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50 Times People Didn’t Have To Go Shopping And Made Their Own Awesome Things, As Shared In This Sewing Community
People who know how to sew are never limited to their wardrobe. Or the shelves in a store. Their hands can do miracles — they can make clothes themselves.
There's a subreddit called r/Sewing, and it's the place where these skilled craftsmen show off their work. We're talking intricate wedding dresses, umbrella coats, and much, much more! There's plenty of surprises on this 372,000 member-strong sub.
"This is a community specifically for sewing including, but not limited to: machine sewing, embroidery, quilting, hand sewing, tapestry, patchwork, and help/suggestion threads," they say in their 'About' section.
We at Bored Panda have handpicked some of the masterpieces these sewers have created, so continue scrolling and who knows, maybe the photos will inspire you to pick up a spool of thread yourself. Enjoy!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Did It, I Made A Coat! (McCalls 6800, View D With B's Hem)
RELATED:
#2
Been Sewing Shirts And Matching Ties For My 5 Cats. It’s Been Fun. Hope You Like Them
The most popular post on the entire subreddit belongs to user vjloco. It's a collage of shirts and matching cat ties that he sewed for himself and his cats. As of this article, the post has 27,000 upvotes!
"My daughter gave me her old sewing machine at the start of the pandemic. I taught myself with her help and YouTube videos," vjloco revealed the origins of his new hobby to Bored Panda.
#3
I Just Finished My Son’s Halloween Costume
#4
Self Drafted. No Pattern. Outfit I Made From Scratch From Kente Fabric
"The first successful thing I made was a tie for my cat Kimi." Yes, it's short for Kimi Räikkönen, for all of you F1 fans who were wondering. "He was hiding in the engine compartment of my daughter's car. And he has quite a bit to say," the Reddit user said, laughing.
vjloco's colorful project began when he bought a bunch of old sheets from a local thrift store. He then learned how to make a shirt and even though it took quite a few attempts, he eventually got the hang of it. He was then able to make the quirky shirt and tie combos.
#5
I Made My Wedding Dress (No Pattern)
#6
In 2020 I’m Planning To Memorialize My Father By Sewing A Book Of His Life. This Is Page One
"It was sort of backwards, I wanted a shirt for me so I could dress like my furry friends."
"The beige cat, Mr. Nutter Butter likes to leave the house wearing his tie. I can't help but laugh at someone driving out in the country and seeing a cat looking all professional," he added.
"The sewing and cat communities on Reddit are amazingly supportive," vjloco said. "I think most people don't know how supportive Reddit is."
#7
Duchess Coat By Ellie And Mac Patterns For My Spiderman-Obsessed 2y.o. Niece. I Can't Wait To See It On Her!
WhoAreYouToSayPandasAreBored 5 years ago
My daughter loves Spider-Man. This is great considering how hard it can be to find girl Spider-Man clothes!
#8
Finished My Rainbow Quilt! And A Body Pillow Case To Match. Happy Pride Month!
But cats aren't the only pets of vjloco's. He lives outside Defuniak Springs, Florida, and unfortunately, people often dump animals on the road behind his acreage. "We have a relationship with a vet and shelter in our area. Currently, we have 5 cats and 2 rabbits," he said.
Since his cats are all dressed up now, vjloco is currently working on a pair of shirts for himself and the bunnies.
#9
(Self Drafted) My Old Lounge Dress Wasn't Getting Much Wear, So I Reworked It Into A Sundress
#10
I Made A Maple Leaf Fairy Costume For Renn Faire (B4571)
What's great about this subreddit is that it has plenty of material (and support) for anyone like vjloco who wants to start sewing. They suggest books, share machine FAQs, and plenty of other in-depth tutorials and quick tips, so I think the sub will only get bigger. As it should!
#11
Designed, Sewed, And Modeled This Dior Inspired Trench Coat
Abbey Impson 5 years ago
I want this in white for a my wedding dress...not engaged; not dating, just want the dress for my non-existent wedding
#12
Bought My First Sewing Machine 2 Weeks Ago Without Knowing A Single Thing About Sewing. So I Spent Hours On Youtube Watching How To Videos. I Made This Myself Yesterday
#13
Made A Non Conventional Wedding Dress! V9296
#14
Completed My Belle Gown (Beauty & The Beast) Self Drafted
#15
This Is A Prom Dress My Aunt From Nigeria Made For Me Back In 2019. We Designed It Based On Two Different Dresses. The Pattern Of The Fabric Is My Favorite Part! (No Pattern)
#16
Made An Entire 1850's Outfit. Lots Of Work, But Totally Worth It!
Sonia Bailey 5 years ago
Getting some serious Jane Austen vibes here - what a fantastic outfit!
#17
I Recreated An Early 1900s Illustration Butterfly Dress!
#18
I Made A Velvet Dress With Leds To Look Like The Night Sky (Self Drafted)
#19
I Made The Dressing Gown That Bilbo Wears In The First Hobbit Movie (M7875)
#20
Prom Might Not Have Happened This Year But At Least I Can Still Twirl Around In The Ball Gown I Made!! Self-Drafted
#21
(Self-Drafted) Sewist On Low Budget Recreating Expensive Dresses. I Was Inspired By This Teuta Matoshi Dress
#22
(Fo) I Alter Weddings Dresses For A Living, But Suit Alterations Are My True Passion. Here's My Last Suit I Did For Myself
#23
Coat Made With Broken Umbrellas
#24
I Made Billy Porter’s Oscars Tuxedo Gown (Self Drafted)
#25
(McCall's Archive Collection Circa 1956 M7478) Took Forever To Finish This Coat, But I'm Really Pleased With How It Turned Out - Especially The Twirl Factor!
#26
I Sewed A Wedding Dress Out Of Sweatpants
#27
First Finished Dress vs. First Dress I Can Actually Wear In Public
#28
My DIY Thrift-Flipped Wedding Dress
#29
Engagement Photo Dress I Designed And Constructed
#30
Simplicity 8262, Modified To Have A Hood Instead Of A Double Collar. Now To Walk Around Looking Dramatic
Candace Fitzpatrick 5 years ago
I love this! I would make the hood larger, but this is still awesome.
#31
This Is My Prom Dress I Designed And Made
#32
Made My Own Homecoming Dress
#33
African Print Mermaid Style Dress
#34
Self Drafted Bomber Jacket. I Saw The Fabric And Knew I Had To Make Something. It’s My First Crack At A Jacket And The First Real Wearable Garment I’ve Made For Myself! I Think I’m Going To Be Making A Lot More!
#35
Made One Of Those "My Rich Husband Died Of Mysterious Circumstances" Robes And I've Never Felt More Powerful
#36
(Mccall's 7047) I Made A Prototype Wedding Dress Aka The First Thing I've Sewn Since Senior Prom!
#37
I Hand/Machine Embroidered A Starmap Onto These Jeans!
#38
Wish I Was Brave Enough To Wear This Out. Took Me Forever To Make
Julie Bonenfant 5 years ago
Kind of a shame to hide your talent. That outfit was not simple to make. My vote? Wear it. If anyone gives you crap, challenge them to make one better. It's really cool.
#39
(Burdaeasy 2019) Tried To Recreate A 60’s Inspired Dress From The Queen’s Gambit
#40
(Simplicity 8578) I Made A Robe À La Française For Halloween
#41
I Made A Victorian Walking Dress With A Matching Hat And Parasol For A Festival In A Nearby Port Town (B6400, TV1884 Wash Overskirt, Self Drafted)
Cain Hargreaves 5 years ago
The wash overskirt from Truly Victorian (TV) Patterns is so good. I've made it before and it's one of those pieces that you can use in a thousand different dresses with just a change in material and trims.
#42
Finished My Three Piece Suit Just In Time For Fall!
#43
Started Sewing Two Weeks Ago And I Finally Made A Dress From Scratch
#44
Self-Drafted Blouse Made From Silk And An Antique Lace Collar. I Love Edwardian Fashion, And I’m Trying To Incorporate That Style Into My Wardrobe More
Agnes Jekyll 5 years ago
That lace collar is exquisite--the time it would have taken to make! I'm glad you've found such a beautiful use for it!
#45
Matching 1950's Style Men's Shirt And Wiggle Dress
#46
I Made An Adventure Ready Dress For My Niece. Machine Washable, No Scratchy Tulle, Fully Equipped With Pockets And Pack Pack For Maximum Storage Capacity, And Of Course A Matching Dress For A Side Kick [m7458]
![I Made An Adventure Ready Dress For My Niece. Machine Washable, No Scratchy Tulle, Fully Equipped With Pockets And Pack Pack For Maximum Storage Capacity, And Of Course A Matching Dress For A Side Kick [m7458]](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/60e2b2b473800_ygf1ja0hpg951__700.jpg "I Made An Adventure Ready Dress For My Niece. Machine Washable, No Scratchy Tulle, Fully Equipped With Pockets And Pack Pack For Maximum Storage Capacity, And Of Course A Matching Dress For A Side Kick [m7458]")
#47
My Husband Gave Me Some Of His Old Band T-Shirts, So I Made A Dress For Our Daughter
#48
I Made Some Professor-Y Clothes For The 1890s (Pattern Hacked)
#49
Sewcial Isolation Project I Made Back In March! (Apron Dress By Fabrics-Store (Free))
#50
Conjured Up A Last-Minute Dress For Halloween And I Am So Proud Of These Pockets! (Self-Drafted)
#51
I Made A Velvet Jumpsuit. I’ve Never Been So Comfortable At A Formal Event. It Was Like Wearing Pyjamas
I want cake 5 years ago
Velvet is so hard to work with, I tried it once with awful results. This is really well done, and much more difficult than it looks!
#52
Been Working On My Weaving Skills To Make Fabric For Garments. Quite Pleased With How It’s Going
#53
The Coming Out-Fit I Made For Trans Day Of Visibility (Modified Burda 6520)
#54
17th Century Inspired Gown
#55
I Made A Gothic 18th Century Gown (S8578)
#56
My Husband Wanted A "B*chin, Flowery Dressing Gown To Take Care Of Baby During The Night" (Who Is Due Soon) I Think I Delivered!
#57
Made My First Shirred Dress For My Little Girl (Self-Drafted)
#58
[mccall's M7727] Made Myself A Winter Coat To Survive The Canadian Winter! Nice And Warm
![[mccall's M7727] Made Myself A Winter Coat To Survive The Canadian Winter! Nice And Warm](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/60e2b18450c4a_r5je2tafceg41__700.jpg "[mccall's M7727] Made Myself A Winter Coat To Survive The Canadian Winter! Nice And Warm")
#59
70's Edition: Roller Girl (Semi Self Drafted)
#60
Made My Wedding Outfit (Vintage Vogue)
#61
15m Of Fabric And 3000 Rhinestones Later, We Finally Managed To Finish This Galadriel Cosplay
#62
My First Shirt I’ve Ever Made. Pretty Happy With How It Turned Out
I want cake 5 years ago (edited)
Impeccable pattern matching down the front, that's really hard to do! Edit: on second viewing it's just a couple of millimetres off but still really well done.
#63
Now My Fear Is By The End Of Lockdown I’ll Have Too Many Clothes. Dress I Made From Ankara/Kente Fabric. Self Drafted(No Pattern)
#64
The Completed Look- A Men’s Button Down I Refashioned To A Wrap Top And A Pair Of Pants I Made From A Bedsheet
#65
Made My Very Own Rainbow Patchwork Skirt!
#66
Channeled The 1940’s For A Job Interview Outfit! Peplum Skirt Is (New Look 6003), Bolero Is (Self-Drafted)
#67
Overall, I Would Say That This Squirrelly Sewing Project Was A Success
#68
Just Finished Reupholstering This Bad Boy. The Cushion And Decking Are Sewn And Drafted From The Original Pattern
#69
My Ecclesiastical Jacquard Jacket. I Call It "Exorcist, But Make It Millennial"
#70
Something I Whipped Up For A Formal Function
#71
My Dress Inspired By Rhonda Fleming
#72
So My Sister Got Married This Weekend And I Designed/Made Her Gown
#73
(Self-Drafted) Made A Neoprene Dress For A Fall Wedding (With Pockets Of Course)
#74
A Little Bit In Love. Here’s The Finished Valentine’s Day Playsuit!
#75
Recently Made This Lingerie Set
#76
Upcycled From A Curtain And Blanket I Found At Goodwill! Copied The Pattern Off My Dickies Work Jacket
Cheri Aline Sydney 5 years ago
I love the style... The fabric is great for this pattern, as well!
#77
Made My Wedding Dress. It Is Not Perfect, But It Is Exactly What I Wanted
#78
Succeeded In Making This Coat That Required A Lot Of Mental Gymnastics During The Pattern Placement! Very Proud Of The Outcome!! Easy Vogue V9367 With Modifications
#79
My New Dress Is Finally Finished! Isn’t It Beautiful?
#80
Corset I Made From A Throw Pillowcase! Butterick B4669. We Love A Good Upcycle!
#81
I Made My High School Senior Ball Dress With My Mom In Two Days
#82
Found Some Old Table Runners And Pillowcases My Great Grandmother Hand Embroidered In The 20s-50s. They Were Sitting In Storage For Decades And I Decided To Turn Them Into A Spring Blouse
#83
I Made My Daughter’s Easter Tie And Altered Her Suit! Really Happy With How They Turned Out!
#84
Took A Stab At Making A Bralette
#85
I Made My Daughter's Grad/ Prom Dress
#86
(Mccalls M7821)] Turned This Gothic Costume Coat Pattern Into A Sleeveless Iridescent Space Opera Fantasy, Complete With Matching Harness, Cuffs, And Belt
![(Mccalls M7821)] Turned This Gothic Costume Coat Pattern Into A Sleeveless Iridescent Space Opera Fantasy, Complete With Matching Harness, Cuffs, And Belt](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20-60e4216e32ba9__700.jpg "(Mccalls M7821)] Turned This Gothic Costume Coat Pattern Into A Sleeveless Iridescent Space Opera Fantasy, Complete With Matching Harness, Cuffs, And Belt")
#87
My Favorite Summer Outfit I’ve Made! A Two Piece Goldfish Set (No Pattern)
#88
Made My First Gown! I Completed This A Few Months Ago And Finally Had Time To Take Pics
#89
My First Bodysuit With Self Drafted Pattern
#90
My Exam Project: The Dress And The Suit
#91
Sabrina Dress: Side By Side By Seams Come True
#92
18th Century Stays, Work In Progress
#93
My Ice Cream Inspired Western Shirt. Made From Kwik Sew Pattern K3506
#94
I Made The Quilted Jacket Of My Dreams!
#95
My Sweet Little Mama In The Outfit I Made Her For My Niece’s Wedding. I Was Terrified To Cut Into The Beaded Lace...i Picked Out Beads For Hours, And Restitched Beads Back In Along The Seams. A Tedious Process, But Really Loved The Handwork. She Looked Great, And Was Comfy All Day
"I was terrified to cut into the beaded lace...I picked out beads for hours, and restitched beads back in along the seams. A tedious process, but really loved the handwork. She looked great, and was comfy all day."
#96
Made A Sunflower Two-Piece From An Outfit That Looked Like A Curtain Beforehand
#98
Gave My Nana’s Dress New Life
#99
Finished New Watermelon Concept Shirt For The Beach Today. Now I Just Need To Be Able To Travel
#100
Achievement Unlocked: Actually Finishing A Themed Dress In Time For The Appropriate Holiday - Happy Easter, Everyone! (Advance 7079)
#101
Made This Crop Top Out Of A Thrifted Night Gown!
#102
(No Pattern) I Made This With Really Really Cheap Fabric And I'm Super Proud!
#103
Still A Work In Progress, But I’m Already So Proud Of My Wedding Dress! (V9265, Altered)
#105
Really Proud Of These Makes!
#106
Made My Third Ever Article Of Clothing! A Gold Lamé Romper!
#107
I Made Beth's Dress From The Queen's Gambit
#108
I Made My Own Prom Dress! (Self Drafted)
#109
I Haven't Seen In 35 Years But I Made A Dress! Pattern Is In A Twist Fun Sew So Easy
#110
([self Drafted) Left: Teuta Cobalt Starry Dress, Right: Me
#112
Bug Life! A Dress I Finished Today. Pattern Is By Deer And Doe. This Is The Shorter Version. Fabric Is Second Hand From Ebay
#113
I Made A Ridiculous Dress Out Of A Wall Hanging. Top Is Simplicity 3847
#114
Original Mashup “Witch Sophie Hatter” From Howl’s Moving Castle!
#115
I Made An Ocean Tide Inspired Dress And Crown!
#116
Almost Fully Worked Through My Fabric Stash! I Bought This Fabric To Make A Housecoat But Didn't Love The Weight, So Instead I Designed, Pattern-Drafted, And Sewed This Weird Jumpsuit
#117
Used The Leftover Fabric From My Skirt Project To Make A Matching Bandana For My Sweet Boy (Skirt: Simplicity 2314a, Bandana: No Pattern)
#118
My Second Successful Bralette! This One Fits Much Better Too
#119
Re-Visited Yellow Set : Added Arm Cuffs + Leg Split & Adjusted The Top From A V-Neck To Straight Neck Tube Top
#120
I Had Some Leftover Fabric From My Jacket, So I Made Some Leggings To Go With It
#121
Fo : 1970s Ringer Tee And Bell Bottom Jeans (Self Drafted)
#122
I’m So Happy With How These Skirts Came Out!
#123
Matching Crop Top And Midi Skirt - Altered Simplicity 6408 Dress
#124
How Is Your Sewing Today?
#125
First Project I Can Actually Wear! Complete With A Zipper And Pockets! I’m Extremely Proud
#126
Bought A Huge Men’s Dickies Boiler Suit On Clearance. My Tailoring Experience Is... Minimal. But I’m So Proud Of This. I Feel Hot
Anita Pickle 5 years ago
Great execution, tailoring is hard. Especially on yourself. A dress form can kind of get you there... But there is a lot of poking yourself with needles to get the perfect fit.
#127
This Came Out So Good, Had To Post It. Longline Bra With Embroidered Lace
#128
(Self Drafted) I Liked Taylor's Amas Outfit So You Know... I Stole It
#129
Self Drafted New Years Dress. And I’m Only A Month Late!
#130
My First Sewing Project - Katara's Fire Nation Disguise!
#131
(Self-Drafted) Had To Make A Set Out Of This Amazing Papaya Fabric!
#132
I Recreated The Strawberry Dress
PandaMonium 5 years ago
Beautiful dress- and the flower field is the perfect setting! I love your expression too - altogether perfect!
#133
I Made Another Western Shirt! - Mccall's M7980
#134
Tried To Recreate A Reformation Dress And This Is The Result (No Pattern)
#135
First Skirt Attempts (New Look 6346)
#136
Made Two Left Boobs. Time For Wine
#137
Update! Finally Got The Damn Zipper Figured Out
#138
Upcycled This Thrifted Yellow Dress Into Something A Bit More My Style
#139
I Don't Know Of I'll Ever Top These
#140
Just Upcycling Some Socks
#141
I Made A Summer Dress! It Is Self Drafted And Made Out Of An Old Bedsheet. What Do You Think?
#142
A Very Cosy Loungewear Set Made From Fleecy Blankets
#143
Finally A Successful Couple Set!
#145
Sewed These Simplicity 9736 Pants To Match The Boots!
#147
Took Two Old Shirts And Made Two New Ones!
#148
From Old Blouse To Fitted Waist Ruched Bust Top
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K Witmer 5 years ago
I need to learn how to use a sewing machine. These clothes were all so lovely and creative
ADHORTATOR 5 years ago
my SIL does all the clothing of her daughter herself, she hasn' t bought anything for 10 years (ok, some jeans don't count :-))
Fluffy Griffin 5 years ago
When I was in high school, my mom taught me the basics of sewing by making a renaissance dress out of an ugly "bridesmaids" dress from goodwill. The original dress had a black velvet top with poofy shoulders and skinny arms, and had a full green brocade dress bottom. (and was 2 sizes too small) turned into a black velvet corset with cap sleeves with the green brocade skirt bottom. 😁 it looked really cool.
K Witmer 5 years ago
I need to learn how to use a sewing machine. These clothes were all so lovely and creative
ADHORTATOR 5 years ago
my SIL does all the clothing of her daughter herself, she hasn' t bought anything for 10 years (ok, some jeans don't count :-))
Fluffy Griffin 5 years ago
When I was in high school, my mom taught me the basics of sewing by making a renaissance dress out of an ugly "bridesmaids" dress from goodwill. The original dress had a black velvet top with poofy shoulders and skinny arms, and had a full green brocade dress bottom. (and was 2 sizes too small) turned into a black velvet corset with cap sleeves with the green brocade skirt bottom. 😁 it looked really cool.
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