People often ask me for advice in choosing sewing machines for beginners to dressmaking. This article is designed specifically for those looking to make clothing at home, or starting out on the road through fashion or costume training. There are specialist machines for other jobs like quilting and upholstery but I won’t be looking at...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
All these lovely words are from my Google reviews. I received some of the most gorgeous feedback in 2025, and every one made me feel so warm inside 🥰
If we worked together last year, then I`d love to hear what you thought of the process and the outcome. You can find my Google Business page just by googling `Felicity Westmacott`.
Make a seamstress happy and a leave me a little review 💬
Photography:
Bryony - @alexandra_weddings
Marina - @liebe_rockt
Karen - @sbyrnephoto
Ashley - @copper_squirrel_photography
2026 is going to be the most whimsical year yet ✨
To be clear, this isn`t me. But I did make the dress, and I did insist on the lovely Lauren twirling in it for me. She`s a brilliant twirler, I think we can all agree 💃🏻
(This 16th century costume dress is now available sale just get in touch for details 🤫)
The cusp between the old year and the new year is always a time for reflection. For me, at least. Looking back at the things achieved, and looking forward to what else might be in store.
One of my favourite projects this year was costuming again at the Archway Theatre. The play was Nell Gwynn, which is set during the Restoration period. Some plays allow for some artistic license when it comes to historically costuming, but for this one, my aim was to be as period (and class) accurate as possible.
My original training was in costume design for theatre, and even though it isn`t a huge part of what I do now (although I often use the same skills when creating a wedding look), I do love it when I get to stretch those muscles. A gift from the past, still making itself useful to me now.
Much of my time was spent coordinating outfits, with the use of incredible costume store of my good friend, Elizabeth Callow. Due to most garments being varying degrees of old and worn, I spent many hours altering and mending too. In total I had about thirty costumes to put together. But I also found the time to make a few pieces, including Nell`s pink raw silk gown.
I had a lovely time working with all those sumptuous, brocaded fabrics 😍 which costume is speaking to you the loudest?
Photos by @rubysienauk
Just replace fashion house with bespoke bridal boutique, and you get the idea.
(I also hate being filmed like this, but my social media elf, Elle, told me it was a good idea 😅)
These were all labours of love, with a lot of climbing up precariously placed ladders and sweeping up glitter and leaves. But so fun to do!
Which one is your favourite bridal shop window display?
1. Red for Valentine`s day
2. Purple and gold fantasy
3. Rainbows for Pride
4. Black and white for Halloween
5. Sparkles for winter
Now to start planning for 2026...
I managed to complete my window display dress just in time!
This is the 2nd time I`ve made a wedding dress specifically for my window, and I`m not going to go so far as to say it will be a yearly tradition (that`s too much pressure!) but I do enjoy it!
For this one, I wanted to use up bits and pieces I`ve had hanging around for far too long. As a creative person, I think hoarding comes with the territory, so I`ve had boxes of scrap fabric gathering in boxes. And this dress used so much of them up, which was very satisfying.
For this look I made a boned bodice and covered it in white feathers. Then I added layers and layers of tulle, sequins and lace for the skirt, creating this beautiful asymmetric waterfall effect.
A dress fit for an ice queen ❄️
Emily BThanks so much for this detailed investigation This question is asked so often (almost daily) in sewing forums, and I know I’ll be sending people over here to read this. It’s interesting to see that new Berninas didn’t pop up as ‘recommended for those new to dressmaking’; I’ll hypothesise that this is due to their (higher) price point, even for their current entry-level model (the 215). Fundamentally, they’re not unsuitable for beginners; they’re just a bigger investment to begin with.
Meanwhile, I’m thrilled to see some of my favourite machines on this list. Singer 201s (the older cast iron, and newer aluminium body machines) and the smaller 99s are straight-stitch only machines, but the narrower feed-dogs mean they are some of the most beautiful straight stitches you’ll ever see. I picked up my Elna Supermatic from the tip shop for AUD$15, and after a service it runs beautifully. My students love to sew on my Bernina 1001, too!
To anyone reading this and looking for answers: please take notice. This advice is sound, and has your best interests at heart.
Viv WatkinsI like your advice for using a hair dryer on a machine that has been stored for a long time or in a cold place. Years ago, my engineer told me I must always have my machine at room temperature before sewing and I do that without even thinking about it!
RitaPlease is keyser 69 and pffaf 1212 okay for beginners class? Thanks
woozelsmudgeHi Rita
As I say in the article I actually have very little personal experience with any machines except my beloved Bernina 1001. The Elna supermatic was recommended by several people I surveyed as a very nice little machine. Pfaff also scores highly among sewing professionals as a good brand and looking around there seem to be lots of tutorials and demos using it, I would say yes it will do you very well.Googling Keyser 69 didn’t help me know more either as nothing comes up – except an article with the Smithsonian museum. So from that I infer it’s very much an older machine! And, as long as they are good working order, older machines are usually pretty good. If it does a straight and a zigzag stitch and has a backwards function I should imagine you are good to go! I hope this gives you some confidence – all machines will benefit from a service before use!