Sewing simple clothes

Old_Meanie

Why not buy a book showing simple ways to make your own patterns and sew them such as Design it Yourself Clothes by Cal Patch. This book is aimed at teenagers but the simple shapes are suitable for anyone just by adding a few inches to the bottom of skirts etc. I think if you Google it you can get it for less than the price of a pattern. It is really easy to make simple patterns out of greaseproof paper for example. I have found sewing classes to be very expensive in my area £150 to £400! There was a group started up in our area called knitters and stichers is there a similar group in your area? I learned to sew at school but they don't do that now I believe. A simple skirt is a rectangle of fabric long side 4 inches more than hips and turned under at hem and waist thread elastic through waist and valla a skirt! Similar is dropped sleeve top. Again measure round your bust add 4 inches or required extra room (called ease) along longer side. Cut to length required, draw in neckline using saucer or small plate sew up sides and make holes for arms and hem and you have a drop sleeve tee shirt. Why not buy a simple style you like in cheap fabric in Primark for instance unpick it and pin it to greaseproof paper on flat surface. Cut round adding 1 inch for seams. Then cut out greaseproof pattern in more decent fabric of choice and sew using seams of original tee shirt as guide. You can practice with cheap fabric to start. I find this really fun and it keeps my arthritic hands moving. But watch out for the bite of the sewing bug!

Pamela