You have two choices now that you have decided to make your clothes – either make your patterns with the help of tutorials on this site or buy commercial sewing patterns. Both are good but making paper patterns is a little bit more adventurous than getting ready-made patterns. Read on if you are up to it.
Related post : Websites to buy sewing patterns.
- Easy A-line streetwear skirt from old jeans
- Make tiered skirts with patchwork fabric
- PATTERN FOR a Boho style blouson top
- Sewing tutorial for a halter neck dress with a low back
- Make your own Skirt block
- Making a Sheath Dress with Stretch Velour (Tips from my experience)
- Sew a Tent dress (Sewing tutorial & Pattern)
- Sew a Paperbag waist Pant (Sewing tutorial)
- Sew a Pull-on Half-circle skirt (Tutorial)
- Sew Free size Yoga pants (Pattern & tutorial)
- Anarkali suit sewing pattern & tutorial
- How to turn jeans into a long skirt with a slit
- Make a corset top (Sewing tutorial)
- Repurposing a dress shirt – 6 ways
- Sew a Drop-shoulder Overlay Top with an asymmetrical hem
- Make a Lolita Skirt {Sewing tutorial}
- Haori Jacket Pattern
- Make a Shell top (Sewing tutorial) with a V neck
- Draft & Sew a Gathered Neckline Top
- Cape Neckline (Sewing tutorial)
- Sew a ruffled dress for small kids
- Sew a Bustier top (Sewing pattern and tutorial)
- Sewing pattern for Romper for a toddler (2-3 year old)
- Shawl collar styles & How to sew one
- Sailor Collar : Definition, history and an easy Sewing pattern to make it
- How to make a Battle Jacket : DIY ideas for your own version of this punk staple.
- How to make String Panties
- Sew a Hooded Cape {Pattern & tutorial}
- Sew Triangle String Bikini-Top
- Make a Sleeveless dress for an Infant girl(6-12 months)
- Sew comfortable elastic waist Lounge pants
- Butterfly Top (Sewing Tutorial)
Most of the clothes available in the retails shops today are made like cookies – of the same pattern, of the same size. Without considering that God has made us all unique. No other body is the same unless you are a twin. Check out the post on How to dress according to your body shape for more on this.
I never get to the cash counter of a retail shop or look at a fashion magazine without thinking that I could make that myself. After learning to sew your own clothes, before long you will be doing it yourself.
Not that sewing is very inexpensive; It costs money to buy fabric and the factory-made general-sized clothing is sometimes very inexpensive. They don’t last long which is another matter. Think of yourself as a designer and you will be wearing good quality clothes which will last a very very long time.
FREE DIY SEWING PATTERNS
A bodice top is something which you can alter to any style you want. Let your creativity run riot altering this pattern to what you want it to be
You can choose any of the 60 plus neckline types, different collar designs or Dress sleeve types for your bodice. Make neckline patterns, yoke patterns and sleeve patterns and design your own clothes – keep in mind the different types of Silhouettes of dresses, Waistlines on dresses and 9 types of skirt lengths.
More dress patterns
Sew easy butteryfly sleeved top
Sew a full skirt with less fabric
Sew comfortable Nightwear set- cami top & pajama shorts
Sew gathered skirt with pockets
Sew a simple gathered skirt ( Dirndl skirt)
Aline skirt – sewing pattern & tutorial (3 types)
Make a simple & easy SHIFT DRESS
Simplest summer top- free pattern & tutorial
Frill sleeved top – free pattern & tutorial
Re-fashion plain tops/t-shirts to look different and beautiful: 10 ways
Make a free size Long flared skirt
A-line frock for babies/little girls – sewing pattern and tutorial
Simple gathered dress for girls
Halter neck top pattern (3 ways)
Turn scarves to tops – 2 DIY Scarf outfits.
Men’s Boxer shorts -pattern & tutorial.
Sundress Pattern & sewing tutorial
Make a Dress – free sewing pattern
Make a Panel dress – free pattern
Make a boxy top with flute sleeves
Make a Flare Dress with bell sleeves- free pattern
Free sewing pattern to make a tie front shirt
Make a drop shouldered top with shoulder slits
Make a divided skirt / culottes
Make a ruffled tiered and fringed skirt from old jeans.
Make Fisherman’s wrap pants ( 2 types).
Make a Lace vest with Mandarin collar
Make an Umbrella dress – free pattern
Make a tank top with embroidered yoke
3 ways to sew Off shoulder top
Sew an easy open front drapey Jacket
9 Different types of fabric fringes
free DIY pattern & sewing tutorial
Draft pattern and sew a half slip
This is made from a men’s shirt – step by step sewing instructions
Make a shorts with elastic waistband in the back and a fitting wasitband in the front. This pattern has a side opening with zipper and pant hooks.
Learn to sew different types of salwar kameez pants like Plain Salwar pants, Dhothi pants, chudidhar pants, Patiala Pants and Parallel pants.
Make DIY patterns to sew 8 basic styles of skirts –
A line skirt ,Gathered skirt,Half circle skirt ,Full circle skirt,Handkerchief skirt,Gored skirt,Tulip hemmed skirt, Layered skirt,Waistband.
You can design your neckline shape yourself with these patterns.
Learn to draft different styles of Sleeves for your bodice. Turn any sleeveless top or dress into a sleeved garment very easily. Change the sleeves of your existing dress to a sleeve that suits you.
A Kaftan is the best and easiest dress or tunic that you can make for yourself. In just 2-3 seams you have a beautiful garment you have made for yourself.
With this tutorial you can draft pattern to sew a simple A line nighty as well as yoked nighty; you will also find instructions to make a gathered nighty
Sew a simple and fitting sari blouse for your latest sari with this easy to draft and sew pattern.
- A {FREE} DIY Ragalan Top pattern
- How to make patterns for Yokes -7 Yoke designs
- How to choose the right neckline
- How to make patterns to sew 3 styles of sari petticoats
- How to make pattern to sew a Dolman sleeve top
- Learn to make DIY pattern to sew a Salwar Kameez/ Kurta
- Easiest Nursing covers
Breastfeed your baby in privacy in any setting with this stylish but simple nursing cover. There are 2 ways of making it – both very easy to make even for the ultimate beginner
More Sewing tutorials
- 100+ free dress tutorials for kids – Dress patterns for girls
- How to make fabric NECKLACES – 23 free DIY patterns
- 30 + {FREE} Underwear tutorials and patterns
- 20 Easy Poncho sewing patterns
- 20 Best & easy to sew Ballerina skirt tutorials
- 20+ Fabric Headband Tutorials
- 15 Best circle skirt tutorials
- 60 Free patterns to sew maxi skirts
- DIY Kimono Jackets and cardigan
- Beginner-friendly sewing projects
- Make a simple slouchy hat
Learn the ART OF DRESSMAKING
If you have been buying clothes off the shelf till now but now you feel you should make your own clothes – you are at the right place. You can now own clothes which are more fitting and more comfortable and can wear them with the pride of having made them yourself. Not to mention the kind of pleasure you get when you make something yourself.
Check out these 15 important dressmaking tips to follow if you want perfect sewing
Check out the post on the different Clothes categories and names available for you to make yourself
It is not very difficult to make sewing patterns yourself. In fact it is easy once you know how to. Just allow yourself to make small mistakes and then you are ready to go. Make the first garment in an inexpensive fabric and you will be able to forgive yourself for the mistakes you inevitably will be making with your first few projects
If you like a particular ready-made dress you can make a copy of it by making a sewing pattern from it – check out this tutorial for making a copy of your dress .
Check out these posts on How to take body measurements for making sewing patterns ;& 7 types of Body shapes – which one is yours ? ; How to take Hip measurement ; Knowing measuring tape for sewing and the sewing tools you need to start making clothes.
If you are an absolute beginner at sewing, Check out this post with all things a beginner who is learning how to sew should learn.
Drafting a pattern can be done on the paper or the cloth directly. Once you have made paper patterns, unless your body has not changed, you can keep on sewing with the same pattern again and again.
Main advantages of using paper patterns
1. Time saving, if making the garment / or a single piece of garment like a sleeve, again; as, once you make a pattern you don’t have to waste time the next time you are making a similar dress, in taking measurement and marking on paper etc ; you can just go about choosing your fabric and start sewing.
2. Ease of use is an obvious advantage as, if we mark directly on to the fabric and if there is some alteration in the measurement, the markings you have made may mess up your cloth.
Marking tools to transfer the patterns to your fabric
A very useful and cheap marking tool which will be available to everyone is a piece of soap. Use left over thin slithers of soaps from your bathroom and store them near your cutting table. They can be used to mark on fabric- the advantage being that unlike all the traditional marking tools I have mentioned below they can easily be removed by rubbing gently with a wet cloth.
How to cut your fabric by using a pattern
For more details on cutting fabric check the post ‘ Top tips to cut fabric perfectly’ and how to determine the grainline of the fabric etc.
Pattern pieces normally represent a garment’s right half. Fold your fabric in half lengthways with right sides together. Place the paper pattern piece straight on fold and pin spaced about 10 cms apart; cut accurately. Do not forget to place one hand near the cutting line for stability while you cut with the other hand.
Some tips when marking your own patterns on to the fabric
- Mark accurately – be as precise as possible
- You do not have to mark on the 2 fabric layers but while cutting this has to be taken into account
- Always test your marking tool (chalk or pencil or tracing wheel) to see the impact on your chosen fabric and whether the mark will remain, or will it stain the fabric etc
- Be sure to use a sharp pair of sewing scissors. If your scissors are blunt the edges will turn out ragged.
- Take long cuts rather than many small cuts on straight edges and short cuts on curves.
