any dressmakers? I need help with xmas gift..

wen-tom

Hi all,
my sister is just getting into dressmaking.

I would like to get her a sewing hamper for xmas but i dont know really what dressmaking basics are? So far, I have bought her scissors, pins, tape measure, threads, i will buy needles, threader, stitch un-picker (if thats the tech term :rotfl:) fabric marker... what else would she need?

I would like to get her a sewing box because she doesn't have one. I don't want to pay a lot but i would like a nice one as she is only 15 and do I don't want something that looks too old fashioned. Any idea's where I can buy one?

Also, lastly - sorry for so many questions - she is looking for an adjustable dressmakers dummy but the ones we have seen are quite expensive. We have contacted the local charity/second hand shops and checked ebay - any other ideas on this one?

Thank yoouuuuuuuuuuuuu

Rikki

Thimble - useful when hand sewing hems or patchwork.
Tailors Chalk - for pattern marking

A good project book with gift ideas and pin cushion, scissor case to make.
Sew by Cath Kidson Bag material included. (Trace the material to make the pattern for more bags)

A good pair of dressmaking scissors for cutting out ONLY. (Expensive)

mr_knight

Have you looked here? http://www.freecycle.org/

Not sure where you are based but you might get luck. My friend just got a fab piano for free.

have alook here http://www.sewessential.co.uk/CategoryTree.asp?CategoryID=309 for the basket. They have some lovely ones in the animal print and childrens/novelty section.

lindaatno9

wen-tom wrote: »

Hi all,
my sister is just getting into dressmaking.

I would like to get her a sewing hamper for xmas but i dont know really what dressmaking basics are? So far, I have bought her scissors, pins, tape measure, threads, i will buy needles, threader, stitch un-picker (if thats the tech term :rotfl:) fabric marker... what else would she need?

I would like to get her a sewing box because she doesn't have one. I don't want to pay a lot but i would like a nice one as she is only 15 and do I don't want something that looks too old fashioned. Any idea's where I can buy one?

Also, lastly - sorry for so many questions - she is looking for an adjustable dressmakers dummy but the ones we have seen are quite expensive. We have contacted the local charity/second hand shops and checked ebay - any other ideas on this one?

Thank yoouuuuuuuuuuuuu

Jaycotts is a great website for many sewing essentials. Good dressmaking scissors and a pair especially for paper.
Dressmakers dummys are expensive however, you could simply get a non adjustable form which is like a dressform but not adjustable, obviously. I believe these come in much cheaper and are great for holding and draping fabrics.

Sewing box- I use a tool box from B&Q. Fabulous with loads of compartments. Maybe purchase a few sewing mags with free patterns attched. Sew easy is one.
HTH xx

themull1

i got a nice sewing box from boots last year.

rosalie-lavender

I second a good pair of dressmaking shears. They are very expensive but worth it. My Wilkinson sword ones are about 25 years old and still going strong.

The book people have quite a few sewing books including Cath Kidson sew for £4.99. The readers digest book is good too but more expensive.

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_searchResult_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&pageSize=20&pageNumber=0&searchTerm=sew

Some smaller bits I use quite a bit are safety pins for turning out belts and tubes. Another very mse thing I couldn't be without is a hairgrip with the wider open end cut off and smoothed to rub the rough edges off. I use that for turning out fine rouleaux tubes and straps. If you know someone handy who could cut the ends of some hairgrips then it could be an extra stocking filler.

I never use a quick unpick but use a small sharp pointed pair of scissors instead.

A pincushion is also handy and easily made if you don't want to buy one. John Lewis sell some fancy ones though, they also sell the sewing boxes.

Another possiblity is a subscription to a sewing magazine or the latest copy. The sew today magazine comes with a coupon that gives you buy one get one free for Vogue, Butterick and Mc Calls patterns.

The other thing I find really handy is a small metal sewing guage. There is one in the picture of sewing tools here

http://www.dritz.com/tips/images/sewing_tools.pdf

The other thing that is almost essential for dressmaking is a good steam iron.

PootleFlump_3

I would suggest getting her some fabric, interfacing (although weight required would depend on what she is making), chalk wheel (great for using if making clothes), loop turner would be good if she is making belts or bags. if you do get her thread and she is using a machine, make sure they are good quality ones or the stitching will just come out or threads will snap - gutterman are really good. You could also get her a small pair of scissors to cut threads. Flower head pins are also really good as you can iron over the top of them and definately a pin cushion (although she might want to make one herself if she just trying things out.)

This book is brilliant - I would say if she starting out then it would be really useful for her. One of the best Ive come across.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sewing-Book-Alison-Smith/dp/1405335556#noop

wen-tom

thank you all for your help :j

The books are a great idea - or the magazine subsription. I will def look into that to see which is best for her. Personally, I love the Cath Kidson book - but then I do love Cath Kidson

she doesn't have her own sewing machine at the moment - she sometimes uses my grans old one so threads would be for hand sewing only at the moment

I will definately get her some fabric - even if its only so that she can make her own pin cushion - I think that will be a really good little thing for her to do rather then me buying one :T

Time to get shopping

shimmigirl

argos have some sewing boxes.

also a dummy on offer http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4590028/c_1/1|category_root|Gifts+and+hobbies|14417351/c_2/3|15701076|Art+and+crafts|14417376/c_3/4|cat_14417376|Sewing+machines+and+accessories|14417377.htm

still seems expensive to me - but quite a big chunk of money off.

she_grinch

Hobbycraft have some wonderful,funky and young sewing baskets.

wen-tom

i was in hobbycraft last week and didn't check :mad:

i didn't even think to look at argos for a dummy! it is still expensive but not as much as some we have seen. thankyou :j