Does anyone else make their own clothes

top_drawer_2

hi,

Thanks for that ...

Do you know of any sites where I can get some easy patterns etc to start some "actual" projects rather than just mending stuff?

Also I took a mirror into a reframing place here where I live in Darwen and the shop owner mentioned he used to own Heart to Art in the town centre which shut a couple of years ago. He is still getting rid of the stock and has loads of embroidery and tapastry wools going cheap. His name is Malcolm and he is located at the bottom of Percival Street.

He said people could either come and visit, everything is half price at the moment. Also that he was willing to post 70 assorted DMC and/or Anchor cotton for £25 (including p&p).

He also has a load of other stuff from the shop, big pictures etc and loads of greetings cards.

He said to put his phone number on and he would give directions or take orders but Im not sure Im allowed to do that on here... mods?? If you are interested PM me and I will send you the number. (I have no association with this bloke and I am not into embroidery or tapastry myself but it could make a bargain for someone else).

Jen

Mrs._Irwin

Hello!

I don't sew, yet, but will be starting very soon, as I will be acquiring a sewing machine in a few weeks.
I've seen plenty of books in the library on starting sewing etc. so I know I'll be ok for getting into it, although I'm very disappointed to find that the local college doesn't do classes anymore! Hopefully they'll change that soon.

Now, a rather specialist enquiry, but if anyone can answer, it's seamstresses in the Old Style Forum - where can I get sewing patterns for babies and toddlers clothes that fit round cloth nappies?
I've got an old knitting book to produce voluminous wool trousers, but that could be a bit warm in the summer!

Mrs. Irwin
xx

Mrs_Flittersnoop

luxor4t wrote: »

HelenKA wrote: »

Enfield market used to have a fabric stall, haven't been there for years though. And there was a shop in Edmonton in the shopping centre

That brought back memories!!! We moved from a flat in Bounds Green up to Enfield & I fell in love with the market.

[edited to save space]

I used to buy a lot in Pearsons dress fabric dept as the man there was excellent at spotting trends, & used to have good remnants too. I sometimes think my kids grew up in remnants and 're-makes' as money was tight.

Here in Swansea there is very little choice now.

Oh wow, Small World! I was born and brought up in Enfield and we used to love the market. Mum bought tons of fabrics from both there and Edmonton market (lovely Crimplene in the late 60's :eek: ) and my sisters and I used to mooch about the jewellery stalls on a Saturday buying love beads and hippy bells :rotfl:

Mum used to treat us to fabric from Pearsons too, younger sis used to work there on a Saturday - I wonder if it still exists? I remember her buying me some printed black velvet for a dress in about 1970, how I loved that dress.

Thanks for the memories!
Mrs F x

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Mrs._Irwin wrote: »

Hello!

I don't sew, yet, but will be starting very soon, as I will be acquiring a sewing machine in a few weeks.
I've seen plenty of books in the library on starting sewing etc. so I know I'll be ok for getting into it, although I'm very disappointed to find that the local college doesn't do classes anymore! Hopefully they'll change that soon.

Now, a rather specialist enquiry, but if anyone can answer, it's seamstresses in the Old Style Forum - where can I get sewing patterns for babies and toddlers clothes that fit round cloth nappies?
I've got an old knitting book to produce voluminous wool trousers, but that could be a bit warm in the summer!

Mrs. Irwin
xx

Hi Mrs Irwin and welcome!

I would imagine that most of the major pattern companies would make patterns to incorporate the bulk of nappies, whether terry or disposables. It's a few years since I had to do anything like that but I had a quick look at www.habithat.co.uk which has a few well known makes - I liked the Burda ones but that's because I'm a big Burda fan... their site is very fast at sending out patterns if there's something there that you like the look of.

There's also an American company called www.kwiksew.com which are very simple to make patterns and the instructions are very clear, not sure if you can buy them over here or not though. I have the addresses of various places in the US which stock them if you were interested.

Good luck in your sewing venture!
Mrs F x

C1aire

I think you can get KwikSew patterns via Jaycotts (https://www.jaycotts.co.uk).

caleo

I get my sewing patterns from www.sewingpatterns.com. They are quite cheap compared to here, especially if you buy a batch at a time to save on postage. They have a great selection too!

Caleo

Old_Meanie

I get some patterns from Sew Essential website they have Kwick Sew and New Look. You can get patterns direct from The McCall Pattern Company website and this includes Vogue, McCalls and Butterwick. They are much cheaper than here and the postage is very reasonable and quick too. The Simplicity website also I think allows you to buy online. For patterns from the UK https://www.sewdirect.com I think has major brands too but the American websites are much cheaper they sell them for less online and because the dollar is so weak at the moment they are a real bargin. You can purchase fabric from American websites to the value of £18.00 without customs charges etc. and again because of the weak dollar there are some real bargins. Ebay is a good place to start if you do an international search which brings up American ebay shops. HTH

Hutchch0920

This is such a great thread!! I recently rescued an unused sewing machine from my sisters, my partner and i are moving house very shortly and want to make the most of the new space, Ikea is actually great for fabrics for curtains and cushions, its probably not clothes making quality but it suits me fine as i can only make very basic things such as cushions I tend to make alterations on my own clothes now aswell, i bought a pair of jeans for £6, they were way to long and not the style i'd normally go for but with a bit of sewing they look amazing so have been abit of a bargain!

carolrhart

I've recently taken up sewing because I lost a lot of weight and wanted to learn how to adjust my clothes to fit my new shape - too mean to buy new clothes! I have learned everything I need to know from getting books from the library (why buy them when you can borrow them for free?) - there's a really good one called 'Yeah I made it myself' by Eithne Farry which shows you how to make stuff where 'rough' and ready' is part of the look - great for beginners. I'm also very lucky to have a sewing shop literally just across the road from where I work.
What I'm trying to say is that if I can make clothes then anyone can, but I must say I like altering/customising clothes I already have, and my daughter loves the very simple things I make her.

champys

clairewych wrote: »

, Ikea is actually great for fabrics for curtains and cushions, its probably not clothes making quality but it suits me fine as i can only make very basic things such as cushions

clairewych - do not dismiss decoration fabrics out of hand for clothes: I have made really FAB waistcoats from cheap cut-offs from interior decorating stores. Also (but this was in the '70s) a lovely wrap-around evening skirt from Finnish curtaining cotton. Once you really get into sewing, any bit of fabric can inspire you. Charity shop cut-off baskets are another good source, and cheap too!