How to Become Your Own Fashion Designer

Most of us approach our hobby project by project: “Which pattern do I want to make next? Which fabric should I use?” But what if you started thinking more like a fashion designer? That's what I've been trying lately, and I enjoy it so much I wanted to share it with you. 

Designers don’t just create one piece at a time. They design collections and looks (outfits). Cohesive, intentional, wearable wardrobes that tell a story. And the truth is, you can do the same, as a hobby sewist.

Here’s how you can step into the role of your own fashion designer and start creating a wardrobe that feels curated, intentional, and uniquely yours.

1. Know Your Style (or Find It!)

Fashion design always starts with a clear vision. What do you want your clothes to say about you? Which colors, shapes, and textures feel most “you”?

• Make a vision board — Pinterest, Canva, or even a physical collage.

• Collect images and start going through them to see patterns. Colors, silhouettes, cuts, prints, type of garment etc. 
  

• Define your Style DNA: 3–5 words that capture your style (like “romantic, minimal, structured, playful”).

• Keep these close whenever you choose patterns or fabrics.

2. Analyse Your Lifestyle

Designers think about how clothes will be worn in real life. You can do the same.

• How much of your week is work vs. casual? Relaxing/cosy or active? Practical or dressed up? 

• Do you go out often, or is your lifestyle more home-based?

• Which garments do you wish you had more of? Which garments in your wardrobe are always on rotation and which ones do you reach for as soon as they're out of the wash...? Which garments get used the least...? And why. 

This helps you focus on sewing things you’ll actually wear, not just fun projects that stay in the closet.

3. Create a Mini-Collection

Instead of picking random projects, plan 3–6 garments that work together as a small capsule. Think mix-and-match: tops that pair with multiple bottoms, layers that go with everything, a color story that ties it all together.

When you sew this way, every project builds towards a wardrobe you love, not just a pile of clothes. And the process is so fun and enjoyable. 

4. Pair Fabrics and Patterns Intentionally

Designers know fabric is just as important as the design itself. Don’t just grab a fabric because it’s pretty — ask yourself:

• Does it fit my style DNA?

• Does it suit my lifestyle?

• Will it pair with the other garments in my collection? The one you're making now, but also the rest of your wardrobe. 

This is how you avoid the “wardrobe full of clothes, nothing to wear” problem.

5. Enjoy the Process: Slow Fashion as Self-Care

When you treat sewing like designing a collection, it becomes more than a hobby. It’s a ritual of self-expression, creativity, and care. Every decision — from fabric to finishing — is intentional.

I also love to see this as an act of rebellion against fast fashion and over-consumption. Instead of endless shopping, you’re curating. Instead of disposable trends, you’re investing in yourself and that's truly slow fashion. 

Final Thoughts ✨

Becoming your own fashion designer doesn’t mean you need a runway or a fashion degree. It means being intentional, creative, and visionary with your sewing.

Your wardrobe becomes more you. More functional. More joyful. And most importantly, more sustainable — because the most sustainable garment is the one you love and wear again and again.

So next time you start a project, don’t just ask “Which pattern?” or “Which fabric?” Ask yourself: What do I want my wardrobe to look like? Who do I want to be when I wear it?

That’s when you stop sewing clothes — and become your own fashion designer!

/Josefine