Start Sewing with Burda : What Fabrics Should You Use to Start Sewing?

If you’ve chosen to start your sewing journey with Burda patterns, you’re in the right place!

Sewing often begins with a spark… and a fabric. But among textures, colors, and materials, how do you find your way when you’re just starting out? Behind each swatch lies a world of possibilities—and a few traps for beginners. Even before threading the needle or drawing the pattern, choosing the right fabric can change everything: sewing ease, garment drape, final look… It’s the very first step, often overlooked, in any successful project. So why not learn together how to master this essential material?

For sewing beginners, it makes sense to select a fabric that is not very expensive and easy to sew, such as woven cotton fabric. Avoid broad stripes, plaids, and patterns with repeats.

Is there a fabric shop around the corner from you? That is your best source of fabric! In the shop, you can get advice on your project and look at and feel various fabrics close up.

If the fabric quality you have chosen permits, wash the fabric and dry it in the drier (if you have one) before cutting out the pattern pieces. This will prevent the finished garment from shrinking later and will remove any undesirable additives from the fabric. After washing your fabric, it is essential to iron it. But before doing so, make an ironing test on a small scrap. If the layout indicates a ‘fold’, press your fabric carefully along the fold. That will make it easier to position the pattern piece. The fold and all the pieces should lie parallel to the straight grain.

We recommend a suitable fabric for every model. Observe the information, as you should not use a stiff, non-stretch fabric for a model that is sewn from stretch fabric, for example. The fabric requirement and fabric width are also indicated.

Important: If the fabric requirement is listed for a fabric width of 140 cm and the fabric you have selected is 130 cm wide, you will need more fabric than indicated. If your model has a lining, its length and the required supplies are also indicated. 

Choosing your fabric is already stepping into the world of the garment you’re about to create. By taking the time to observe, touch, and test, you’ll gain confidence and precision. Once mastered, this first step becomes a real joy for any budding sewist. Ready to turn your next visit to the fabric store into the start of a beautiful textile adventure?