Sewing Essentials — Your First Garment
with Ane Iturgaiz
Ane Iturgaiz
Pattern cutter and sewing teacher with a calm, step-by-step approach.
A slightly more formal course that takes you from threading a machine to a wearable linen apron. Perfect if you prefer a one-off purchase.
£16.99 (often on sale)
Watch the intro lesson free
At a glance
The basics
Best for
Beginners who want to end with something wearable
You'll make
A linen apron
Time commitment
About 4 hours plus project time
Starter cost
~£155 (including machine + linen)
Platform
Domestika (one-off purchase)
Pace
Steady, classroom-style
Who this is for
The honest fit
Great if you…
- Prefer one-off course purchase over subscription
- Want a wearable outcome, not just a tote bag
- Like a more formal, classroom-style teacher
- Already have basic sewing scissors and pins
Maybe not if you…
- Are completely new to a sewing machine and want the gentlest start
- Want multiple smaller projects rather than one bigger one
- Don't want to buy or work with linen
The curriculum
What the course covers
18 lessons, roughly 3h 40m total.
- 1–3
Tools and machine
Threading, bobbin, seam allowance
- 4–7
Cutting and preparation
Pattern paper, cutting linen, pressing
- 8–12
Sewing the apron
Seams, pockets, ties, hems
- 13–15
Finishing
Topstitching, pressing, trimming
- 16–18
Beyond the apron
Simple alterations and what to sew next
Our honest take
What we thought
What we liked
The apron is the kind of project you'll use every week, and Ane's pacing is genuinely beginner-friendly. The downloadable pattern is a proper keeper.
Where it could be better
Linen is slightly less forgiving than quilting cotton — not ideal as a very first material. Ane's machine is a Juki; most Brother/Singer owners will follow easily but a couple of the setting names differ.
Our scoring
4.6
Overall · out of 5
The verdict
“The best bet if you want a one-off purchase and a wearable outcome. Just pair it with a beginner-friendly machine and some pre-washed linen.”
£16.99 (often on sale)
The kit
What you'll need to follow along
3 things. That's it.
Brother LX17 sewing machine
Our pickStill our top pick — reliable and beginner-friendly.
Medium-weight linen (1.5m) + matching thread
Pre-wash before cutting. Natural fibres soften beautifully over time.
Pins + fabric chalk + measuring tape
You'll use these on every project from here on.
Total: ~£151Everything you need for the course.
See all on AmazonSome links on this page are affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’d use ourselves.
On a tight budget?
The budget kit
These will absolutely get you through the course. The top-pick kit is nicer; the budget kit works while you’re finding out if this craft is your thing.
Singer M1500 mechanical machine
instead of Brother LX17
£85
Poly-cotton blend (1.5m)
instead of pure linen
£12
Bar of soap + pins
instead of fabric chalk
£4
Not quite right?
Try one of these instead
Different courses suit different people. These are the two worth considering alongside.
Keep reading
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Common questions about this course
- Is the linen pattern included?
- Yes. A printable PDF pattern ships with the course.
- Can I substitute a different fabric?
- Absolutely. A medium-weight cotton or cotton-linen blend works well for beginners.
- Do I need a specific machine?
- No. Ane demonstrates on a Juki, but any beginner-friendly machine will do.
Ready when you are
Ready to start?
Grab the kit, start the course, and you'll have your first finished piece by the weekend.