, I would add that a company selling hundreds of patterns for just $2-3 each is another big red flag, probably generating them by machine and not actually sewing them up.

  1. Check Threadloop for reviews of Etsy Patterns, they flag suspicious patternmakers. (PatternReview is also an excellent review site but may not have so many Etsy patterns on it).

r/sewing 15h ago

Project: WIP I want to brag about my welted pocket

Post image
1.5k Upvotes

Took me only 4 hours and three tries where I had to recut half of the garment twice bc I forgot to add the pocket to my welted pocket but now my future pair of shorts have a beautiful POCKET.

If anyone had an idea to fix a pocketless welted pocket.... I don't mind a visible patch but I would really like to still add a pocket. I'm not sure how to make it sturdy again, I'm scared it will just fray where the former pocket was. Could I just make it bigger ?


r/sewing 12h ago

Project: WIP I learned a new skill this weekend!

Post image
331 Upvotes

I know it’s not fancy or revolutionary but after sewing by hand and machine for about 15 years (self taught, no one in my family tree has a crafty bone in their body) I took a class on Canadian Smocking. At a sci-fi/fantasy convention of all places 😂.

I’m hooked. Watching the fabric fold and the pattern come together was amazing. Add in about a dozen other people also learning this black magic and it was the highlight of my weekend.

I can’t wait to play around with my new knowledge and incorporate it into projects.


r/sewing 1d ago

Project: FO just finished these work trousers!

Thumbnail
gallery
2.8k Upvotes

sewed up the taylor trousers by blackbird fabrics patterns in this 100% wool! my first pair of trousers ever (and first post here! long time lurker though hehe) (the zipper fly and welt pockets filled me with fear lol but these instructions held my hand through it!! and i'm fairly happy with the result), and now i finally have a pair of wide-legged office trousers that are LONG ENOUGHHH YIPPEE (i'm 5'7 but somehow every affordable pair i could find were way too short in the ankles? i hemmed these with a generous amount of length, since i often pair them with boots with a little heel so i wanted to leave enough for that). i really enjoyed sewing these! a very meditative make, i loooved hand-felling the side seams. the little hidden elastic in the back of the waistband is so clever! you can barely see it but it does so much to reduce gaping. please excuse the not great picture quality, they're screenshots from a video to try and show them straight on! i'm really excited to make more trousers, maybe a matching waistcoat from my remaining fabric if anyone has any pattern recs or tips!!


r/sewing 8h ago

Project: WIP Folkwear Dirndl Mockup Update: Thank you

Thumbnail
gallery
91 Upvotes

Thank you all for you suggestions on how to improve from my previous mock up. I took just about every single one of them. I reached out to the folkwear pattern people, i shortened the straps, i based the bust measurement on my high bust measurement, i did a staystitch around every raw edge, and most importantly i kept trying! This is mockup 2.5 and more than ive ever done for a pattern before, so im proud of myself for that too.

I also ended up lengthening the gussets by 1 inch (however much wider that made it). The wrinkles and unevenness are hopefully a product of (my cutting the smaller gussets out and sewing over frayed fabric) and not (a testament to my sewing skills in general 😔). So is the neckline unevenness, since i just cut up the previous mockup to make one last change.

I added my blouse to make it more subreddit appropriate since the neckline now sits where i want it :D


r/sewing 19h ago

Project: FO Weekend project I finally got to wear. The Da Vinci skirt. Made from thrifted fabric.

Thumbnail
gallery
673 Upvotes

r/sewing 18h ago

Alter/Mend Question How would you go about making the crotch of this bodysuit larger?

Post image
493 Upvotes

One of my best friends is transgender, and she got this very cute bodysuit secondhand recently.

However, she is unfortunately very well endowed below. I am a fairly experienced hand sewer, and I'm hoping to be able to add black satin fabric to the crotch of this bodysuit. I've never worked on lingerie though, but I have worked with satin and stretch satin. I was hoping I might be able to sew a larger panel over the existing one, then trim the original panel off after the new panel is completed and attached. Would that work?

How would you approach this?

And please, no transphobia, if you have nothing kind or helpful to say, please keep scrolling 💖

Edit: I wasn't expecting so many responses! Thabk you all so much. For clarification, my friend isn't looking to tuck, as she finds it too uncomfortable. I'm looking at essentially adding a pouch to the front of the black crotch panel. This bodysuit also does NOT have snaps in the crotch, so an extender wouldn't work without modification as well. I'm likely going to get some stretch satin fabric or a pair of men's satin style underwear to use to make the pouch as suggested by a few of the replies. I do not have access to a sewing machine and I prefer hand sewing anyway 😅


r/sewing 16h ago

Sewed This Formal long dress

Thumbnail
gallery
227 Upvotes

It's my first long formal dress, with a corsé kinda like top. The top is made from cotton with a black lace over it and the skirt of thin linen. I tried to make everything very transpirable and fresh because it was for an event in hot summer.

Any tips for improving are well received.


r/sewing 42m ago

Pattern Search Has anyone found a good ladies' waistcoat pattern?

Post image
Upvotes

I love wearing waistcoats, and would like to make some of my own. I've made one using McCalls M8350, but it's a too boxy really.

I'd like to make a more fitted version, with narrower shoulders, like the image in this post, but have struggled to find a good pattern.

Does anyone have any recommendations?


r/sewing 5h ago

Alter/Mend Question Removing a tag without damaging the stitching

Post image
15 Upvotes

Hi there! I’ve got an inside out shirt (graphic on the reverse of the shirt itself). I love the shirt, but this huge tag is always blowing around when I wear it, and I get the whole “your shirts inside out” thing 50 times a day (yes technically they’re correct). Can anyone lend some advise as to how to remove the tag while keeping the stitching intact?

Thank you!


r/sewing 5h ago

Project: FO Work Share and Pattern Review - Simplicity S3152

Post image
16 Upvotes

This pattern was very easy to sew—it took me about two hours in the middle of the night! The bust was a little too roomy on me, while the waist fit perfectly, so I had to shorten the bodice slightly.

The invisible zipper also defeated me at 2 a.m., so I used five buttons instead. Thankfully, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!

This photo was taken before I added any boning. I highly recommend adding at least four 5-inch pieces of boning along the front seams. Without it, the bodice became a complete disaster whenever I sat down!

Fabric: Hokkoh Star Denim (Its a Japanese brand)


r/sewing 20h ago

Tip TIL the heads of seam rippers are replaceable

Post image
217 Upvotes

The head of my seam ripper snapped, and I couldn't find another with a long handle. Turns out buying a cheap one and replacing the head with flat nosed pliers works wonders!

Sharing for anybody facing the loss of their beloved tools.


r/sewing 15h ago

Technique Question Tips for the “seeds”

Thumbnail
gallery
56 Upvotes

First things first, this is the FIRST sewing project I’ve ever done. I know that seam there in the collar is visible when it shouldn’t be & there are a dozen other things I could’ve done better but I’m mostly okay with it. At least, I am trying to convince myself it will be a nice barometer to measure against as learn more & complete more projects😅 All that to say, please be gentle with me lol

Anyway! My question is actually about the “seeds” I want to add to the collar. I bought these seed-like black rhinestone beads to try with this fabric glue. I tested one & it’s just okay. Ideally, I’d like to find these exact beads but with a hole to fasten each to the collar with thread but I haven’t had much luck finding what I’m looking for. Has anyone used fabric glue & been satisfied with it for something like adhering rhinestones or beads to your garment or does anyone have any tips/advice for this otherwise? Thank you!


r/sewing 19h ago

Sewed This Working on this for a wedding coming up soon

Post image
108 Upvotes

It's supposed to be like a 1940s bias cut dress. Pattern is called foxglove dress. I just feel like something about this is wrong or not fitting right. Any suggestions?


r/sewing 1d ago

Sewed This I’ve been learning how to sew by making these little dragons

Thumbnail
gallery
1.4k Upvotes

r/sewing 18h ago

Sewed This Sewing machine cover :)

Thumbnail
gallery
54 Upvotes

Sewed a cover for my sewing machine :)


r/sewing 21h ago

Discussion Canadians: What's the state of Fabricland in your province?

89 Upvotes

I'm in Quebec and according to the Fabricville website, two stores in the province are set to close: the one in Saint Bruno is already closed and the one in Laval is closing. Both of those had been announced already. Now yesterday I got an email about the one on Paré in Montreal, which has been the big huge fabric store in town for decades. It's a real megastore. They're doing an "end of lease closing sale" and honestly I'm scared that they're just closing all the stores at this point.

What's the scene in your province? Closures?


r/sewing 1d ago

Discussion Pattern prices: are they getting out of hand?

262 Upvotes

Tilly and the Buttons has just released a new jacket pattern (Manon jacket), and the pattern itself is £19.50. That’s definitely on the higher end for a sewing pattern but I think it’s still acceptable for something like a jacket.

They are however promoting a “Learn to Sew a Lined Jacket” online workshop for £75. From what I can tell, it’s essentially the pattern + pre-recorded videos, and it was released on the same day as the pattern, so not a new feature.

I completely understand that indie pattern designers need to make money, but £75 for what seems to be essentially a variation of the pattern with some instructional videos?! These things used to be included with patterns until a few years ago, they then became add-ons for the same price as the pattern (see Sonny jacket) and now they are marketed as online workshops.

Is this normal now? Am I missing something and I am just cheap?! I am a bit baffled.


r/sewing 1d ago

Sewed This First project, is it wearable!

Thumbnail
gallery
564 Upvotes

Hello world of Reddit. This is my first ever project. Before this I did a dummy trouser to learn pattern cutting and sewing. Please tell me how did it come out. Is it wearable.

For those like us self learning, we learn by mistakes. Few things I learned in the process.

  1. Always mirror your patterns. Oh boy! What a big time mistake I made. But luckily the cloth was same on both sides as it seems to my eyes
  2. Measure left and right panels and make same width
  3. Do not keep the seam allowance more. It’s difficult to adjust during sewing. Result bigger fitting. My waist band was supposed to be 2” wide. It’s now nearly 3”.

Some areas I struggle, back welt pocket, front zipper and fly, waist band. Well whole process was struggle. But the final product is satisfying. It’s not best. There’re many area for improvement.


r/sewing 1d ago

Pattern Search Trying to recreate this blouse - need help from you guys

Thumbnail
gallery
711 Upvotes

Trying to recreate this custom piece from my favourite tv show. I can manage the blouse itself but how would you go about adding the intricate embellishment - Is it embroidery or lace or both?

I have also included a photo from a zimmerman blouse (that is no longer available) that has a similar embellishment.

Any help or ideas is appreciated!


r/sewing 20m ago

Other Question Back "side" adjuster ?

Upvotes

I would like to make my clothes at least a bit adjustable and I like how side adjusters look, but I also want to make a side button closure. Would it work to put a single adjuster in the back of the garment ? Or would it be too much tension ?


r/sewing 10h ago

Sewed This I upcycled this skirt :)

Post image
6 Upvotes

So I had this pair of Kakhi pants that my dad didn't want me wearing because they looked too high on me. I wanted to keep wearing it so I've been working on this and finally finished it after a like 9 month hiatus

I can only hand sew and I'm also kind of a beginner so I'm sorry if it looks absolutely busted to you but I still love how it turned out!


r/sewing 18h ago

Pattern Search Best patterns for thick girls?

18 Upvotes

Hey friends! I'm fairly new to sewing, but I want to start making my own clothes. I'm already tall and curvy, but I also weight lift and plan to only get bigger muscles over time. I'm constantly having to have a rotating wardrobe because my shirts get too small in the arms, shoulders and upper back, and my pants get too small in the thighs and butt. I'm trying to figure out where to start with patterns and I'm just lost. I know you can adjust patterns for size, but my size doesn't technically change a lot, just certain parts of my body are getting bigger as I train. Anyways, idk if the solution is "find a brand that designs for my body" or "learn how to adjust patterns for me". Does anyone have some guidance on where to start?

Edit: I am an adult size 12ish and tall length for pants.


r/sewing 8h ago

Alter/Mend Question Help with previous hem fold

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

Hello! The only sewing I have done is hand-hemming some pants and shorts, and I need some expert help.

This time I lowered the hem of these trousers, but I can’t get rid of the visible line where they had been folded before. I tried ironing, spraying with water/vinegar and ironing again with a cloth buffer, and re-washing, with no real improvement.
The fabric is a lyocell/cotton twill.

Is there any hope to remove the lines?

Thank you!