The 2010 crazy clothes challenge

niksyg

Morning all!

No more spends this month and as we are getting our newpup next week I am guessing that there will be no more clothes spends for a while as money will go on him! Unless he eats my wardrobe...then obviously I'll have to hit the charity shops!!

Dinah93

niccatw wrote: »

I've got the Reader's Digest one but still found it beyond my expertise. Am currently looking at Design-it-Yourself Clothes by Cal Patch onAmazon... it looks good.

Also the April issue of Sew magazine has 3 for £3... grab it, you get a free pattern with each copy! (And April's is an evening dress!) Loads of fab inspiration in there, even if you are as cluless as I am

In all honesty no book is ever going to teach you as much as a class. I tried to learn from a book for years, but it just didn't go right, within 6 months of doing dressmaking classes I could not only do alterations but make garments from scratch and design my own patterns.

Sew magazine is really fab, I can't recommend it highly enough. Quite a few patterns will require a basic understanding though - try McCalls Easy/Simplicity range, or the New Look Easy range of patterns for some easy garments to get you going. The current magazine has 4 patterns, a smart shift dress which is a fairly easy project, a jacket which is a bit harder (especially if made in lace as pictured!), a wedding dress which is actually a very simple shape but all wedding dresses are more structured and obviously perfect than normal everyday wear, and finally a really beutiful maxi dress pattern. Despite the fact I can't find material I like for it anywhere, it is a more complicated pattern, as you need a fabric with a lot of stretch ie a Jersey, and those are a pain to work with, you need a different type of needle and stitch to if you work with a more rigid fabric. For new sewers stick to cotton or polycotton until you have the hang of it, try to match the thread with the material ie cotton thread on cotton, artificial polyester thread on man made fabrics, as it will then move and stretch at the same rate as the garment and seams won't pucker or tear with use over time.

x

debbiedeejay

:wave:hello All

Had interesting conversation with colleagues yesterday. Some of us from work are going to a couple of pubs tonight to celebrate another colleagues birthday - nothing fancy, just a few drinks etc- none us us have been out since our Christmas do -so nice to get out,casual affair, but lets make an effort in dressing up kindathing.

Some are thinking of going out shopping today in their lunchbreak to buy either a new top or trousers just because they are going out "and not been out for a while"
I used to be like that I know but I was actually horrified because I can no longer justify spending money on something to wear because I am going to the pub- They know about my clothes challege and I actually think they were a bit sheepish telling me - as if it was a confession!:rotfl:

Another one mentioned that last time she was planning to go out (again just a pub)she bought a new top from Next - looked lovely on the hanger etc and parted with £40 for it but luckily when she got it home she didn't like it so it went back(and she admitted she would probably not have worn it again!).........but £40.......on a top ......for the pub.......:eek:.
Thats nearly half our clothes allowance for the year!......on a top....for the pub!

I know we say we will wear wear it again but this challege has really made me think "where,when,what with"

I am happy to report I will be wearing my birthday dress/top thing I have for the 3rd time (out of the 5 I have planned) but am planning to take off the button on it today and put a black bow on it instead -already changing it! some black leggings borrowed from DD2 and old black boots.

TTFN

rosemary54

Dinah93 wrote: »

In all honesty no book is ever going to teach you as much as a class. I tried to learn from a book for years, but it just didn't go right, within 6 months of doing dressmaking classes I could not only do alterations but make garments from scratch and design my own patterns.

Sew magazine is really fab, I can't recommend it highly enough. Quite a few patterns will require a basic understanding though - try McCalls Easy/Simplicity range, or the New Look Easy range of patterns for some easy garments to get you going. The current magazine has 4 patterns, a smart shift dress which is a fairly easy project, a jacket which is a bit harder (especially if made in lace as pictured!), a wedding dress which is actually a very simple shape but all wedding dresses are more structured and obviously perfect than normal everyday wear, and finally a really beutiful maxi dress pattern. Despite the fact I can't find material I like for it anywhere, it is a more complicated pattern, as you need a fabric with a lot of stretch ie a Jersey, and those are a pain to work with, you need a different type of needle and stitch to if you work with a more rigid fabric. For new sewers stick to cotton or polycotton until you have the hang of it, try to match the thread with the material ie cotton thread on cotton, artificial polyester thread on man made fabrics, as it will then move and stretch at the same rate as the garment and seams won't pucker or tear with use over time.

x

I am a trained dress designer and always used to make not only my clothes but clothes for all the family(inc trousers for DH) as well.

I stopped doing this as fabric shops started closing (in my area we only have JL that sell fabric at all) and the other bits and pieces needed,thread,zips etc got more and more expensive plus foreign clothes so much cheaper.

if you are lucky enough to live somehwre with access to fabrics at a reasonable rate then go for it,I agree a night class can be very helpful(also used to teach one)as you can take your project in and get all the help you need....useful if like me you have a block with instruction books!

gratefulforhelp_2

I always cut down the fold line. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


Lovely Lula
Have to fess up to a £14 spend on a black linen skirt, my current one has gone into holes, which is pretty MSE, right? Have worn it two days a week for a year, that is good cost per wear!

verynewmoneysaver

Have spent £5 skirt and £15 cardi (only £40 left)

Dinah93

rosemary54 wrote: »

I am a trained dress designer and always used to make not only my clothes but clothes for all the family(inc trousers for DH) as well.

I stopped doing this as fabric shops started closing (in my area we only have JL that sell fabric at all) and the other bits and pieces needed,thread,zips etc got more and more expensive plus foreign clothes so much cheaper.

if you are lucky enough to live somehwre with access to fabrics at a reasonable rate then go for it,I agree a night class can be very helpful(also used to teach one)as you can take your project in and get all the help you need....useful if like me you have a block with instruction books!

I agree, I've mentioned earlier in the thread making clothes is definately not the way to save money, and my fabrics aren't cheaper than buying finished clothes, but it's a fun hobby regardless, and I'd rather spend my money on fabrics than going down the pub or something x

karmachilovething

Its true, there aren't any fabric shops anymore. Its a real shame as nothing compares to the sweet shop style joy of a well chosen fabric selection!

I buy a lot of my fabrics on-line now, and everything else is from my Grandma. She moved into a home a couple of years ago, and when we cleared her house for sale there was a lifetimes collection of leftovers and things bought and never used, so I'm very lucky.

eBay is my haberdashers, and is also good for fabrics if you have a little patience to trawl through it all.

gratefulforhelp_2

Lula another £11, another linen skirt...

natsing

I've been shopping today with my mother (that woman is a terrible influence on me) I turned down three beautiful tops in M&S because they were all £25 + but did give in and buy a new pair of jeans in the Evans sale as mine are falling off me so £15 spent £20 in total