Handmade wardrobe – everything I sewed in a year

My sewing machine had sat neglected and unused for a long time, but in early 2025 I got it out and dusted it off with a new found desire to make clothes that fitted my body and were like the things I hoped to find in the shops but never did! This is a peek at my handmade wardrobe. Everything I sewed in a year, mistakes and triumphs included.

Shorts

One of the first projects I made using a duvet cover was these Minecraft shorts. My son had switched to a double bed and so I had single duvets with no use. There is a lot of fabric there and so they are perfect for stitching up toiles. I used the free pattern L:601 Pyjamas from the assembly line

I really love this pattern, it’s very easy to make, comfortable with an elasticated waist and it has pockets! I made up a second pair from succulent printed brushed cotton I found at the charity shop and even had enough to make a matching hairband!

Jackets

For my first ever jacket, I am so pleased with this quilted jacket. I found the double sided handmade quilt in my local thrift store and knew I wanted to make a reversable jacket with it. I used the Indygo junction contemporary kimono pattern. Which isn’t a reversable pattern. So I had to work that out myself. I first attempted flat felled seams, but they were too bulky. In the end I bound the seams, hand stitching the binding around the shoulder seams.

I also made this pattern in curtain fabric, which had an even weave, lending itself perfectly to cross stitch over the design.

Jumpsuits

I also used furnishing fabric to make this fun jumpsuit using a free pattern form love sewing magazine. It’s playful and summery and has pockets!

Dresses

One of my favourite thrifted pieces of fabric has got to be this tablecloth which immediately made me think of Dolce and Gabbana dresses. This dress was a test of my pattern laying as I needed to squeeze it onto the table cloth but I also wanted to pattern match the side panels and back. It’s a lovely loose fit, has a hidden button placket, front split and pockets!

This dress is also made from a charity shop tablecloth. It’s such a fun print and it paired perfectly with my pink tulle tutu.

Skirts

I had to include this rainbow tulle skirt even though there is hardly any sewing involved. It is one of my favourite items in my wardrobe and makes me smile every time I wear it. You can find the tutorial to make your own here.

Would you believe me if I told you this fabric is over fifty years old! 100% cotton and the perfect blue and white stripe. I used the circle skirt Voyager Skirt from wildandwanderful.com and added a faux buttoned front and finished the bottom edge with a scalloped embroidered edge using the decorative stitches on my machine and a lot of fussy cutting with a small pair of curved scissors.

Trousers

The elasticated waistband theme continued with a cute pair of trousers from yet more thrifted fabric! Not quite enough for the pockets, so I used other blue fabric from my scrap pile to finish them.

Accessories

This hat wasn’t intended for me but for my husband. It was my first go at a reversable hat design and in future I would add interfacing to the brim for a more solid structure.

Project failures

Not every project I’ve made has been a success. These two dresses, have been my biggest failures and have remained on the fix it pile ever since. The red linen shift dress was made from a pattern in a magazine and didn’t include the facing pieces, so I had to draft them myself. The fabric is a bit too heavy and it just doesn’t sit right under the arms.

It would probably not take too long to fix. If I took the lining out and used bias binding on the edges instead. But if I’m honest it probably wont get done.

The other failure is a paper bag dress with an unusual side facing which forms the pockets. It was a little too ambitious for me and although it worked I didn’t like the fit at all!