PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Does anyone else make their own clothes

Options
1109110112114115127

Comments

  • Savvy_sewing
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    Ouch, good luck Thats Me, that sounds like a tough few months, hope all is well now. Have fun with the curtains etc, plenty of advice available here and online if you get stuck.

    Mooloo, meant to ask you whether the fabric stall at MK market is there every day or on specific days? I can get there occasionally, bought some jersey fabric years and years ago from there but can't remember what day that was (can't remember what day it is today these days). Thanks
    Mrs F x

    Hi Mrs Flittersnoop.
    I believe that the market is Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
    There are two fabric stalls that I noticed last thursday. One of them is the cheap pile it up one and the other is still very cheap if you ask me, but he has also lots of Idain, and african fabrics, saris and the like.
    I bought some lovely fabric from him, A1 Fabrics, and he said that he could even get me the trims etc like he uses on the lovely dresses, for my handbags. Just to ask. He also gave me his card.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • Savvy_sewing
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    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.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • nuttywoman
    nuttywoman Posts: 2,203 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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
    Justamum Posts: 4,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    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.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • nikki2804
    nikki2804 Posts: 2,670 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    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!.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • purpleivy
    purpleivy Posts: 3,660 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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.
    [SIZE=-1]"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad"[/SIZE]
    Trying not to waste food!:j
    ETA Philosophy is wondering whether a Bloody Mary counts as a Smoothie
  • Savvy_sewing
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    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.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • furndire
    furndire Posts: 7,308 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 11 November 2009 at 12:39PM
    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
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.