• The One Thing That Helps Me Sew Great-Fitting Clothes

    18 November, 2025 - By 

    And why most beginners overlook it (I did too)…

    If you’ve ever finished a sewing project only to feel as though it looks nothing like it does on the pattern model, you’re not alone! It was one of the most frustrating things I found as a sewing beginner – until something clicked! Now, I use one simple process that (for the most part) leads to clothes that fit well, feel great, and look how I want them to look.

    And the best part?
    I’m not a fitting expert and this method doesn’t require fancy tools, expensive courses, or advanced sewing skills.

    The One Thing: I Always Check the Finished Garment Measurements

    Yes — that’s it.

    It sounds basic, but it has absolutely transformed my sewing.

    As a beginner, I only looked at the body measurement chart, and chose the size that most closely matched my bust/waist/hip and cut the pattern. I then pretty much hoped for the best!!

    But the finished garment measurements tell you the real story.

    They reveal:

    • How the garment will actually fit once sewn
    • How much ease (extra room for movement and style) the designer added
    • Whether the final piece will be fitted, relaxed, oversized, or boxy
    • Whether you should size up, size down, or blend sizes. And if you’re in between sizes this can sometimes save you some work!
    • And, most importantly, whether the garment will feel like YOU when you wear it.
    • Bonus point: They also give you an insight as to whether you can play around with sizing for a completely different look and feel when you get really confident 👀
    Sized down for this boxy fit shirt
    You might want to size down on the sleeve with a balloon style
    Used FGM to determine the grading for this flight suit

    Why Finished Garment Measurements Matter So Much

    Think of finished measurements as a little sneak peek of what your future garment will look like.

    Let’s say your bust is 96 cm. The pattern’s size chart tells you Size 12 is drafted for 96 cm — so naturally, you might choose that.

    But when you check the finished bust measurement, you notice the garment measures:

    • 104 cm (relaxed fit)
    • or 120 cm (oversized)
    • or 96 cm (zero ease!)

    Each one creates a totally different garment.
    Same size, same body… but completely different look and feel.

    Once you start comparing your own preferred fit and how YOU like to wear your clothes with the finished garment measurements, your sewing becomes more intentional — and the fit improves dramatically.

    Low cut blouse
    Boxy fit jacket

    It Also Helps You Predict the Style (Before You Sew It!)

    This is where things get exciting – and where there is the most room to play around with look and feel!

    Checking finished measurements tells you whether the pattern will give:

    • a fitted silhouette
    • a slim fit
    • a boxy shape
    • a swishy, floaty outline
    • or a dramatic oversized look

    YOU get to decide whether that style is something you’ll actually wear and love or whether you want to change it to be more YOU.

    This is how you avoid those “it looks great on the model, but terrible on me” moments.

    Remember, pattern designers don’t tell you which size the model is wearing on the pattern image or what amendments to fit they may or may not have made to get the finished look. For the most part, it’s down to you to make those tweaks and changes yourself in order to get a fit you’re happy with.

    I used this method with my most recent trouser make
    Winnie Trousers Pattern
    I love how they turned out

    If I chose sizes based on the body measurement chart alone, half the clothes I make wouldn’t fit me well and I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing them because the designer’s idea of “relaxed” or “fitted” often isn’t my idea — and it might not be yours either.

    Learning this changed everything about how I sew, and it’s genuinely been the difference between sewing a wardrobe of clothes I’m ‘meh’ about and a wardrobe of clothes I love to wear.

    Want to Learn Exactly How I Choose My Size?

    In this blog post, I’m sharing with you one of the most important mindset shifts I’ve had in my sewing — the thing that truly changed my thought process when it came to achieving better fit.

    I’d love to share with you the step-by-step method I personally use every time I come to sew something new, including:

    • how I take accurate measurements
    • how I evaluate ease
    • how I decide between two sizes
    • how I use finished garment measurements and line drawings to create a garment that suits my personal style
    • and the printable cheat sheet I use myself…

    …if you’d like that full breakdown you can access it all over on my Patreon community.

    Patreon members get:
    ✔ The full “Exactly how I choose my size” video
    ✔ A printable two-page cheat sheet checklist
    ✔ Bonus sewing resources and an extra monthly video

    ✔ Ad free early access to my weekly YouTube videos
    ✔ Access to a private sewing community (ask questions and get answers to all of your sewing queries)

    If you’d like to feel more confident choosing pattern sizes — and finally sew pieces that fit beautifully — you can join us here!

    Final Thoughts

    If you remember just one thing from this post, I hope it will be this:

    Finished garment measurements are your best friend.
    They help you predict the fit, shape, comfort, and style of a garment before you cut a single piece of fabric.

    Start checking them with every project, and your sewing will change — I promise.

    I hope this has been helpful! I’d love to hear your experience with fitting your handmade garments in the comments below 👇

    Happy sewing!!

    Sally xx

  • 5 Easy Patterns I Used All the Time as a Sewing Beginner

    10 November, 2025 - By 

    If you’re just starting your sewing journey—or you’ve been sewing for a while but want reliable, enjoyable projects—today’s post is for you! In the video below, I’m sharing the five sewing patterns I reached for constantly as a beginner. These patterns helped me grow my skills, fill my wardrobe with pieces I actually wear, and build confidence one project at a time.

    Watch the video here:

    Why Simple, Repeatable Patterns Matter for Beginners

    When I first learned to sew, I found that picking the right patterns made all the difference. The perfect beginner pattern is:

    ✅ Simple enough to finish without frustration but teaches you something new along the way
    ✅ Versatile so you can sew it again and again in different ways
    ✅ Easy to personalise to your style
    ✅ A garment you’ll actually wear and that suits your lifestyle

    These five patterns ticked all those boxes for me (and still do).

    If your goal is to create a capsule wardrobe full of pieces that fit beautifully, suit your colour palette, and reflect your personal style, choosing dependable base patterns that you can build upon is the best place to start.

    The 5 Easy Sewing Patterns I Used Most as a Beginner

    I share examples of my versions of all of these patterns in my YouTube video by the way 😊

    Pattern No. 1 – Sew Over It Shift Dress & Top

    Why I loved it:

    • Reasonably easy on the surface but easy to build upon as your sewing skills grow
    • Teaches foundational skills like bust darts, neck and armhole facings, hemming and sleeves (when you’re ready)
    • Highly wearable and easy to pattern hack (again when you’re ready)!
    My favourite version of the dress

    Pattern No. 2 – Simplicity Girl’s Dress

    Why I loved it:

    • Simple style, easy to practice and with less risk as children’s clothing takes up less fabric!
    • Teaches dressmaking skills including lining, button loops and gathering
    • Wide variation of styles and designs to try. Room to grow with you as you improve.
    Such a cute little dress

    Pattern No. 3 – Sew Over It Poppy Playsuit

    Why it’s a winner:

    • Looks way more difficult to sew than it actually is
    • Lets you practise sewing trousers without a lot of fitting
    • Works for casual or smart looks depending on fabric

    Pattern No.4 – Maria Denmark Kirsten Tee

    Why I love it:

    • FREE pattern (with newsletter sign up)
    • Great introduction to working with knit fabrics
    • Easy wide neck style, easier to add a binding or neckband
    • A layering piece you’ll wear often in many different ways
    My first version in a viscose jersey!
    Screenshot

    Pattern No. 5 – Tilly & the Buttons Indigo

    Why I used it over and over:

    • Simple style, pull on with no tricky fastenings
    • Great for developing confidence in sewing sleeves and gathered skirts
    • Lots of room for customisation (there is an add on pack with sleeve and skirt variations)
    My very first version
    Line drawings

    How to Choose the Best Beginner Pattern for You

    Before you pick your next project, ask yourself:

    • Does this fit my daily lifestyle?
    • Is it in one of my preferred colours or fabrics?
    • Will it coordinate with pieces I already own?
    • Do I feel excited (not overwhelmed) to sew it?

    Patterns are more enjoyable—and more wearable—when they align with your personal style and wardrobe goals.

    Tips for Sewing Success with These Patterns

    ✅ Start with fabric you feel comfortable handling. Cotton blends are great to start with!
    ✅ Sew slowly, take your time and press every step as you go
    ✅ Make notes of fit adjustments or alterations as you go along (I’m terrible at this and still need to do it more!)
    ✅ Repeat the pattern again (and again!!). This is how you really get to practice and improve.
    ✅ Try the same pattern in a different fabric or texture for a whole new look

    Plan Your Makes With My Capsule Wardrobe Sewing Planner

    If you’re inside my Patreon community, you’ll already have access to the printable Capsule Wardrobe Sewing Planner. Use it to choose patterns intentionally, plan colour palettes, and avoid sewing pieces that stay unworn.

    👉 If you’d like access, join us here:

    Want More Guided Help? Join My 4-Week Intro to Dressmaking Course

    If you’re a confident beginner or brand new to dressmaking, my Introduction to Dressmaking course walks you step-by-step through:

    • Reading a pattern
    • Cutting fabric
    • Sewing techniques
    • Finishing one easy garment you’ll be proud to wear

    It’s perfect if you want structure, support, and confidence-building guidance.

    Sign up to my mailing list here to be the first to hear about new dates. Or check out my ‘Events’ page on the website to see upcoming course and workshop dates.

    Final Thoughts

    These five patterns shaped the early days of my sewing journey, and I hope they help shape yours too. The more you practise, the more confident you’ll become—and soon you’ll be sewing pieces that just feel like you.

    If you make any of the patterns mentioned, I’d love to see your version sewn up!
    Tag me on Instagram @madebysally so I can cheer you on.

    Happy sewing!
    Sally xx

  • A High Street Inspired Gingham Blouse for Autumn

    5 November, 2025 - By 

    I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling so inspired by all the lovely gingham blouses popping up on the High Street this autumn. There are so many gorgeous variations — from ruffled sleeves to collars trimmed with ric rac or delicate frills. They’re just too cute to resist, so of course, I had to have a go at sewing my own take on the trend!

    Zara
    New Look
    Olive

    Blouses are one of my absolute favourite things to sew, so I already had a few pattern options in my stash. But the one that really stood out to me for this gingham trend was the Patina Blouse by Friday Pattern Co. — it just had the perfect mix of classic and feminine details I was after!

    Patina Blouse Line Drawings

    I’ve made this blouse a few times before, and I absolutely love its vintage-style V-neck and flat collar. It also features some really beautiful details and finishes, like the gathered back yoke sewn using the burrito method (one of my all-time favourite techniques!) and the gathered sleeves finished with a button placket and cuff.

    Gingham is quite a different fabric choice for me — it’s not something I’ve worn much in the past — so I wanted to keep it fairly understated and subtle. I’d had my eye on this gorgeous double gauze cotton gingham from Atelier Brunette for quite a while, and I thought it would be perfect for the look I had in mind. It’s definitely on the more premium side, but in my experience, Atelier Brunette fabrics are well worth the investment for their quality. This one is beautifully soft with a lovely warmth to it, and I couldn’t have been happier when it arrived. I chose the colour Rust, which ties in perfectly with the autumn theme.

    As you can see from the photo above, this fabric is reversible — it features a different sized gingham check on each side. I really wanted to make the most of this fun detail, so I decided to mix and match the two sides across different parts of the blouse.

    At first, I considered using the larger check for the main body and the smaller check for the collar, yoke, and cuffs. But after laying everything out on the table, I realised the larger check felt a bit too bold for the look I was going for. In the end, I preferred the subtlety of the smaller check for the main body, with the larger check used as a gentle accent for the collar and other details — and I’m so glad I made that choice!

    Once everything was cut out, I set to work sewing the blouse together — and, as always, it was such a pleasure to sew. I absolutely love Friday Pattern Co. patterns; their instructions are always so clear, and they often include helpful sew-along videos on their YouTube channel.

    If you’d like to see more of my sewing process and join me for a cosy couple of days making this blouse, you can watch my sewing vlog over on YouTube here.

    I couldn’t be happier with how this blouse came together — it turned out even better than I imagined! There’s something about the mix of the Patina’s vintage-inspired shape and the rustic charm of the gingham that feels both timeless and fun. It’s a perfect piece for the colder months ahead, and I know it’s going to be one of my most-worn makes this season.

    I hope you like how my blouse turned out? Is a gingham blouse on your ‘to-sew’ list for autumn and if so, what sewing pattern will you be using?

    Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

    Sally xx