Common dressmaking mistakes and how to fix them
Wrong size, shrinking, off-grain cutting and puckered seams.
- Garment too tight or too big: choose by body measurements and check the finished measurements on the pattern.
- Shrinking after the first wash: pre-wash fabric the way you will wash the garment.
- Twisting seams: pattern pieces placed off-grain. Measure from the grain line to the selvedge at both ends.
- Pointy, bubbly darts: taper right to the fold and press over a curve.
- Choosing tricky fabric too early: slippery or stretchy fabrics are harder to cut and sew.
Watch
7 things to NOT do as a beginner at sewing! Don’t make these common mistakes! (15:44)
By Evelyn Wood · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 15-minute video from Evelyn Wood on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
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Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.