Discover the Art of Sewing: Two Beginner-Friendly Clothing Projects

Although I sew almost everyday it’s been a very long time since I made something I could wear. When Wild Linens offered me some of their beautiful fabrics I knew just the projects to make with them. Let me show you how to discover the art of sewing with these two beginner friendly clothing projects.

Project 1: Japanese Cross Back Apron:

Aprons are clothes right? You do wear them after all. This is a project that I have long been wanting to make after admiring a fellow art teachers one. It is comfortable and roomy with pockets and has a romantic feel about it. I love wearing mine for general pottering in the studio and you can personalise it too with some simple embroidery.

Materials Needed:

• 2 metres teal linen
• Coordinating thread
• Sewing machine
• Fabric Scissors
• Pins
• Iron
• Pattern template from sew jessalli
• tape
• paper scissors

Steps:

Choosing the Fabric: For the apron I chose a beautiful deep teal linen fabric from Wild Linens. It has already been stonewashed so there should be minimal shrinkage after the first wash.

Measuring and Cutting:

The first thing you will need to do is print off the pattern, tape it together and cut it out. This is probably the step that takes the longest!

The pattern pieces should be cut on the fold and this is where having a big table comes in handy!

To give the cleanest cuts, try and avoid lifting the scissors when cutting, try and slide them around the pattern, just above the table surface.

Constructing the Apron:

The pattern I got from Sew Jessalli also has great instructions for sewing the apron together.

My top tips are:

When pinning pieces together, face your pins pointing to the outer edge. That way you can sew over them, rather than stopping continually to remove them.

Use an off cut of the fabric to test your stitches on before you start sewing. This is the perfect time to match your thread colour and check your machines tension.

The trickiest part of the whole project is making sure the apron straps aren’t twisted before you sew them in place.

Finishing Touches:

I love a chance to embroider so I added a few wildflowers just above one pocket. I used stem stitch, French knots and lazy daisy.

You could add initials or the outline of some tools you plant to use when wearing the apron.

Project 2: Drawstring Trousers:

Everyone need a pair of linen drawstring trousers. They are effortlessly cool and perfect for lounging in. Don’t be afraid of making trousers, these are super simple to make and you’ll be telling everyone who admires them how you made them!

Materials Needed:

• 2 metres fuchsia pink linen
• Ribbon
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Safety pin
• Paper template

Steps:

Selecting the Fabric:

I chose a lovely weight linen in fuchsia pink one of my favourite colours for the drawstring trousers.

Taking Measurements:

The pattern came in small, medium and large options. I went for the medium, but had to reduce the leg length as I’m only 5ft 3.

Cutting and Sewing:

Again, just like the apron, the longest step will be printing out and sticking together the pattern before you even start cutting your fabric.

It’s very easy to cut out as there are only two pattern pieces, you need to cut two of each so cut them on fold fabric.

Adjusting Fit:

As long as you’ve picked the right pattern size for you, there is little adjusting you need to do to get a good fit. Simply pull the ribbon to tighten at the waist. And hem the trousers to suit your leg length.

Find the full construction instructions here.

Making your own clothes needn’t be a difficult job and the pride you’ll feel wearing something you made is limitless. Make the project a dream by choosing great quality fabrics such as the linens I chose for my trousers and apron.