Whether you want to sew your own clothes or build a tiny sustainable business, here are books to help you do just that. Radical Sewing is the new guide to making your own clothes, with tips on hand-sewing, picking a sewing machine, adding pockets to anything, sewing buttons that stay on and altering clothes to fit your body shape. Regardless of sewing experience, this illustrated guide can empower you to make your wardrobe your own. Experiment and break the rules!
There are many organic fabrics online. If sewing with thrifted or upcycled synthetic fibres (like polyester) launder in a microplastic catcher. Keep sewing materials away from children and pets.
make clothes with zero waste patterns
Zero Waste Patterns offers a modern approach to sustainable sewing, using a Scandi-style collection of 20 garments. Use this unique paperless method to eliminate textile and paper waste, using a pre-determined length of fabric end to end. The patterns include a t-shirt, skirt, tank top, shirt and trousers. These can then be used to make 15 further projects by simple changes.
DIY Thrift Flip is a unique book to help you scour local thrift shops (don’t shop at big charity shops that test on animals) then turn bargains into fun wearable fashion. You can also use this book to makeover existing clothes in your wardrobe. The author takes you through easy ways to alter and tailor shirts, dresses, trousers and coats. You’ll learn how to set up a workspace, master sewing machine basics and know what can (and can’t) be fixed. Plus learn how to gauge size, when you can’t try something on.
Made to Measure is a unique and highly-reviewed book with 16 pattern-free projects, to learn to sew your own custom wardrobe, to avoid the fast-fashion chain stores. Beautifully written and designed, you’ll no longer need to waste money and paper on buying sewing matterns, to make your own beautifully-fitting clothes. Larn how to draft simple patterns based on your measurements, take a pattern from an existing garment and identify and fix common fit issues. The pattern-free projects include dresses, skirts, tops, a pantsuit and other designs including a refashioned sweater dress.
