Does anyone else make their own clothes

C1aire

Wow! It's been ages since I last looked in on this thread. Going to get the machine out today and:

1) Hem a half-finished skirt
2) Put handles and a zip on a half-finished bag for my laptop
3) Tidy all my patterns in to one place and sort through the sewing box.
4) I've also got a half-finished blouse (see a theme here..?) but it is just too tight. It has lots of panels in it though, so if I can't get a little more room from the side seams, I suppose I could let all the seams out. Not looking forward to it though as I hate re-doing things I've already sewn.

Well if i get through it all, my wardrobe will have grown a little. Failing that I have an essay to write.... If I'm really good, I'll indulge in a browse of the Abakhan site. :rotfl:

C1aire

Well, managed 1), 2) and 3) so I think it's time to go shopping...

Unfortunately my sewing machine has broken - it will still sew, but I can't thread any spools. It's over 30 yrs old and this is the first thing to have broken so I shouldn't complain. Has anyone else had this with a Singer? Any tips on how to fix it? I've had a good look at it and it seems like the spindle that the spool sits on keeps jamming.

champys

I'd love to hear from you other dressmakers where you get your ideas from. Over the last few years I have run down my wardrobe to virtually nothing, with the idea to start again from scratch and try to sew most of it myself. Technically I think that is feasible, but I can't figure out how to get started! I work from home, so I do not have to dress 'for the office' - apart from the occasional meeting or business trip. Living way out in deepest rural France I do not get much inspiration from neighbours or passers-by, and buying fashion magazines does not help either, as catwalk stuff is not what I am after. Embarrassingly, I have lost touch with what today's trouser or skirt shape is.
Can anyone help to get me started? Any hints much appreciated!

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Ooh champys, what a lovely challenge!!

OK, first of all I'm assuming that you know what kind of clothing you like to wear, as you're at home all day maybe casuals but not too dressed down? I would recommend you have a look at a few websites before shelling out any dosh, or alternatively nip into the local town and maybe try on a few items to see what you like/dislike about the latest shape/colour/fit (jot down a few notes).

Julie Culshaw, of www.timmelfabrics.com has just recently in the past week been running a sewing competition called SWAP - Sewing With a Plan. Participants have been making up complete wardrobes of separates which all go together. She hasn't published the finalists for this year yet but I think you should be able to have a look on the link at her site and see last year's entrants which are very inspiring. The contestants are all ages and from lots of different parts of the world and they send in photos of their garments so you can see how the various patterns look made up.

As you're in France, can you have a sneaky peek at, or buy a copy of this month's Burda Mode magazine - this has patterns included in it and is very up to date with European fashions. At least you will be able to see what is fashionable at the moment and make a decision on what you do or don't like. You could have a look at their website www.burdamode.com first, have a surf through their back issues and have a look at their current paper pattern range.

Most of the pattern companies have finally been dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st century and have starting producing up to date patterns far quicker than they used to. If you have a look at Simplicity (www.simplicity.com) or maybe the Vogue site (www.voguepatterns.com) you will see that they offer some patterns with multiple pieces, i.e. a jacket, skirt, maybe trousers and a top all in the same envelope. This is a good way to make a start on a complete wardrobe if you like all the pieces (I usually dislike one of them but that's me :rolleyes: ). New Look also have good wardrobe patterns (they're part of Simplicity now).

Or you could look at the American independent pattern companies - https://www.thesewingplace.com has a good range - I don't know how comfortable you would be buying patterns online. I like the Loes Hinse/Textile Studio ones for comfortable separates which can be made up out of lots of different fabrics - however they should be drapy, like viscose or crepe, to make the patterns work. These are not high fashion patterns but they are, I think, eminently suitable for every day wear if you're not trying to be ultra fashionable.

Also the www.patternreview.com site I have mentioned before is a great one if you want to see how a pattern makes up - as the name implies it is a site where people review dressmaking patterns and often post photos so you can see what a real person looks like in the garment. There's a very useful Advanced Search button on the site where you can look up specific pattern numbers and see if anyone else has reviewed it.

If you're not sure about what 'look' you want, or your colour scheme etc maybe a snoop at one of Trinny and Susannah's books might help, I know they can be horrendously bossy but their basic advice I think is fairly sound (others may disagree with me here!).

Whew! I've run out of ideas now!

Hope this helps a bit.
Mrs Fxx

lauradora

Mrs_Flittersnoop wrote: »

Ooh champys, what a lovely challenge!!

If you're not sure about what 'look' you want, or your colour scheme etc maybe a snoop at one of Trinny and Susannah's books might help, I know they can be horrendously bossy but their basic advice I think is fairly sound (others may disagree with me here!).

mrs f's advice is always sound but i'd say Gok Wan over trin and suzanna any time x

champys

Thank you so much Mrs F, that gives me a good start. You are right, the Burda magazine is on sale here. What a good idea - I have been on the Burda website, but there is too much there! The 'timmelfabrics' sounds great too - will have a look straight away! I will keep you posted of how I get on, it is quite a project.

Lauradora - I have never heard of Gok Wan but will research!

Sadly I am on a boring biz trip right now and have to show up for meetings in a few minutes..... my only saving grace a good internet connection in the hotel room :-)

Mrs_Flittersnoop

lauradora wrote: »

mrs f's advice is always sound but i'd say Gok Wan over trin and suzanna any time x

Oh yes, he's such a sweetie, isn't he? Much kinder. I don't know whether he's written a book though, has he? (bet he has), I just know that T&S have successfully peddled their wares worldwide. And their ideas on colour and body flattering shapes are good, if you ignore the rest of their sniping.

Champys, Julie at Timmel Fabrics is lovely, it's a Canadian site but she's very friendly and helpful - she also sells lots of different patterns and fabrics so worth a snoop round her site if you have time as well.

Now I should really take my own advice and get off this computer and do some sewing or else I'm going to be very embarrassed this summer.....:rotfl:

Mrs F xx

purpleivy

Morning all, I'm trying to get back into sewing again. In my late teens, early twenties I made lots of my own things. After that just joggers and stuff. Then did stuff for my dd when she was small, but she's now nearly 18! Been sewing items for new chorus costume and really getting into it.

My MIL is old style and makes a lot of her own things. I asked her if she would like to go over to Leons in Manchester for a nosy this morning. I don't really know what they have there, just had 2 really flying visits for a specific item while my son was having his music lesson locally, promising myself a return visit. It's a realy naff day, so we're going on a little jolly. One or two things I have in mind. Expect to see me round here some more.

Also want to book a course at the place I got my overlocker, as I want to make the best use of that as well,


I love Gok Wan as well, I think the good thing is that the programme deals with what is going on in the head, as well as what is happening with the body.

See you soon

AussieLass

Just finished my bean bag for DGS. Here is the finished article.

purpleivy

That looks lovely Aussie. It will cheer any room.