How to Sew Clothes: Learn with Intuitive, Super-Hackable Patterns

by Amelia Greenhall, Amy Bornman

Learn to sew simple, stylish, wear-everywhere garments with How to Sew Clothes . Each chapter is filled with super easy instructions and patterns written for sewists of all skill levels.

“If you can sew a straight line, you can sew anything (and, in this book, we’ll teach you how to sew a straight line!). We will help you get started from scratch, with detailed sewing instructions and techniques that will soon become second nature. We’ll explain why you’re doing things, and when it is important to do things a certain way, and when you can improvise and not worry! We’ll tell you everything you need to know to sew your own clothes and bags—and to have fun in the process.” — Amelia Greenhall and Amy Bornman, @AllWellWorkshop

Whether you are just learning how to sew or want to reignite your excitement for sewing, How to Sew Clothes makes sewing feel possible. Greenhall and Bornman’s illustrated guidance and conversational how-tos feel just like an inviting, in-person workshop. This book will have you wanting to sew every project (and will give you all the tools to make it happen). It is also a great read, even when you aren’t in the mood to sew. How many sewing books can say that?

Inside, you’ll find an envelope full of pattern sheets and very detailed instructions to guide you through the process of making simple tops, dresses, a jacket, and a coat that will become wardrobe essentials. (Patterns have bust circumferences 32–62” / 81–157 cm.) Several of All Well’s bestselling, downloadable sewing patterns are included, in print for the first time!

Pick up this book and learn essential skills such as how to choose fabrics, read patterns, and cut out pattern pieces and sew them together, as well as how to backstitch, assess fit, and learn from what you make. There are also instructions for making bags that will fit you and your style just right. How to Sew Clothes will help you learn to make clothes you love to wear—and have fun in the process.

Genres: Sewing, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

208 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Sarah Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for beginners! Yes, you can probably find all the information online but why do that when you can have this book instead. It can be so overwhelming to get lost in YouTube rabbit holes and bombarded with all kinds of extraneous details that I would have been so discouraged when I first started sewing if it hadn’t been for my sister hand holding me along the way. Having a book like this is like having that pal walk you through everything step by step! There are several things I’ll always use this book as a reference for, like French seams and the pattern hacks. The concept of starting simple and learning to hack the patterns as you grow confidence and more specific preferences is wonderfully empowering. Excited to get started on my box top and cardigan!

[Jaycie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a lot of pent up creative energy from being on maternity leave and got in my head that I was going to get back into sewing. This guide was the perfect way to do that and I’m happy to say I actually made a shirt! I love that patterns are included and the instructions are very detailed with example drawings. Can’t wait to sew more clothes!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started with the intention of reading for 10 mins tonight and 2 hrs later I'm done.

This was just the inspiration and encouragement I needed for my sewing room to be finished this week!

[Melisa Blok · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great intro to sewing, and so nice to have patterns drafted for a short person!

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect for beginners or those returning to sewing. the instructions are well-done. i've said before that i don't always want to rely on youtube tutorials & if you are a visual or verbal learner this book will likely work for you.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

For transparency: I love All Well Workshop patterns (the company that produced this book). I've tested their patterns before publication, though none that were included here. I have a deep appreciation for their thoughtful approach to making clothes that focuses on building skills through simple quality basics.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for new sewists. There are entire sections dedicated to foundational knowledge that will serve new sewists well when moving onto more complex projects, and they provide clear guidance on how to 'hack' their patterns to get exactly the style you want. The projects in this book are simple and stylish without being boring or repetitive. If you extend the box top into a dress, or buy their Studio Pants pattern, you could easily wear All Well from head to toe!

Bonus: the two garment patterns are size inclusive up to 60 inches.

[Rose Schrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. Perfect for beginners and beautiful to look at. It would have been helpful to have accompanying videos from the authors as some instructions are easier understand visually.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs accompany the text; both worked together to inspire me to drop everything and sew. Much of the information is geared towards seamstresses with less experience than I have at this point, but I knew that was likely the case when I pre-ordered the book. There is always something to be learned, the book includes a couple patterns I want to use, and I wanted to assess whether it would make a good gift for a beginning seamstress (it would). I especially like the way technical how-to information is combined with thoughts on habits and mindset.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the All Well aesthetic. I’ve been curious about the Box Top’s hackability, so nice that it’s included here. I think I will start with the party purse—bags are mind bending origami to me so I appreciate patterns with well illustrated directions.

In general, a nice collection written for very beginning sewists.

[Irene Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I wonder why I read beginner sewing books any more because I'm not a beginner and the patterns get samey... and then I read one that makes me keep picking them up just in case.

This is one of those. I love it for everything except the patterns (although I do think there is a party purse in my future, the pattern is intriguing and it looks practical). So why is this book so great? It's quite long, there is a lot of text and it takes a long time to get to the sewing bit. But it is worth the journey: filled with enthusiasm and the why of sewing as much as the how of sewing.

It has a Prologue, 24 chapters (24!) organised into 6 Parts, and patterns. Concentrating on the best bits:

Part I - What You Might Want to sew, and How and Why
- Get Your Workshop Set Up
- How a Garment is Sewn, and Washed and Worn
- First Seams, First Seam Rips
- It's All About the Fabric
- How to Begin

Part II - The Box Tops
Part III - The Cardigan Coat
Part IV - All Well Bags
Part V - Some Basic Skills

Part VI - More
- Everlasting Scraps
- Sustainable Fabric Sourcing
- All is Well

Amy and Amelia just get it.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore these two artists, and I learned so much from this book. This quote sums up where I am with this new love of mine. Very practical and lovely with solidly written instructions and honest tips to help a beginner to set expectations about learning how to sew. Love seeing anyone's sewing studio and the test garment section was so enlightening for me. If I was going to teach a class on sewing clothes, I'd guide students to this book. (My highest praise for How To books).

"Sewing helps me counter the instinct to see scarcity, to see the world as a fixed and static thing. Instead: community, imagining, and building. Sewing clothes, like any other effort in the direction of abundance, makes a difference.
Thinking about what world you want to live in, and taking action. A place to return to, over and over, be it ever so humble."

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for beginners with such a wide, cute variety of pieces. I felt like I could jump in at any point and not be lost. The addition of patterns in the back is genius! THANK YOU! A lot of these patterns will become strong staples in my everyday wear!! I love the addition of recommended tools + explanations of their use, as well as an entirely separate section for repeated/common techniques and applications, such as making bias tape or sewing bias onto a collar/hem. I Highly Highly recommend this book for anyone starting out, it's ease of use and timeless patterns will make it a staple in your sewing endeavors.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am brand new to sewing and found the information to be of great value. I attended my first sewing machine basics class, have bought supplies, and bought a new machine. I loved how honest the authors were throughout. They didn’t include information they knew way too much or beyond the point of their book and I appreciated that. I wasn’t overwhelmed and was able to read it front to back. I have sewn a children’s star pillow from a children’s sewing book but I was going to make a shirt from this book tonight. I have total confidence!

[ARivkah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great versatile projects I will keep coming back to! My only criticism is the book skips over a couple of important details to simplify things for beginners, but these details can lead to an unwearable garment. For example, cutting bias tape on the bias instead of on the straight grain will keep the neckline from sticking out funky.

Overall a great book with great projects, but maybe not the best first sewing project book.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d recommend this for beginners. It’s laid out in an easy progression, with photos and tips. It’s not too ambitious but includes many options for making simple garments and bags and encourages experimentation.

[Katie Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely learned to sew from this book. from start to finish it takes you in a logical order and breaks things down at the perfect pace. Not too in the weeds, but not so broad that its boring. I lend it out to anyone wanting to start their own garment making journey

[Whitney Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simplicity of this book - the instructions are clear in a way I haven’t really seen before. And the hackable part of the patterns is my favorite.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really thorough, great for beginners. Ideal for those looking for patterns for basics that can be adapted endlessly!