The Sewing Annexe

gibson123

A good hint when you are first learning is to buy cotton sheeting, this is in huge lengths and is great if you are worried about working with expensive fabrics. When my DD was very small I would buy two lots of sheeting normally in plain pink and one in a matching pattern, from about 1/2 yard of each i could get 4 dresses. The bodice of one dress would be in say a flower or strip and the skirt would be plain, then I would reverse and do a plain bodice and patterned skirt, then a totally plain and a totally patterned dress. I would also sometimes ring the changes by putting plain pocket on a patterned skirt or patterned pockets on a plain skirt. The average price at the time was a £1 a dress, nowadays I think it would be £1.50 or £2. My daughters nursery manager took me aside and asked me to make sure my DD brought "old" clothes with her as they were worried about paint and glue on her beautiful designer dresses!. i compromised and made some play aprons instead. In fact I ended up making enough play aprons for all the kids.

Angel_Jenny

Has anyone tried / used Moda fabrics?

I have seen some really pretty layer cakes and charm packs but was wondering about the quality.

RosyRed

Diflower wrote: »

I've had that problem with Prima patterns; they tell you what the finished size will be, but the actual garment doesn't match those measurements.
It's hard to know where the differences will be and how to adjust. As a beginner it's tricky enough just managing to sew the right bits together in the right order:o
The necks always seem way too big for me, but the armholes/sleeves are surprisingly tight...I'm getting there. I've really only used very cheap material so far (car boot/CS finds) so have thought of it as lessons, but I'd really like something to actually wear now:D

Come to think of it the neck was big as well.I sorted it in the end and it looks fine now.I just kept pinning and trying it on till I was happy with it,starting to think I'm just a funny shape now :rotfl :My material is usually cheap too.

gibson- your little dresses sound lovely,I may try some of those for my baby DGD this summer.

newleaf

Another question from a newcomer. I've bought a lovely dress pattern, it was expensive, but I love it and I think I'll want to make it more than a couple of times. I was thinking of copying the tissue pattern onto something less fragile. What do you ladies do?

vl2588

Greaseproof paper works a treat, pin it as if it were fabric and don't forget to copy all the symbols etc on!

There may be something less fragile but it's cheap and allows you to cut pattern to your size without ruining original pattern.

gibson123

newleaf wrote: »

Another question from a newcomer. I've bought a lovely dress pattern, it was expensive, but I love it and I think I'll want to make it more than a couple of times. I was thinking of copying the tissue pattern onto something less fragile. What do you ladies do?

I cut my patterns to the largest size and then iron the sides in to the correct size and then I use them again and again. I sellotape and patch as I go and only copy the bits when they are on their last legs. I rarely have to copy a pattern, I just couldn't be bothered. (lazy mare)

gibson123

Rosyred, congratulations on your DGD. The best patterns for everyday are the ones that are called the american term "jumpers" A simple little bodice with button or zip at bad and a 3 part skirt gathered along a baste stitch stitched to the bodice and then over stitched over the top. When the wee one's are really teeny you can make lovely dresses out of pillowcases, especially the old fashioned ones that are too pretty to throw out but will not darken your bed again. The finished dresses look quite vintage and retro, at a friends 60th last week some-one brought along their 3 month old baby wearing a "home made" dress from "vintage" fabric, of course I was looking at it wondering how to copy it, when the Mum told me that the dress cost her £25 as it was hand-made and she bought it at a craft fayre I almost choked on my sausage roll. I will be sewing some dresses for her once I finish my friends wedding dress. I keep putting it off as I need to lengthen the pattern and that means cutting it and I hate doing that. Sorry I'm rambling...

redlady_1

Hi guys. I am looking for some dark green velvet material to make my wedding dress and I wondered whether any of you would be able to advise please.

Thanks

miffy257

Angel_Jenny wrote: »

Has anyone tried / used Moda fabrics?

I have seen some really pretty layer cakes and charm packs but was wondering about the quality.

Moda fabric is fabulous, look on e-bay as it is often cheaper on there than some of the fabric websites but remember to take postage into account, one seller I use is
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/carogojo?_rdc=1 nice selection of fabric , good prices and quick delivery.

gibson123

You can buy many fabrics on line. I looked on Azkaban but there are no dark green velvets. Here are a couple of alternative links, order a swatch first.

http://www.cheapfabrics.co.uk/thestore/product_info.php/cPath/94_44/products_id/513

http://www.remnantkings.co.uk/shop/velvet-fabric-500-range/