Dress for £2.05

sb88_2

The sewing machine was a gift from my parents bought of ebay, and the sewing class was £8 for the entire course.

So far I've made a wrap top out of african inspired fabric I picked up in a charity shop , a grecian dress out of grey pleated fabric that my nana gave me, an my indian dress.

I was never taught sewing at school, they didn't do home economics etc

the bias binding isn't perfect, but I'm still happy with it photos shortly! just got back from playing squash!

sb88_2

Okay, here's the photo! Not fantastic, but it's certainly wearable around the house!
I had to wear leggings and a top underneath due to it being sheer and therefor see through.
the bottom is embroided but it doesn't show up on this photo.

katieclampet

looks fab, well done

katiex

Diflower

Well done you, it looks great:T

I've been making things on the very cheap too. I spent a lot of years thinking I couldn't sew but gave myself a kick and a good talking to.
First I got a piece of cotton material from a CB for £1 thinking I'd make a top, but it was long enough for a dress.
The only patterns I have are free with Prima magazine (subscription bought with Tesco voucers), so I picked a top that would be ok longer. It took me a while but I did it - and I wore it, the material is dark pink with little black flowers, it looked good over a white t-shirt & cropped leggings.
I do now have some material from an actual fabric shop, but haven't decided what to make with it yet.

At the moment I'm making shopping bags for Christmas presents. I found a brand new, heavy linen door curtain at a CS, for £4.99 and so far have 3 bags finished and another two nearly done - and there will be enough for at least 2 more! Two are lined with pretty flowered curtain material (again new from CS, £2) and have flower cut-outs from the same on the outside.
Another two have flowers on the outside from the dark pink left over from the dress but no lining. They look so nice I'm using one myself, but it will be 6 presents for about £10 - I had to buy bondaweb and thread.
And it's enjoyable too:)

alisean221

The dress looks lovely. Well done!!

meritaten

your dress is lovely! well done! The belt really sets it off!

SpikyHedgehog

Well done!

kippers

Well done you!

I wish there was a course round here, i'd love to learn how to dress make. I can take clothes in, turn up trousers and i did make a skirt a t school but that was years ago, i'd love to learn properly

Memory_Girl

sb88 wrote: »

anyone else made themselves an item of clothing on the cheap?

I've just finished making 30 pairs of trousers for DS2 (who is three)

Current size - 5 pairs
Size 3 -4 eight pairs plus shorts
Size 4-5 eight pairs plus shorts
Size 5 -6 eight pairs

All of these were made from cast off trousers from my Dad or the hubbie of an old dear around the corner or from buying Next / M&S / GAP trousers from the pound rack in the local charity shop.

30 pairs of trousers and nine pairs of shorts for £12 so far.

Now I have a pile of twenty men's shirts to turn into shirts for the wee man.

PJs have been made from a King-sized flannel sheet I got for a pound and I dyed bright red.Using the same trousers and shirt pattern.

Nothing I have made is too difficult - but it has saved me loads.

I am currently stashing fabric to make a capsule wardrobe fro when I need to be "Out" to work as opposed to be working from home.

MG

ragz_2

Wow! I am getting a sewing machine for Christmas and can't wait to try it out. Had imagined myself taking stuff in and maybe doing curtains but never making dresses and kids clothes!

Memory Girl how did you make all those kids clothes? Did you use a pattern?

Sb88 Dress is lovely, I'd actually wear that! I'm inspired...

Determined that I will not be like MIL and leave the new sewing machine to rot in the attic! I WILL use it!