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
Another happy Mother of the Bride: "I loved my dress and had many compliments- it was just me, so I was comfortable all day! The colour was perfect for end of August, in rain and sun. Thank you for all your help and creativity. I loved the experience and hope to be back for the next one in due course!"
You can find more of my bespoke mother of the bride/groom outfits, spanning from the traditional and elegant to the modern and quirky -🔗 in bio.
Photography - @charlottemackephotography
🌹Ivory tulle, gold lace, and a hem that blooms like a hundred roses 🌹
Layers of soft ivory and blush tulle, with the bodice hand-finished with metallic gold and silver floral lace, featuring dramatic off-the-shoulder balloon sleeves and a sweetheart necklace.
With a boned, supportive bodice with built-in cups. Lace-up back for an adjustable fit. Full ballgown skirt with petticoat under, with the hem dip dyed by hand in deep burgundy, crimson and red.
This dress is unapologetically romantic and moves like something from a story.
Swipe through to see it worn by both our golden-haired and dark-haired princesses. Same dress, same magic, two completely different fairytales. ✨
This sample is on my Etsy shop, at a fraction of the cost of a full bespoke commission. No waiting - she`s already made and ready to find her bride. Once she`s gone, she`s gone.
Link in bio for my Etsy shop 👇 Or DM me if you`d love your own bespoke version, made to your measurements and colour choices.
Blonde Princess Shoot:
Hair and makeup @lindsaycloughartistry
Photography @charlymaephotography
Content creation @captured_bygem
Cake @clairelawrencecakedesign
Florist @blossomandgrowflorist
Model @ckm2.6
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Venue @crondonpark
Brunette Princess Shoot:
Concept, Organiser, styling & Floristry @sobloomingbeautiful
Photographer @andrew_wilkinson_photography/
Props @dollysvintageteaparty/
Planner @yourweddingfrienduk
Models @asweetrohmance
Hair accessories @vintageadornments
Hair & make-up @jemmashairandmakeup
Dress @felicitywestmacott
Ribbons @silkandpurl
#alternativebride #dipdyeweddingdress #ombreweddingdress #fairytalebride #sleepingbeauty #etsybridal #sampledress #romanticbride #tulleballgown #uniqueweddingdress
The Petal Dress 🌸 a modern classic, born from a simple idea: elegance that doesn`t try too hard.
Strapless and sculpted in Duchess satin, this ivory gown is all about clean lines and quiet drama. The neckline unfolds into soft, sculpted petals, and the wrap-over skirt reveals a hint of leg, if the bride dares. And of course, finished with a long, sweeping train, for that unmistakable bridal moment.
Timeless, but never boring.
The Petal Dress is now live on my Etsy page. Tag the bride who`d wear this beautifully. 👇
Hair and makeup @lindsaycloughartistry
Photography @charlymaephotography
Content creation @captured_bygem
Cake @clairelawrencecakedesign
Florist @blossomandgrowflorist
Model @ckm2.6
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Venue @crondonpark
#modernbride #satinweddingdress #strapleswedding #etsybridal #bridalgown #weddingdressdesigner
Did you guess which colours I dip dyed this custom wedding dress?
#dipdyeweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #2026bride #colourfulweddingdress
Someone commented how much like Taylor Swift our beautiful bride @alicia.modelling_x looked wearing one of my bespoke wedding dress, and I think she`s absolutely right.
Which Taylor Swift album would you pair this wedding dress with?
#taylorswift #taylorswiftwedding
A little look into my creative process for making my Swan Lake-inspired wedding dress.
I think feathers are a really underrated embellishment, so I wanted to give them their flowers 🪶💐 this corset style bodice features hundreds of hand-sewn white feathers, all meeting to a point in the middle of the chest, finished off with sparkling sequin lace.
Do you think the result was worth the effort?
And if you`re a bride looking for something full of fantasy and whimsy for your wedding, you`ve come to the right place. Making wedding outfits that look like they come from a story book is my speciality, so drop me a DM with your fairytale wedding ideas 🧚♀️
Cover photography - @snappedbycatx
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!