Does anyone else make their own clothes

champys

Thanks a lot Mrs F. - the 'stitch plus' idea is very interesting - I will certainly try that out. I also like the idea of simply flattening the sleeve cap a little, why have I never thought of doing that :-)
Off now to complete the rest of my dress, although I still need to try on the top part to see if the sleeves are passable.

Ch.

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Good luck champys, hope it all works.

Should add that if you decide to flatten the sleeve cap, just don't do it too much, because you will take out the nice cupping effect which makes the sleeve fit over your shoulder and will make the sleeve tight.

HTH
Mrs F x

lindens

MrsF - you were advising me earlier about rotary cutters.
I think I need one, i recycle denim jeans into bags etc and not only is it time consuming cutting out with scissors but I can only do it for so long as I am getting very sore knuckles from the scissors as denim is so thick :rotfl:

The trouble is we have a tiny 2 bed house with no table, so currently I use my ironing board for cutting out and pinning. Will i be able to get a cutting mat that sits on that, or I suppose I can use the floor. It can be stored under my sofa when not in use or do they roll up?. Can you confirm I can get pinking blades for the rotary? many thanks.

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Hi lindens. Sounds like you need a rotary cutter to me!

The cutting boards come in different sizes; I have two of the largest size (because I dressmake) and one which is about 30cm x 20cm I think - it came in a pack with a cutter - OH bought it for me years and years ago. To be honest I think if you can manage it, I would get a medium sized one and store it under the sofa -the ones I have do not roll up as they are rigid, and I slide mine behind a cabinet we have in the dining room.

Hope this link works: http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Cutters.html

it shows the various blades you can get etc. Probably to begin with I would get a 45mm one, they are more manageable when you're just learning. The Cotton Patch link above also sells boards and all things rotary cutter. Hope this helps.

Mrs F x

champys

lindens - my cutting mat is only 17 by 23 inches and it will sit on the ironing board provided you only cut out small-ish items. Should be OK for bags, and indeed as you say there is always the floor for anything bigger.
It is so thin that here it is usually stored upright behind something - sofa, cabinet, desk etc. Doesn't take any space at all. Rotary cutters are great, once you have used them you'll never go back!
Don't know about pinking ones, though - but maybe mrs F. does.

lindens

Thanks all - I am def going to get a cutter! I will go for 45mm.
I do have a cutting board for my cardmaking I think its 18" x 12" so I might try that first and then buy a bigger one if its not big enough.

top_drawer_2

Hi,

I started classes today in sewing and used a rotary cutter and it was fab! Is there an alternative to cutting boards - something which can be rolled up/folded as I live in a shared house?

Jen

beemuzed

Just have to share the fact that after about eight weeks of procrastinating I've finally cut out the fabric for DH's nightshirt! I love sewing (tho' keep telling myself I have no time!) but absolutely loathe cuting out! Don't know why, but I just do. Any tips to change my mind very welcome!

Dazi

beemuzed wrote: »

Just have to share the fact that after about eight weeks of procrastinating I've finally cut out the fabric for DH's nightshirt! I love sewing (tho' keep telling myself I have no time!) but absolutely loathe cuting out! Don't know why, but I just do. Any tips to change my mind very welcome!

Find a friend who likes doing it

Me and a friend used to make national and greek dance costumes and I hate cutting out so she used to do it all, I did do most of the sewing though, oh and trawl the charity shops for unusual material (or dresses) to utilise.

I have finished the nappy stacker I was making tonight and have to say, give me a pair of bloomers to sew anyday! (please see comment above re making national dance costumes - thats why I was making bloomers).

I miss making the costumes and miss seeing the kids in them, especially the younger ones in the national costumes, they looked like little dolls. awwwwwwww

Wasn't so happy when we made the odd 'ordinary' dance costume, I sooooo do NOT like sewing lycra

Mrs_Flittersnoop

beemuzed wrote: »

Just have to share the fact that after about eight weeks of procrastinating I've finally cut out the fabric for DH's nightshirt! I love sewing (tho' keep telling myself I have no time!) but absolutely loathe cuting out! Don't know why, but I just do. Any tips to change my mind very welcome!

Morning, fellow sewing goddesses! Ah beemuzed, I wish there was an alternative too. When I was little, I remember my mum sending off for a dress kit from a magazine - it came already cut out, what bliss. Although it wouldn't be any good for me now, too many odd bumps and lumps to try and fit fabric round :rotfl:

To be perfectly honest I think the only part of dressmaking I actually DO like is the machining and the final trying on of the garment :rotfl: The rest of it is just a pain but a necessary one.

Hi Jen, glad you liked the cutter, I'll have a look around and see if I can find any flexible cutting boards available over here. I think the lucky ladies in the States can get hold of the occasional one which rolls up but I haven't seen anything over here.

Today is the day I FINALLY finish that jacket which I've been procrastinating on for WEEKS. All I have to do is finish off the topstitching and make a hanging loop for it and give it a final press and I don't know why it's taking so long for me to get round to it. Sigh.

Mrs F x