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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)
#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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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!
A B C 3 years ago
Except that they're those weird high water jeans (I know, it's the current fashion, but I don't get it), they're fabulous.
StormsTempest 3 years ago
highwasted jeans are nice bc they don't feel like you'll moon everyone behind you if you crouch down lmao
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Elsie Collins 3 years ago
WOW!!! A WORK OF TEXTILE ART!!! IF ANYONE ASKS,TO BUY THEM, DON'T LET THEM GO FOR LESS THAN 3K!!! Better yet, sell the design to Dolce and Garbana!!!
#38
Wish I Was Brave Enough To Wear This Out. Took Me Forever To Make
Julie Bonenfant 3 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 3 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 3 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))
![[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")
![(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")
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What do you think ?
K Witmer 3 years ago
I need to learn how to use a sewing machine. These clothes were all so lovely and creative
ADHORTATOR 3 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 3 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.
FloC 3 years ago
I wouldn't say that people didn't have to go shopping because most of them require lots of expensive fabric. Amazing job, though !
Samara Morgan 8 months ago
Exactly, unless you thrift, it's an expensive hobby.
Load More Replies...
Pumpkin Spice 3 years ago
I made a cute minidress out of a long-sleeved loose shirt. Strapless, no bra required! SO CUTE UWU
Arctic Fox Lover 3 years ago
Funny enough, I actually planned to start a sewing project this summer! I'm still getting the supplies for it, but as soon as I get them all, I want to make a BP thread about it! :D
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
So many skilled, talented people. I imagine lockdown gave some people time to start and finish projects they always intended to (I wasn't one of those people)--hooray everyone! Congrats.
Paul Mitchell 3 years ago
All of these were utterly fantastic or better. Clever clever people!
Ivy la Sangrienta 3 years ago
My grandmother was a seamstress before she had a family. Then she sewed for her kids and grandkids. I wish I'd asked her to teach me. She died when I was 18.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago (edited)
I just bought a sewing machine and my mom is going to teach me.
AnnaBanana 3 years ago
I wish I were as talented as these people - they have more talent in one sewing finger than I have in my whole body!!
Moezarella 3 years ago
Feeliny tempted to try my hand at sewing too. Have to much time on my hands and designs I want to make into reality
Curry on... 3 years ago
This seems the way to go if you want something original, fun and stylish without having to give up a paycheck or two.
K Witmer 3 years ago
I need to learn how to use a sewing machine. These clothes were all so lovely and creative
ADHORTATOR 3 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 3 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.
FloC 3 years ago
I wouldn't say that people didn't have to go shopping because most of them require lots of expensive fabric. Amazing job, though !
Samara Morgan 8 months ago
Exactly, unless you thrift, it's an expensive hobby.
Load More Replies... Pumpkin Spice 3 years ago
I made a cute minidress out of a long-sleeved loose shirt. Strapless, no bra required! SO CUTE UWU
Arctic Fox Lover 3 years ago
Funny enough, I actually planned to start a sewing project this summer! I'm still getting the supplies for it, but as soon as I get them all, I want to make a BP thread about it! :D
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
So many skilled, talented people. I imagine lockdown gave some people time to start and finish projects they always intended to (I wasn't one of those people)--hooray everyone! Congrats.
Paul Mitchell 3 years ago
All of these were utterly fantastic or better. Clever clever people!
Ivy la Sangrienta 3 years ago
My grandmother was a seamstress before she had a family. Then she sewed for her kids and grandkids. I wish I'd asked her to teach me. She died when I was 18.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago (edited)
I just bought a sewing machine and my mom is going to teach me.
AnnaBanana 3 years ago
I wish I were as talented as these people - they have more talent in one sewing finger than I have in my whole body!!
Moezarella 3 years ago
Feeliny tempted to try my hand at sewing too. Have to much time on my hands and designs I want to make into reality
Curry on... 3 years ago
This seems the way to go if you want something original, fun and stylish without having to give up a paycheck or two.
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