Beginners dress sewing

Slowly57 · 24 September 2016 at 11:06PM

Very easy patterns are best to start with
Don't use your clothing size - use your actual measurements
A dress dummy makes things easier (but they are expensive)
Use the fabric suggested by your pattern (ie a stretch knit fabric not a rigid cotton fabric)
Charity shops often have good sewing project books
Fab uk website thethriftystitcher has little videos and tutorials - yay!

snoozer · 25 September 2016 at 6:44AM

Lots of sewing and quilting shops have sprung up in the last coupe of years have sprung up and lots of them offer courses - for instance I have been on zip insertion, seam finishing and jersey sewing courses. Those that offer specific skills such as zip insertion tend to be cheaper than those that take you through all the basics.

There is a shop in London which offers a fitting course run by the winner of this year's sewing bee but it's expensive, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it.

Gwendolyn · 25 September 2016 at 10:53AM

Thank you all for your replies. You have all made some very good points.

I have now narrowed it down to two patterns with very few pieces and seams - the pictures on the "back" are very useful for this. I have also found patterns with no need for zips at this stage.

There is a lady in my village who is a dressmaker by trade who offers classes. They are not at a time I have been able to make. But she will do a 1-to-1 for me on zips. I may ask OH for a couple of lessons with her for my Christmas present.

I know by the time you have the fabric etc - it's not necessarily a money saving idea. After all, you can buy lovely dresses from charity shops for less than £5. However, it's more about the skill for me and having a bit of fun being able to make a dress in a fabric I like. I have lots of old pieces to use for a dummy run.

jackyann · 26 September 2016 at 9:37PM

I think, a bit like bread making and other old skills, it depends on how you price it.
If you say ' I could have bought a dress for 30 pounds and the fabric cost me 40' you may be correct - but the quality of the dress you have will be more like an 80-100 pound dress.
I also find that once you get into it, and know what you are looking for, you can pick up all sorts of fabric quite cheaply.
I hope it works out for you - I love making clothes

milasavesmoney · 27 September 2016 at 8:36AM

YouTube can be your tutorial friend on all kinds of sewing questions, for example>>>putting in a zipper, sleeves etc.

luxor4t · 27 September 2016 at 8:37AM

jfdi wrote: »

Something from here - http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/simplicity-patterns/dresses? ...............

I should be unpacking and washing and doing all sorts of post-holiday stuff BUT........ ooops! nice pictures!

PlaysNicely · 1 October 2016 at 9:55AM

:wave:

I don't have anything to add but admiration for you sticking with it Gwen and for starting the thread.

I'm a complete novice (in that I've always hand sewn everything as I never got on with machining and never really had one of my own to get to know and practice with). However, OH bought me a machine for my birthday and I'm currently investigating lessons locally, so I'm following your thread (and progress) with interest. I've saved some simple dress ideas on Pinterest and will show these to the lady giving me lessons, in the hope of help to find the right pattern (simple tunic type dresses).

We're also downsizing soon (house selling/buying malarkey permitting) so I'd like to be able to soft furnish frugally by making my own (life would really be too short to hand sew, so that's another reason to get to grips with machine sewing). Loving the suggestions about frugal fabrics, particularly the double cotton duvets from charity shops!

Thanks for the thread and looking forward to hearing about your progress! PN x

helcat26 · 1 October 2016 at 12:44PM

Hope it goes well for you.

My tip for zips is tack them in carefully so the material fits perfectly to the zip before you machine sew, and when you get to the corners at the base of the zip put the machine needle into the fabric and make the turn swivelling around the needle so you do not get big stitch gaps.

My tip for fitted skirts and dresses is tack the pieces together and do the final fitting adjustments by putting it on inside out and adjusting the seams (unless you are wonky on one side!)

charlies-aunt · 1 October 2016 at 2:13PM

Don't forget your local library! I find ours a great resource for 'how-to' sewing manuals, project and ideas books and soft furnishing guide books geared towards both absolute beginners (me!) and the experienced & skilled

I try and keep all decent bits of material such as the back panel of shirts to practice sewing with. I am trying to get going again (and use my stash up) with simple cushion covers and work up to using patterns for simple tunic tops and drawstring trousers.

purpleivy · 1 October 2016 at 3:05PM

Handbag59 wrote: »

I am probably at a similar place as you, howeve,r I have been on a six week sewing course where I made a dress, I still have zip fear! I have been using any pattern that tells me its easy and would agree that they do tend to be pretty shapeless but are quite good for helping you learn the processes and building confidence. Personally I have come to the conclusion that I need to learn how to do a full bust adjustment, a task I keep putting off.

https://www.thesewingforum.co.uk is a great place to get help with sewing themes. If you don't want to tackle a full bust adjustment, there are several patterns out there that have them ready done for you. I'm loving the Cashmerette patterns at the moment, which come with C/D E/F and G/H patterns You dont' have to guess which size, as advice is given on how to choose, also full sizing charts for each fitting are given on the pattern.

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Beginners dress sewing

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