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In this episode of The Sewing Social, I'm joined by Sarah Laws, founder of My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns, pattern designer, sewing educator and passionate advocate for helping people create clothes they truly love to wear.
Sarah takes us back to where it all began, sharing how learning to sew as a child sparked a lifelong passion for dressmaking and ultimately led her to design sewing patterns that empower makers of all abilities.
We chat about the journey from hobby to career, the realities of running a creative business, and the joy of helping others discover the confidence that comes from making their own clothes.
Together, we explore one of the biggest challenges many garment sewists face -getting the right fit. Sarah shares practical advice on understanding your body, making pattern adjustments with confidence and why achieving a great fit has far more to do with understanding proportions than chasing a dress size. It's an encouraging conversation that reminds us sewing is about creating clothes to fit our bodies, not changing our bodies to fit our clothes.
We also discuss the importance of body positivity within the sewing community and how making your own wardrobe can transform the way you think about clothing, style and self-confidence.
Sarah shares why she believes sewing is such an empowering skill and how it encourages us to celebrate our individuality rather than compare ourselves to unrealistic standards.
Community is another thread running through our conversation. From the hugely popular Crafty Sewing Camp to the Weekend Sewing Club, Sarah explains why creating welcoming spaces for sewists to learn, connect and be inspired has become such an important part of her work.
Whether you're new to garment sewing, looking to improve your pattern fitting skills, or searching for inspiration to build a handmade wardrobe that reflects your personal style, this episode is packed with practical advice, thoughtful conversation and plenty of encouragement.
In this episode, we discuss:
Sarah's journey from childhood sewing enthusiast to professional pattern designer.
The story behind My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns.
Tips for improving garment fit and building confidence with sewing patterns.
Why body positivity and inclusive sewing matter.
How making your own clothes can transform your confidence.
The value of sewing communities, including Crafty Sewing Camp and the Weekend Sewing Club.
Practical advice for anyone looking to grow their sewing skills and enjoy the creative process.
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Guest Details:
Website: https://www.myhandmadewardrobepatterns.com/
Instagram: @mhwpatterns
The next pattern making Retreat: - September (3 spaces left): https://www.myhandmadewardrobepatterns.com/shop/p/retreat-january2026-5zh6j-k39xg
Weekend Sewing Club: https://www.myhandmadewardrobepatterns.com/weekend-sewing-club-sales
Crafty Events: https://www.craftyeventsuk.co.uk/
Chapters
00:00 The Journey Begins: From Family Influence to Fashion Design
02:53 Education and Experience: The Foundation of a Fashion Career
06:17 The Birth of a Business: Crafty So and So
07:41 Empowering Women Through Sewing: The Transition to Teaching
13:04 Creating Patterns for Real Bodies: My Handmade Wardrobe
20:01 Celebrating Change: Designing for the Evolving Female Body
23:16 The Weekend Sewing Club: A New Initiative
27:49 Pattern Making and Fitting: Common Themes
31:25 Crafty Sewing Camp: A Joyful Gathering
34:55 The Dressmakers Ball: Celebrating Creativity
37:54 Future Plans: Intentional Wardrobe Programme
48:22 Substack
UK