Sew Essential

14/06/2026

Beginner-friendly sewing patterns you’ll still want to wear years later? These two are such good options ✨

I’ve made both the Ogden Cami by True Bias and the Cielo Top and Dress by Closet Core Patterns, and they’re both patterns I’d happily recommend if you’re fairly new to dressmaking but want to make something you’ll actually wear.

The Ogden Cami is simple, chic and perfect for layering. I first made mine 7 years ago and still wear it every single summer.

The Cielo Top and Dress is another brilliant beginner-friendly option, with no fastenings to contend with, but lovely details like bust darts, cuffed sleeves and different options to try and create multiple garments from just one pattern.

Both are satisfying sews, both give you a lovely finished garment, and both are still available to buy on our website.

Which would you sew first: Ogden or Cielo?

Save this for your beginner sewing list and follow me for more ideas to create a handmade wardrobe you love.

10/06/2026

Confused about which sewing machine needle to use? Save this for your next project ✨

Choosing the right needle for your fabric can make such a difference to how smoothly your machine sews and how neat your stitches look.

As a general rule, lighter weight fabrics usually need a smaller needle, and heavier fabrics usually need a larger needle.

The smaller the needle size, the smaller the eye and the finer the needle, so it’s better suited to lighter fabrics and finer threads. Larger needles have a larger eye and stronger shaft, making them better for heavier fabrics and thicker threads.

This is a quick guide to some of the most common sewing machine needle types, but there are lots more available on our site, including embroidery, top stitch, metallic, leather, twin needles and more.

We have an in-depth sewing machine needle guide on the blog if you want the full breakdown.

Comment NEEDLE and we’ll send you the link.

And tell us: which fabric are you sewing next?

03/06/2026

Ever looked at a sewing pattern and thought “not for me”… only to see someone else make it and suddenly realise how good it is?

That has happened to me so many times.

Sometimes it isn’t the pattern itself that puts us off. It might be the fabric, the styling, the colour, the pose, or simply that the sample garment doesn’t match what we’d personally wear.

These are 5 patterns I nearly skipped because I couldn’t immediately see them working for me. But once I looked past the packet and imagined them in my own fabric, colours and wardrobe, they turned into some of my favourite makes.

So this is your reminder to look twice before dismissing a pattern.

Check the line drawing. Imagine it in a fabric you love. Look for other versions. Think about the shape rather than the styling.

You might be missing a hidden gem.

Full reviews of all of these are available over on my YouTube channel and find the patterns on our site.

Have you ever nearly dismissed a pattern that turned out to be brilliant? Tell me which one in the comments.

27/05/2026

Some of the best sewing tools are the tiny ones that quietly solve really frustrating problems ✂️

These 3 tapes genuinely made such a difference to my sewing once I discovered them…

✨ Bias Tape

Amazing for stabilising woven necklines and armholes. It can replace stay stitching (it has little stitches sewn into it!) and helps curved areas keep their shape beautifully, just iron it on and away you go.

✨ Wonder Tape

Perfect for positioning invisible zips without pins. It holds everything flat and smooth while you sew, you can reposition it as much as you like, and it washes away afterwards. Also brilliant for machine sewing buttons on 👌

✨ Seam Tape

One of my favourite tricks for jersey necklines and armholes. Iron it onto curves before sewing and it helps prevent knit fabrics stretching out of shape.

They’re all such small, simple sewing tools… but they can completely change you confidence levels when it comes to achieving a neat finish ✨

You can find all 3 on our website ✂️ 

Save this for later for your next project and let me know…

Which one is your favourite? 👀

25/05/2026

My sewing brain is completely full of summer project ideas right now ✨

I’m currently sewing up one of my all-time favourite easy wear dress patterns, the Lois dress, in this gorgeous vibrant viscose elastane fabric and I already know it’s going to become one of those throw-on-and-wear-constantly dresses.

But while I’m sewing that… I can’t stop thinking about the Bonnie top next 😅

I’ve completely fallen for this yarn-dyed striped cotton and I know it would work so perfectly as an easy everyday top to wear with jeans, denim shorts or even matching separates.

And then there’s this colourful cotton sateen which honestly just feels like instant dopamine in fabric form 🌞

I think the Colette dress by Fibre Mood could be such a hidden gem pattern for it, the perfect summer sundress.

This is one of my favourite parts of sewing honestly… when your head is completely full of future projects and outfit ideas, but i also find it frustrating that I can’t sew quick enough to make them all! ✂️

Which one would you sew first? 👀

All of the patterns and fabrics are on our website if you want to take a closer look 💛

20/05/2026

Choosing a sewing machine can feel incredibly overwhelming sometimes 👀

There are so many models, features and opinions that it’s easy to end up focusing on the wrong things.

After trying more sewing machines than I can count over the years, I know the “best” sewing machine is completely different for everyone.

The best choice depends on:
✨ what you want to sew
✨ how much you want to spend
✨ what frustrates you most
✨ and which features would genuinely improve your sewing experience

Some features might seem small at first, but things like speed control, thread snips, better feeding systems or more sewing space can completely change how sewing feels day to day.

That doesn’t mean a more expensive machine is always “better” either, there are some brilliant machines at every price point.

I’ve shared the features I’d personally prioritise at different budgets, along with the machines I’d currently choose in each category ✂️

Save this for later if you’re thinking about buying or upgrading a sewing machine, and let me know…

What’s one sewing machine feature you’d never want to sew without? 👀

We stock and work with a huge range of sewing machines, and we’re always happy to help you find the right fit for you and the way you love to sew 💛

19/05/2026

It's back in stock! The best selling Almost blouse pattern by Maison Fauve - grab your copy before it sells out here

Almost Shirt Maison Fauve Sewing Pattern from Sew Essential. Buy with confidence from experts who care. Free delivery on orders £50 and over.

18/05/2026

Did you know you can now collect points every time you shop at Sew Essential? You can also collect points for following our socials and receive rewards for referring friends. Sewing with even more benefits right here

Discover Sew Essential Rewards and start earning points every time you shop. Enjoy special offers and savings while you build your fabric stash and plan your next sewing project.

17/05/2026

I still love watching this gathering foot work 👀✨

A gathering foot is such a simple way to create neat, even gathers without all the usual messing around with tacking stitches and hand gathering.

And one of the cleverest things about it? You can usually gather one layer of fabric while sewing it onto a flat, ungathered layer at the same time 🙌

So satisfying… and such a time saver.

We stock gathering feet for Janome, Brother, Husqvarna and Pfaff machines on our website and even overlocker gathering feet too✂️

Have you ever tried one before? 🧵

17/05/2026

Save £50 on the Janome 725S sewist sewing machine was £389 now just £339 see full details here

Janome Sewist 725S sewing machine from Sew Essential. Buy with confidence from experts who understand sewing. Free next day delivery and 2 year warranty.