My Three Favourite Sewing Makes of 2025 (And Why I’d Make Them Again)

As we step into a new year, it felt like the perfect moment to pause, look back, and reflect on the Sewing Patterns that I loved making in 2025. While bestsellers and stats tell one story, personal favourites tell another — one rooted in joy, wearability, fabric choices and those moments where everything just clicks at the sewing machine.

These are my three favourite sewing makes of 2025. Not necessarily the most ambitious, but the ones I reached for again and again — and the ones I’d happily remake in an instant.

Make One: The One I Didn’t Want to Take Off

Some garments earn their place in your wardrobe quietly, and then suddenly you realise you’re wearing them all the time.

This make, the Elastic Waist Maxi Skirt by The Assembly Line, was exactly like that, I modified the sewing pattern slightly by reducing the spec for elastic waist from 10cm to 5cm and I changed the patch pockets to in-seam ones.

From the moment it came off the machine, it felt right. The fit, the fabric choice, the ease of wear — everything aligned. It’s the piece I grabbed on busy mornings and reached for when I wanted to feel comfortable but still pulled together.

Why I loved it:

• Comfortable without feeling casual

• Easy to style up or down

• A pattern I’d recommend to confident beginners and beyond

Fabric notes:

Choosing the right fabric made all the difference here. I used our Organic Cotton Woven Gingham in Black, a fabric with some movement and drape elevated the final result and made it feel considered rather than basic. If you’re planning a similar project, this is one where quality fabric really shines.

This is absolutely a “make it again in a different fabric” sewing pattern.

Make Two: The Pattern That Taught Me Something New

Every year there’s at least one project that stretches you just enough, not in a frustrating way, but a rewarding one. The Zero Waste Block Pants PDF Sewing Pattern by Birgitta Helmersson was that make for me in 2025.

It was my first time sewing a zero waste pattern, and I loved the process almost as much as the finished garment. Slowing down, trusting the instructions, and enjoying the making rather than rushing to the end reminded me why I sew in the first place.

Why I loved it:

• Interesting construction without being overwhelming

• A great confidence-builder

• Felt like a learning experience, not a chore

Fabric notes:
This was a project where structure mattered. The fabric needed body, but still had to feel wearable. Choosing carefully meant the final piece held its shape beautifully and still felt comfortable to wear.

This is the kind of sewing pattern I now recommend when someone asks, “What should I try next?”

Make Three: The One That Sparked the Most Comments

You know the one — the make that strangers compliment, friends ask about, and fellow sewists want details on immediately.

For me, the Drop Waist Dress Sewing Pattern by The Assembly Line was that piece. I made the statement ruffle hem version, it wasn’t complicated to make, but it had presence.

A combination of silhouette, fabric choice and finishing details made it feel special — the kind of garment that looks far more complex than it actually is and I've worn it on repeat.

Why I loved it:

• Instant confidence boost

• A real “handmade but polished” feel

• Proof that sewing doesn’t have to be complicated to be impactful

Fabric notes:

This was a joy to sew in this beautiful Nani Iro double gauze fabric, it felt luxurious to handle and the painterly stripes of the Grace design worked really well for this style. The texture, weight and colour all played a part in making this a standout piece, and it’s a reminder that fabric choice can completely transform a pattern. I'm planning to make it again in one of our Cotton Poplin fabrics by Atelier Brunette for Summer 2026 which will create a more structured silhouette.

This one firmly earned its place as a favourite.

What These Makes Had in Common

Looking back, there’s a clear theme across all three favourites:

• Wearability mattered more than trend

• Fabric choice elevated every project

• The process was just as enjoyable as the result

They weren’t rushed, they weren’t “perfect”, but they felt personal to me and that’s what made them special.

Feeling Inspired for 2026?

If you’re planning your next project, let these makes be a reminder that the best sewing projects don’t have to be complicated — they just need to suit you.

Whether you’re choosing your next sewing pattern or deciding which fabric to finally cut into, thoughtful choices make all the difference. If you’re looking to buy sewing patterns online or buy fabric online for your next make, start with something you’ll love wearing again and again.

Here’s to more joyful sewing, beautiful fabrics, and favourite makes in 2026.