Making clothes at Home

BWZN93

Hey all

Im buying a sewing machine - ive decided I need one and want to use it to the maximum (already have the quilting and cushion making to do and the machine would be mighty helpful so I can get them finished!) and have decided to make some of my own clothes because I want things that are original, that suit me and fit perfectly.

Anyway - my first project is a corset type top to be worn with jeans to my works xmas do - and I want to do it well with the bones and everything. Ive had a browse of the internet and ebay in particular for patterns and all the ones ive found are for the traditional victorian style ones which are nice, but not really suitable as it would show a lot of me off (if you catch my drift...) as they are meant to be worn under clothes.

So - do any of you make your own clothes? If so, is it difficult? Where do you get your supplies and patterns from and is there any other special equiptment I need to get? Finally - anyone know how to make a modern corset that would look great with my jeans for my xmas do or at least know where this information could be found?

Thanking you all kindly!

Jo xx

Yorkielass

I've made a few dresses etc and it's hard to get things to fit perfectly - helps if you have a nice person who can help pin you into things when you are trying things on.

Have a look in your area for any little sewing shops - they often have a great range of pattern books and can order you something in if they haven't actually got it normally - I wanted an originally 50s dress and managed to find a range that Vogue do of old fashioned they've relaunched. Looking on yellow pages/ yell.com might help you discover some, the one I found was tucked away on a residential street - but I guess there's not much passing trade with that kind of thing.

Not tried anything as ambitious as a corset - think you're quite brave - but I do love wearing something I've made.

Katgoddess

Couldn't you maybe "borrow" a corset from a shop and use that as a basis for a pattern before you take it back. Then use the information that you've found to help put the bones in etc.

Or maybe add lace or something to a pattern you have to make it a bit more decent

I've just found some New Look patterns that have corset tops...

http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?cat=6&type=0&sec=0&id=90&startrow=1

cath-w

I make a lot of my own clothes, both sewing and knitting. I don't want to spoil your enthusiasm, but making a corset is very difficult.

Tools I find useful are:
- glass headed pins (glass headed ones don't melt if you iron over them plastic ones do)
- tape measure
- tailor's chalk or similar
- stitch unpicker
- very good pair of scissors. Expect to pay about 20 quid for them and never use them to cut paper as they will become blunt
- decent quality sewing thread. Most cheap cottons do not work well in sewing machines.
- ironing board and iron

You can get patterns cheaper from buying over the internet. I have bought before from http://www.mccall.com/ No problem with the service, but it can take sometime to come from the U.S. Sizes given are U.K. and not U.S.

When you buy your machine if buying new check to see if you get a free sewing lesson thrown in as some places do this.

Good luck,

C.

kiwichick

Hiya,

Maybe you could PM ancasta, I'm sure there was a post from her about her mate being a corset maker. Prehaps she could help. I think it was wednesdays OS thread. Sorry, I dont know how to link it from there to here

Al.

Rebob

See if your local authority is running any free dressmaking/sewing courses. There you will get help and learn how to finish your things in a proffesional way. I did this and was very pleased with the results.

BWZN93

Thanks for the replies so far, its certainly given me some ideas and tips! I have to admit im terrible for going straight to the hard stuff - The corset looks difficult but I always did run before I could walk - my mum could testify to that! Im also half way through a double hand sewn quilt too - I could have started with a cushion but that would have been too easy!

I shall keep you all posted on my handmade clothes journey... Im so pleased I got paid lots too (see todays daily thread) because that means the sewing machine hasnt blown the budget and can invest in some fabrics etc....

Thanks Guys!

Jo xx

calleyw

Jo,

Have you bought the machine yet. I bought mine from these people Direct Sewing Machine Supply Co in brislington, turn in to the road by half price suites which is up by the HTV studios.

I bought mine second hand cost me £95 I believe it was serviced. But they do sell new and I think they will let you try them out as well so you can get a feel for them.

I know in Bath that the fabric shop by the DSS offices use to run drop in class type thing. You choose what you want to make and at your speed. Not sure on cost.

Hope that helps.


Yours

Calley

Sarahsaver

Corsets are a whole different ball game and you are best off doing a specific corset making course with someone. I know someone here does a course just for making corsets.
They are v difficult, little sis can do them, she did an HND in theatre wardrobe;)
Hard work but worth it in the long run!
Otherwise if you can undercut Primark well done ! I know what you mean about properly fitting clothes though, that is something lacking on the high street, for those of us who aren't loaded or skilled with a sewing machine anyway!

frugalfairy_3

Wow, you're brave starting off with boning and corsetry! Anyway you asked for suppliers, I would recommend https://www.englishcouture.co.uk for boning and tapes etc. I buy a lot of my patterns from https://www.thesewingplace.com in the US, their range is very varied and includes lots of independent patternmakers from the States that are not available here.

Personally I'm a Burda girl; I think their patterns are very well drafted, although sometimes the instructions are a bit limited.

Good luck!and enjoy your sewing journey, I'm a big fan myself

FF

Louiseuk25

Hi,

I did a 10 week Dressmaking course at my local college for £55 and was the best thing I ever did-spent first 5 weeks learning skills and techniques then final 5 working on a 'project' I made a pleated skirt with a pattern I got free in my Prima magazine (you get them free in the magazine if you subscribe or can send off for them if you buy straight from the shelf-most patterns are aimed at beginners intermediate and come with straight forward instructions). I wore the skirt to work the day after finishing and got so many complements/people asking me where I bought it from-I got such a big head that day telling everyone I made it :-)
Good luck with your new hobby-I think to make a corset would be diving in at the deepend to start off with but remember practice makes perfect (cheese!)