Making and adapting clothes

KittyKate · 24 April 2005 at 5:59AM

A few weeks ago, my partner said he wanted a long wool scarf in a khaki green (as he's quite tall, regular scarves look silly on him!). We looked around and one of the type he wanted was £15 (in Topman, I believe). "You're not paying that!" I exclaimed, and dragged him to the indoor market. He chose the wool he wanted (a chunky khaki, 2 balls for £2.50) and I bought some chunky needles for £2. A week later and he has the scarf, just as he wants it, the exact length. What a saving! Plus he loves it because it was made by my fair hands

Also; a few years ago my dad was so kind as to buy me a sewing machine for christmas. When I needed to go to a swanky do I simply went to my local saree shop and bought a length of emerald green silky material and some gold and green ribbon for the total cost of about £7. I got a pattern off the net and made a gorgeous strapless lined dress, with gold ribbon hem. I got so many compliments - and I saved a ton!

Making clothes can be fun and it means that you'll end up with something unique. It's true moneysaving old style

apple_mint · 24 April 2005 at 6:15AM

When my daughters were small I used to make all their dungarees from a free pattern given away in Prima. They loved them because I used to pick the brightest and zingiest fabric I could find. The other mothers used to ask where I had bought them. Nowadays they shop in Topshop etc ... but still look for something a 'bit different'.

Bargain_Rzl · 24 April 2005 at 8:10AM

When I was little most of my stuff was handed down from my grandmother's neighbour's kids (and being the elder of two girls, at least I used to get the stuff second-hand instead of third!) but anyting "special" my mother made herself. When I was tiny, most of it was from Clothkits patterns, but later on she made some great stuff, including party dresses.

Sadly NONE of it has rubbed off on me. I can't sew for toffee (luckily my local dry cleaners will fix hems for me for £2 a time) and in fact the first time I was called upon to use a sewing machine (at school, at the age of 11) I dropped the treadle on the floor and smashed it...

I wish I could make clothes, as I am a non-standard shape (hourglass) and find it difficult to get things to fit. And I know how MoneySaving it is. But I simply have NO talent in that area....

Bargain_Rzl · 24 April 2005 at 8:12AM

Once upon a time I did know how to knit, though. Must pick that up again.

Mum had a knitting machine for a while, bought in the classifieds in the local paper - in the days when she was a full-time housewife she even had a sideline in making stuff for friends and relatives for cash.

ancasta_2 · 24 April 2005 at 8:32AM

I customise nearly all my own clothes and other peoples too, i always carry a sewing kit so i find myself helping poor girls in toilets whose straps have snapped her hems come down... its a drunk thing i guess

I sell my customised clothes on Ebay to cover the cost of material and a little profit to go into the honeymoon fund

Curry_Queen · 24 April 2005 at 9:01AM

Once upon a time I could sew, knit and crochet ... not done any of that for years though, even though I have a brand new sewing machine sitting in a box under the bed that I bought about 6 years ago :rolleyes:

Saying that I did sew up a hole in DS's school trousers (in crotch just below zip so it HAD to be done!!!) the other morning whilst half-asleep, bleary-eyed and before any :coffee: :eek: ... still not sure how I even managed to thread the needle :rotfl:

badgermonkey · 24 April 2005 at 9:55AM

luckily my local dry cleaners will fix hems for me for £2 a time

:eek:

I'll do them for £2 a go! Seriously, it's so worth learning to sew in a straight line by hand, if nothing else. I'm hardly a genius at sewing but I have made cushion covers and other things that only involve straight lines...

moggins · 24 April 2005 at 10:00AM

I'd love to be able to use a sewing machine, I was so rubbish at school that they made me do woodwork instead

I can make brilliant repairs just using a needle and thread and even repaired a v shaped tear in dh's black suede jacket using some of that powder from betterware.

I bought myself one of those £20 JML mini sewing machines but I still haven't had the courage to use it yet, I have huge admiration for anybody who can make things from scratch.

Murtle · 24 April 2005 at 10:45AM

trial and error - buy some cheap fabric, use an old sheet or old clothes - and just try!! No one will know but you....confidence builds with time and you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll improve. Everyone has the ability, just not everyone has the confidence to try.... There is a reason the hems fall down in shop bought clothes...they're no better then you

x x

stellagypsy · 24 April 2005 at 10:50AM

I love sewing, used to make nearly all my own clothes at one time (esp trousers) as I am tall and a few years ago, I couldn't find them long enough at a price I could afford. Sadly I haven't made clothes for a while now though, but I have altered plenty as I have lost a lot of weight! Maybe I shall start again when I get to my goal weight. Is it still cost effective to make rather than buy? I think I would make them anyway just because I enjoy sewing. I also like making curtains and soft furnishings. I am starting to revamp my kitchen shortly.

Just bought myself a lovely new sewing machine as I have worn out my 3rd one!!

Bargain_Rzl · 24 April 2005 at 5:43PM

I get about as far as sewing on buttons, and mending holes in seams under the arms of things...

It's not that I can't do hems, I just hate them.

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Making and adapting clothes

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