20 Inspiring Sewing Quotes for Sewists

Are you looking for some sewing inspiration? Advice from sewing experts and instructors can truly come in handy when you need a little boost along your sewing journey. I’ve curated 20 inspirational sewing quotes from the authors of some well-written books that will motivate, inspire and affirm you. You can download these images and save them for whenever you need some sewing inspo. Let’s get started.

🪡Looking for the printable poster? Scroll down to download your free printable Sewist’s Manifesto!

1. Sewing Quote

“Here is a good guide: if you don’t enjoy the material while you are working on it, you probably won’t enjoy wearing it.”

— Adele P. Margolis, The Dressmaking Book

This can happen if the fabric is hard to work with or just not your vibe. I once tried sewing with a slippery stretch mesh I wasn’t mentally prepared for, and I ended up abandoning the project. Take a moment before you cut to really consider if you love how the fabric looks and feels, and whether you’re ready to sew with it.

2. Sewing Quote

“Sometimes a good dress is the result of an accident.”

— Hannah Corbett Shelton, How To Design Your Own Clothes

3. Sewing Quote

“Sewing without pressing is an incomplete act.”

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

Sometimes you’re sewing in a shared space with no ironing station, and the iron is communal. I’ve been there. You try to skip pressing as you go, and do it all at the end, This is our reminder as sewists to press along the way, even if it takes a little more effort.

4. Sewing Quote

“People who sew and love fabrics notice a lot in the world around them that other people seem to overlook.”

— Kate Mathews, The Weekend Sewer’s Guide to Pants and Skirts

This feels true to me. Sewing has made me more aware of textures and even how garments are constructed. I also find myself noticing repetition and pattern in nature and art, it’s like your eye gets trained to see more beauty.

5. Sewing Quote

“Sewing is an art. It would be less than truthful to suggest that any art is just one great, instant fun-fest.”

— Adele P. Margolis, The Dressmaking Book

6. Sewing Quote

“When you make your own clothes, they only come in one size, and that’s the right size to fit your body. ”

— Barbara Deckert, Sewing for Plus Sizes

In theory, yes. But unless you’re drafting from scratch, you still have to deal with standard sizing systems. Sometimes you fall outside the range and have to grade or modify. Overall, sewing gives us the tools to make clothes that work for our body,

7. Sewing Quote

“The comforting thing about clothing construction is that there is nothing sacred. There is just no one way to do anything.”

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

This quote really resonated with me maybe because when I started sewing I tackled underwear and not simple projects like pillowcases, as advised. Sewing knits and elastic right from the beginning was a steep learning curve, but I truly enjoyed the process.

8. Sewing Quote

“Everyone who sews is constantly on the lookout for new ideas, new patterns, new materials, new approaches to old problems.”

— Adele Brown, So What About Sewing

9. Sewing Quote

“You may be the greatest sewer in the world but your work will look unfinished and amateur-ish if not well pressed.”

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

No lies here. Sometimes you see pattern companies post samples and the dress is beautiful, but poorly pressed and it takes away from everything. A good press is often all that’s missing.

10. Sewing Quote

“Design your own clothes! Make a dress! If either sounds like a large order, you are wrong.”

— Hannah Corbett Shelton, How To Design Your Own Clothes

I love this. It’s such an empowering reminder to just try. You figure it out once you’re in it you don’t have to have it all figured out from the start.

11. Sewing Quote

“The beauty of fabrics makes dreamers—and collectors of us all.”

— Adele P. Margolis, The Dressmaking Book

This is a shoutout to the fabric lovers. Fabrics speak to the curator in us. To me, seeing, touching, acquiring fabric is a fun kind of escapism.

12. Sewing Quote

“As important as pressing is to dressmaking, in tailoring it is raised to a fine art.”

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

13. Sewing Quote

“Learning to sew your own clothing is a wonderfully empowering feeling.”

— Christine Haynes, Skirts & Dresses for First-Time Sewers

For someone like me, with a larger bust, it can be exhausting to find clothes that fit both bust and torso. Sewing has enabled me to sew well fitting garments that make me feel comfortable. I also just have to give a big shoutout to Cashmerette for being so dedicated to individuals with fuller busts.

14. Sewing Quote

“Here is a good guide: if you don’t enjoy the material while you are working on it, you probably won’t enjoy wearing it.”

— Adele P. Margolis, The Dressmaking Book

15. Sewing Quote

“… Nor can you wait until your sewing is completed for one mighty pressing binge. You must press as you sew!

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

16. Sewing Quote

“It’s a challenge to sit still and enjoy the creative stimulation that sewing provides, when there are chores to finish or phone calls to return.”

— Kate Matthews, The Weekend Sewer’s Guide

I’m in postgrad, and time feels so scarce. It can feel almost illegal to sew when there’s a pile of other responsibilities. I imagine it’s even harder for people juggling kids or caretaking.

17. Sewing Quote

“One of the hallmarks of fine tailoring is the pressing.”

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

18. Sewing Quote

“If you sew, size numbers are no longer a badge of virtue; they are just a numbering system.”

— Barbara Deckert, Sewing for Plus Sizes

I love this sewing quote and agree with it for the most part. I still have to say that numbers still carry weight, especially when patterns aren’t inclusive. But sewing does help you let go of that a bit. You can focus on achieving a good fit for your unique body and ignore the rest.

19. Sewing Quote

“If you are one who can look at a bolt of cloth with a cool eye and a hard heart … you don’t have the instincts of a sewer.”

— Adele P. Margolis, Fashion Sewing For Everyone

20. Sewing Quote

“Practically every figure calls for at least a slight alteration in the pattern.”

— Hannah Corbett Shelton, How To Design Your Own Clothes

Just because one is sewing doesn’t mean one will achieve fit perfectly the first time. Patterns get you close to the right fit, but you almost always need some kind of tweak.

I hope that this collection of quotes empowers, inspires, and motivates you to nurture your creativity.

If you loved these sewing quotes you’ll love these printable sewing manifesto posters. They come in two styles, a clean serif design and a more playful handwritten style.

Just click the button and your download will begin (zipped folder with two designs and printing instructions).