I have kindly been sent a PR copy of the Sew Over It Beginner’s Guide to Sewing, and today I’m going to tell you a little bit more about it! It’s a brilliant guide for anyone who wants to start sewing or dressmaking, so I’ll give you a quick tour. Keep reading for a discount code too!
For anyone who doesn’t know, Sew Over It was launched by founder Lisa Comfort in May 2011. Her mission was to pass on her passion for sewing, and she has certainly achieved that over the last 10 years! Sew Over It has become the UK’s leading sewing community, offering stylish digital and print sewing patterns, gorgeous fabrics, easy-to-follow online video classes and lots of support, inspiration and expert advice on their active social media channels. See more at @sewoveritlondon on Instagram!
Sew Over It Beginner’s Guide to Sewing: an overview
So let’s get stuck in! This guide comes as a 59-page digital booklet, and it’s jam packed full of information to get you started. The basics are covered first, so after the introduction you’ll learn about which supplies you need, how to choose fabrics and what you need to do to get ready to sew. It’s beautifully presented and is super clear, so you know exactly what you need to do to get started. Some books and guides can feel a little overwhelming when you first read them, but this really doesn’t feel like that at all. The fabric guide is particularly useful, as choosing dressmaking fabrics can feel like a huge challenge as a beginner! The guide tells you which fabrics work well for which of the six patterns, as well as information about how to wash and care for them too. This is super helpful, because I feel like if you know how to take care for them then they will last longer (and that’s good for the planet!).
Other really helpful features in the guide include:
- Preparing your fabric
- How to thread a sewing machine
- Tips for how to read a pattern piece (invaluable as a beginner!)
- Info about graininess and selvedges
- Cutting out your pattern pieces
- AND a super helpful and clear glossary
With step-by-step instructions and clear diagrams throughout, you’ll be well on your way to stitching up a gorgeous project in no time! Sometimes, diagrams can be a bit confusing (think flat-pack furniture!) but this isn’t the case at all here. So now all you have to do is decide what to make first!
The digital patterns
As mentioned previously, the guide contains six patterns that will take you from a novice to dressmaker. One of the things that can be a challenge when purchasing digital dressmaking patterns is the printing, but the instructions are very clear throughout. The patterns are in PDF format in copy shop size (for printing at full size on large format printers at a local print shop) or A4 and US letter size. There is helpful information about how to print out at home using a standard printer, and you can click through for extra help when you see the Top Tips circles throughout. So don’t panic about the printing, they’ve got you covered!
The projects
All of the projects from Sew Over It Beginner’s Guide to Sewing are really accessible, and things that would be super fun and useful to make. Top of my list are these pyjamas! I honestly can’t remember the last time I made myself something to wear, and I think this would be the perfect project to get me back into it. How comfy do these look?! Here is a sneak preview of the other projects too a drawstring bag and cushions (both projects would be perfect for a little hand embroidery embellishment I think!), a toiletries bag, tote bag and wrap skirt:
Here’s the discount code!
I know you’re going to want to get stuck in straight away like me, so you can purchase a copy here on the Sew Over It website. And I have a 20% discount for my followers with the code ‘BEGINNEREBOOK’ so just enter that at checkout (offer now extended to 31st October 2021!).
Thanks to Sew Over It for sending me a copy!
It has been brilliant to see this new Sew Over It guide, and I’m definitely feeling inspired. For clarity, I received this PR copy in return for an Instagram post. I have written this blog post as I felt like I wanted to show you more than I could on Instagram! All opinions my own. (You should definitely buy it, either for you or for someone you know!)
Post updated 19th September.
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