My Open Group Classes kick off in April! These classes are designed for all sewing levels from beginners who have just started their first projects to those trying out tricky advanced techniques. The idea is for the class to provide the same fun group learning environment as my beginner classes, while letting you choose patterns that match your interest and experience.
That being said, it can always be helpful to get some inspo on patterns that are out there. Below you will find a list of some of my favourite patterns for teaching skills at different levels.
This is only a very small taste of the options that exist though, so if you don’t see anything that gets you ready to start sewing, I can help! Email me at thecoastalstitcher@gmail.com or sign up for an Open Group class here and add a note about what you are hoping to make. I will come back to you with a whole list of options for your exploration!
Let’s dive into some recommendations!
Hoodies and Sweatshirts
Be Creative Hoodie by Ellie and Mac (pictured above)
Comes in adult and child sizes, a great pattern for fun colour blocking, starting to work with stretch fabrics and trying new techniques like button holes or installing grommets for drawstrings.
Auden Sweatshirt by Petite Stitchery Co.
One of my all-time top patterns. With options to make it a crop, add a hood and some of the best pockets ever, who could say no to this. Again this is a great one for earlier beginners to start expanding their confidence, or for more confident stitchers to try their hand constructing a full project on a serger. Comes in adult and kids sizing
Reef and/or Banff Sweatshirt by Greenstyle Patterns
This is currently my favourite sweatshirt in my wardrobe. Constructed with a slightly more advanced pattern and featuring a 1/4 or full zip option, this is the perfect sweater to challenge advanced beginners. Try your hand at adding zippers to knits, elevate your finishing techniques and perfect your topstitching game. A great challenge for those who want to level up!
Dresses and Skirts
The Staycation or Tres Belle Dresses by Ellie and Mac
Both excellent dresses for early beginners to start challenging themselves with larger projects and learn gathering. These patterns also begin to expand your ability to mix and match features or make small sewing ‘hacks’ to design your perfect summer dress.
Tigerlily Dress by Boo and Lu Patterns (pictured above)
An excellent sew for advance beginners looking to challenge themselves by combining a large number of skills in a single project. None of the individual elements are beyond a beginner level, but mastering them all together is an excellent accomplishment! Boo and Lu patterns are a great place in general for advanced beginner patterns for kids (the skirt in the top pic is also from this company).
Terra Dress by Petite Stitchery
With a fun strappy back, this is the perfect pattern to try for advance beginners. Make it in an athletic fabric or line the bodice to integrate more support and give yourself an extra challenge!
Pants
Avery Leggings by Helen’s Closet
Keep it simple if you are an early beginner and make this pattern with cotton jersey and no alterations, or upgrade the challenge with athletic fabric. Want an even bigger challenge? This pattern comes with instructions on how to ‘hack’ pockets – go step by step to learn how to add features to a pattern you already have – a skill that will start to open up your sewing skills more than you could imagine!
Hey Dey Dungarees (Overalls) by Waves and Wild
A great pattern for an advanced beginner, these overalls are loose and comfy and come in adult and child sizes. This pattern can challenge you to work with heavier woven (non-stretch) fabric and begin to understand the nuances of makes pants. An excellent step on the way to making your first pair of jeans.
Coe Trouser by Daughter Judy (picture above)
A true intermediate pattern. Follow along to draft a first pair of jeans, learning how to create the quintessential zipper fly, belt loops and back pockets that you will love. With instructions drafted for very confident makers, this is a great project to have a little help with as you truly advance from beginner patterns.
Jumpsuits
Beatbox Romper by Ellie and Mac (pictured above)
The perfect kids romper with lots of options. This is a great pattern for beginners to better understand fabric properties and fitting a full-body garment.
South Shore Romper by Ellie and Mac
Jumpsuits provide a great challenge for learning how to properly fit a garment. This pattern uses beginner friendly techniques that can be easily followed, but in a new and challenging format.
Sirocco Jumpsuit by Closet Core Patterns
With a more polished finish and the challenge of fitting a jumpsuit, this is an intermediate pattern. Perfect for advance beginners or intermediate sewists looking for the complete challenge.
Accessories
Zipper Bag by Greenstyle Patterns (pictured)
Perfect for advancing in confidence as a new stitcher and a very easy way to learn to add a zip.
Fingerless Gloves by Waves and Wild
A fun add on for cuffs with thumbholes and an easy hack to turn into a full set of fingerless gloves. This is a great project for confident beginners to build their understanding of the geometry of garments and how flat pieces of cloth become 3D objects.
Bucket Hat by Waves and Wild
Delve into a slightly different type of sewing and learn how woven (non-stretch) fabric can be used to make the firm brim of a sunhat. A great way to understand how to pick and use interfacing and a fun project for playing with bold prints.
Other Ideas
Swimwear
Ellie and Mac and Helen’s Closets are two of my recommended pattern companies for this. But no matter the pattern you choose, swim presents a great challenge. Slippery fabric combined with grippy elastic makes this a engaging project. Two pieces can be an easier place to start for those confident beginners, while the perfectly fitted one-piece teaches pretty much every part of getting the ultimate fit with your patterns.
Outerwear and Coats
With Discovery Fabrics located here on the island, you don’t have to look far to get awesome fabric for outdoor and water proof clothing. Jackets can prove a wonderful challenge. Confident beginners may want to try a heavy stable woven like waxed cotton for the first time. For those looking to advance further though, why not try your hand at true rain gear and learn all the ins and outs of waterproofing your seams to keep even the wettest west coast storms at bay.
Underwear and Lingerie
If you want to sew your own clothes, you can’t forget those staples of every outfit you put together. Simple cotton underpants are a wonder beginner-friendly project that builds an understanding of fabric stretch, basic fitting and elastic. Get fancier with lace, sports bras, bralettes and the ultimate challenge of a true bra as you advance through these projects.
Didn’t Find What You Are Looking For?
This is only brushing the surface of the many amazing pattern companies and patterns that I love to share with students. I didn’t even have time to touch on so many options.
The Coastal Stitcher 
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