Sewing for beginners to start sewing in 2025!

Get started, this is your year! 💕

2025 is the year you finally start that new hobby! Dare to put your creative ideas into practice! Let's start your first sewing project together! ✨

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What do you need for sewing?

To get started with your new hobby, you'll need a few things. Here's a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. I've also included links to all my favorite products here on Amazon . (Affiliate link)

Absolute must-haves:

1. Sewing machine: A simple, solid machine is sufficient (more on this below).
2. Scissors: Fabric scissors that are really only used for fabric!
3. Tape measure or ruler: To measure everything precisely.
4. Pins or fabric clips: Use these to hold fabrics together before sewing.
5. Sewing thread: Please, please use high-quality thread! If your machine keeps jamming or the thread breaks frequently, it's 90% the sewing thread's fault, not the machine's. I've included links to the thread brands I used in the Amazon list . (Affiliate Link)
6. Seam ripper: For unpicking and corrections – an indispensable tool
7. (Ironing board and iron: A good iron is half the job! (lol), but it's true! The difference between some things looking "homemade" and others "store-bought" is often the ironing of all the seams, not the actual sewing.)

Nice to haves:

1. Overlock machine: An accessory for more professional seams (see below).
2. Tailor's chalk or markers (a pencil will also work): For marking cutting lines.
3. Ironing board and iron: Pressed seams look cleaner.
4. Zigzag scissors: To protect fabric edges from fraying.
5. Sewing weight: Helps with cutting, especially with fine fabrics.
6. Rotary cutter & cutting mat: Makes cutting many small pieces much easier.
7. ... and so on, I have linked you more here (Affiliate link) But remember, this is all just a nice-to-have. If you're just starting out, you don't really need all of this yet. 💕

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Info & Tips

The right sewing machine

As a beginner, you don't need a high-end machine with countless features. A simple, reliable sewing machine is perfectly sufficient. The important thing is that it's easy to use and can handle basic stitches like straight stitches and zigzags.

(Note: I am not a sewing machine shop, but only share my personal experience. I can only recommend what I own and know.)

My recommendation: The Singer Heavy Duty 4423. It's robust, easy to use, and a great tool for getting started with sewing. I own several different machines myself, and I highly recommend this one to beginners, too.

As an optional addition: An overlock sewing machine

What is an overlock machine? An overlock is a practical sewing machine equipped with a small knife and three to four sewing threads. The machine cuts the edge of the fabric directly and sews around it, which is called "finishing." It ensures clean edges and professional results, but you always need a regular sewing machine, as an overlock machine can't sew hems, for example.

The right material to start with

Choosing the right fabric can greatly influence your sewing experience, especially at the beginning. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:

• Use fabrics you already have: Old clothes, bed linens, or curtains are perfect for your first attempts. They cost nothing extra and you can practice without any pressure.
• Secondhand is a good option: You can often find fabric scraps cheaply at flea markets, secondhand shops, or through platforms like classified ads.
• Avoid difficult fabrics: Slippery or very thick fabrics (like velvet, silk, or leather) aren't ideal for beginners. They can be frustrating.
• Plan for losses: For your first projects, you should use fabrics where it's not a big deal if something goes wrong – this takes the pressure off.

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First projects: Start with what you feel like doing!

Many say beginners should start with simple projects like pillowcases. But I say: start with something you're passionate about!

How do you choose your first project?

• Personal frustration level: Consider your patience level and what you enjoy. Then you can choose the difficulty level of your first project.
• Your goal: What do you want? Do you want to sew pants? A pillowcase? Choose something you're passionate about so you'll actually want to finish the project.
• Real tutorials: For your first project, it's important to choose something that offers detailed instructions. Projects based on 30-second TikTok videos with no details aren't ideal for beginners. Use detailed patterns that explain everything step by step, or YouTube tutorials that explain a project from start to finish.
• My recommendation: I offer several patterns specifically designed for beginners, with super detailed instructions and simple steps that you can easily follow!

Here are some of these patterns:

🧷 The beginner pattern bundle (I recommend starting with the lounge pants)

🧷 The simplest leggings

🧷 The lounge pants

🧷 The Olivia Top

🧷 The Lucy Shorts

Any questions? Feel free to message me on Instagram 💖

Let's get started! Learning to sew is fun, and every beginning is a win! With the right tools, a suitable project, and a little patience, you'll quickly experience success. So, grab your sewing machine, choose a project that inspires you, and get started! This year belongs to you and your creative ideas.

Have fun sewing! 💖

xoxo Katharina ✨