How to Get Started as a Fashion Designer | Beginner Sewing Series with RRD Creates

As a young creative, I would constantly look for books, patterns, and second hand advice to learn to sew, draw, and paint. I loved a good thrift run and every yard sale I was dragged to always ended with a great find - a vintage hat, a ton of Simplicity patterns from the 60s, you name it. I always wanted to learn more, to have more, and to this day it baffles me why finding proper instruction on creative art and design is such a pain. Well, if you're a beginning sewist or are looking for a way to make your designs more professional, I've got a resource to share: my Sample Book Series.

I'm not claiming to have created a single thing in this series - but I'm passing along the tips and tricks that only a lifetime of creativity and a few tens of thousands of dollars of arts education can muster.

In this series of videos and freebie patterns, you will learn the first project of most sewing coursework - the Sample Book. Each video - (check out the playlist) - covers a simple project and covers the vocabulary, tools, and techniques that many books fail to mention. Having spent 3 years in high school technical costume instruction, 4 years in undergraduate fashion design coursework, and 10+ years doing alterations and custom designs for my own clients as a small business owner, it amazed me how little I knew despite going to "one of the best schools" and being taught by "some of the best faculty in the nation." Follow along to give a jumpstart to your sewing skills!

This simple Sample Book based series is designed to serve as a portfolio of your sewing techniques as you learn them - with home and fashion projects you'll actually WANT to show off. Seriously - no one needs as many scrunchies, pot holders, and coasters as the sewing community thinks they do. I much prefer learning beginner-friendly designer technique for designer results.

Ready? Let's go!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO START:

• 50 Sheets of Cardstock Paper - 65gsm or heavier

• A 2.5”-3” Ring Binder

• A hole punch

• A stapler + staples

• 1 Yard Fusible Interfacing

• 2 - 3 Yards of Unbleached Muslin - 58” or wider is ideal, but use what you have available and affordable in your area! I love getting mine in bulk for great savings from Amazon or FabricWholesaleDirect

• Access to a Sewing machine that has a straight stitch and buttonhole capabilities

Click here to download the free cardstock template with a bonus resource list and join the fun today!