We’re back! Our 30 Under 30 blog series is back in full swing as some of our featured bloggers are here to bring you their favorite sewing projects. From gorgeous dresses, vintage-inspired garments, and even a fun craft project or two, these designs all hold special memories and meaning to our bloggers. Several of these sewing projects were the first our bloggers ever made, while some are projects they spent hours working on. If you’ve been searching for a little inspiration for your next sewing project or just can’t get enough of our 30 sewing bloggers under 30 (we can’t either!), then you’ll love this list of favorite sewing projects!
Our Favorite Sewing Projects: Inspiration from Young Designers
Navy Inspired Cape
Catia from The Petite Cat
“I always loved capes! They are easy to wear and add an instant chic touch to your look. Using a beginner’s friendly pattern and embracing the military trend of the runways, I created a navy inspired cape with gold embellishments contrasting with the dark blue of the fabric. Feminine, elegant, and looking very much high-fashion, this has to be one of my favorite ‘makes’ since I started sewing two years ago!”
Find Catia at thepetitecat.com
Sawyer Bra
Maddie from Madalynne
“My goal when designing the 8229 underwire bra for Simplicity Patterns was to offer a pattern that could easily be altered into many different designs. Based on an Agent Provacateur style, this bra, Sawyer, is a testament of that.”
Find Maddie at madalynne.com
A Dress Called Edith
Gwen from Gwenstella Made
“This #gwenstellamade dress will always have a special place in my heart because its very conception marked the beginning of a new personal style era. I made the dress for a vintage fair that I attended in 2012 and I remember having a few people approaching me to ask me about my dress at the fair. It is also the very first dress I made using a mid-century vintage reproduction pattern (Butterick 6582). “
Find Gwen at gwenstellamade.wordpress.com
Crochet Lace Midi Dress
Haylee from Threaded
“This project is important to me because it was one of the first times I drafted a pattern on my own from beginning to end, and the fact that it turned out at all gave me so much confidence in my sewing skills. It made me realize that (cliche alert) we really can do what we put our mind to.”
Find Haylee at hayleeatkinson.blogspot.com
Burda/McCall’s Shirt Dress Hack
Siobhan from Chronically Siobhan
“This pattern was drafted by combining a well-fitting Burda shirt pattern with the McCall’s 6696 shirt dress skirt and design elements. Combining and altering two patterns to create something entirely new was confidence building and opened an entire world of pattern design. Most importantly, the finished dress turned out just as I’d envisaged it, with the perfect fit!”
Find Siobhan at chronicallysiobhan.com
Patchwork Floor Pillows
Caroline from Sew Caroline
“I love these patchwork pillows because they make a fun statement on a couch or in a playroom for kids. The pattern pieces are easy to assemble and would make an excellent beginning project for someone wanting to learn how to sew! ALSO, this makes for a great scrap-buster project! “
Find Caroline at sewcaroline.com
Cloth Habit Harriet Bra
Sian from Rebel Angel
“This is the Harriet Bra by Cloth Habit. I’ve been sewing bras and underwear for a couple of years but this was my first go at doing a proper underwired bra in my size (which is slightly unusual – 28GG) and it worked out so well! All the pieces came together perfectly and it fits me as well as any of my ready to wear pieces – I’m just super proud of it! I’ve since made another 2 and am planning my next ones now.”
Find Sian at rebelangel.co.uk
Buffalo Check Black and White Sundress
Suzannah from Create | Enjoy
“It’s so hard to choose a favorite but I did a LOT of garment sewing last summer and loved making dresses and tops in neutral, wearable colors and simple patterns but super fun styles!! I made off-the-shoulder, ruffled, and cropped styles, and got creative with ruffles! I just love this lightweight buffalo check dress and it became my go-to comfy summer dress for picnics, date night, and even just hot weather days! I almost always seriously tweak store-bought patterns and this one was no exception; I added the ruffle and changed the bodice shape and construction–and I’m proud of how it turned out!”
Find Suzannah at create-enjoy.com
Elise Tee
Rochelle from Lucky Lucille
“One of my favorite projects is also one of my most recent makes, the Elise Tee by Fine Motor Skills. I used to think sewing ‘basics’ was too boring and somehow un-blog-worthy, but the truth is I wear almost exclusively basics! The moment I embraced this and started sewing more t-shirts was the moment I fell in love with sewing in a whole new way. There’s nothing more rewarding than pulling open your dresser drawer and knowing all the shirts within were crafted with your own two hands. Slow Fashion for the win! :)”
Find Rochelle at luckylucille.com
Vintage Sheet Scrappy Trip Quilt
Jeni from In Color Order
“My vintage sheet scrappy trip quilt is a very special project to me. It has over 250 different sheet patterns in it, and it’s incredibly soft and cheerful. Many of the sheets I remember where I found them and who I was with, so it’s a bit of a memory quilt too.”
Find Jeni at incolororder.com
Pleated Midi Skirt from Curtains
Rosabella from Sewn by Rosa
“This skirt is made from a pair of H&M curtains. I had a go at pleating the skirt using a fork having seen the hack on the By Hand London Instagram page; it was such a quick and neat technique! If you would like to make a simple pleated midi skirt without a pattern, don’t forget to subscribe to my vlog Sewn for a tutorial coming in the next week.”
Find Rosabella at sewnbyrosa.blogspot.com
EPP Ferris Wheel Mini Quilt Tutorial
Felice from Sew Scatterbrained
“I wanted something to make into a mini quilt for my wall that would reflect the time and care that went into it. I decided to go with a rainbow Ferris wheel after reading about the first Ferris wheel at the 1893 Chicago World’s fair. Now it’s hanging on my wall with my growing mini quilt collection.”
Find Felice at sewscatterbrained.com
The Cascade Duffle Coat
Shannon from Adventures of a Young Seamstress
“This coat was my last entry for the Super Online Sewing Match at Sew Mama Sew, and I went all out customizing the pattern (the Grainline Cascade Duffle Coat) and making sure it was my best sewing. I modified it into a short swing coat, I designed my own pockets with button tabs, I made my own closures from leather cord, and I added a removable hood! Although it’s not something I wear all the time, it’s still one of my favourite projects because of everything I put into it.”
Find Shannon at youngseamstress.blogspot.ca
Dream the Impossible Dream Vogue 9192
Natasha from The Tell Tale Tasha
“My swimsuits are high on my list of favorites because I made 2 in 2 days! I didn’t think I’d ever get to that point in my sewing endeavors but they showed me that once I face my fears of something being ‘too difficult’, I realize I am more capable than I give myself credit for.”
Find Natasha at thetelltaletasha.blogspot.com
Cynthia Rowley Overlay Dress
Louise from Sew Sensational
“This Cynthia Rowley overlay dress is one of my most prized sewing projects. I’ve always classed myself as a ‘beginner’ dressmaker even though, looking back, I’ve actually been sewing for 7 years now! This dress was one of the first projects aimed at more advanced dressmakers that I’ve ever made, and I’m so proud of the result. I took my time stitching each part together and have worn the finished dress to various weddings and parties since. My dress isn’t perfect (far from it!) but I learnt so much in the process and know that I’ll treasure this dress for a while to come.”
Find Louise at sewsensational.wordpress.com
The Emerald Bra
Erin from Emerald Erin
“This project was the ultimate set that combined so many of my favourite things- including my favourite colour, emerald of course! It was the best way to start the new year!”
Find Erin at emeralderin.com
Crochet Front Top Tutorial
Tringa from DIY Clothes
“I’m a big admirer of crochet doilies, maybe because I grew up surrounded by these unique artsy pieces, and I’ve seen my mother spending hours and hours crocheting and dyeing them. So, my main inspiration for this project was my mother’s vast collection of these extraordinary pieces. The shirt turned out great because Mom crocheted a rare piece. I just put together two items that were laying there unused and nothing makes me happier than including her creations on my sewing ideas.”
Find Tringa at diyclothes.net
Vintage Vogue Dress
Bianca from Vintage on Tap
“I’m really loving this dress because it’s my introduction into Spring 2017, and after a rainy winter here in San Francisco, it’s a happy BRIGHT welcome. Also, any opportunity to work with linen fabric is a good one – especially one that is super high quality and sews like butter.”
Find Bianca at vintageontap.com
My First Crop Top
Carmen from See Carmen Sew
“I love this outfit because it’s sewn up from beautiful (and expensive) silk from my favorite fabric store in Nashville, Textile Fabrics. In this outfit, I feel like a million bucks. I felt so glamorous and proud of myself wearing this unique and eye-catching ensemble out for a night on the town in New York City!”
Find Carmen at seecarmensew.com
Bright Fabric Scrap Wall Hanging
Katie from Running with a Glue Gun
“My favorite sewing project that I have ever made, has been my Bright Fabric Scrap Wall Hanging. This is because the project allowed me to combine painting, gluing, and sewing together, to create a fun piece of wall art. In addition, the project was super easy to create and could be customized to fit any style!”
Find Katie at runningwithagluegunstudio.com
Be sure to check out all of Katie’s projects on Seams and Scissors here!
The Culottes Files
Mady from The Wardrobe Project
“This post is all about one of my first more advanced self-drafted garments. Learning pattern drafting was a revolution to my sewing. It completely changed the way I sew and view sewing patterns.”
Find Mady at thewardrobe-project.blogspot.gr
Cork Coasters to Jewelry Dishes
Irene and Chiara from One O
“We like making functional and beautiful reinterpretations of common objects, like this coaster transformed into jewelry dish. Ikea hacks and most of our DIYs are exactly this: remodeling stuff to make things different, girly, and pretty. And having fun, of course.”
Find Irene and Chiara at one-o.it
Day and Night Dress
Doja from Elewa Blog
“I love the floral fabric more than anything and its ability to make two very simple styles work. And since I made both dresses in a very short amount of time, this project really allowed me to push myself as a seamstress.”
Find Doja at blog.elewa.co.uk
Tapestry Coat
Liliana from Lassemista
“I love how it’s all about this glorious upholstery fabric. The coat has a classic and simple shape, so it’s actually quite versatile, but the fabric makes it really special and unique. I’ve been wearing it a lot lately, now that it’s getting warmer – it’s perfect for this time of the year.”
Find Liliana at lassemista.wordpress.com
Leopard Ogden Cami
Rachel from Maker Style
“This project is important to me because it was part of a tour with some of my other favourite bloggers – it felt really cool to be a part of it! Not to mention, both halves of the project are staples in my wardrobe I wear every single week.”
Find Rachel at makerstyle.ca
Red Dress Refashion
Trish from Trish Stitched
“This project is very special to me because it was a refashion of one of my Grandma’s dresses. After she passed away, I took quite a few pieces from her wardrobe to alter for my own wear and just a short time after finishing this dress, I found a picture of her wearing the original! She had a wonderful fashion sense and I’m happy sewing has allowed me to have this special connection with her!”
Find Trish at trishstitched.com
What’s your favorite sewing project of all time? Let us know below in the comments!
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