Everything's Famtastic

Shopping for fabric can feel like one of the most exciting parts of starting a sewing project… and also one of the most overwhelming. 😬

You walk into a fabric store, spot a one you love, and immediately start imagining what you’ll make with it. But then the questions start creeping in. Will this fabric work for my project? Is it too thick? Too thin? Too stretchy? Am I about to spend money on the wrong thing?

Which all might lead to you not even starting at all! 🙈 And we don’t want that, do we?!?

With so many different types available, it’s no wonder beginners often feel confused about how to choose the right fabric for a sewing project.

The good news is that choosing fabric doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to quickly narrow down your options and shop with much more confidence. 🤩

In this beginner’s guide, I’ll show you five simple things to look out for when you’re shopping for fabric. When you’re standing in a fabric store feeling every bolt in sight, these tips will help you choose the right fabric for your next project.

If you’ve been searching for sewing techniques for bag making or looking online for bag sewing tips for beginners, chances are you’ve already fallen down the rabbit hole of beautiful handmade bags. Totes, crossbody bags, zip pouches, backpacks… there’s something so satisfying about them. They’re practical, they get used every single day, and somehow you can never have just one.

The best part? Bags are one of those projects that are genuinely worth making yourself. You get to choose the exact fabric you love (no more settling for “it’ll do”), pick the size that actually fits your life, and add little details that make it feel like yours. And yes—very often, you can make something higher quality than store-bought for less money, especially once you get the hang of it.

But here’s what no one really tells you: bag making isn’t about following one perfect tutorial. It’s about building a small set of sewing techniques for beginners that you’ll use again and again, no matter what style of bag (or sewing project!) you choose. Once those click into place, suddenly every pattern feels easier, faster, and way less intimidating.

(Oh! And don’t be surprised if, somewhere along the way, a friend casually says, “Wow… could you make me one of those too?!?”)

So before you dive into your next project, here are five essential skills that will make your bag sewing experience smoother (and a lot more fun).

Let’s be honest… marking fabric is one of those steps that feels very skippable when you’re excited to start sewing. You trace your pattern, you cut your fabric, and all you want to do is sit down at the machine and actually sew something. I totally get it.

But here’s the thing ☝️: those little markings are what stop your pockets from ending up in wildly odd locations and you forgetting about adding that seam allowance to your dream project. Marking fabric ready for sewing is simply how we transfer the helpful little clues from a pattern onto the fabric so we know where to cut, fold, embellish and stitch. It’s the difference between calmly following a map and randomly hoping you’re heading in the right direction.

If you’ve ever wondered how to mark fabric for cutting or even what actually works for marking fabric without buying every gadget on the market… you’re in the right place. Because you really don’t need eighty different tools. You just need a few that are practical, budget-friendly, and fit into your already-full life (and sewing supplies crate).

If you’re just learning to sew, there’s a lot to wrap your head around: fabric, needles, thread, and so many patterns that look like they’re written in a secret code. One little thing that can lead to big headaches for sewing beginners is seam allowance.

Knowing what it is, why it matters, and how to actually use it can make a huge difference in how your sewing projects turn out—and save you from a lot of “WTH?!?” moments. 😅

Here I’ll break it down in simple, friendly steps so you can feel confident the next time you cut into your precious fabric and fire up that sewing machine.