Sewing lessons

belfastgirl23

Hi all

the beginner sewing thread (and especially the amazing cloth shop that someone posted in it) below made me to think about learning to sew properly so that I can make simple clothes. I can turn up a hem and sew on a button ok and I have made simple cushion covers and curtains - but I don't any confidence in making clothes from scratch.

Has anyone done lessons? Did they help? There are a couple of options locally I'm considering. Is it realistic to think that by the time I take 6 lessons I could make a simple dress? Any experiences very welcome!

FairyPrincessk

Six lessons should be plenty to make your first dress, and after you've made one you'll be able to make others as many of the skills will be the same. There will still be the odd thing you don't know how to do--different type of collar, different fastening etc. but most of that can be learned from youtube once you have the basics down.

It does take practice to get things looking professional, so be prepared to make a few things that are more casual before you embark on something important.

On the lessons--if you have options I'd suggest either taking a lesson that teaches you to make a dress from a commercial pattern or taking a lesson where they will help you create a muslin for a particular dress you want to make several of. This will ensure that you learn how to read a pattern or that you have what you need to make what you want. If they just take you through the steps of making a dress that they have designed and you don't either learn how to read a pattern or come away with a muslin (some classes do both) then you'll find it a bit more difficult to transfer the skills to making other things.

If you want to get a taste of it before paying for a class, try making a couple of skirts on your own. Skirts are usually fairly simple (ok, don't choose something with pin tucks and ruffles and bias cut:rotfl:) and you'll get a good feel for what you want to learn. You can usually find free patterns for skirts online or draft your own for simple skirts like a circle skirt--but if you think you want to be able to use commercial patterns then I'd start with one of those. Try something from a woven (not a knit) fabric and that is a similar shape to the kinds of dresses you want to make--so if you want A-line dresses make an A-line skirt, if you want shift or sheath dresses make a pencil skirt or straight skirt etc. It is also a good way to get a feel for how your body and pattern sizing get along although be aware that you may need to use a different sized pattern for a dress than you would a skirt.

jackyann

I would definitely consider lessons. if they are the typical "adult ed" type then you will get unbiased advice, use of facilities and lots of good ideas.
Look at the class schedule, or ring the department to ask advice. I agree with FairyPrincess.

There are very good private lessons out there, but they are dearer, and a few can be very much about using the teacher's supplies etc.Talk to the teacher to get a feel for them.
Private lessons for specific things once you are confident can be very worthwhile, but if you can, begin with the kind still put on by a few councils, or your local FE college (who often tap into really good technical teachers)

I make my own clothes, and love it - good luck.

belfastgirl23

Thank you both. I've been doing some research and the only course that offers the working from patterns is quite a distance from me - realistically I know I won't be able to get away from work in time to do the classes. So I'm going to try enrolling in a different class more locally. The one thing I was thinking though is that the local one might be responsive to needs and I now know what to ask for! At this stage I just need to try something I think. I really appreciate the help.

[Deleted User]

Hello,

I agree with the others that lessons are really useful.

I am self-taught and was already able to make dressers, trousers etc. About 10 years ago I went on a one day course to learn how to tailor (we made half a suit jacket). It was really interesting and I learn a lot. I did in fact make a suit jacket for myself after the course too.

belfastgirl23

A jacket seems very ambitious to me lol. I've got a few days off coming up and might well try the advice to make a circle skirt though, that shape suits me

[Deleted User]

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting you go on a tailoring course. What I was trying to say is that you can learn so much from a course. Even though I thought I knew a lot I still learnt so much.

A good tip when learning is to copy your pattern to spare paper if you can and then use the copy. That way you can alter things on the pattern to try and get the fit right without damaging the original. Once happy with your amendments you can then make the changes to the original pattern.

FairyPrincessk

A circle skirt is a good place to start.

A couple of tips--use a narrow hem and after you do the side seams, waist finishing and whatever fastener, let it hang for a day before you hem it. I'm just letting one hang overnight now.

Spider--I'd love to eventually go on a course for tailoring. Sounds like a brilliant way to expand your skills.

FairyPrincessk

p.s. you let it hang because circle skirts make use of the bias (diagonal of the grain on the fabric) which is stretchy. They often stretch a bit so this way you can make sure your hem is even.

belfastgirl23

Oh excellent tip on the hanging, I would never have thought of that. Also on copying the pattern - if there's anyone likely to accidentally tear it or cut it, it's me!

And Spider, sorry that was meant to be admiring that you made a jacket!! It is inspirational to hear people talking about doing stuff like that at home!