Does anyone else make their own clothes

DigForVictory

I made my own balldress (with help from Mum!). Then (much later!) moved onto baby clothing. Then I moved into reach of an abakhan...
http://www.abakhan.co.uk/
Now when I hear "Mum I need X" there tends to be a family trip over to see what's there. Buying by the kilo means anyone can have a superhero cape, a full length cloak, or just a seriously unique fleece blanket for Scout camp...
My nerve is not up to buying the sew-on-&-stun-'em beadwork pieces that turn a simple white frock into a bridal sensation but a work collegaue did. She's got 2 photos - one great one of her, really happy, and another just of the detail on the dress of which she is (rightly) darn proud.
I don't make any Outdoor activities kit mostly as the (really nice) stuff my husband loves is Kiwi-made & even with the current exchange rate, it still works out cheaper. Their off the shelf stuff is only just competitive with the discounters but for the extremes of size & length, the range is better, as is the customer service. We've even been sent offcuts from the same fabric roll for patching!So, lisa26, try abakhan! The fun starts just looking & wondering, & if you can get into a store, it's inspirational. Just take a BIG rucksack (& one small purse) for all the projects you'll want to bring home!:)

jr66

Hi

Don't worry about taking classes, just buy the pattern and it tells you what to do. Most assistants in shops selling material are more than happy to help anyway. I started sewing at school aged 11 and the first thing I did was a pair of trousers, so if an 11-year old can do it.........easy peesy! Start with something simple. Good luck.

jill656

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

How scary - I was thinking about starting to make my own clothes! Nothing fancy, just everyday clothes. We've got some good sewing shops around here, but has anyone got any advice?

Hi If you type in free sewing patterns (google) I got burda free sewing patterns which can be downloaded also free knitting patterns, as for material the usual e bay lol.

ladybird23

Always made mine and my children's cloths when they were young, especially for dancing shows for my daughter. She's still got her tutus! Got out of the habit now except for curtains, cushion covers etc. But still have my machine for alterations etc. Try charity shops for patterns.
Another money saving tip is for wool. Buy a large size jumper, again in a charity shop (make sure it's a really good quality one) rip it out, wash it and knit it up to your own pattern. Saves you pounds.

PootleFlump_3

Ive finished my latest dress but dont really like it!! Pictures on my blog if anyone wants a peek. Ive made a skirt as well which I actually do like (on my blog too) although Im still trying to get my head round patterns. They do confuse me a bit - think I need more practise!! My blog is linked to here (if you click my name then visit homepage)x

knitwit67

Hi Pootleflump, I think your dress needs a band , like a contrast fabric or ribbon on the empire line. It's nice but it lacks something. If you are a pearshape like me or hour glass your idea may work better, but if you are an apple shape I would draw the attention to the empire line. I would be intersted to see any changes, good luck. Don't give up on it, I think it could be great.

maryb

Pootle flump, it fits beautifully round the neck and shoulders. I think it just needs French darts at the back - though that might mean you need to put in a zip if there isn't one already

PootleFlump_3

Thanks Maryb and knitwit. I agree. I think it looks like a potato sack TBH. There is already a zip in the bodice from waist up to the arm so I cant really do much so far as another zip concerned. Its difficult to see in the photo but the dress joins up just below the chest area which I think might be why its not hanging right (should have made it in jersey material I think) Others have suggested a belt which I thinks a good idea but not sure if it will look right with the join where it is. Shape wise Im quite petite (apart from my chest which is big) The rest of me is about a size 8. This dress makes me look like I have no shape at all - I think Ill have a go at maybe putting darts in at the back to see if that helps. Thanks for your advice/comments. Will let you know once Ive done anything else to it and you can maybe take a peek. Thanks again.

amandada

penarthian wrote: »

I was teacher trained in the 60's in what was then called Domestic Science. Over the years my subject changed its name and when I retired I was teaching Design Technology Textiles, but it was still referred to as sewing by the students. I too have noticed a decline in the availability of fabrics and shops to sell the habidashery necessary to make the finished product. Years ago every woman owned a sewing machine and was taught by her mother how to use it, today few people own one (apart from the trusty Singer, black and beatiful, inherited from an elderly relative) Also as a teacher the students wanted the garment 'yesterday' so gone were the days when it took you a whole year to make your apron! I moved away from making clothes to making items for the home and although bulky a pair of curtains can be completed by sewing a few straight lines. The students responded well and I found my main source of fabris for this to be Dunelm, which now has a large number of branches throughout the country. Charity shops are an excellent source of fabrics both new, donated by people who have stored the fabric for many years for when they had time to sew, or recycled. I have made sleepwear from sheets and duvet covers bought from a charity shop or car boot.
Garment making is no longer taught in many schools so the art or craft is going to die out. My suggestion is adult education where weekend courses will take you through the steps and you will emerge with a finished item and the knowledege to tackle another. John Lewis also sell and demonstrate sewing machines .

I agree...I was at school in the 80s and was taught to sew by a fantastic teacher...I still have all my samples with different seams, hems, pleats and techniques. Once you have these basics there's not much you can't do. I was also very lucky in that my mum had always done dressmaking so there was always a sewing machine and fabric in the house.
My daughter has made the dreaded apron in S1 and to be honest, it's no wonder she found it boring! The first thing I made at school in S1 was a summer skirt....my daughter now wants me to teach her as she's seen me making clothes and altering them, so she knows a lot more can be done than an apron!
Maybe it's lazy teaching on the part of my daughter's school (and I'm quite sure this is the case, I'm also a trained Home Economist) but I think it's such a shame that the children are missing out on properly learning a fantastic skill.

I spent some of yesterday "deconstructing" a top I'd bought last year, I liked the style but there wasn't 100% sure about the fabric. I've taken it to bits and now have myself a pattern. The top was in the sale so cost less than a pattern would have.
I've cut it out in a couple of different fabrics so I'm ready to sew them up....and the best part is, no one will have the same ones!

garavar

hey,

I've just started making my own clothes, bags etc, and I'm struggling to find fabric in Leeds - the market & Samuel Taylors are good but I'd like more variety... does anyone know of any other good fabric shops?

Thanks!!