First garment pattern?

I want to make something to wear, for either me or one of my girls (5 + 8) but I'm nervous. Can you recommend an easy pattern for me to start with please? Maybe one that has a video tutorial too as I'm very much a visual learner.

Hi Debbie, I too am like yourself, very nervous of making anything and also a visual learner. I lack confidence and at the minute trying to organize my very small sewing room. I like to see what I have and at the minute can't see things as everything in storage cubes which I have to sort through.

I am a beginner to sewing.  Tilly and the Buttons have a book full of patterns for children called mini makes.  I have managed to make several things for my toddler grandchildren as they are ideal for beginners

Have a look at Tilly and the Buttons. The patterns are easier to follow and lots of them have videos to go along side them. 

This was me last year after getting a sewing machine for Xmas. My first garment pattern was Tilly and the Buttons Lotta dress which I made out of an old bedsheet. I also bought the follow along video you can buy from their website which had loads of hints and tips for a beginner. But also try YouTube as a lot of people put up tutorials of themselves making the pattern, which I often use when I get stuck. 

I would definitely recommend Tilly and the buttons patterns as they're easy to follow for a beginner! However at least for the adult patterns I would be very careful when choosing your size, according to my measurements I should make a size 7 and the first few things I made were so enormous and I hated them thinking I'd done something wrong. I now always make Tilly patterns in a size 5. Look at the finished garment measurements and try them over your bust/ hips etc to see how much room you'd prefer ☺️

You can't go wrong with Tilly and the buttons, the instructions are great. I would also check out other indie pattern companies too. Friday pattern company have tutorials for all of the patterns on YouTube. Look at the skill set and choose beginner ones to start. If you search YouTube there is almost always a tutorial to be found. Minerva have loads on their channel.

You are in the right place to have your hand held while you learn this new skill as Hayley is going to teach you everything thing you need to know right here.

You are going to love that feeling of wearing something you have made yourself. Especially when somebody tells you they love your garment. 🫶

Thank you so much Kelly - that is indeed the plan!! 

I would recommend the Tilly and the Buttons Jamie PJs as a first garment. They are such a low pressure pattern - all you really need is your hip measurement as the elastic will hold it at your waist. You can make these out of cotton - even an old bedsheet will do for your first one. 

I offered to teach some of the school mums to sew and I got them making these. Some of them had never even threaded up a sewing machine and they all came away with a pair of PJs that they wear with pride 

Thank you everyone! I've got my mum's old sewing machine working finally (it didn't want to do anything other than a straight stitch at first, it seemed it needing warming up as hadn't been used probably in a decade). Tilly and the Buttons definitely seems to be the way to go. And I've decluttered my bedding so I can try it out on that first. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the finished garment measurements. 

Hi Debbie, that's great that your mums machine is working now! I'm looking forward to hearing if you've found a pattern to try?

I've actually just taken it to my local fabric shop for them to give it a thorogh clean and lubrication. I thought it hadn't been used in a few years, but apparently it's been 30! So when I collect it I'm going to start with an elasticated skirt (possibly with a pocket) and then pyjama bottoms. That'll use up most of my old duvet cover and then I can treat myself to some fabric!

Amazing, I bet it's going to make such a big difference! have fun with those projects!

Controversial opinion because they use mainly stretch fabrics, but anything by ellie and mac. Pdf patterns only but they go together well , better than some of the pricier patterns. They have you tube videos which aren't mega edited. The lady who does them sews them as you would at home. If she puts the wrong bits together she tells you to watch out for that. Sewing with stretch isn't as scary as most people think. Just choose something like a stable ponte. Haley has also had some nice stable stretch fabrics in the boxes.

Thanks. I had downloaded their kids PJ pattern as it was free so that's good to hear their instructions are good. I'm definitely a visual learner so it helps when there are youtube videos. 

I'm a beginner with a processing disorder which means I struggle with working memory and find following some written and spoken instructions difficult unless I can see it as well, so I've been trying to find ways that work for me.

What worked for me was getting the TATB 'Love at First Stitch' book and working my way through that, as it shows you the techniques you need for each garment and it's not too overwhelming, there's loads of videos of people making her patterns too. My first 'proper' sew was a pair of PJ bottoms, which I've made a couple of times now.

I've also liked making the box top from the All Well 'How to Sew Clothes' book a few times, which is a simple, unfitted top, (similar to TATB Stevie), with a number of variations. It's very simple make that's become one of the core items in my work wardrobe, as it has a smart-casual vibe depending on the fabric. I still have to look up videos on how to do the neck binding each time, but that's probably just me. 

Ah this is the book I have so that's good! I skipped the scarf but I've just traced out the pattern for the PJ bottoms, although I'm going to do shorts. I need YouTube videos, I'm definitely a visual learner and like to hear people talk through the process.

I made both the scarves, as I'd only just started using my machine and the hemming practice was really useful!

I'm not really into scarves, so the square scarf has been repurposed in a tablecloth for a side-table.

I made my first PJ's using the Margot pattern. 

I'm glad I made them out of old bedsheets as I learnt a lot! I can't cut straight (at all), I also can't sew straight but I'm getting better. I don't know if it was me or the pattern (I remember a youtube video saying it too) but there wasn't enough fabric on the sides when folding over to make the channel, which might be why there's a bit of fabric bunching on the back. In my head these would be a lot shorter. ALso, I managed to sew a buttonhole on the front and on the back!! 😂

If I was to make these up again I'd try it with an elastic waistband instead.