How to Sew Your Own Clothes From Scratch 

A beginner’s sew-along video would be so much fun 😁

I appreciate your framing failures as learning experiences that are still cheaper than paying college tuition to learn. So true!

Glad I listened. I have sewed for decades but at 74 this helped me reset my pace and helps give myself permission to finish up with the edwardian style blouses I have never sewn.

I just made my first linen skirt! I made a mock up first and I did all french seams. It turned out so nice! I have been sewing for years but this is the first time I have put so much effort into the finish work.

Thank youuu ! As a muslim woman who wears hijab and long dress, this is perfect, because it's sometimes hard to find exactly what I'm looking for ! I can also make beautiful dresses to wear at home (summer dresses, milkmaid dresses etc)

Great advice! The only one I have mixed feeling about is buying good fabric. I've made loads of things I love from thrift-store sheets and bargain-bin cotton. As long as they are natural fibers they work well. I aim to make one or two versions of something in cheap(er) fabric before making one in linen or wool, so I know I like it and know how to make it.

I'm with you! I have the same sewing machine I won in a raffle in 1976, a little Bernina portable. When I was learning, I did use patterns, but I had flat pattern and design and then tailoring and then became a costume designer and sewed in a sweat shop when I was a runaway teen in LA. I was 6ft tall and 90 pounds when I started sewing--buying clothes was a joke. I've always made my own clothes and the kids' costumes, and purses and underwear and everything! I only now buy linen from Europe and wool. I have to slow down by embroidering everything! Linen requires French seams, for sure. But I love the drape. I also thrift for fabric and sell all kinds of fun clothes on my Etsy store. Sewing is definitely relaxing since I do books and taxes in my "real" job.

Re: Using high quality fabric that might cost more - I am SO precious about using it wisely, and making sure I take all the extra steps and finishes, seams, mockups, everything. Spending a little more encourages me to make it the best possible, as I'd hate to waste it in any way. I love love love my garments with french and felled seams, but if you do get a serger... It is hugely satisfying when you're on mom time and have need for speed. 👀

Such great advice. I made my first dress when I was in 7th grade. I sewed my clothes all through school and when I was married and had children I made their clothes. I kind of got away from it but became a quilter and always made our drapes, curtains and house accessories. A funny thing got me back into sewing clothes last year. I took up crochet in retirement and have made a lot of cute sweaters and ponchos. I thought I should sew some skirts and slacks to match them and here I am again. I also like to remake clothes I buy in thrift stores.

I love this video ❤ Sooo many things I needed to hear don't rush, slow down, make mock ups!! I am a beginner and overwhelm my self easily by working on multiple projects at once. Where do you like to get your linen fabric from online?

Exactly. Clothes should fit YOU, you should have to fit your clothes. Nice video.

I love your tips! I'm looking forward to your new channel! God bless you and yours

I’m fortunate to have a pretty decent fabric stash now, but a lot of it was acquired through thrifting curtains and other large pieces. For a long time it was easy to find natural fibers, but nowadays almost all commercially available fabric is synthetic. I spent the money and time to get samples when buying online and this saves a lot of headaches when making sure the yardage is what you want.

That red dress is so beautiful on you.

I'm in the process of hand sewing my first ever garment and its pretty hard lol :) but fun. I've always found it stressful to go shopping too, because of how petite I am, everything was too big for me. So I had to resort to buying clothes online but now I realize its just fast fashion so I'm trying to make my own c: thanks for the tips.

I haven’t seen in 20 years but I’m about to start back. I have trouble finding clothes that fit and look nice. Thank you so much for this video! I love everything about it.

Yay for improv sewing tools! I had to get creative in college since I couldn’t bring all my sewing tools and supplies with me. Sewing was my way to decompress after the demanding engineering program I was in. I’ve been sewing since I was two (my family has had quite a few professional seamstresses). Linen is the ultimate luxury fabric for me-even more than silk. I also try to plan mockups to be potentially wearable but don’t stress over them. Always prewash your fabric! HAVE FUN!

Great tips. I have been thinking of how to elevate my everyday garment, the T-shirt. One thing I am obsessed it’s at the moment is what I think of as the Jane Austen Sleeve. A puff sleeve gathered into a Cuff. Not too puffy. Sleeve just a few inches long. Sewn together with an under sleeve, close fitting, down to the wrist. I’ve made a mock up. I going to make it in Meet Milk Jersey in two different weights but the same colour , so I can have a thinner, high quality fabric for the long sleeve, and a slightly thicker puff sleeve. And of course I am going to make other Tees with different necklines. I would like to be a fancy dresser, but I’m not!

Hi! I'm so glad you're expanding your content - I found you from your hair videos but I want to learn to sew. No need to niche down - share everything! Thank you! You're so inspiring!

🙌❤️ very encouraging, living in the south it’s our second week at 100’f plus… natural breathable fabrics all the way. I’ve been making my own patterns for my sundresses for quite a while I ordered the book you recommended looking forward to dialing in my skills ❤️French seams all the way. I also collect linen at charity shops and take them apart to use again & have a lot of my grandmothers linen tablecloths they are a great too. Very encouraging to slow down enjoy the process. It’s great having a wardrobe that’s yours people notice.

This is the video I've been needing. Thank you so much!❤

I am really grateful to found your channel as the two main topics that you shared (haircare and sewing) are what I really searched for and also others natural and healthy lifesfyle ❤

25:18 This is true also if you want to start doing watercolor paintings. I used to HATE It was only later I realized this was because I would use either normal printing paper or super cheap watercolor paper. But after I started using Strathmore paper I have been able to paint so much better, and I now LOVE watercolor. Just throwing that out there. 😉

Yes. We learn more from our failures than we do our successes! Sewing is frustrating at times, but it is a good exercise in discipline and mitigating expectations, I have found. It is super fun and always interesting ☺️☺️ and we all start somewhere!

You are so refreshing. I love your videos. I think I always had the same mindset as you but you made it happen. I love the Victorian/Edwardian era. Love your modest style ❤️

Thank you for posting such good advice. Wish that this was made known to me in the late 70s. I grew up in a family convinced that the numbers were a solid rule. The only adjustment to do was hem length. This worked well for my family but epic fail on me. I was brainwashed and bullied into the standards. I have a rectangular figure. I once starved down to about 100 lbs and a size 3 at 5'7" with large bone structure. It took so much to unlearn from my family and fashion dictates. At least it happened. My style has changed through phases of my life. I go with what makes me happy. I'm a lazy nerdy goth at 55. Most of my clothes are dyed the same shade of black. Makeup is optional these days. I do buy men's cotton blend stretch chinos as it saves me work. Tough twill that stretches and doesn't sag in the butt. PLUS real pockets! It flatters me and gives the illusion of curves. Sewing my own clothes gives me maximum control over quality; from thread, fabric, buttons, fit and construction techniques. Even when done quickly on my surger, it's still higher quality. I use solid color or stripe quilting cotton for button up shirts. Most of mine are around 9 years old but range from 7-11 years old and in good shape after weekly wear and laundering. The downside of high quality is having to wait for my clothes to finally wear out. I have a capsule where the clothes must at least do double duty in styles, such as dressing up and down pieces. My knit Mariner top works with my suit or jeans and moto jacket. I can't afford a lot of clothes. It helps that my clothes can be taken in or let out easily as my weight fluctuates with medical issues and I still look good. My brag hahahaha!

This was a very helpful video. Thank you.

Totally inspiring me to get back into sewing, which I haven’t done since I was a teen!

I agree completely. My appreciation for red is growing, so I think I want a red dress. Plus men like red, I heard😶

Superb as always Katherine. Could listen to you talk all day.

I've been slowly making historical and historical adjacent clothes and need to start culling my closet to make make room for more me made stuff

Im very happy I found your channel! You've amazing content ❤️

Thank you 🙂

You are inspiring me to get back to sewing! You are are very much a Lady!

I love this. I took a sewing class 20 years ago and never finished the blouse. This is on my bucket list! If I do it, I'll let you know ❤ Any thoughts about making our own dress form? Or where to get one? Thanks again! Planning on my first clay wash tomorrow! You've changed my life 💪🙌🫶

Good morning Katherine happy Sunday morning and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter and I'm proud of you and I enjoy your channel

A big motivation in my sewing is having clothes for myself and my daughters that are both feminine and modest. I like that I can modify hemlines to suit or make matching bonnets, or add sleeves to make a garment more modest. Like you, I love a linen dress or skirt. I also use a lot of jersey spun merino for my little ones because it has the functionality of jersey but it's just nicer!

Love that word scratch.. Would love finding a wife who would figure out how to wear lingerie from scratch to cure the itch lol 😂

So sensible, you are🥰

I am waking up in sewing after hibernating for 20 years. The internet is a very good source - it is easier to learn techniques in the youtube than in books and magazines. The sad thing is the small fabric shops are gone and the ones I can reach sell fabric and thread but they no longer keep good selection of tools. At the moment I have been waiting for a package of zippers I ordered on line for a hoodie. I would like to start sewing but maybe it is better to wait another two weeks before buying a new set of zippers. My tip to a starting sewist is connected to the not rushing. Basting is hardly ever waste of time. It is easier to get even seams if the pieces are basted. 🪄🪡🪄🪡🪄🧵

You are looking so well. I think Abby Cox has been inspired by you too!🌷🌿

Love this so much! I’m moving as well so once I’m settled I want to start making my kids and I clothes! I would love more info on kids clothes. Somehow I doubt they will let their traditional clothes go in favor of homemade 😂

Thank you for sharing that you almost gave up. I guess I did give up, but I’m going to try again

That color looks fantastic on you. Hand sewing 🪡 a skirt as l watch this 😊

I love the body positive flip you do around 4 minutes in - and ONE of the issues I have is that because styles are made for slimmer women, what is it that will look and feel good when one is different? I am leaning more toward dresses like the linen button up with the shawl collar you made. But patterns and how to etc are few and far between. I would love more sewing content for sure! (& I like the hair too but definitely into the sewing too… please) Best, Lynne

You'd be surprised at Sewing machines found in thrift stores. My Nephew works at Goodwill. He called me today and told me they threw a nice vintage Singer in the garbage because no one bought it.

Where do you buy your patterns?? I love the dress you are wearing in this video.

❤❤❤

Hi Katherine 😊 where do you recommend buying linen fabric in the USA?

Thank you for another excellent video! Do you have any online fabric sites that you’d particularly recommend?

From scratch is all the way from beginning to end whether its food or clothing.

What online fabric stores do you recommend for linen fabric?

I really need to sew my own bras but all the fb groups etc are all spandex this polyester that. Do you sew cotton bras? Would that metric pattern cutting book help me to make a bra pattern?

I want it in sand beige ang Grey white and another toned black and i'm Esther skinny or thick or have wide legs

Linen is a nice material however it just crinkles and I hate ironing clothes. Does anyone bother ironing linen?

Where do you order your fabric from?

So, do you make clothing for anyone else?😊

I'm not at the stage where I will make my own clothes yet. What I do know is this...modern clothes are made of disgusting fabrics, in digusting colours and in unflattering shapes. I look for second hand, quality, natural fabrics. Some of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe are 20-30 years old. They always make it through the decluttering process!!

Scratch? Isnt that a baking term?

Hand sewnmafe means no machine.

IMO your channel name is holding you back as most of it is about hair. People looking for hair care will not see you in the search. Maybe have a contest to get ideas for a name change with a small reward?

Excited to learn the art of sewing clothes from scratch! 🧵✂We've sent you an email, we would love to connect and collaborate with you.