Can I even sew this? An honest post for sewing beginners
"Can I even sew this?"
We've heard this question so many times over the years, from visitors at our trade fair booth, in comments, in messages. And honestly, we get the hesitation. You see a finished Luanimals shirt with a three-dimensional animal face on it and think: "That's lovely... and it looks so involved... there's no way I could sew that myself, I've never appliquéd anything, and so far I've only sewn small accessories."
Today we want to set the record straight. The short answer is: yes, you can sew this. Even if you don't have much experience yet. After 15 years of making clothing and two years of sewing patterns, we've seen so many one-of-a-kind Luanimals creations. A lot of them from sewing beginners who only got into sewing because they wanted to make something for their baby, starting small with simple projects, and had never sewn a full garment before. One of our test sewers had only ever sewn small accessories before her first Luanimals sweater. She hadn't trusted herself with a garment that involved appliqué, and she surprised herself with how well the project went, then proudly sent us a photo of her finished Elephant Eli.
And that's usually the actual hang-up, not a lack of skill. Everyone starts with something simpler, and everyone needs a bit of a challenge at some point to grow. In our different test-sewing rounds, we've had it all, from complete beginners to advanced sewers with their own cutting plotter for tiny details. And every single one of them worked through our patterns and instructions easily and created wonderful, one-of-a-kind Luanimals piece.
Before we get into the practical side: most people don't fail because of the pattern, the fabric, or the sewing machine. They fail because they never start. Because they think they're not good enough yet. Because they're afraid of wasting fabric. Because they're waiting for the perfect moment to begin.
There's no such thing as the perfect moment, and nobody's a master on their first try. But there is that first real project, the one you get to hold in your hands and put on yourself or your kid, and that feeling is worth chasing.
Which Luanimals animal do we recommend for beginners?
Not all our patterns are equally complex, even though appliqué is always at the core, that's the whole point. One concept, One technique, endless ways to make it your own.
For sewing beginners, we recommend Svenja the pig or Emma the duck as a first project, or as your introduction to sewing kids' clothes. Why? Because the number of appliqué pieces is manageable, the shapes are simple, and the instructions are written so you can genuinely follow along step by step, without much prior knowledge.
The instructions include illustrated steps, plus plenty of tips and tricks for working with jersey fabric and appliqué. We've packed in a lot of what we've learned from over 15 years of production, so there's something useful here for everyone, whether you're sewing for the first time, coming back to it after a long break (materials, tools, and sewing machines have often changed a lot in the meantime), or you're regularly working on new sewing projects.
With some of our pieces, it's "just" appliqué, while with others, individual pieces are sewn on, or different accent fabrics are worked in, like with Gerda the giraffe, Elon the unicorn, or Hansi the bunny. Either way, everything from fabric requirements to sizing to processing tips is covered, so you can sew your way through the project step by step.
What exactly is included in our digital file?
A lot of people ask us this, and we've noticed there are now huge differences in digital files between pattern sellers, and like anywhere, there are a few bad apples out there.
The big difference with us: our patterns aren't files thrown together in an afternoon. They're based on patterns we've been using in our own production for over 15 years. So we know exactly that they fit, and our customers and test sewers confirm this every time. And anyone who's ever sewn probably knows the saying: a good pattern is basically half sewn already.
So here's a quick, clear rundown of what you get when you buy a digital sewing pattern from us:
- A4, A0 and US Letter formats
You can print the file yourself on regular printer paper, or take it to a copy shop as a large A0/A0+ format. Both work.
- Pattern sheet with layers
The file comes with layers, so you can select just the size you need → clean lines, no clutter, no searching
- Projector file
This one's layered too. If you use a projector, you can project the pattern straight onto your fabric at the size you need. This saves time and paper.
- Cutter and plotter file
For those who work with a cutting plotter, the files for small details like eyes, teeth, and so on are already prepared.
And of course, every digital pattern also includes illustrated step-by-step sewing instructions, with tips and tricks for appliquéing and processing jersey fabrics that picked up over 15 years.
And what if I get stuck anyway?
Then just contact us! Via Instagram, email, or a comment here on the blog. You will always reach us (not a chatbot) and we are always happy to help! Because we don't just want to sell patterns, we care that in the end, a finished, beloved Luanimals garment enriches the (Luanimals) family and makes (children's) eyes light up. 🐾
So: dare to start! Whether with newly bought fabric, fabric scraps, or even old favorite pieces that are incorporated as details in an upcycling project. Our Luanimals animals are perfect for this and are dearly loved by kids and adult kids alike!
We are already looking forward to your individual creations and new additions to the Luanimals family!
Have fun creating!
Best regards and Saludos,
Sindu and Rosalie
P.S.: A little tip at the end → All our patterns can also be sewn as casual sweaters and t-shirts "without an animal on them." So, another reason to just get started 😉.