Ten Easy Sewing Patterns for Beginner Seamsters
If you are just getting started with garment construction, this post will guide you during your creative journey. However, these patterns are in no particular order; they are all patterns that will help you hone your skills along the way. I am giving you my top ten (actually a few more) to help you start sewing garments confidently!
Top 10 easy sewing patterns start with the Purl Soho Patterns – City Gym Shorts
Without delay, we have shorts that are super fun to make! Learn about sizing, printing, matching a PDF pattern, cutting pattern pieces, seam allowance, elastic casings, running elastic through the casing, and attaching bias tape!
Grainline Studio – Linden Sweatshirt
Next, this is a fantastic Raglan sleeve top! Learning all about knit fabrics in the process. Sizing, cutting layout for the pattern, making notches, seam allowance, matching pattern pieces, sewing with a stretch needle, handling knit fabric, and making bands from ribbing or knit.
April Rhodes – Staple Dress
This pattern is fun to make; it includes pockets, shirring, and bias tape. You learn how to lay out and cut your pieces from the fabric, set-in pockets, seam allowances, French seams (optional), install bias tape, and, finally, add shirring to a garment. Her Popover Poncho is also a great beginner sew!
Imagine Gnats – Bess Top
** Update – This is still a great pattern; however, Imagine Gnats has closed up shop.
This pattern is for a shirt or a dress and has incredible details! Finding your size, cutting layout, notches, seam allowance, transferring markings, Y-seams, and bias tape. This pattern is also ideal for woven OR knit fabrics! Same with the Juba Shorts, great design!!
Debbie Brooke – My Dress
First, my dress was originally a beginner dress pattern that still gives your body shape! This dress has darts, a lined bodice, the burrito roll method, seam allowance, attaching the top bodice to the skirt, and invisible zip installation. The first thing to remember is not to be afraid of the hidden zip. The instructions for installation are top-notch! The Birthday Dress is also a fantastically easy sew, but doesn’t look like it. It’s deceptively easy to sew together, but it will make you look like you’ve been stitching for years!
Grainline Studio – Scout Tee
Then we have the Scout Tee, which is a tremendous woven top pattern. This will keep you working with seam allowance, cutting out your pieces, finding your size, and installing bias tape. A great confidence-building pattern, as you will create a top in a range of fabric types, is perfect for practicing while exploring different substrates! I wrote a pattern review if you want to learn a little about it first!
Sew to Grow – Fremantle Frock
Meanwhile, this Australian pattern is so fantastic! It’s a great slip-on dress for the summer, which includes set-in pockets! Also, the techniques learned were bias binding, gathering the skirt, seam allowance, set-in pockets, and darts. Also, check out the Bondi Top!
Sew Caroline – Out and About Dress
The Out and About is a knit dress with a few different options; it comes in maxi or knee-length. The pattern has two options of sleeve length a long sleeve or 3/4 length. This design is also a fantastic pattern for really diving into a knit fabric. In the long run, if you want to learn how to use a serger, this is the perfect garment to hone those skills as well! Also, take a look at the Sugar Pop Top.
Sewaholic – Renfrew Top
Next, in line, the Renfrew top is one of the only tee-shirt patterns you will probably need! This design has three sleeve lengths and three necklines! Check out my pattern review for more info on this excellent top. Using knit fabrics with a cutting layout, seam allowance, knit needles, set-in sleeves, and attaching bands. It’s such a fantastic top!
Cashmerette – Appleton Dress
A fun wrap dress! Cashmerette has hit the nail on the head with fun, flattering clothes for the curvy body. Not plus size, but curvy. This is easy to make, teaches you many great sewing techniques, and has such a flattering silhouette! Not to mention, the cutting layout for this one is a little different, so make sure to look at your pattern pieces before cutting them out. One piece covers both the left and right sides of the pattern, and the other is slightly wider to accommodate the dress’s wrap function, but other than that, it’s fun and easy to sew!
Conclusion
Generally speaking, find patterns that flatter your personality and body. I love boho-style clothes, but I quickly realized that this style makes my body look bigger than it is.
Also, take your measurements each time before making a pattern. Measures can change daily, and we want to use the most current numbers effectively. The sizing on the design is not the same as the size you wear from a department store. The “size” of the patterns is still from the 1970s; the pattern measurements have not been adjusted in over 40 years. It is just a number that hasn’t been updated since the ’70s; remember, it is only a number, not your self-worth.
Overall, the best advice?
Just do it! Start sewing, mess up, throw things away! Learn from your mistakes and celebrate all of your accomplishments. You can do this; it just takes practice!
What pattern(s) would you add to this list?
