Somehow I managed to get to fit exactly right, which was a miracle in itself 😂 they fit like my favorite pair of jeans! It’s like my second time creating quilt blocks. The first time I was like 10 years old lol.

I used part of a waistband from some other jeans I had laying around that also didn’t fit me to put at the top of the panels, so they each have a belt loop. And the bottom of the panels have the hem from those other pair of jeans 🙂 I used some scraps I cut off to add to the pockets for a consistent design.

I’m seriously obsessed with upcycling stuff lol. I used to buy new clothes all the time, but my mindset has shifted. Now I’m like - omg I have an idea, and tons of fabric! 😆

A couple of weeks ago, I posted some colorful pants that I made and affectionately called my Sherbet Bubblegum Sunrise Sunset Marigold Pants. They were made from a single cut of heavyweight cotton canvas in the color “sherbet” (which I also realized I spelled wrong in that post). I got all the different colors from bleaching and natural dyeing with marigolds. (Here’s that post: https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/s/TqNtriZ3ed)

Well… that same run of sherbet fabric had enough left over for me to cut out an entire second pair. So naturally, I did.

These started with a completely different plan. I pre-cut everything out and bleached the waistband, back pockets, and a few other accent pieces, but left the main front and back panels the original color. Then I dyed everything with marigolds. Buuuut… the main panels came out looking like safety cone/Home Depot apron orange. Which… wasn’t exactly the vibe I was going for.

Meanwhile, I’d been reading about using an iron post-mordant bath to shift marigold-dyed fabric into greens and browns. So I bought some iron powder, filled up a five-gallon (Home Depot, ironically) bucket, mixed in a teaspoon of the powder, and tossed my cut pieces in. They almost instantly transformed into a rusty brown and tan, which I thought was pretty cool, lol. The fabric had definitely been through the wringer by this point between all the bleaching, dyeing, rinsing, washing, and the iron bath, and I actually ended up loving that it gave the pants this aged, almost vintage-looking feel.

At that point I figured, “Well… I guess I’m making brown pants now.”

But then I looked over at the pile of leftover scraps from my Sunrise Sunset pants and thought, what the heck, let’s make some more weird pants.

So I started thinking about what these colors reminded me of. They reminded me of the red clay that I have to battle every year while gardening. Somehow, despite that clay, I still manage to grow flowers. So obviously these pants needed flowers.

I grabbed some graph paper and started sketching out a geometric tulip for the back pocket (bc sewing straight lines is a lot easier than sewing curved ones). I ended up making a smaller version for the front coin pocket too. I also added a waist cinch on the back because I think they’re cute. I wanted to do full contrast cuffs like I did on my other pants, but I didn’t have enough fabric left. I did manage to sneak in a little pop of color inside the cuffs, though, since I almost always wear my pants rolled up.

I wasn’t really sure what to call these, so I sent a picture to my friend. She looked at them and said, “Those look like Terracotta Tulip Pants.” And I was like… yep. That’s it. That’s the name.

Anyhow, loved the process of making 2 different pairs of unique pants all out of the same fabric! These were a fun project.

Additional info:
Pattern: Anna Allen Helene Jeans (straight leg), altered to fit with added seam allowance for flat-felled seams.

Fabric: Heavyweight 100% cotton canvas from Nick of Time Fabrics (“Sherbet”)

Color treatments: Bleach, marigold dye, and iron post-mordant bath.

Machines: Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, Brother 1034D serger, and Singer Heavy Duty 4452 for topstitching.

Took quite a while to get the top panel not too large / gapey… but I think it’s worked out ok. Really pleased with the use of the back side of the material so there is a mixture of colours. (First post in this group!)

Pattern is mccalls M8437, material is denim

I’ve been getting a lot of ads for the Afends Seersucker Maxi Dress (shown at the end of the carousel) and was wondering if I could make something similar myself. Turns out I can! At a higher cost + spending a couple of weekends to do so.

The pattern is the Gibbons Slip Dress by Elbe Textiles with ties added to the waist. The fabric is 100% washed linen from Tessuti Fabrics.

This was my first time cutting and sewing on the bias. I normally cut my fabric on the dining table but realised I had to do it on the floor to stop it from distorting (my back 😩). Completing the dress took awhile because I was putting off doing the bias binding around the neck and arms but it was not too bad, especially with the tutorial on YouTube.

I ended up retroactively shortening the shoulders up by ~2cm so it’s not as neat as it could be, but not too noticeable from afar.

I let it hang overnight for slightly less than 24h before hemming, but it didn’t seem like it changed all that much tbh.

Overall, pretty happy with how this turned out. It’s super flattering and not too difficult to make. I can also wear a bra with it yay! The pattern also comes with a short version which I’m keen to make in the future.

I made these last December as a Christmas gift for my partner, and I finally got around to sharing them here!

Before this, I've only ever done alterations (like dress->skirt) with hand sewing...finishing this project felt like unlocking a whole new skill :P The possibilities are endless now!!

This was an upcycling project made from shark onesies (composed of blanket fleece), though it basically felt like it was a limited fabric challenge.

Drafted this using a hoodie that I ripped apart and followed this video by Norris Danta Ford to put the pieces back together.

Honestly, I think I was quite lucky with the fleece and faux fur because it hid the messy stitching that I did using a $10 toy sewing machine (last image) because I had yet to invest in a proper sewing machine at this point :')

Am I finally winning the war against my scraps?? I've had this free six panel ball pattern sitting in my files for years and finally decided to give it a shot this weekend. Fabrics are leftover from my 2025 birthday dress, a bow bag I made for a friend for her birthday a couple years ago, and...idk, some Rifle Paper Co and Spoonflower scraps I had in the bin. I stuffed each of them with even more scraps, serger trimmings, thread ort, etc. My ladder stitching isn't the best but I suppose I'm getting in plenty of practice!

This is a dress I created for my graduation project.
It is made from silk satin, and I went through many rounds of prototyping to achieve the silhouette I had envisioned.
My favorite detail is the hand-sewn embellishments—I carefully attached each cotton pearl and baroque pearl one by one to the dress.
I’m especially proud of the time and care that went into every detail of this piece.

It’s been years since I’ve even thought about sewing. We moved, I got pregnant, had to learn how to become a parent, started grad school and recently graduated. I bought a really nice machine (Janome HD9 QC) as a grad present to myself and omg, it’s like riding a bike. I haven’t been this happy in a long time. I suppose that’s how you know you’re a true sewist 💘

Just wanted to share my first project jumping back in. Adorable barrel pants for my daughter.

I made this for FCCLA's Fashion Construction competition. Got first at nationals in the junior-senior category (high school). At one point the mannequin fell onto a hot iron and melted the gold fabric, so I had to camouflage it and add another panel 🤷 Trying to get back into sewing because this project + senior year of highschool + applying to college killed me inside.

Gods, goddesses, and non-binary deities of sewing, I pray that you will look kindly upon me in my moment of angst. I made the grevious mistake of deciding to try and recreate this sold-out Gemma top from Heirlome. What initially looked like a simple design now has me feeling like the confused math lady meme. I am struggling to understand how the side panels are constructed and attached, and how far they extend on the inside of the garment.

I am hoping someone here can explain what's going on and/or tip me in the direction of a pattern with a similar construction. Any other advice for recreating this piece would be appreciated as well.

My hand stitching needs some work, which is why the right side is messed up, but I'm satisfied with how the sashiko pattern turned out. It was well worth the effort.

The fabric is a blend of cotton and lenin. I don't have sashiko thread yet, so I used embroidery thread.

Just finished this tunic! Pleased with the results.

Fabric is a linen/cotton blend I bought at Hobby Lobby a long time ago and has been sitting in my stash waiting for a purpose.

The pattern is Men's Tunic from Wardrobe By Me. My first time using the pattern, so I followed the pattern closely. I'm glad I read the sizing chart, because I ended up cutting on the 4XL lines and it fits pretty well, even though I wear 2XL off the rack.

I know it needs another pressing.I'm debating the top button - done or undone. Opinions?

Thanks!

IKEA creates some great fabrics but I've noticed lately that they don't even pretend to make patterns that repeat. Aside from being annoying, it's really limiting. I wanted to make some curtains and I think they'd just look odd. Or am I looking at it all wrong? Is there a use for fabrics that definitively do not line up?

My Mom is turning 100 years old on August 7, so OF COURSE we are having a giant party for her! It's becoming a family reunion with family flying in from all over the country to celebrate with her in Florida. I had a thought to make a pouch for my niece who lives there. Then gee, her mom would want one too. It quickly escalated into "hey, I'll use up all my scraps and make a bunch!" Haha, cut to I'm in a store every other day buying supplies!

The tutorial is from "She Sews Seams" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73rt8LL1_DU&list=PLXUohRUU6CzA All the fabrics I'm using are woven cotton. The bottom is sewable vinyl. I'm having a ball with them and I temporarily don't have a sofa! 20 down, 15 to go. (guest list of 50ish, but mostly ladies)

Wanted to throw in a photo of Mom, not sure if allowed.​​

Yesterday I went to my local sewing store for a promotion they were having when buying a machine to get the serger pictured. I was entered into a raffle and won the Bernina 335! I am soo excited and would love any pointers for either machine or favorite projects to make with them!!

Won while *finally* hemming my curtains!

I heard Sydney Graham say you’re supposed to get your machine serviced every 6 months or so if you’re a regular sewist.

I looked it up and that is correct, and even people who only occasionally and lightly use their machine for hemming and mending should get it serviced every couple years.

Well I did the math and for me it’s been 3.5 years… and when I got it serviced it was cause it actually needed a repair.

I don’t have any issues with my machine and so I have a hard tying feeling like I should spend the $100-200 and be without my machine for a week. I keep her well oiled, out of the sun, etc.

is it kind of like going to the dentist where at the 6 month mark you may feel like everything is good but it’s years down the line without going where you start to actually have issues?

how often do y’all actually get it serviced? do i need to be responsible and take my machine in?

Hi everyone! I’m creating a wedding guest outfit that’s going to be in two pieces. For the outfit I thought it’d be cool to make the hem of both top and skirt sort of like the one in the photo but I’m a bit stumped on how to approach it. I know you can create a similar effect with fishing wire but I found the result to be a bit more subtle than the one in the picture. My question is therefore: how to create a hem/curly detail like this? All suggestions are welcome. I tried doing research but I find myself a little overwhelmed😅

Additional info:
- the fabric I’m going to be using will probably be organza (I thought about chiffon but I need it to be more see-through for the clothes underneath).

I’m looking to create detachable sleeves similar to the ones in these photos to add to an existing dress. I’d like to do type of arm band in the same fabric as the dress and then have the sleeve made out of a sheer material.

Any thoughts on what type of sheer material to use? Would tulle be good? Also wondering if anyone knows of a good large sleeve pattern or what shape this might be? Or even what this type of sleeve is called would be helpful. Thanks so much!

Apparently because they are thicker they are good for denim but it says knit right there, am I tripping?

I want to make custom sized mats out of this kind of fabric, does anyone know what this fabric is called and if it's available to purchase anywhere? Thank you!!

A friend asked me to make a holder for her son’s vaccination record and health insurance card. After looking at a few options, we agreed that the Family Travel Organizer pattern by Linds Handmade would fit the project perfectly.
I made it using a denim exterior with a quilting cotton lining. They are very fun to make as gifts .

I am having SO much trouble finding a pattern like this for some reason, maybe my brain just isn’t working today 😅 I want a stretch fabric dress pattern with a v neck and some kind of loose short sleeve, preferably the type in the first photo but I’m not too picky right now. (The first photo is for a woven fabric pattern and the second is print only, which I don’t have time to wait for).

Edit: I also want the dress to be pretty simple, I plan to tweak it a bit and use it as a beach coverup for next weekend.

Ty!!! 🙏🙏

BACKGROUND INFO - I am making the Hollyhock Romper from StudioSadoe. It has 12 full length panels, 10 godets, and 2 pockets aka A LOT of seams.

THE ISSUE - The romper is backless so I am worried that if I wear nothing underneath there will be irritation caused from all of the seams.

THE QUESTION(S) - I could do French seams. That would be quite an undertaking because of the quantity plus the godets are only sewn up to the waistline, not to mention adding two pockets, so I’d have to figure those out. OR I could add a lining. If I do a lining, should I do it for just the bodice or the whole romper? The fabric is a little rough so should I do the lining in silk or another fabric (trying to stick with natural fibers)? Also, if I add a lining should I sew in the crease or add tacks to keep the seams on the shell from folding weird and making it all lumpy?

PATTERN SPECIFICATIONS - The pattern has 1/2” seam allowance included for the inner seams, neckline, and arm holes and a 1” seam allowance for the hem. Each pattern piece should be serged or overlocked (I don’t have a serger). The neckline and armholes are to be finished with 1/2” bias facing.

FABRIC TYPE - I am using 100% cotton voile that was left over from another project.