Does anyone else make their own clothes

Determined_2b_Debt_Free

Hello all.

I'm learning to sew at the moment, I was given a sewing machine and my mum used to make a lot of clothes so she's giving me lessons. My plan is to make some of my own clothes or refashion charity shop clothes.

I am in awe of clever people that can craft beautiful clothes in their own homes and hope one day I will get there too.

Savvy_sewing

:j

Determined_2b_Debt_Free wrote: »

Hello all.

I'm learning to sew at the moment, I was given a sewing machine and my mum used to make a lot of clothes so she's giving me lessons. My plan is to make some of my own clothes or refashion charity shop clothes.

I am in awe of clever people that can craft beautiful clothes in their own homes and hope one day I will get there too.

Hello Detemined2b, glad to have someone else there to echo the things I am trying to do. I will try and help you as much as I can. I am planning to start sewing lessons in my village hall. Just practising at the moment as I am a bit rusty! :rolleyes::o
Planing to make myself a Jacket and a skirt out of some fabrics that I picked up in a charity shop, but I just want to "loose a little weight" first,as I am a bit heavier and bloated, due to the medication that I have been on for a while. So probably be next month before I do my own clothes!. Ready for the winter. (Or has that already arrived, its brr and wet here!!)

Home_Working_Expert

It can be so difficult to find reasonable priced fabric these days. A recent article I read mentioned that the sale of sewing machines has increased, so let's hope that the amount of fabric shops increases as well.

funkymonkey849

I have just signed up for a clothes making class which starts in a few weeks, I am very excited!

flea72

Home_Working_Expert wrote: »

It can be so difficult to find reasonable priced fabric these days. A recent article I read mentioned that the sale of sewing machines has increased, so let's hope that the amount of fabric shops increases as well.

its not just the fabrics its the price of patterns too - nearly fainted the other day buying a Kwiksew pattern £8! - ive been buying these from the US for that past 10yrs and have never paid that for 2, let alone 1, including shipping

As for cheap fabric, i find it best to avoid places like JL and tbh highstreet fabric shops - ikea seems to be quite good for reasonably priced fabric, you just have to get used to the fact that your funky skirt, is also the same as your neighbours curtains lol

But even with the exchange rate, the choice and price of fabrics available overseas is just so much better than the UK - knit fabrics especially are impossible to find here, and things like FOE havent even been heard of by most haberdashers

Hopefully the rise in the sale of sewing machines, will have a good affect on the emergence of more fabric shops - however im not sure if thats a good thing or not, may stash would increase, but my bank balance would decrease:rotfl:

Flea

Savvy_sewing

Flea, I have just signed up to be a "stockist" of Sewing patterns. Becuase of the plan to teach sewing, and the patterns cost me an adverage of £6 wholesale, plus postage and packaging. The stock comes from SWEDEN.
I too, like you are horrified at the prices. But its the design your payingfor not the actual piece of paper!.
The more complicated the pattern the dearer they are even for a stockist to buy in.

With regard to fabric, I am buying pieces from Charityshops, when I see them, But its very hit and miss. But my aim is to make things out of other things, or from remenants and not to buy off of the roll. We will see how I do I suppose. NOt that I will always be able to just use recycled materials, but at least the majority of it is my aim. Kills two passions, my rummaging in charity shops, and my sewing.

ktpie

Mooloo wrote: »

With regard to fabric, I am buying pieces from Charityshops, when I see them, But its very hit and miss. But my aim is to make things out of other things, or from remenants and not to buy off of the roll. We will see how I do I suppose. NOt that I will always be able to just use recycled materials, but at least the majority of it is my aim. Kills two passions, my rummaging in charity shops, and my sewing.

You probably know this already but Craftster is a good place for ideas for reconstructing clothes, this bit. It's a bit American teenage style but if you're prepared to spend a few minutes browsing there are some good ideas on there. I made a couple of these bags last year and they were pretty easy and looked good.

Justamum

flea72 wrote: »

and things like FOE havent even been heard of by most haberdashers

What's FOE?!

I recently went to South Africa for a holiday (visiting MIL) and bought some fabric there - much, much cheaper than here, and gorgeous buttons galore!!!! I only wish I'd taken the spare suitcase after all :rolleyes:

Pennylane

I need to brush up my skills so I've put my name down for a one-day workshop. I have a nice machine and can make stuff if I have to but TBH I don't get a lot of enjoyment from it.

I have made curtains in my time, cushion covers, a few bags and peg bags and a couple of skirts and some cropped trousers etc but I never seem to think they're good enough. I'd also love to be able to slap my fabric on a pattern and get cracking. I dither!!:rolleyes:

I'd just like to get that professional touch and go out & somebody admire an item I'd made. I do love fabrics and anything unusual. Trouble is all the fabrics I like are very expensive.

flea72

Justamum wrote: »

What's FOE?!

I recently went to South Africa for a holiday (visiting MIL) and bought some fabric there - much, much cheaper than here, and gorgeous buttons galore!!!! I only wish I'd taken the spare suitcase after all :rolleyes:

Fold-over-elastic - its great for binding the edge of knit fabrics and gives a nice stretchy finish

Flea