Does anyone else make their own clothes

Savvy_sewing

purpleivy wrote: »

LOL Mooloo, I already have this pattern, waiting to do ds and dh jackets. I think it will be too big for ds, as he's only a little fella with a 34" chest. Maybe I could grade down?

Do you belong to The Sewing Forum?

I. I have been looking on there, but I am not a member. I hardly ever manage to get off of this site. I spend so long reading up things on here, that my days just disappear if I am not careful!

Talking about resizing, I am not sure what size you have the pattern in?
I trace off the sizes I want when I am making things normally, but this time as I was at BF's I just cut out the pattern size I wanted.
It would be possible to downsize things, if you take the smallest one you have, trace it off, and then make the folds/cuts on the pattern at the suggested sites/ But it is a lot of work. Good luck with it.

purpleivy

I usually trace off patterns. If I'm sewing for myself I have to make a fba anyway, so like to start with tissue copy in case it goes wrong! Also with the chaps, it means I can do them in different sizes. I think I read on pattern review that the coat comes up quite large.

Savvy_sewing

Didnt come up large for me. Well I dont think so. I suppose it also depends on if you actually take the measured seams. I have noticed thatwith sewing a lot of people use the side of the foot, and not the measured seam. I deliberately lengthened the sleeve by 2" as I like my sleeve long.
I know that I will trace my patterns again in future because now I have made one I would have liked to make a couple of variations and i cut the pattern up to make a lining, as it wasnt lined.
Now all I have to do, is make other things again.

sunflower76

I wonder if you can help; I recently bought a skirt from a charity shop as I loved the fabric. The skirt is a size 20 and I'm a 12 so it needs quite a bit of taking in. It's also ankle length and I'd like it to be knee length.

As it's only made from 2 panels it should be quite easy to take in but I'm not sure which alteration to do first. What do you think; length or width?

flea72

sunflower76 wrote: »

I wonder if you can help; I recently bought a skirt from a charity shop as I loved the fabric. The skirt is a size 20 and I'm a 12 so it needs quite a bit of taking in. It's also ankle length and I'd like it to be knee length.

As it's only made from 2 panels it should be quite easy to take in but I'm not sure which alteration to do first. What do you think; length or width?

its not going to be just a case of taking it in - size 20-12 must be at least 6" off the width, if not more. depending on waist construction, you may have to reposition darts, even shorten the zip

i would just take it part, and use the fabric to make something, i do have a pattern for, thats in the style i want

however, if you want to go with your plan, then i would sort out the width, before the length, as until you get the fit right on the hips/waist, you have no idea where the hem should fall

F

sunflower76

flea72 wrote: »

its not going to be just a case of taking it in - size 20-12 must be at least 6" off the width, if not more. depending on waist construction, you may have to reposition darts, even shorten the zip

i would just take it part, and use the fabric to make something, i do have a pattern for, thats in the style i want

however, if you want to go with your plan, then i would sort out the width, before the length, as until you get the fit right on the hips/waist, you have no idea where the hem should fall

F

It's a very simple skirt with elasticated waist so no darts or zip thank goodness. I have a plan of how I'm going to tackle it just wasn't sure which way to go first.

Thanks for your help; I shall go 'in' then 'up'

Savvy_sewing

How is the skirt going Sunflower?
I once had to make a size 20 wedding dress into a size 12! Nightmare that was. But the girl had been given the dress by her friend, and didnt have a lot of money. I took it apart and made everything smaller, then put it back together again.

If its a gathered skirt, it should be quite easy to reduce in, as you can just use a better gather, once you have trimmed off from the seams, equal amounts?

You will have to let us know how you do!.

Rikki

I wondered can you buy thermal material?

Also if you were teaching someone to use a sewing machine, what would you get them to make first once they've mastered the machine?

Savvy_sewing

Rikki wrote: »

I wondered can you buy thermal material?

Also if you were teaching someone to use a sewing machine, what would you get them to make first once they've mastered the machine?

Not sure about where to get the fabrics, but there are plenty of links to sites at the beginning of this thread. Good places to start..
To teach people to sew, obviously the best thing to do, is to teach them the machines set up, then how to sew a straight line, and then to follow a curve. Trace a spiral, etc etc.
Then teach them how to cut out a pattern.

The first things to sew, would be things that would encourage them, from cushion covers, aprons, and simple things like that. Then elasticated skirts, trousers etc are a start. Then teach them how to insert a zip. Once they can do that then their half way there. A zip inserted well, along with straight darts, make a good garment.

Hope that may help you.
There are basic books about, but I would need to go and research whats up to date. I think Kwik Sew have one, that has basic patterns in it.

patashoo

I used to sew many years ago...about 35 years! Anyway, my daughter was getting married last year and it had a medieval theme. I decided to have a go and make my own outfit. It was fun and since then I have continued sewing. I started on small things like toys etc but now I make my clothes. I buy fabric on ebay which can be very cheap especially if you buy large quantities (5mtrs+). Also fabric shops sell remnants cheaply. There are loads of sites to help. I googled how to sew in an invisible zip and found a really good video demonstration.
I think it can work out cheaper in many ways as if you're not a perfect shape, you get a better fit, nobody else will have the same and your garment will last longer.
Go for it!;)