The Sewing Room

wendym

hart44 wrote: »

I just wish I could make my own clothes Ive had a few goes but Im not very good at it
I am better with bag, frame purse and quilt making though so shouldn't complain :rotfl:

You're clearly a whizz at sewing. I think the trick with clothes is to start with something geniunely easy, that doesn't depend on a close fit, and press every stage as you go along. Not just a vague iron, or a hopeful squash between your fingers, but a real press, ideally under a damp cloth.

bexterwho

Lovely makes everyone.

Finally got round to taking photos of the new, improved tutu. It's still a long way from perfect but I'm really happy with it. I'm still a beginner and this was by far my most complicated and involved project so far and there is blood, sweat and nearly tears gone into it! The original attempt pics are on page 33, post number 6646 if anyone wants to see why I am so pleased with it now!!


IMAG0002 by bexterwho, on Flickr

wendym

I have been sewing for ever. For my daughter's wedding I bought a Vogue designer pattern jacket and silk dupion from ebay. It arrived smelling of smoke, so I paid to have it cleaned before cutting it out. Every time I cut it, it tried to turn itself into the kind of spiral ribbon florists use. I cursed every seam, every facing, but kept going, and in the end I had............a garment I absolutely hated, that made me look like a galleon in full sale, and that still sits (2 years later) folded up, waiting to be made into very expensive dusters.
I am so impressed by the makes posted on here.

nannyboo1

hmo wrote: »

i have just put one in the 'no chat# thread for you here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/41572838#Comment_41572838

Thank you so much for that I tried to make a similar bag as a story sack a couple of years ago and completely messed it up ( I though it would be easy) and had bought a sewing machine so I could make quite a few that I needed. It has never been used since I can see my having a go soon so thank you xx

xxvickixx

nannyboo1 wrote: »

Thank you so much for that I tried to make a similar bag as a story sack a couple of years ago and completely messed it up ( I though it would be easy) and had bought a sewing machine so I could make quite a few that I needed. It has never been used since I can see my having a go soon so thank you xx

What is a story sack? It sounds lovely.

It's so nice to hear everyone's disaters - I always feel that my things are OK but not good enough IYKWIM, Its nice to know I'm not alone.

PootleFlump_3

ISOM that quilt is beautiful.

Bexter, your tutu looks great!

Kings, you could try New Looks patterns. I made a skirt last year that was quite simple with a waistband. Got the pattern from John Lewis and it was New Look (cant remember the code number but from memory they had quite a few)


x

danemi1

"You may be asking, what is a 'Story Sack'? It's simply a bag or sack of some sort, which contains a story book along with related craft ideas, games, and other fun activities.
Why would you want to make one? What better way to get a child interested in reading than by getting them involved with the story in the book. Imagine the fun of not only reading about the characters of the story but also making related puppets or other crafts, playing a related game, wearing a costume, and more."



We have them at school - the children get to take one home for a week every so often - they love it!!

kings981

hart44 wrote: »

Hi Im not sure if this is any help

http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-make-a-skirt-pattern-a63756

Thanks for all the great ideas. I'll start by making a pattern using the link above, and see how that turns out.
I have already bought the fabric from fabricland - £3.99 a metre, which looks like enough fabric for about 4 skirts!!!

The skirt I'm copying from Joules is £60!!! Crazy price and it looks a fairly simple design. So for an afternoon, a few pounds and hopefully not too much stress I can make something similar, but unique.

I'll let you know how I get on! I have made a few things from patterns before and am still learning from my mistakes. No 1 being measure and mark properly from the start - it saves a lot of frustration later on.

wen-tom

In_Search_Of_Me wrote: »

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6209733_step_by_step-instructions-patchwork-quilt.html

The above is my first quilt - Im just starting on my second and learned the valuable measure twice lesson as the first was too short for my vision of a quilt draping almost to the floor!! Thankfully its perfect for a single bed and my mum absolutely loves and cherishes it! If it would help Im happy to do a simple write up on how I made it...thankfully I had help from a v experienced quilter who took me step by step through the edging etc...

this is beautiful :T:T:T

if it's not too much trouble i would love a write up. i'm desperate to make a quilt

avstar

ISOM your quilt is amazing and very precisely made - fab!

Bexterwho, aw thats so much better! Looks gorgeous and your little one is so cute with her ballerina pose LOL! Did you do the rara skirt layers on an underskirt type shenanigans?

Kings 981 - oooh your skirt is very similar to a pair of shorts I wanted to make - fitted tweed type shorts to wear with thick tights, love that material but no way would I pay £60 for that skirt - thats why I want to get back into clothes making.
There's a skirt pattern in Burda magazine from last month that looks quite similar, shortish, slightly A-line with patch pockets (did have an inverted pleat at the front as well tho).
I tried to check burda online as sometimes they post the magazine patterns online but the site seems to be down at the mo.
www.burdastyle.com

Finally made my first sock monkey this weekend - I love him and will try and post a piccie tonight cos I forgot the camera lead at work. He's going to live with my neice.

Didn't manage to get to my other halfs friends house to check out the free fabric for me, t'other half was busy and doesn't seem to understand the urgency of the visit!

On a brighter note a friend at work who's having a clear-out gave me a humungous roll of black cotton thread, one of these cone shaped reels. Its about 4 inches high and on a wide inner reel, can I use this on my normal sewing machine or will it wobble around too much IYSWIM?