planning your first sewing project - floral and...

Planning Your First Sewing ProjectEmbracing Your Personal Style and Creativity

(a step-by-step guide)By: Trish Green, Floral and Flannel

@floralsflannels

www.floralandflannel.weebly.com

Floral and Flannel www.floralandflannel.weebly.com / @floralsflannels / Floral and Flannel www.floralandflannel.weebly.com / @floralsflannels /

Hi Everyone,A few months ago I sewed my first dress.

Contrary to the info out there for beginner sewists, I sewed a fit and flare, satin, pleated bodice dress.

Is it perfect? - No. Do I love it? - Yes.

It’s completely empowering to wear something that fits your body perfectly! I’m not focused on the size number, or trying to squeeze myself into ready-to-wear items. It’s totally liberating to have something that fits, is comfortable and expresses my unique style (which I refer to as “Grandma Chic”)

This success, however, did not come without challenges.

Unpicking pleats to get them just right. Fit adjustments. Chewed up seam allowances. Wrinkly bias binding. Running out of thread.

Admist the rollercoaster though, I stayed determined, because I knew the project re-flected my style, abilities and my body shape. I was also determined to wear it to my bachelorette party! I turned to YouTube, blogs and my mother for any help I could get. All these things helped me be successful.

So now I’m passing this knowledge onto you! No- this guide does not contain specific tips or tutorials for specialized techniques - while I hope to create some, those issues are molehills compared to the mountain in front of you - how to stay motivated, excited and enjoy this creative process when taking on your first sewing project.

So I present to you a little planning guide, if (read: when) the going gets tough, know that you’ve chosen this amazing project for a reason and there are resources to help you. Pick a project that reflects your unique needs and style - I guarantee you’ll be hooked.

Enjoy the full process of your first sewing adventure!

Love,

Trish

PS. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on instagram (@floralsflannels) for more tips and tricks. I’m new at this too! I’d LOVE to see all of your creations.

#sewingadventures

Floral and Flannel www.floralandflannel.weebly.com / @floralsflannels /

How do you work best? Do you… (circle your response)

• Work well under pressure or prefer a more relaxed environment?

• Work best with others or prefer to work independently?

• Get frustrated easily or are you endlessly persistent?

• Are you capable of learning on your own (Youtube, blogs) or would you prefer to have someone show you what to do?

TIP 1: Identify and Foster the perfect creative environment (find your flow.)

TIP 2: Create something that reflects your unique style

m Feminine

m Boyish

m Flirty

m Modern

m Fitted

m Flowing

m Neutral

m Sleek

m Elegant

m Girly

m Frilly

m Bold

m Colourful

m Refined

m Vintage

m Ostentatious

m Boxy

m Glitzy

m Casual

m Classic

m Comfortable

m Dainty

m Embellished

m Cultural

m Racy

m Preppy

m Bohemian

m Petite

m Minimalist

m Glamorous

m Funky

m Relaxed

m Romantic

m Rocker

m Slouchy

m Sporty

m Retro

m Demure

My style is:

Pick five words that describe your personal style:


TIP 3: Pick Something that will look good on you!What is your body shape?

Hourglass:

• Accentuate your natural shape and curves!

• Try full or tulip skirts, sweetheart or peplum tops, cropped jackets, wrap or belted dresses; keep fabric choices simple

• To downplay your curves, use v-necklines, monochrome looks, vertical prints, tunic or shift dresses

Square:

• Break up your shape with different textures and prints!

• Try layering different items and lots of accessories

• Put an emphasis on your waist with cropped clothing or belts

• The world is your oyster - try ruffles, patterns, tiers, lace, beading.

Apple:

• Emphasize your waist!

• Try waist belts, empire waists, tunic dresses, a full or circle skirt to give more definition to your hips.

• Structure is your friend! Woven garments can help provide interesting angles to your body.

• Flaunt your lovely bust and legs! V-necks, fancy hems and slits can help!

Inverted Triangle:

• Create curves on your bottom, and soften your shoulders.

• Go full glam on the bottom with ruffles, prints, and full skirts. Drapey blouses and fluttery sleeves are a great option for tops.

• Own your shoulders with a square neckline!

Pear:

• Draw attention to your top half, and keep it simple on the bottom!

• Examples: scarves, ruffled blouses, boatneck tops, bright and light coloured tops, dark bottoms, vertical stripes on bottoms, fit and flare dresses.

• Another opportunity is to highlight your curves, like with a fitted pencil skirt or cowl neck sheath!

• Stretch fabrics show them off better - woven can make you look boxy.

Ultimately, what looks best on you, is what you feel best in! Express yourself how you want to - no matter your body type!


Do you have any sewing experience?

How confident do you feel in your skills and abilities?

Is there anything you can do to improve them?

“Beginner” doesn’t have to equal “boring” - anything is possible depending on your resources, dedication and passion.

Project Difficulty (circle the level you would feel comfortable trying):

• Easy: Look for projects that require minimal fitting, are quick to sew, have minimal seams and simple techniques. Examples might include boxy tops, basic skirts, shift dresses, pyjama pants, bags, or pillows. Easy fabrics are stable and woven, like cotton or linen.

• Intermediate: At this level, you may be required to flex your sewing muscles and learn some more advanced techniques, such as sewing with more challenging fabrics (lightweight and knit), installing different types of closures, zippers, facings or linings. Examples include: Fit and flare or sheath dresses, jersey dresses, blouses, more de-tailed skirts.

• Advanced: projects requiring advanced skills, like sewing shirtdresses or collared shirts, jeans, working with specialized fabrics (like lace or tulle), evening wear or mak-ing coats

TIP 4: Set realistic expectations and goals (Persistance makes perfect!)

TIP 5: Plan an occasion to show off your garment (and bask in the compliments!)

Project Timelines

Do you have an occasion where you’d like to wear this garment?

When will you be able to work on it?


What pattern companies align with my style?

What social media is out there to keep me motivated?

• Uplifting Youtube?

• Inspiring Instagram?

• Beautiful Blogs?

• Playful Podcasts?

(Applaudable Alliteration??)

Project Resources

What tutorials might be of use to me (ex. Youtube, books, blogs)

What resources exist in my community for sewers if I need in person help?

Where can I buy fabric?

TIP 6: Find ways to stay inspired (other than throwing your seam ripper across the floor.)

TIP 7: Know where to get help when you need it.


Pattern Name:

View/Version:

Pattern Company:

Size Selected:

Fabric Selected*:

Swatch:

Are there alterations you must make to the pattern before starting?* (Ex. full bust, sway back, shortening/lengthen-ing areas)

New Skills I will learn:

Why I chose it:

Notes:

Date Complete:

*more info on these topics in later guides/posts

Date Started:

Sketch:

For next time...

WWW (What went well?)

EBI (Even better if?)

My Project Name:

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