How To Start Sewing

June 24, 2025

Now is your time to shine!! Whether you want to create full garments or learn how to mend your clothes, here are some tips of how to get started. From machine brands to look out for to what YouTube creators to learn from.

Machines

Step number one is to secure a sewing machine! My biggest tip, if you're starting out, is to buy secondhand. I've thrifted machines both on Facebook Marketplace and from a thrift store. I also used my grandma's old sewing machine (pictured above) for years! I used it all through fashion school and I even started my fashion brand on that machine. It had many quirks to it after being used for years BUT it sewed, and I created so much with it. If you want to source a sewing machine secondhand, here are some brands to look out for:

Brother (i have the A16 which I bought new and really love)
Singer
Bernina
Janome
Pfaff
Kenmore (brand of my grandma’s machine!!)
Lewenstein

Don't forget to read reviews online of the various machines you're interested in. Each of these brands have MANY different machines. The internet is full of people with opinions that could really help!

Starter Sewing Kit

tape measure
fabric shears (scissors)
small snips
stitch ripper
awl (optional)
pins
bobbins
sewing needles
sewing ruler
big spools of thread: black, cream, white, grey (I always use the large serging spools for sewing)
mug (to hold the large spools of thread)

TIP: You can use thrifted cookie tins or storage boxes to convert into your sewing kit like the photo above from Sadie Seasongoods!

Patterns

My mom taught me how to sew using patterns but ever since learning how to pattern draft in fashion school, I just always decided to make my own for all my ideas. As nice as it is to make your own patterns, it also makes for a lot of headaches and samples! Last summer I bought a pattern to make some trendy Scandi pants, and I realized what I've been missing this whole time. Why make things so much harder for myself when I can just use the patterns that already exist in the world. Seems obvious now, but took me a while lol. Of course I still make my own patterns for my personal designs, but it's fun to experiment with others.

You can buy physical patterns at sewing stores as well as digital patterns that you can print at home.

You can check out the Sewing Pattern Database I created for digital patterns, to easily find your next project. Adjust the filters to find the right pattern!

YouTube Tutorials

YouTube is one of the best free resources for learning how to sew. So many amazing creators sharing their processes, designs, patterns, and teach you how to do it yourself. These are some creators that focus on teaching you how to sew and all the tips and tricks of the trade:

If you have a handle on how to sew, then I find it's best to just search for videos that answer your particular question (i.e. how to lay out a pattern, how to sew a fly front zipper, how to sew an inseam pocket). You can find a video on just about anything!