Sew Your Own

A sewing expert and marathon runner offers sewing patterns and blocks, as well as step-by-step instructions to help you create your own amazing activewear. Make your own unique activewear sewing wardrobe that’s perfect for your workout. Choose from thirteen different styles including yoga pants, crops top and running leggings designed by activewear sewing expert, and marathon runner, Melissa Fehr. Whether you’re a runner, a cyclist or a gym bunny, or you’re simply looking for the perfect pair of slouchy leggings for elegant lounging, this collection of sewing patterns is for you. Learn all about how to choose the correct fabric for activewear sewing and discover expert tips on working with performance fabrics like Lycra and spandex. Before you know it, you’ll have a truly unique workout wardrobe to wear while you work up a sweat!

“With its diverse selection of fabrics and designs, A Quilting Life is a fine pick for any quilter looking to produce family-oriented keepsake results.” —The Needlecraft Shelf Bring the handmade tradition home with these charming quilts and home accessories. Inspired by a grandmother who loved to sew for her family, quilter and blogger Sherri McConnell gives traditional patterns like hexagons, stars, snowballs, and Dresden Plates a new look featuring fabrics by some of today’s most popular designers. Nineteen cozy projects include pillows, tote bags, table runners, and larger quilts—quick and easy designs that make great gifts. “Sherri’s book is a treasure! It’s full of fun and straight-forward patterns for quilts, table toppers, pillows, bags and more—all the goodies to make a cozy home.” —Thimbleanna “Would you like the opportunity to make tomorrow’s heirlooms in today’s vast selection of prints? . . . If so, this could be the reference book that will get you started. There are 19 projects, mainly focusing on handmade household items but including some larger quilts too.” —Fabrications Quilting for You “Beautiful inspiration if you are a seasoned quilter, but also a great resource with clear and in some cases, simple patterns for newbies as well.” —Diary of a Quilter “Color photos of finished needlework projects accompany step-by-step diagrams and assembly patterns, while at-a-glance sidebars covering materials and cutting allow needleworkers to gauge the complexity of each project.” —The Needlecraft Shelf

Foreword by Dawn O'Porter A capsule wardrobe is timeless, stylish and effortlessly chic. Composed of go-to pieces that can be dressed up or down, it is the perfect antidote to the overstuffed drawers and ill-fitting cheap outfits from the high street. In this practical but inspiring book, seamstress Arianna Cadwallader and designer Cathy McKinnon present sewing patterns and instructions for the five key pieces that will form the basis of your own capsule wardrobe: A great shift dress Well-fitting trousers A simple yet stylish skirt A light blouse A jersey vest Their focus is on quality and fit - all the patterns can be adapted to fit and suit you perfectly, whether you prefer long, short or cap sleeves, high or low waistbands, and slim, straight or wide legged trousers. You can then mix and match your garments to create a variety of looks and styles. Aimed at advanced beginners, the book guides you through how to measure yourself and all the techniques you will need. With a foreword by TV star Dawn O'Porter, this is the essential guide to creating your perfect wardrobe.

This is your complete guide to dressmaking, from designing, creating, and customizing your clothes. Master every dressmaking technique in the book! Fully illustrated and easy to use, this dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to make timeless wardrobe staples. It's a must-have for beginners and expert stitchers alike. Fed up with fast fashion and keen to make your own clothes? This is the ultimate dressmaking guide for absolute beginners. Comprehensive, step-by-step guides and dressmaking patterns cover everything from choosing the perfect fabric for any project to trying your hand at a range of machine-sewing techniques. Inside the pages of this sewing book you’ll discover: • Step-by-step instructions and techniques, accompanied by clear, full-color photography • Thorough sections on tools and equipment, to help the reader choose the right items for each project • 13 downloadable patterns for skirts, dresses, trousers, tops, and jackets that can be used to create 31 different garments • Over 80 techniques, including how to cut out a pattern, machine stitch, and hand stitch Accompanied by close-up photographs, clear instructions, and a glossary of dressmaking terminology to demystify even the trickiest technique. This book will help you advance from a sewing learner to a seasoned stitcher in no time. Zoomed-in photographs of hand and machine tools show you the best dressmaking equipment for the job and teach you exactly how to use it. All the techniques and projects are graded by difficulty level, from the simple and straightforward to the more complex and challenging ones. Put your new-found knowledge to the test with 13 downloadable patterns that can be easily adapted to create more than 30 stylish garments. Learn how to make classic dresses, skirts, tops, trousers, and jackets, alongside creative ideas for giving your old clothes new life! The Essential Guide to Dressmaking Sew Your Own Wardrobe guides you through every hand stitch, machine stitch, and sewing technique you'll ever need. We've included the best way to stitch, alter, put in linings, seam and hem, so you can make your favorite bespoke outfits to suit your unique style.

Learn quilting basics from a YouTube sensation and practice your skills with 12 fun projects suitable for all skill levels. Her instructional videos have inspired thousands to start sewing. Now for the first time, sew-lebrity Laura Coia shares written patterns for the most loved video tutorials on her “Sew Very Easy” YouTube channel! Learn the basics of quilt making, from cutting and pressing to borders and finishing. Then practice your skills with a dozen beautiful projects—quilts you’ll come back to time and time again—all suitable for beginners and beyond.

Express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for you and your body! Maybe you learned to sew in school and have a sewing machine, but it hasn't seen the outside of the closet since your last move. Or maybe you are completely new to the craft, with a lot of enthusiasm, but no idea how to thread your machine. No matter where you're coming from in terms of experience, this sewing workbook offers four basic patterns--two tops, a skirt, and a pair of pants--that empower you to express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for your body type. After explaining the basic concepts of sewing and construction, 100 Acts of Sewing designer Sonya Philip then provides suggestions for mixing the basic patterns together to create new garment iterations as you gain confidence--structural adjustments such as full bust, no bust, long torso, big, small, etc., as well as a range of possible alterations and embellishments including sleeves, pockets, hems, and more! Going beyond simple pattern instructions, this book will make sewing garments accessible for every body type--each pattern comes in sizes ranging from XS to 5X. With inspiring essays on Sonya's sewing philosophy that speak to the slow and ethical fashion movement, this will be the go-to guide for all aspirational and seasoned sewists.

Love at First Stitch gives you all the know-how you need to start making the dresses of your dreams. Written for novice stitchers, Tilly Walnes demystifies dressmaking for the generations that have never been taught to sew. This book presents the core sewing basics in an informal style, with Tilly's friendly and encouraging voice cheering the reader on throughout.

This book brings together 17 Sew a Softie designers from around the world. Each designer has come up with a delightful new hand-sewn project to inspire moms, dads, kids, grandparents, and teachers of all kinds. No expensive machines are required, and each project uses stitches and techniques that can easily be mastered by first-time sewers. Get together with kids and enjoy time together sewing a wide range of softies, including a Taco, a Painted Flower, a Tooth Tiger, Bluey Koala, a Toucan, Seashells, Lucky Spiders, and many more. Sew a Softie is a worldwide community that works to teach a whole new generation to sew, and to transmit a love of sewing and an appreciation of its enormous potential to nurture creativity, independence, and a sense of community in our children. Sew a Softie events have inspired thousands of people, especially young children, to begin sewing.