How to level up your sewing skills with techniques and pattern suggestions

In this blog post we are sharing how you can take your sewing skills to the next level and elevate your techniques to grow more confident with garment sewing. We have curated a list of Friday patterns that are perfect to help you on your sewing journey, as well as a checklist of techniques to work on. We have free sew-along video tutorials of our patterns, which have a plethora of knowledge, and guidance to help support you with learning new skills. Continue reading to find out more. 

Pattern suggestions:

Below we have created a list of our Friday patterns that are perfect for confident beginners, that give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and practise new skills. All of our patterns have very detailed instructions, diagrams, and free video content to support you in the process. 

• The Heather Blazer: Learn how to make a notched lapel collar, as well as how to sew lining in an outerwear garment. It has some elevated basics, but because the blazer isn't tailored and is more of a relaxed fit, it's a great blazer pattern to sew if you're just stepping your toes into outerwear for the first time.

• The Arlo Track Jacket: Are you a sewist who usually avoids zippers? Fear not, the Arlo Track Jacket pattern is actually a lot easier then it looks. This pattern will also strengthen your skills sewing knit fabrics, ribbing, and pockets on a knit garment. 

• The Donny Shirt: If you haven't made a collared garment before, the Donny Shirt is a great place to start, as it has the look of a shirt, without the front button placket, button-holes, etc! So if you want a simple pull-over top, that looks like a shirt, then this is for you. 

• The Patina Blouse: Another step up from the Donny Shirt, the Patina Blouse will teach you a collar method which includes a facing, as well as button holes, and a placket sleeve if you choose the long sleeve option. 

• The Hughes Dress: This beautiful pattern will allow you to work on your garment fitting, because of the princess seams, it is a little more advanced when it comes to getting the right fit for your body shape. Practise making a toile first, and then have a try at amending your pattern to fit you perfectly. It can be a but tricky but there are lots of helpful resources on YouTube about Princess seams. As well as this, the dress is lined, and has some elements of hand-sewing, and corset ties at the back. It's definitely one of our more detailed patterns, but you will find the finished result so rewarding. 

• The Ilford Jacket: The Ilford Jacket is an awesome outerwear pattern for beginners, and the great thing about it is all the pocket options available. This is the perfect pattern to experiment with your design skills and personal style, because you can choose what works for you. Each pocket requires slightly different methods, so it's also great practise if you're wanting a patch pocket, and a hand warmer pocket. 

• The Davenport Dress: The Davenport Dress is beautifully constructed, with lots of elevated methods you will fall in love with, such as the Burrito method for encasing the yoke seams. It creates a beautiful finish to your bodice, as you won't have any exposed seams, and it's a fun method to learn. As well as this there are also lots of gathers, waist ties, and pockets which all make this a fun and exciting pattern to sew and learn from. 

• The Berndaette Skirt: This is a simple pattern but has a side zipper, belt loops, and pleats which are all lovely skills to learn. As well as this, the pattern comes with the little belt bag, so it's a great step into bag making for the first time. 

• The Pogonip Pullover: Last but not least, the Pogonip Pullover features welt pockets, which can seem intimating at first, but once you follow along with our video tutorial, the process will simply click, and you will want to sew welt pockets on everything. If it's your first time sewing welt pockets, go for a slightly lighter fabric for the Pogonip (opposed to a fleece or something thick), as this will take any extra stress away from trying to sew through multiple thick layers which can be even trickier. 

Methods to try that will level up your sewing skills:

Now you know what Friday Patterns will develop your skills, below is a handy list of things you can add to your 'sewing skills' checklist, that you can refer to when wanting to learn and advance your techniques. If you find learning new things overwhelming (I know I do too sometimes) then follow our educational blog posts, YouTube videos or check out our Education page. Don't be afraid to make test versions (toiles), or practise on scrap fabrics with cheap zippers, and things like that. "Success is not the absence of failure; it's the persistence through failure". 

• Zippers
• Collars / Notch Lapel Collar
• Welt Pockets
• Button Holes
• Corset Back / Corset Ties
• Princess Seams
• Bag Making
• Placket Sleeves
• Lining
• Pattern Fitting / Adjustments
• Pocket Variations
• Sewing Knit Fabrics
• Sewing Knit Ribbing
• Burrito Method
• Hand Sewing
• Pleats

We have a couple of other things you might find useful when planning your makes, or wanting to practise and that is our free templates.

• Dart practise template
• Ilford Pocket Planner 'Paper Doll'. Click here to download.