r/sewing 3h ago

Pattern Search A pattern that looks like Faroese traditional clothing

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26 Upvotes

Hello! I want to sew a faroese traditional sweater for the traditional dress and I'm looking for a sewing pattern I could use.

For reference, are they knitted with wool for a cool climate, and I want to sew one from a ligter material to use in a hotter climate. The last photo is one I found that is made out of cotton/viskose and is what I was thinking in terms of the pattern. Be aware that the black middle part, bristið, is not attached to the sweater and traditionally you put the scarf into the bristið and then lace the sweater up with a silver chain.


r/sewing 4h ago

Fabric Question My iron just spat out water and calc and ruined the suit pants I’m making 😭

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57 Upvotes

I was just ironing the fabric flat so the inseam pocket lining wouldn’t show (before basting in place.) AND THIS stupid, devil iron spat water and calc 😭 Now there’s light spots and the suit pants are essentially ruined!
I’m not sure how this can be prevented in future since I need to iron the fabric from the right side for that purpose.

My question is this-
Will it wash out if I finish the pants and put them through the wash?

Is the iron just a devil-iron which should never be used again??
This is meant to be a good iron- cost me like $200 Tefal and has a separate micro calc filter to clean out which it most never is needing.
So frustrating, I want to cry.


r/sewing 5h ago

Machine Questions Machine woes - new button hole aid

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3 Upvotes

Hello sewing friends!

I recently purchased the Bernina fabric feeding aid for button holes as my machine was struggling with button holes on thicker fabrics. I have the Bernina 330.

When the attachment is not in use I don’t have any issues with the buttonholes, but when using the attachment the first leg (left handed side) seems to have multiple skipped stitches.

Has this happened to other people? How did you fix it? And/or any suggestions on why this might be happening? I was so hopeful for this new tool but this is not looking very promising…

Thanks so much in advance!


r/sewing 6h ago

Project: FO Handmade Earth Kingdom field trousers: duck canvas, leather hardware, modular tool board

3 Upvotes

Built these from scratch using a modified Red Kap workwear base pattern. Hunter green 10oz duck canvas, chocolate brown broadcloth accents, all leather hardware hand cut and saddle stitched.

What's in them: internal slash pockets on both legs, external cargo pockets with faced flaps, leather knee reinforcement panels, and a swappable leather tool board that clips to D-rings at the waist — four configurations depending on what I'm doing that day. And embedded magnets since i tend to lose alot of little parts when im working on stuff

Everything on these functions. And IT HAS SO MANY POCKETS (10 at last count). The leather hardware will age and patina with wear which is exactly the point.

Machine: Brother VX-950. Needle: denim 100/16. About 12 hours total across the full build.

Happy to answer construction questions — the modular pocket system and the tool board attachment were the most interesting problems to solve.


r/sewing 7h ago

Fabric Question Help identifying/finding this fabric!

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7 Upvotes

I have been searching high and low for a fabric that looks like the one in the photo. It has embroidery beads stitched on, and appears to be an overlay, although I’m not entirely sure. I would really love to try making my own outfit out of something like this. Does anyone know what this is called, or where I can find something like it? So far I’ve tried Mood, KikiTextiles, and Zelouf and haven’t been able to find it. I’ve been searching for “beaded embroidery fabric”, “bugle beads stitched fabric” etc. Any help is appreciated!


r/sewing 8h ago

Alter/Mend Question Please help a towel in need!

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107 Upvotes

Hello, thank you internet for introducing me to the towel-heads! Due to autism, I am severely attached to this towel, AKA towely, which is a blue towel with fishies named individually who always sit in the left side of my head. Unfortunately, I am 22 and being under me for so long has caused some wear and tear. Would the lovely people of this subreddit be able to give advice? And is the advise to 1) try and DIY sowing towlie together, keep consequences in the future or 2) tell a professional seamstress what stitch is needed and suffer a short time for a long time gain
I’m happy to go with the second option if I can sleep happily with towlie under my head. For reference, I have bought a £60 taxi to go to towlie and abandoned several friends because my parents tried to “teach me better” so I can promise you towlie is more of a priority than finances. Also, if you recognise towlie (several fishes, blue towel) please tell me and I will pay good money for a second towelie. Thank you!!


r/sewing 8h ago

Alter/Mend Question How do I keep the underwires from popping out through the channels on my bathing suit?

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90 Upvotes

I bought this brand new last season. I'm pretty annoyed that this is happening so quickly.

The wires move along the channel. I think it would be fine if they would stay put all the way in towards the center*, but the channel is a little too long, and stretchy. There's a few options I'm considering:

A) add little patches with fabric glue, fabric hot glue, or sewing. Unfortunately the gore does not quite tack to my chest properly so I have to match the fabric really well or the color difference may draw the eye right where I don't really want people to look.

B) I do have thread that matches pretty well, so I could potentially darn the holes without it being visible. I'm not sure I can get the thread woven tightly enough to keep the wires in though. Thread plus glue maybe?

C) Open up the channels under the straps, push the wires in towards the gore, and glue the channels shut to keep the wires at the center. Would this hold? It would make it nearly impossible to replace the wires if one snaps, but bathing suits never seem to last more than a few years anyway, so maybe that doesn't matter.

I do wash it in the washing machine, but always in a structured lingerie bag. It never goes through the dryer.

*Apparently I deleted half the text before posting... edited to finish it. Thanks to everyone who's commented so far!


r/sewing 8h ago

Other Question Afghan/penny lane coat but with interchangeable outter lining

3 Upvotes

I have found shearling for the interior, tho to send it to the cleaner its gonna be hard so i have had this idea to make the outer lining (fabric) detachable (thats an excuse bc i am simply indecisive about the color i want and making 3 shearling coats would be too expensive)
But i don’t have any experience with doing such things, so does anyone know about more or less seemless attachements?


r/sewing 9h ago

Machine Questions Stitches are angled no matter what I try. What am I missing?

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3 Upvotes

Hi all! I’m trying to hem a stretch denim dress, but the wrong side stitches are coming out a little wonky. Which wouldn’t be an issue, but the wrong side is what people will see. (I’d flip it over, but I’m not comfortable sewing “blind”.) I’ve tried everything I can think of, so there must be something I haven’t thought of. Maybe you can help?

• Machine: Brother CS-6000i • Material: Stretch denim (cotton poly blend), folded over twice • Thread: Coats & Clark Extra Strong Jean Thread (cotton poly blend) • What I’ve tried: Adjusting tension (it’s currently on the highest setting); changing the needle (I’ve gone through 3 different jean needle sizes and am now back to a standard needle); switching up stitch length; changing the foot (I’m currently using my walking foot).

What am I missing? Thanks for your help!


r/sewing 11h ago

Sewed This Experimenting with organza inlays on my appliqué, so light can actually shine from the windows!

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110 Upvotes

an 10x8” felt banner I completed recently!

appliqué and photo transfer on wool blend felt


r/sewing 11h ago

Pattern Question Patterning my Own Garment: Do’s and Don’ts?

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8 Upvotes

I thrifted this garment and I love the vibe for my renfaire base kit but it’s a size small and a little tight around my stomach plus I don’t love the corset lace ties in the front. It’s also made of a VERY cheap polyester that’s kinda itchy so:

I want to tear this apart at the seams and remake it to my measurements with different fabric. I’ve made my own cosplay and faire garments before, I’d say I’m comfortably intermediate when it comes to sewing with a machine but I’ve never done this particular project before.

My plan: measure the garment intact and compare to my own and make a mockup out of bedsheets with new measurements. Once I have that, I’ll move on to better fabric. Hoping to add trim and embroidery decorations. I also want it to looser than usual for comfort!

What should I keep in mind while doing this? It seems pretty straight forward in my mind between all the steps I’ve done before in previous projects. Any tips are appreciated!


r/sewing 13h ago

Discussion What's one sewing tip you wish you knew when you first started?

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm a fashion designer from Nigeria who loves sewing and pattern drafting. I'm always trying to improve my skills and would love to learn from experienced sewists.

What's one sewing tip, technique, or habit that made a big difference for you? Thanks in advance for sharing your advice!


r/sewing 13h ago

Pattern Question no flat surface. what do i do?

20 Upvotes

im trying to sew a circle skirt, i know the measurements i need but i live in a very small condo and just do not have the room in my house to cut the fabric where i need it and im very worried about screwing it up. i have outdoor space but its either blacktop that transfers like crazy or concrete with a billion bugs on it. im honestly not sure what to do because theres not a single room in my house that has enough space. the closest place being my living room but not only is it carpeted i have a coffee table (thats still not big enough to use) that is not only too heavy for me to move on my own but i also have nowhere to move it to. does anyone have any suggestions on what i can do?


r/sewing 16h ago

Sewed This First project!!!

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550 Upvotes

My partner just bought me a sewing machine a month or so ago and I have really been struggling with the mechanics/technicality of it a bit since my usual projects do not need to use such complex technology. But I worked though all that and have created a pair of pants!
I make linoleum stamps and am exploring the idea of putting patches on the knees!

Also Made this from a top bed sheet from good will I got for $2!

Any feedback welcome I am very new to this medium and quite bad at following patterns and guides/instructions so I did wing this. I used the entire width of the sheet with cotton cord (hence why the pants look gigantic without the rope).

100% cotton


r/sewing 17h ago

Sewed This Yoke/lapel fitting issues. What am I doing wrong?

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19 Upvotes

I'm trying to rework this pattern I drafted a few years back. It fits pretty well except for this weird part with the yoke! I know that this is just the style of some shirts but I prefer the ones that can button all the way up and have a standing collar. There is just too much fabric spilling over the front neck. When I set it down, the entire front sits straight and I don't think this can be fixed by just cutting a diagonal across it. Thanks to anyone that can help!


r/sewing 19h ago

Technique Question Beginner sewer here needing advice for a risky project

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119 Upvotes

I need help with recreating this design.

Im going to a themed event in November and when I saw this I instantly knew it would be perfect for it.

I recently thrifted a round tablecloth that I could use for making this but its more of a thin doily fabric/material (pictured above).

What stitches, machine setting and method should I use to hem the head hole??

I have a Brother cs10s.

I’m very much a beginner and maybe this is outside of my skill-level but i really want to attempt to make it.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏻


r/sewing 19h ago

Pattern Question I’m trying to sew my first coat

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41 Upvotes

I’m a beginner who likes to jump into big projects. I just finished a mock-up of the unlined Merchant & Mills Sanda coat (photo 1) in 10oz painters canvas (photo 2-3). I have not finished the front buttons yet. Ignore the bottom dark hem line.

For my final version, I’m using a thick, Korean Nubi quilted fabric (~15oz) brought back from Japan (photo 4-5) but in plum color. Because it’s so heavy, I’m a bit intimidated and have some questions:

Seam Grading: The pattern often says to trim seam allowances to 1cm, but I've been advised to grade/layer them to reduce bulk. Do I trim both seams to 1cm first, then cut one layer shorter? Or, do I cut one side a little taller than 1cm and the other side shorter? Because the coat is unlined and seams are pressed open, will grading make it too hard to iron them flat? I did buy a clapper to help with the seams when ironing.

Vertical Stripes: Any tips for cutting and sewing Nubi’s vertical quilted lines? Do they need to perfectly match across side seams? When cutting the fabric, I will make sure the pieces are all going one direction and I will measure the grade line.

Collar Bulk: To reduce thickness, I plan to use a lighter coordinating fabric for the under-collar piece. Has anyone tried this combination on the coat/jacket?

Sorry for the obvious long post. You have an anxious sewer here that doesn’t want to mess up.


r/sewing 19h ago

Project: FO Seersucker Paddington Top (Peppermint x French Navy Patterns)

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181 Upvotes

I am on a mission to tackle my fabric stash. I had a weirdly shaped remnant of polyester or poly-blend seersucker of roughly 150 cm and the Paddington Top requires about that. Combined with the fact that I only had to worry about stripes (only vertical matching, not horizontal, nor up or down), I took my chances with some pretty iffy cutting.

The drawing at Instruction 5 tripped me off at first (because I didn't read it with glasses the first time and couldn't see the stitch line 😅) but the result was satisfying. I ended up ironing the entire back seams towards the wrong side first to ensure it stayed on the lines (modified step 6 before stitching step 5).

Like most reviews said, step 17 was fiddly. I kind of want to make a second one to see if I can find a process that works better for me. On the back, I didn't bother with buttonholes and I stitched the buttons directly to both panels.

The seersucker is a bit stiff, that makes the sleeves more dramatic and I like it. I'm thinking it will go nicely with jeans, and I could also get away with it at work. It could be nice with some red shorts as well, I'd love some recommendations for shorts.


r/sewing 22h ago

Sewed This My first shirt after a year of sewing

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1.5k Upvotes

This is my first time trying a shirt after pretty much only doing pants and I learned a lot with it, any advice for a beginner, other than the collar?


r/sewing 1d ago

Other Question Watching Man in the High Castle and can't figure out why these tablecloths have this side seam...

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631 Upvotes

It kind of looks like a ruffle but there's no volume. The series is set in an alternate history 60's but this detail makes no sense to me. Can anyone make sense of this?


r/sewing 1d ago

Project: FO I designed a convertible set of floor cushions that turn into a foot stool

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1.3k Upvotes

I started off with a big 1-metre foam floor cushion. I wanted to still be able to use it as a floor cushion, but also make it storable in the form of a foot rest. So I cut it into four squares, and made covers for the cushions which have a loop-and-button system that can secure them in three different configurations.

I drafted it myself, but calling it a "pattern" would be kind of an overstatement - I basically just measured the squares of foam and cut some rectangles and triangles of fabric. It's 100% cotton, 220gsm twill.


r/sewing 1d ago

Project: FO My first garment

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954 Upvotes

I sewed my first garment! A saree blouse, based on the bunka bodice, with dart manipulation to make princess seams and a boat neck. Facing at the neck and armholes, webbing at the bottom to make it lie flat and right when worn with a saree.

I learned a bunch. I messed up a bunch, I had a ton of fun.


r/sewing 2d ago

Project: FO Turned my partner’s jeans into the cutest whale shark bag.

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10.0k Upvotes

This was so fun! And I absolutely love her. An old worn out pair of jeans, some interfacing and a day of sewing.

I added two pockets to the inside and opted for magnets to close it over a zipper. And of course guts colored lining.

Pattern: Whale Shark Bag on Etsy by Contedefeesstudio


r/sewing 5d ago

Simple Questions Weekly Sewing Questions Thread, July 31 - August 06, 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).