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!
#1 I Did It, I Made A Coat! (McCalls 6800, View D With B's Hem)
Image credits: happy-chickadee
#2 Been Sewing Shirts And Matching Ties For My 5 Cats. It’s Been Fun. Hope You Like Them
Image credits: vjloco
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
Image credits: MostFlavorfulBond
#4 I Made A Maple Leaf Fairy Costume For Renn Faire (B4571)
Image credits: sewing_magic
"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 Self Drafted. No Pattern. Outfit I Made From Scratch From Kente Fabric
Image credits: theeramonkota
#6 I Made My Wedding Dress (No Pattern)
Image credits: penniee95
"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 Finished My Rainbow Quilt! And A Body Pillow Case To Match. Happy Pride Month!
Image credits: eros0327
#8 Made An Entire 1850's Outfit. Lots Of Work, But Totally Worth It!
Image credits: WhitGoose
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 In 2020 I’m Planning To Memorialize My Father By Sewing A Book Of His Life. This Is Page One
Image credits: SherlockToad1
#10 Designed, Sewed, And Modeled This Dior Inspired Trench Coat
Image credits: twink_trash
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 Duchess Coat By Ellie And Mac Patterns For My Spiderman-Obsessed 2y.o. Niece. I Can't Wait To See It On Her!
Image credits: AuDBallBag
#12 I Made The Dressing Gown That Bilbo Wears In The First Hobbit Movie (M7875)
Image credits: sewing_magic
#13 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)
Image credits: haveaSmiletoday
#14 Made A Non Conventional Wedding Dress! V9296
Image credits: Shanglorice
#15 (Self Drafted) My Old Lounge Dress Wasn't Getting Much Wear, So I Reworked It Into A Sundress
Image credits: dark_pine
#16 (Self-Drafted) Sewist On Low Budget Recreating Expensive Dresses. I Was Inspired By This Teuta Matoshi Dress
Image credits: Paurovas
#17 I Made A Velvet Dress With Leds To Look Like The Night Sky (Self Drafted)
Image credits: sewing_magic
#18 Completed My Belle Gown (Beauty & The Beast) Self Drafted
Image credits: MacrameOwl
#19 First Finished Dress vs. First Dress I Can Actually Wear In Public
Image credits: cammickin
#20 I Made Billy Porter’s Oscars Tuxedo Gown (Self Drafted)
Image credits: love_wear
#21 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
Image credits: luminoussaid
#22 (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!
Image credits: moseyb
#23 Engagement Photo Dress I Designed And Constructed
Image credits: RavennaBlack
#24 I Recreated An Early 1900s Illustration Butterfly Dress!
Image credits: Nerrnerr
#25 (Burdaeasy 2019) Tried To Recreate A 60’s Inspired Dress From The Queen’s Gambit
Image credits: Paurovas
#26 Made My Own Homecoming Dress
Image credits: Yasqueena
#27 My DIY Thrift-Flipped Wedding Dress
Image credits: sarcastic_ginger
#28 Simplicity 8262, Modified To Have A Hood Instead Of A Double Collar. Now To Walk Around Looking Dramatic
Image credits: DanausPlexi
#29 This Is My Prom Dress I Designed And Made
Image credits: reddit.com
#30 Coat Made With Broken Umbrellas
Image credits: hero_to_0
#31 (Mccall's 7047) I Made A Prototype Wedding Dress Aka The First Thing I've Sewn Since Senior Prom!
Image credits: wedding-ori
#32 I Made Some Professor-Y Clothes For The 1890s (Pattern Hacked)
Image credits: sewing_magic
#33 (Fo) I Alter Weddings Dresses For A Living, But Suit Alterations Are My True Passion. Here's My Last Suit I Did For Myself
Image credits: billbobful
#34 I Hand/Machine Embroidered A Starmap Onto These Jeans!
Image credits: -lyrota-
#35 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!
Image credits: MrMotionTom
#36 My Husband Gave Me Some Of His Old Band T-Shirts, So I Made A Dress For Our Daughter
Image credits: lieralolita
#37 Made One Of Those "My Rich Husband Died Of Mysterious Circumstances" Robes And I've Never Felt More Powerful
Image credits: ecosandwich
#38 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)
Image credits: sewing_magic
#39 Conjured Up A Last-Minute Dress For Halloween And I Am So Proud Of These Pockets! (Self-Drafted)
Image credits: CarbonChic
#40 Prom Might Not Have Happened This Year But At Least I Can Still Twirl Around In The Ball Gown I Made!! Self-Drafted
Image credits: aliyaahjs
#41 (Simplicity 8578) I Made A Robe À La Française For Halloween
Image credits: eliminatefossilfuels
#42 Finished My Three Piece Suit Just In Time For Fall!
Image credits: JodieFosterchild
#43 Sewcial Isolation Project I Made Back In March! (Apron Dress By Fabrics-Store (Free))
Image credits: TVAnouvelles
#44 African Print Mermaid Style Dress
Image credits: sumayyah--
#45 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]
Image credits: sewing_magic
#46 Been Working On My Weaving Skills To Make Fabric For Garments. Quite Pleased With How It’s Going
Image credits: ChasingSloths
#47 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
Image credits: KingHenrytheFluffy
#48 Matching 1950's Style Men's Shirt And Wiggle Dress
Image credits: Gorgeously-Vintage
#49 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!
Image credits: Frenchies_curls
#50 Started Sewing Two Weeks Ago And I Finally Made A Dress From Scratch
Image credits: theeramonkota
#51 [mccall's M7727] Made Myself A Winter Coat To Survive The Canadian Winter! Nice And Warm
Image credits: Elrassan
#52 70's Edition: Roller Girl (Semi Self Drafted)
Image credits: love_wear
#53 The Completed Look- A Men’s Button Down I Refashioned To A Wrap Top And A Pair Of Pants I Made From A Bedsheet
Image credits: mediumbonebonita
#54 I Made A Velvet Jumpsuit. I’ve Never Been So Comfortable At A Formal Event. It Was Like Wearing Pyjamas
Image credits: jennifrog
#55 I Made A Gothic 18th Century Gown (S8578)
Image credits: sewing_magic
#56 My First Shirt I’ve Ever Made. Pretty Happy With How It Turned Out
Image credits: TimTheLights
#57 17th Century Inspired Gown
Image credits: Cacarosa
#58 Something I Whipped Up For A Formal Function
Image credits: illbeyournursetoday
#59 Channeled The 1940’s For A Job Interview Outfit! Peplum Skirt Is (New Look 6003), Bolero Is (Self-Drafted)
Image credits: Irrationalwoman
#60 Made My Wedding Outfit (Vintage Vogue)
Image credits: Mummy_of_Norman
#61 My Ecclesiastical Jacquard Jacket. I Call It "Exorcist, But Make It Millennial"
Image credits: ProtoHN
#62 Made My First Shirred Dress For My Little Girl (Self-Drafted)
Image credits: ekberry818
#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)
Image credits: theeramonkota
#64 Upcycled From A Curtain And Blanket I Found At Goodwill! Copied The Pattern Off My Dickies Work Jacket
Image credits: lordfuschia
#65 Made My Very Own Rainbow Patchwork Skirt!
Image credits: WhitGoose
#66 15m Of Fabric And 3000 Rhinestones Later, We Finally Managed To Finish This Galadriel Cosplay
Image credits: the-blackwaters
#67 Corset I Made From A Throw Pillowcase! Butterick B4669. We Love A Good Upcycle!
Image credits: trippyvanity
#68 The Coming Out-Fit I Made For Trans Day Of Visibility (Modified Burda 6520)
Image credits: Mad_Sack
#69 (Self-Drafted) Made A Neoprene Dress For A Fall Wedding (With Pockets Of Course)
Image credits: poeravaiti
#70 I Made My Daughter’s Easter Tie And Altered Her Suit! Really Happy With How They Turned Out!
Image credits: theflatfacecat
#71 My First Bodysuit With Self Drafted Pattern
Image credits: Eatmashorrts
#72 Just Finished Reupholstering This Bad Boy. The Cushion And Decking Are Sewn And Drafted From The Original Pattern
Image credits: halation6
#73 Overall, I Would Say That This Squirrelly Sewing Project Was A Success
Image credits: Lithonielle
#74 Made My First Gown! I Completed This A Few Months Ago And Finally Had Time To Take Pics
Image credits: valorsociety_
#75 My Dress Inspired By Rhonda Fleming
Image credits: guanorific
#76 A Little Bit In Love. Here’s The Finished Valentine’s Day Playsuit!
Image credits: CarbonChic
#77 18th Century Stays, Work In Progress
Image credits: BorkBarkBork
#78 Recently Made This Lingerie Set
Image credits: Eatmashorrts
#79 Took A Stab At Making A Bralette
Image credits: satan_sloth
#80 I Made My Daughter's Grad/ Prom Dress
Image credits: Goobles75
#81 My Favorite Summer Outfit I’ve Made! A Two Piece Goldfish Set (No Pattern)
Image credits: Sewitseamss
#82 My Exam Project: The Dress And The Suit
Image credits: iwenyani
#83 Wish I Was Brave Enough To Wear This Out. Took Me Forever To Make
Image credits: curcutie
#84 So My Sister Got Married This Weekend And I Designed/Made Her Gown
Image credits: july281990
#85 Sabrina Dress: Side By Side By Seams Come True
Image credits: Nerrnerr
#86 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
Image credits: Shanglorice
#87 My New Dress Is Finally Finished! Isn’t It Beautiful?
Image credits: Beautiful_Queen57
#88 Another $1 Goodwill Dress Overhaul!
Image credits: Elrbe
#89 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
Image credits: konkybong
#90 I Made My Own Prom Dress! (Self Drafted)
Image credits: disodilund
#91 Made My Wedding Dress. It Is Not Perfect, But It Is Exactly What I Wanted
Image credits: brookski_lee
#92 (Mccalls M7821)] Turned This Gothic Costume Coat Pattern Into A Sleeveless Iridescent Space Opera Fantasy, Complete With Matching Harness, Cuffs, And Belt
Image credits: sew_fresh_sew_clean
#93 My Second Successful Bralette! This One Fits Much Better Too
Image credits: satan_sloth
#94 My Ice Cream Inspired Western Shirt. Made From Kwik Sew Pattern K3506
Image credits: DoomNGlam
#95 Gave My Nana’s Dress New Life
Image credits: leahelizabethj-
#96 Achievement Unlocked: Actually Finishing A Themed Dress In Time For The Appropriate Holiday - Happy Easter, Everyone! (Advance 7079)
Image credits: CarbonChic
#97 I Made My High School Senior Ball Dress With My Mom In Two Days
Image credits: UselessScript
#98 My First Sewing Project - Katara's Fire Nation Disguise!
Image credits: krshh
#99 Finished New Watermelon Concept Shirt For The Beach Today. Now I Just Need To Be Able To Travel
Image credits: WritingDog
#100 Matching Crop Top And Midi Skirt - Altered Simplicity 6408 Dress
Image credits: reddit.com
#101 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."
Image credits: reddit.com
#102 I Haven't Seen In 35 Years But I Made A Dress! Pattern Is In A Twist Fun Sew So Easy
Image credits: Renocat
#103 ([self Drafted) Left: Teuta Cobalt Starry Dress, Right: Me
Image credits: Paurovas
#104 Made A Yoga Outfit!
Image credits: ceciliaeffa
#105 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
Image credits: frogsaretheworst
#106 Made This Crop Top Out Of A Thrifted Night Gown!
Image credits: halfway-homemade
#107 Tried To Recreate A Reformation Dress And This Is The Result (No Pattern)
Image credits: mussessein_esmussein
#108 Used The Leftover Fabric From My Skirt Project To Make A Matching Bandana For My Sweet Boy (Skirt: Simplicity 2314a, Bandana: No Pattern)
Image credits: raezoe
#109 I Had Some Leftover Fabric From My Jacket, So I Made Some Leggings To Go With It
Image credits: tantan35
#110 I Made The Quilted Jacket Of My Dreams!
Image credits: sarahbythesea
#111 I Finally Finished My Coat!
Image credits: faye_of_sunshine
#112 Really Proud Of These Makes!
Image credits: Eatmashorrts
#113 Still A Work In Progress, But I’m Already So Proud Of My Wedding Dress! (V9265, Altered)
Image credits: reddit.com
#114 Made A Sunflower Two-Piece From An Outfit That Looked Like A Curtain Beforehand
Image credits: ceciliaeffa
#115 I Sewed A Wedding Dress Out Of Sweatpants
Image credits: jennaphipps4
#116 (No Pattern) I Made This With Really Really Cheap Fabric And I'm Super Proud!
Image credits: whateveridfc__1234
#117 This Came Out So Good, Had To Post It. Longline Bra With Embroidered Lace
Image credits: Eatmashorrts
#118 I’m So Happy With How These Skirts Came Out!
Image credits: xtallize
#119 I Made A Ridiculous Dress Out Of A Wall Hanging. Top Is Simplicity 3847
Image credits: bananaclaws
#120 I Made Beth's Dress From The Queen's Gambit
Image credits: BeccaIsANerd
#121 Re-Visited Yellow Set : Added Arm Cuffs + Leg Split & Adjusted The Top From A V-Neck To Straight Neck Tube Top
Image credits: Lemongrab94
#122 First Project I Can Actually Wear! Complete With A Zipper And Pockets! I’m Extremely Proud
Image credits: tina__cochina
#123 Original Mashup “Witch Sophie Hatter” From Howl’s Moving Castle!
Image credits: Nerrnerr
#124 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
Image credits: JerFeist
#125 Bug Life! A Dress I Finished Today. Pattern Is By Deer And Doe. This Is The Shorter Version. Fabric Is Second Hand From Ebay
Image credits: Charknittts
#126 I Made An Ocean Tide Inspired Dress And Crown!
Image credits: Nerrnerr
#127 (Self Drafted) I Liked Taylor's Amas Outfit So You Know... I Stole It
Image credits: teatimetay13
#128 Fo : 1970s Ringer Tee And Bell Bottom Jeans (Self Drafted)
Image credits: love_wear
#129 Self Drafted New Years Dress. And I’m Only A Month Late!
Image credits: sewing_magic
#130 How Is Your Sewing Today?
Image credits: Mikrobeast
#131 Made My Third Ever Article Of Clothing! A Gold Lamé Romper!
Image credits: Sewaway_account
#132 I Recreated The Strawberry Dress
Image credits: hoodbobthugpants
#133 I Made Another Western Shirt! - Mccall's M7980
Image credits: neanderthal42
#134 Made Two Left Boobs. Time For Wine
Image credits: alexaloumoo
#135 Upcycled This Thrifted Yellow Dress Into Something A Bit More My Style
Image credits: smilesfornicole
#136 Just Upcycling Some Socks
Image credits: thrshegoes
#137 First Skirt Attempts (New Look 6346)
Image credits: throwaway_56480
#138 (Self-Drafted) Had To Make A Set Out Of This Amazing Papaya Fabric!
Image credits: Happily_Dressed
#139 A Very Cosy Loungewear Set Made From Fleecy Blankets
Image credits: gaeilgeoir_
#140 I Don't Know Of I'll Ever Top These
Image credits: LilWiggs
#141 Update! Finally Got The Damn Zipper Figured Out
Image credits: augimagpie
#142 I Made A Summer Dress! It Is Self Drafted And Made Out Of An Old Bedsheet. What Do You Think?
Image credits: ellen_hobbe
#143 Pajama To Party Dress
Image credits: SparrowRefashion
#144 Sewed These Simplicity 9736 Pants To Match The Boots!
Image credits: umiland
#145 Pants I Made From A Window Curtain. (Custom Pattern)
Image credits: Neemo20
#146 From Old Blouse To Fitted Waist Ruched Bust Top
Image credits: SparrowRefashion
#147 Finally A Successful Couple Set!
Image credits: nicorns_exist
#148 Took Two Old Shirts And Made Two New Ones!
Image credits: y_obayashi