Sewing blog

Free sewing tools

Four quick calculators that run in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

• Fabric calculatorFree toolYards and meters for rectangular pieces, with seam allowance, shrinkage and a one-way fabric option.
• Porch goose size finderFree toolHeight, body and head measurements in, Small, Standard or Large out, with the reason and a printable chart.
• Sewing pattern size calculatorFree toolBust, waist and hip in, your standard pattern size out, with the blend advice and a printable chart.
• Seam allowance converterFree toolInches to millimeters and centimeters, shown as a sewing fraction, with a chart of common allowances.
• Circle skirt calculatorFree toolWaist radius, hem radius and yards of fabric for full, half and quarter circle skirts.

Sewing guides and posts

• Fabric calculatorFree toolYards and meters for rectangular pieces, with seam allowance, shrinkage and a one-way fabric option.
• Porch goose size finderFree toolHeight, body and head measurements in, Small, Standard or Large out, with the reason and a printable chart.
• Sewing pattern size calculatorFree toolBust, waist and hip in, your standard pattern size out, with the blend advice and a printable chart.
• Seam allowance converterFree toolInches to millimeters and centimeters, shown as a sewing fraction, with a chart of common allowances.
• Circle skirt calculatorFree toolWaist radius, hem radius and yards of fabric for full, half and quarter circle skirts.
• What is a PDF sewing pattern and how does it work?7 min readA PDF sewing pattern is a pattern file you print yourself. See what one looks like, how it works and how to print, tape, cut and sew from it, step by step.
• How to sew a scrunchie in 15 minutes (free pattern)5 min readHow to sew a scrunchie in about 15 minutes: the strip size, elastic length and 12 plain steps for Regular and Oversized, from a free beginner pattern.
• What size sewing pattern do I need?6 min readSewing pattern sizes are not shop sizes. Measure bust, waist and hips, read the body chart, allow for ease and pick a size when you fall between two.
• How to find a sewing pattern from a photo5 min readSaw something you want to sew? Read the photo for shape, seams and closures, search by those details, or use Sewzy to find the closest of 76 patterns.
• Thanksgiving porch goose outfits: turkey, harvest and scarecrow looks to sew5 min readThanksgiving is Nov 26, 2026. See which porch goose outfits to sew for the holiday, how long each takes, and how to dress a 17, 23 or 27 inch goose.
• Handmade Christmas gifts to sew: 15 ideas by time and skill6 min readFifteen handmade Christmas gifts to sew, sorted by how long they take, from a 10 minute bookmark to a 5 hour advent calendar. Plan before Dec 25, 2026.
• Fabric advent calendar tutorial and Christmas ornaments to sew5 min readHow to sew fabric Christmas ornaments, cone trees and a fabric advent calendar. Real sizes, times and the order to make them in before Dec 1, 2026.
• How to make a memory bear from a loved one's clothes6 min readA memory bear is a teddy sewn from a loved one's clothing. See how much clothing you need, how to cut it, the 10 sizes and how long it takes (about 4 hours).
• Baby shower gifts to sew: 8 handmade ideas with sizes and times5 min readEight baby shower gifts to sew, from a 20 minute bib to hooded towels and booties. Includes sizes, times, safe fabric tips and a simple gift set plan.
• What size needle for quilting cotton? A needle and thread guide6 min readUse a size 80/12 universal needle for quilting cotton, a ballpoint for knits and a 100/16 for denim. Full chart of needle sizes by fabric, plus thread tips.
• How to read a sewing pattern: symbols, grainline and notches explained6 min readLearn what the lines, arrows, dots and notches on a sewing pattern mean. A plain guide to grainline, fold line, cutting line, ease and seam allowance.
• Seam allowance explained: ¼, ⅜, ½ and ⅝ inch5 min readSeam allowance is the fabric between the cut edge and your stitching line. Learn the common amounts, how to sew a straight one and when to trim.
• Best sewing apps in 2026: what each type does and who it suits6 min readAn honest guide to sewing apps in 2026: pattern apps, video tutorials, measurement helpers and planners. What each does, what it costs and where Sewzy fits.
• Scrap fabric projects: 12 things to sew from leftovers5 min readTwelve useful things to sew from fabric scraps, with the scrap size each one needs, from a 10 minute bookmark to a drawstring bag. No buying new fabric.
• How to sew a tote bag with boxed corners (step by step)6 min readSew a lined tote bag with boxed corners in about 90 minutes. Cut sizes, seam allowance, strap length and the boxed corner trick, explained for beginners.
• Sewing for beginners: the tools you actually need6 min readThe sewing tools a beginner really needs: 10 basics for about the price of a nice dinner. What to buy first, what to skip and what each tool is for.
• Thanksgiving table sewing projects: potholder, placemats and a casserole carrier7 min readSew a potholder, quilted placemats, a casserole carrier and a bowl cozy before Thanksgiving, Nov 26. Real sizes, fabric amounts and hours, with a sew-by plan.
• Porch goose Christmas outfit patterns: 10 looks ranked by difficulty and hours8 min readTen porch goose Christmas outfit patterns ranked by sewing hours and difficulty, with fabric by size for 17, 23 and 27 inch geese and a sew-by date.
• How much fabric for a porch goose dress? Yardage by size for all 21 outfits9 min readHow much fabric a porch goose dress needs: ¼ to 1⅝ yards for the main piece, by size, for 17, 23 and 27 inch geese. Yardage table for all 21 Sewzy outfits.
• Winter porch goose outfits after Christmas: snowman, pajamas and a new year's eve look7 min readKeep your porch goose dressed after Christmas with a snowman, ugly sweater, pajamas or New Year's Eve outfit. Sewing hours, fabric by size and a sew-by plan.
• How to sew a Christmas stocking: free template and yardage8 min readLearn how to sew a Christmas stocking with a free draw-it-yourself template: 18 in tall, ½ in seams, lining, cuff band, loop and yardage for 1 or 4.
• Christmas reindeer and angel sewing patterns: plush, goose outfits and hats8 min readCompare Sewzy's Christmas reindeer and angel sewing patterns: a reindeer plush, two porch goose outfits and Santa and elf hats, with times, sizes and fabric.
• Porch goose outfits: a sewing guide for goose clothes5 min readLearn how to sew porch goose outfits: pick a size, choose fabric, build gathered skirts and a back slit with a bow, and dress your lawn goose all year.
• Porch goose size: how to measure for 17, 23 and 27 inch4 min readNot sure which porch goose size you have? Learn how to measure goose height, body and head so your goose clothes fit, for 17, 23 and 27 inch geese.
• Easy sewing projects for beginners: 10 simple ideas4 min readLooking for easy sewing projects for beginners? Ten simple ideas, from scrunchies to tote bags, with tips on fabric, tools and what to learn from each.
• How to print PDF sewing patterns at home, step by step5 min readHow to print PDF sewing patterns at home: set 100% scale, check the test square, tape tiles by their labels, or send an A0 sheet to a copy shop.
• How much fabric do I need? A simple yardage guide4 min readHow much fabric do I need? Learn how to read fabric width, plan a cutting layout, add extra for shrinkage and matching, and work out yardage for any project.
• How to sew a plushie: stuffed animal sewing for beginners5 min readHow to sew a plushie for beginners: choose fabric, cut and mark pieces, sew curves, turn, stuff evenly and close the gap with a neat ladder stitch.
• DIY Halloween costumes to sew: wings, tails, capes and hats4 min readDIY Halloween costumes to sew at home: wings, a dinosaur tail, capes, wizard and jester hats and a crown, with fabric tips and sizing for kids and adults.
• How to sew a potholder: a quilted potholder guide4 min readHow to sew a potholder with the right batting, 100% cotton fabric and thread. Step-by-step quilting, binding and safety tips for your kitchen.