GENERAL ENQUIRY FAQs

I want to get into sewing, what sewing machine should I buy?

I teach all my students on PFAFF sewing machines. They are super beginner friendly and have a lovely sleek design. I love the PFAFF Passport collection. They are compact domestic sewing machines which have all the stitches you will need to get started and give you a professional finish. If you also want to buy an overlocker I recommend the PFAFF Admire collection. They can do an overlock, roll hem and coverstitch which will take the scope of your sewing projects to the next level.

I’ve never sewn anything before where do I start?

Of our patterns I would say the Home Collection and the Amaya Shirt are most beginner-friendly, but I have seen people who have never sewn anything before sew all of them! You will make a few mistakes along the way but the beauty of sewing is that the worst that is going to happen is you are going to have to unpick a few stitches. I would always recommend making a practice version in a cheap cotton or muslin before cutting out your final fabric. If you are feeling unsure I recommend following one of our online workshops for extra guidance or booking on to our Intro to Sewing workshops or Open Studio Sessions

What is the difference between PDF and PRINTED patterns?

Simply put, printed paper patterns are posted to you, while PDF files are emailed to you to print off yourself.

When you order PDF patterns, you will receive an automated e-mail message as soon as your order has been confirmed. The message contains links to PDF files that you can download and print at home. The patterns can be printed on standard A4 paper and taped together to create a complete pattern sheet. You will also receive a separate instructions file; you can either print this out or save paper and follow along with it open on your laptop.

Patterns include all seam allowances. You can choose to trace the patterns on a separate tracing paper or cut them right off the printed sheets.

Our PDF patterns also come with a separate copy-shop file. A copy shop file is a large-scale PDF that you can take to a copy shop to be printed. All copy-shop files are A0 or A1 in size.

PDF-patterns are handy when you need to receive your patterns immediately. They are also less costly, and you don’t need to worry about shipping fees.

Please note that you will need Acrobat Reader or a similar software for opening PDF files. You can download Acrobat Reader for free here.

The printed paper patterns will be sent to you by post. The package includes all the same patterns and instructions than the PDF patterns. All sizes and pattern pieces are on the same large pattern sheet (or sometimes two). You can either cut your size straight out or keep the original in one piece and trace your size on to a separate piece of tracing paper. This way you can make multiple sizes for different people in the future.

Printed patterns take a little less effort than the PDF patterns, as the pattern sheet is already complete. Paper patterns are also more easy to store and reuse, and they are especially suitable for those who like to amend and modify their patterns.

What sizes are your patterns available in?

Our sizes range from UK 6 - 24. I highly recommend taking your own measurements and seeing which size you are closest to rather than assuming it will be the same as what you buy in the shops, as this can vary so much.

I’m in the middle of sewing one of your patterns and I’ve got stuck, what should I do?

Don’t give up! Everything is solveable. Double check the instruction booklet; sometimes reading through all the steps and looking at the diagrams can help you get a better sense of what is going on rather than focusing on just one step. If you are still stuck email me on lydia@mademywardrobe.com or find someone in your local community who sews and see if they can help. Two brains in the room are usually better than two brains trying to explain things over email!

Can I sell the clothes I make from your patterns?

No. These patterns are licensed for individual use only. You can make the garments for yourself, or as gifts for your sisters/friends but you cannot sell the clothing. The whole ethos of Made My Wardrobe is rooted in people making their own rather than buying.

Can I sell your patterns in my shop?

Yes, I’d love you to! Please email me on lydia@mademywardrobe.com to arrange a wholesale order.

Can I teach a sewing workshop using your patterns?

Yes, the more people teaching high quality sewing workshops the better! Please ask permission by emailing me first on lydia@mademywardrobe.com. Each student will have to buy their own copy of the pattern as they are licensed for individual use only. If you plan to include the pattern in the price of the course, we can offer a wholesale discount on bulk purchases. Please make sure you credit Made My Wardrobe and the name of the pattern in the class description so that it is clear to students what they will be making.

What should I do if I find a mistake in your pattern?

I test my patterns as closely as possible to make sure this doesn’t happen. But if you do spot something please let me know on lydia@mademywardrobe.com as soon as possible so that I can fix it.