Does anyone else make their own clothes

Savvy_sewing

Mis Independant, I agree with Flea.
I also agree that Guttermans are the best threads.

I have found that Betty Foster,s book was invaluable to me, but dont think that its still in circulation.
The next best thing, that I have found is very useful, is "Easy Sewing, The Kwik Sew WAy". Which includes master patterns, allowing you to tailor the patterns to you, and you can make tops, blouses, skirts and trousers with the patterns. I can also adapt the top/skirt pattern to turn into dresses.
It is about £11.95 last I looked. Kwik Sew patterns are from America, but you can get them here too.

nuttywoman

Well, i`ve started making a Santa Suit tonight for my hubby. He`s was Santa last year at local community centre. This year, up to now he has 2 `gigs` lol,but their santa suit is just a cheapo one.
So cos i`m making our own he`ll be visiting the younger members of our family just before christmas lol

Justamum

Mooloo wrote: »

I have found that Betty Foster,s book was invaluable to me, but dont think that its still in circulation.

I found a copy of her book in a charity shop a while ago - the designs are a bit dated :rotfl:

You can still get Betty Foster's Master Pattern - Sewing World recently did a series with her where she explained how to use it. You can get back copies of Sewing World - and the Master Pattern is available from Betty Foster (I'll see if I can find the address - or maybe Google will have the info). It costs £3.50.

Savvy_sewing

http://www.bettyfoster.co.uk/ here is her site.

There are master patterns included in the Kwik sew one. Which is functional, but adaptable once you know what your doing. But must admit, I used the betty foster one, so often when I was starting out years ago. I even have most of the master pattern still in my drawers, But I am not the size I did it too anymore!.

I have allthe things I want for my winter coat, but a pattern. So I may have to do a bit of adapting myself. But not tonight I am too tired.
I am hoping that next week I will be able to knuckle down, and get the dining room sorted out properly so that I can "go to work" properly when I want to sew.

nikki2804

Hi, ive just come across this thread and I'm hoping to start making my own clothes. Im only 21 but since having my DS I can't really afford to buy the clothes I like and would love have my own take on them.

I'm quite arty but unfortunately my mother would never let me loose on her sewing machine (no idea why, even now she won't)

I want to make some peices that are multi funstional and not just 'fashionable' peices i.e black trousers and I would love a lovely 'occasion' dress.

Ive not had time to read the full thread (all 55 pages eek) but its on my to do list!!!

Savvy_sewing

Well I have gathered together all the fabric, pattern, etc that I need to make my first coat. I am taking it with me to my BF's as I am stopping at his until Sunday. Thought that I would attempt to make the coat while he is at work, Tomorrow and Friday morning. (I have the hospital in the morning near his, so decided to have an extended stay!). Hoping that I will get more peace there then I do here at mine!.

purpleivy

http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=16291 If anyone is interested in Gutermann threads at a reasonable price there are some for sale on this thread of The Sewing Forum.

Savvy_sewing

Well I have nearly finished my coat. Just need to do the buttonholes and sew on the buttons. The machine I was using was my spare, and it is a bit dodgy so I didnt want to mess them up. Will do it tomorrow, on my main machine. Then I will get a photo sorted out for you. I am quite pleased, as I have never made a coat before.! I also made 4 of my simple handbags while I was away.! So perhaps I will photograph them as well.
Now that the postal strike has been put off, I might up the makes and post them on the web for sale. Was reluctant to do much when the strike was threatened.

furndire

I did a City & Guilds in Machine Knitting about 10 years ago, and we were shown the basics of how to cut our own patterns. The book we used was "Metric Pattern Cutting" ISBN 0713525649. It probably won't be easy enough for beginners, but worth a look at your local library for someone who knows a bit about patterns. From the basic pattern you can make anything you want from one basic homemade pattern

Dinah93

Hi all,

I recently started a dressmaking and tailoring course and am making my first dress at the moment. My class teacher has advised that patterns tend not to correllate to your usual size ie I'm a 10 in Next, topshop etc, but I'm coming in at a 14-16 on a pattern based on my measurements.

However I went to buy a few pattens in the sale yesterday and the lady there said she'd been making clothes for 20 years, and she was a 12 in the shop and a 12 on pattern. Given the McCalls patterns have 10 on one pattern and 14/16 on another entirely, I'd love some opinions on which size I should go for! My measurements seem to be coming in as a 14/16 on the patterns ie 36" around fullest point of bust, 29" around true waist, and 36" around the widest point of my hips/bum.