Learn to Sew Your Clothes: Sewing Basics 1
Make the cozy Nocturne Pajama Pants
Sew your first garment in Sewing Basics 1, our online course designed to kick-start your garment sewing confidence!
We’ll teach you, step-by-step, how to sew up a pair of comfy Nocturne Pajama pants. You’ll be amazed at what you can make with the help of our expert instruction and community support.

Even if you have never sewn a garment before, this course guides you through every step of sewing: fabric selection and preparation, cutting out, assembling, and sewing your Nocturne Pants, all with a sense of fun and friendship.
Never used a sewing machine before? You might want to start with Intro to Sewing before jumping into this course.

In this thorough, warm, and supportive online course – designed to feel like a multi-week in-person class – you’ll not only make a cozy pair of pajama pants … you’ll feel super accomplished and excited to have a new hobby!
Watch (and re-watch) any time – your course access never expires.




In class, you’ll be using the Nocturne Pajamas PDF pattern, which comes in sizes 0-34 and is included in your enrollment. This pattern also includes the matching top, perfect for diving into after you finish the pants!
Pajama pants are the BEST first project – low stakes, very useful, and a perfect form of self-care. The Nocturne Pajama Pants are perfect for loungewear, but depending on the fabric you choose, you can also wear them out and about. The pants feature a simple, comfortable paper bag waist, with the option of a lower rise, basic elastic waistband. The pockets, of course, are deep and luxurious.
Skills learned:
- How to choose fabric
- How to take your measurements and choose your size
- How to lengthen or shorten a pattern
- How to choose between elastic types
- Working with notches
- Understanding fabric anatomy
- How to properly iron and press
- Confidently cut out your fabric
- Pinning 101
- How to sew straight and curved seams
- How to finish your seams so they don’t unravel
- How to sew an elastic waistband
- How to hem pants

This course is part of our Learn to Sew Your Clothes learning path, a series designed to accompany you as you level up your sewing skills.
Hear what our Learn to Sew students are saying:

Which Learn to Sew course is right for you?
We have courses for sewists of all levels, from complete beginner to advanced.
Unsure about where to begin? Our simple quiz will find your perfect starting point on Sew Liberated’s Learn to Sew Your Clothes pathway.

Who is it for?
This course is perfect for novices and beginners who are ready to dive into garment sewing. If you know a bit about sewing in general but have never (successfully) sewn a garment, this is the right course for you. We’ve got your back!
If you don’t know how to use a sewing machine or would like more in-depth instruction on working with sewing patterns and choosing fabric, you might consider starting with Intro to Sewing.

Your instructor,
Shaerie Mead
Teaching people how to sew their own clothes is Shaerie Mead’s jam, and she’s been doing it for decades.
In addition to being a patternmaker and designer of her clothing line, Iona, she owned the much-loved Sew LA, a workshop space where she taught hundreds and hundreds of folks how to sew.
Shaerie’s clear, detailed, and approachable teaching style will put you at ease and deliver so many “ah-ha!” moments. She really gets how beginners learn, and she’s got your back.
“Shaerie is one of the best teachers I have come across, and I have taken A LOT OF CLASSES!” – Karen



Your other instructor,
Meg McElwee
There’s little Meg loves more than bringing mindfulness and a little bit of humor to the practice of sewing.
She brings her background as a progressive educator to the design and back end of the Learn to Sew Your Clothes series, and can’t wait to pop into the lessons here and there to inject her expertise in sewing and creative styling.

Your fellow student,
Sophia Kiser
You won’t be alone on your journey! You’ll learn by watching upbeat and intrepid Sophia learn to sew.
She’ll ask all the important beginner questions that are on your mind. Thanks to Sophia’s candid learning curve, you’ll realize that everyone makes little mistakes, and it’s ok! Mistakes are simply the way we hone new skills.
You’ll be delighted to observe Sophia blossom as a sewist as the lessons progress, right alongside you.
“I’ve spent hours and hours with Shaerie and Sophia (I have taken every single class!) Sophia has grace, enthusiasm and a wonderful sense of humor.” – Lisa


learn to sew with friends
Join over 1500 students who have experienced the warmth and connection of Sew Liberated’s online course communities.
Your course includes membership in our online support group, hosted on our own website. No Facebook necessary.
You’ll love the ability to get answers to all of your questions and post project photos while making new friends who totally get your passion!

FAQs
When can I start, and how much does it cost?
You can start right away! The cost is $129, which includes the Nocturne Pajamas PDF sewing pattern and printed pattern pieces shipped to you (there may be an extra shipping fee for those outside the US). This price is similar to what you might pay for a comparable in-person class.
Will my course materials expire? Do I get lifetime access?
Yes, with your purchase you get lifetime access to the course videos and other materials – and the online support group for your course You also get lifetime access to the downloadable PDF sewing pattern paired with the course.
Do I need a machine and tools to get started?
For Sewing Basics 1, you will need to have a machine, basic sewing toolkit, and fabric. You can find a complete toolkit from EWE Fine Fibers here.
How do I get my pattern sheets?
When you sign up for Sewing Basics 1, your printed pattern sheets are included in your course purchase. We will mail your pattern sheets to your door, and you will be able to access your PDF pattern (which includes your instructions) from your My Account page on Sew Liberated’s website. Downloads do not expire.
How do I know if the patterns will fit me?
We pride ourselves on having an inclusive size range. All of the patterns on the Learn to Sew Your Clothes learning path fit bust measurements up to 58.5” (147 cm), waist measurements up to 52.5” (133 cm) and hip measurements up to 61” (155 cm). We draft for a dressmaker’s C-cup (that’s a 3″ difference between your high bust measurement and your full bust measurement) and a height of 5’5″ (165 cm). You will learn simple adjustments like lengthening and shortening in this course.
What if I get stuck on a lesson or step?
That’s what our community support group is for! We are there to answer your questions and help you out. You might even find that someone has already asked the same question and there is a whole discussion to help. And if you prefer, you can always send us an email with any questions and we will be happy to guide you through any snags.