I often get asked what is a good starting point for a beginner garment sewists. This person has been sewing pillowcases, or quilting, and wants to move into more three dimensional sewing for themselves. The sense of accomplishment from sewing a garment that you would actually wear is immeasurable. I love seeing the light in people’s faces when they realize the potential of this new skill….. So good!
If you are contemplating attending Slow Fashion 1.0 and are uncertain about your skill level, here is what I advise. The basic knowledge of, and familiarity with, your sewing machine is assumed here. For the first retreat of the Summer, folks come with various different skill levels. Some will have taken classes with Cal a number of times. But that is not a pre-requisite. The Hacking workshop will cover how to take a basic shirt pattern for a woven garment, and transform it into a number of different styles.
Below is a list of suitable patterns for you to work with before the workshop- to build-up your skills- and during- to play with style and design. Each one of these patterns have hundreds of versions (at least) made up on the interwebs. Google them, or search their hashtags, and you will find many many examples of all of them. In all sorts of different fabrics, on all sorts of different bodies. This is how I begin most sewing projects, by doing some research, or sleuthing, into how others have sewn up a pattern. There is a wealth of information out there just waiting for you!
Most of these patterns also have some sort of support on their designer’s websites. Many have sewalongs, or tutorials about specific techniques. There are probably more patterns out there in the world, for sure. The Wiksten Shift used to be on this list but the company has closed down so there is no consistent source to buy the pattern any longer.
Be sure to use an appropriate fabric, you will get better results. For this first project do not use quilting cotton, even if it’s what you have available. Find a well used sheet or a linen tablecloth at a Thrift store, or buy something from the sale bin of your local fabric store, or big box store. Fabric choice will effect your success, and your likelihood to either wear, or feel good about, your finished project. This is a first garment, I want you to have a good outcome!
Simple Top Patterns for Beginner Garment Sewists
100 Acts of Sewing Shirt no. 1 Sonya Phillip’s 100 Acts of Sewing Project is a selection of great simple sewing patterns to get beginner’s over their sewing nerves. Sonya has a number of very helpful tutorials about construction techniques and tricks on her website.
The Lou Box Top This Sew DIY pattern has a number of different necklines and hems in the pattern if you want some extra hand holding on your first top sew. There is also a full sewalong on their website. So, lots of support!
The Strata Top Sew Liberated is Meg McElwee, and Meg has a ton of support on her website! There is a video sewalong for this top pattern.
The Cielo Top and Dress A more fashion forward shift top from Closet Core Patterns. Poke around on their website and you will find all sorts of pattern support!
The Scout From Grainline Studio, the Scout has a separate sleeve pattern, making it a hair more detailed than the other patterns. But still very manageable, and with support on the website.
The Georgia Top and Dress A sewing pattern from the hit Indie garment designer Elizabeth Suzann, this top is very straightforward to sew.
The Athina Top From the lovely fabric store down under, Tessuti Fabrics, this pattern is free, and they have a bunch of support on their website.
The Maya Top This one has lovely sleeve facings, and a optional pocket.
The All Well Box Top The pattern comes with four variations, including a dress.
The Fen From the fabulous Denver Fabric store, Fancy Tiger. Includes a dress option.