Does anyone else make their own clothes

Savvy_sewing

One of the reasons that I dont' promote doing alterations much, is as above, its difficult to do in a lot of cases. Especially on modern clothing that tends to not have any side seam allowances. Due to overlocking nowadays. I use to do them for the drycleaners about 10 years ago, but I didnt get even half of the amount of money that they charged to the customers. Pretty much slave labour rates. And they wanted things back the next day. They didnt allow for the fact that I was also making wedding dresses and childrens clothes, and had deadlines of myown. This often meant staying up until 3 or 4am to get things done for the collection the next day!. mmmm I dont miss that!

spendaholic

I'm seriously contemplating sewing my own clothes again, mostly because I don't actually like what's in the shops and therefore never wear skirts.

The government has acknowledged the cheapness of readily available clothes and started some initiative to get well-made pricier clothes back on the market that last longer and so don't add to landfill so quickly. I wish they'd hurry up and get on with it.

I had a sewing machine and wasn't using it so I gave it away. If I really get the itch, I might ask to borrow it back - she may give it me back without me feeling guilty for asking then.

I already knit but the knitting threads get far too long for me to keep up with them.

Savvy_sewing

spendaholic wrote: »

I'm seriously contemplating sewing my own clothes again, mostly because I don't actually like what's in the shops and therefore never wear skirts.

The government has acknowledged the cheapness of readily available clothes and started some initiative to get well-made pricier clothes back on the market that last longer and so don't add to landfill so quickly. I wish they'd hurry up and get on with it.

I had a sewing machine and wasn't using it so I gave it away. If I really get the itch, I might ask to borrow it back - she may give it me back without me feeling guilty for asking then.

I already knit but the knitting threads get far too long for me to keep up with them.

Good luck with making your own. I am just looking through some of my old Burda magazines that were at my mums. 1980's and early 1990's., I want to see if there are any jackets as I have a lovely piece of black jacquard fabric that I picked up at a charity shop a long while back.

Icey77

Good Morning, I've been reading the thread from the start - got as far as page 30 before having to actually do some work :rolleyes:

I am about the borrow my mum's sewing machine to have a go at some cushion covers and if my confidence can grow a bit I will have a go at a roman blind.

From there I might consider trying something to wear ... but where to start? What garment should I consider for a first timer that has no idea about anything?

I got the Readers Digest book that many of you have mentioned out of the library and I think I scared myself with it I shall start the cushion covers and the blind as they appear (according to the blind instructions anyway) to use only plain straight seams.

I feel I shall be back asking lots of silly questions ... anyway, back to page 30 - the boss isn't in yet

Savvy_sewing

Good luck Icey77.
When I first started sewing I made an Apron, (for cookery class), then I made a skirt.
After the skirt it was a blouse, and after that I moved onto a dress, then finally trousers.
After I left school was then when I got to make what i liked and finally progressed up to wedding dresses.
You just take one instruction at a time, one seam at a time.
Do the best you can with each small step. Bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle. You have to get the right pieces in the right place to make the picture!.

Icey77

I'm back already with a thought/question!

I read on a couple of entries that people had washed their fabric - should I do this prior to attempting to make my cushion covers and blind?

I'm guessing this is to ensure that the finished item is less likely to shrink further when washed. Do I need to do this?

Thanks

Hardup_Hester

Not very helpful I know but it depends on the fabric, it's probably safest to wash it first in case it shrtings, though some furnishing fabric is dry clean only.
Hester

Icey77

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

Not very helpful I know but it depends on the fabric, it's probably safest to wash it first in case it shrtings, though some furnishing fabric is dry clean only.
Hester

Being a complete novice I'll be buying cotton based fabric from Dunelm Mills tomorrow - I'll ask the assistants there, hopefully they might be able to advise.

No buying of expensive fabrics for me!!
unless I find I can do this and catch the bug

Hardup_Hester

I have a nice black & white skirt that was given to me, it sit's strangely at the waist. I had a good look at it today & I've worked out what was wrong with it. The skirt is fully lined & has a deep waistband, there is only one seam at the top holding the 2 layers of fabric together & so there is nothing to stop the lining working its way up & this was what was making the skirt look strange. I've sorted it out know & sewn another seam at the bottom of the waistband, it looks a lot better now, so I have another wearable skirt.
Hester

Savvy_sewing

Welldone Hester.
I have often had things bought off markets etc that were not quite right, and so I got them cheaply, and then just unpicked them and resewed them.!
I have decided to make a baby dress next, was tracing out the pattern when I got called away, so while away in Town, I picked up some poppers and some more ribbon from the charity shop. They now have a haberdashery "spinner". Although it is new stuff, but at least it means there is a supplier in the little Town a few miles away.
(Not that that is going to help me, if the car fails its MOT tomorrow!.)
I am getting quite tired now, but then I was up at 4.50am this morning. With sewing on my mind. I had made a second cushion before 8am, and have since made a cushion out of a Portugal Football shirt! Just going to do the poppers on it, while I sit infront of the TV and have a cup of tea!.