Sewing the Perfect T-Shirt: Patterns, Tips & Fabric Picks for Beginners Few wardrobe staples are as versatile and loved as a great t-shirt. Whether you’re after a classic fit, a cozy casual look, or a trendy twist, sewing your own perfect tee is a rewarding project — and totally doable, even if you’re a beginner! Today, we’ll break down some beginner-friendly t-shirt patterns, essential notions, pro tips, and the best knit fabrics - from Jersey to Ribbed Knits -  to help you nail your DIY t-shirt game. Why Sew Your Own T-Shirt? Customize fit, sleeve length, neckline style, and fabric Save money and reduce fast-fashion waste Learn knit sewing skills — a gateway to sewing comfy everyday clothes Make gifts personalized just for friends and family Best Beginner T-Shirt Patterns 1. The Hemlock Tee (Free for newsletter subscribers!) This t-shirt pattern by Grainline Studio is a cult favorite for a reason. With its relaxed fit and simple construction, it’s perfect for beginners eager to tackle knits. Features:Drop shoulder, short or long sleeves, crew neckline Would look perfect in Bamboo Jersey or Interlock to go with the drapey vibe of the drop shoulder 2. The Blomma Tank by Paradise Patterns Want a sleek, sleeveless option? The Blomma Tank is a fitted, athletic-style top with two cup size options. Features:Bound neckline and armholes, includes tips for customizing the neckline, armholes, and binding width Perfect in Bamboo Ribbed Knit for a solid look. Or amp it up with a print like Sweet Cherries and Victorian Blooms Cotton Ribbed Knits 3. Jackson Tee by Helen's Closet The Jackson Tee & Pullover is a gender‑inclusive knit pattern with a classic unisex fit and slightly dropped shoulder, available in both tee and pullover versions with multiple lengths to suit different styles. Features:Gender-inclusive fit with tee and pullover options, plus cuff and hem band variations. This is where our Collection of Cotton Jersey and Matching Ribbing gets to shine. Notions and Tools You’ll Need Ballpoint or Stretch Needles: Prevent skipped stitches on knit fabrics. Polyester Thread: Has stretch, perfect for knits. Stretch or Narrow Zigzag Stitch Settings: For seams that move with your fabric. Walking Foot or Knit Fabric Foot: Helps feed knit fabric evenly through your machine. Pattern Weights & Rotary Cutter: For cutting knit fabrics accurately without stretching. Pro Tips for Sewing the Perfect Tee Prewash your fabric: Prevent future shrinkage and check for colorfastness. Use matching ribbing for neckbands: For a professional, polished finish, use a coordinating rib knit fabric to bind the neckline. Ribbing stretches with the tee and maintains its shape over time, giving your shirt that store-bought look. You can find coordinating rib knits in many colors at Fabric and Flow — just look for “rib knit” or “ribbing” in their collections. Stabilize your neckline: Use clear elastic or stay tape inside the neckline to avoid stretching out. Test stitch settings: Sew on fabric scraps first to get tension and stitch length right. Use a twin needle or coverstitch for hems: Gives that professional, stretchy finish. Don’t stretch the fabric while sewing: Let the machine feed it naturally to avoid wavy seams. Fabric Picks from Fabric and Flow’s Perfect Tee Collection Choosing the right fabric is crucial for comfort and style. Here are some favorites from Fabric and Flow’s curated selection: Cotton Spandex Jersey: Soft, breathable, and with just enough stretch — perfect for everyday tees. Modal Jersey: Silky soft, with excellent recovery — ideal for luxurious, soft t-shirts. Bamboo Jersey: Eco-friendly, silky, and breathable — perfect for sensitive skin and hot climates. Final Thoughts Sewing your perfect t-shirt is a fantastic beginner project that unlocks a whole new world of garment sewing. With the right pattern, fabric, and a few helpful notions, you’ll create tees that fit like a dream and feel amazing. Make It. Wear It. Own It!

Thinking About Sewing with Denim? Here's What You'll Need Whether you're diving into your first handmade pair of jeans, planning a structured denim jacket, or creating a classic denim skirt or overalls, one thing is clear: sewing with denim requires a few specialized tools and supplies. Denim behaves differently than lighter fabrics. It's thicker, more structured, and can be hard on machines and needles if you’re not prepared. But with the right supplies, it's absolutely manageable—and the results are worth it. Below, you’ll find a clear list of must-have tools (essentials you shouldn’t skip), plus nice-to-have items that can make your sewing experience smoother and your final project look more polished. Must-Have Supplies for Sewing with Denim These are the essentials you’ll want to gather before you start: 1. Denim Fabric Choose your denim weight based on the project: Lightweight (4–8 oz): Best for shirts, skirts, or lighter dresses. Midweight (8–11 oz): Great for jeans, jackets, and most patterns. Mid to heavy weight (11 oz +): Great for jeans, jackets, and workwear. 2. Denim Sewing Needles Use a denim or jeans needle (size 90/14 or 100/16). These are built to penetrate thick fabric layers without snapping. 3. Sturdy Thread Use polyester all-purpose thread for seams. Consider topstitching thread for decorative seams—usually in a contrasting color like gold or copper for a classic denim look. Tip: Use topstitching thread in the needle only, and regular thread in the bobbin for smoother stitching. 4. Fusible Interfacing Medium-weight interfacing is ideal for waistbands, collars, and pocket facings—anywhere you want to add structure or stability. 5. Denim Hardware (Buttons, Rivets, Zippers) Jeans buttons: Typically no-sew and secured with a hammer or hand press. Rivets: Used at stress points like pockets for reinforcement and a professional finish. Metal zippers: For pants or jacket closures. Nice-to-Have (But Helpful) Tools These aren’t essential, but they’ll improve your results and make the process easier—especially for more advanced or repeat projects. 1. Walking Foot Feeds thick, layered fabric evenly under your machine. Great for bulky seams and keeping things aligned. 2. Edge Stitch or Topstitch Foot Makes neat, even topstitching much easier—especially useful on jackets and jeans. 3. Clapper A wooden pressing tool that helps flatten thick seams after pressing, giving you a crisp, professional finish. 4. Hand Press or Rivet Setter If you’re adding a lot of hardware, this tool makes setting jeans buttons and rivets faster and more accurate than a hammer. 5. Seam Finishing Tools Denim bias tape or twill tape: For clean seam finishes without bulk. Serger (optional): Helps finish raw edges neatly and securely, especially if you're not binding seams. Quick Project Tips by Garment Type Jackets: Use mid-to-heavyweight denim. Topstitch for structure and style. Press all seams well (a clapper helps here). Jeans: Focus on durable seams (use flat-felled or mock-felled seams), reinforce stress points, and consider a jeans pattern with good instructions. Skirts: Lighter or midweight denim is easier to handle and creates a cleaner drape. Overalls: Heavier denim adds structure, but make sure your machine can handle it. Reinforce straps and stress points. Where to Buy Denim Sewing Supplies Item Canada USA Thread, Interfacing Fabric + Flow Fabric + Flow or Wawak Hardware & Tools Etsy or Cleaners Supply Stylemaker or Wawak Final Thoughts Sewing with denim is a satisfying, long-lasting way to expand your handmade wardrobe. It’s a bit more technical than working with lightweight cottons, but once you’ve got the right tools and a bit of patience, you'll be amazed at what you can create. Start with the basics, add tools as you go, and you’ll be sewing jeans, jackets, skirts—and everything in between—with confidence.

Community Spotlight - Morgan. There’s something incredibly special about getting to know the makers behind the stitches — the people turning fabric into art, and sewing into self-expression. In this edition of our Community Spotlight, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Morgan, also known as @sewn.from.the.heart on Instagram. "I started sewing at the beginning of 2020. My husband bought me a sewing machine to make masks (for COVID), and I thought, why not try to make clothing too? The first thing I made was a cute t-shirt for my son, and I was hooked on garment making ever since. Making my own clothes helps me fuel my creative self, and it’s shown me that I don’t have to change my body to fit my clothes — my clothes change to fit me. It’s really hard to pick just one favourite garment, but one I really love was my Victoria Frocktails dress. It was a satin high-neck dress with an open back. I made two rows of bead strings along the back that made the dress extra special." "I’ve always been hesitant to sew a garment with silk — it’s such a pricey fabric, which makes it very intimidating. This year, I would love to tackle a double-faced coat. There’s a lot of hand sewing involved, which I have come to love this past year." Pattern Suggestions: When we asked Morgan to share her go-to denim sewing patterns, she didn’t hold back—and we’re so glad she didn’t. Her list includes a mix of classic jeans, creative twists, and versatile silhouettes. Here are her top picks: Worship Jeans by Daughter JudyMorgan’s #1 favourite - A classic five pocket rigid jean designed to hug your curves, with clean lines, balanced proportions, and straight or flare leg options. These would look great in our Cloud White Denim with Gold topstitching. #1135 Dress by Grasser PatternsThis one is a great option if you’re looking to explore denim beyond the basics. Make it in all one colour like Deep Jade or take advantage of those panels and block it with shades of Recycled Denim. Farra Pant by Lore Piar A comfy-meets-cool option for stretch denim like Black Night. And just look at that back yoke detail! Dart Side Jeans by House of Izzie This pattern isn’t released until early October, but it’s already on our radar. Morgan made hers in our Recycled Denim (We'll update the post with a link once it drops!) Morgan’s top denim sewing tips: Invest in good topstitching thread.“Good quality topstitching thread makes all the difference. My go-tos are Gütermann Mara 70 and Mettler Cordonnet.” Use a clear foot with a built-in hump jumper.“It helps you see your seams better AND makes it over bulky areas with ease.” Tame bulky seams with a hammer.“When seams are extra bulky, hammering them down first really helps.” Hand baste when it counts.“Hand basting zippers and waistbands saves you time and seam ripping (which may still happen anyway).” You can follow Morgan on Instagram for more sewing inspiration, pattern reviews, and plenty of helpful tips—especially if denim is on your sewing table. Her passion for making clothes that truly fit her life and body is something so many of us can relate to. At the heart of it all, Morgan reminds us what makes sewing so powerful: the ability to express creativity, build confidence, and create clothing that fits you—not the other way around.