Does anyone else make their own clothes

metherer

Galant - I know what you mean. I bought this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Do-Mend-Official-Reproductns/dp/1843172658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212914395&sr=1-1 (sorry, not sure how to do short links) and it makes very interesting reading.

Sounds as though some trimmings weren't rationed so while the clothes might have been a bit austere, the hats weren't.

Mrs F - love the idea of dogs in astronaut helmets! Am going to have a look at the button site you mentioned.

Have a good day all,

Metherer

InkyCats20

Hello all, I hope it's nice & sunny where you are, it's very bright here today

The Readers Digest book "Complete Guide to Sewing" arrived on friday, very good condition, so I'm very pleased with that, looks very, very familiar I'm sure my mum has got a copy of this but where it is, is anybody's guess :rotfl:

Quick question, any ideas for what to use when tracing patterns off a double sided pattern ? I know I can stick lots of small pieces of paper together & I have got some Tootal Dressmakers Squared Pattern Paper but the sheets are not very big (87.5 cms x 62.5 cms), seem to remeber years ago you could grease proof paper in big sheets rather than on a roll (or am I imagining that)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

IC

top_drawer_2

Mrs_Flittersnoop wrote: »

Good luck then, Jen, I hope she can help. What make of machine is it? Sometimes you can Google the machine number and the manuals are available online.

Mrs f x

hi,

The machine is a Crown point S - 3100 - my sewing teacher reckons its around 30 years old!! I was given it on Freecycle (funnily enough the lady who gave it me was driving the bus on Thursday that I take to my sewing class every week - she asked how I was getting on with my machine and I hadnt the foggiest who she was until she explained). I have the manual but the pictures are only illustrations and I dont even know enough to understand them ... I think it may be something to do with the tension of the thread going to the spool so am going to have to play with it to see what happens.

Jen

metherer

Quick question re Hemming.

I am not far off finishing my summery top, and have got to the stage where I need to hem the bottom of it.

Because I altered the pattern slightly to allow extra room for my bottom half, I can't just follow the pattern instructions. So, my questions are these:

a) Would you recommend a curved hem or a straight one?
b) Would you make either the front or back shorter than the other, so it gives the illusion of being even all the way round, or would you not bother?

It falls to about an inch and a half below my crotch, and has plenty of room in it. Really pleased. When I find the batteries for my digital camera I'll try and put a picture up.

Metherer

Mrs_Flittersnoop

InkyCats20 I use Burda tracing paper (available from John Lewis but not on the website, irritatingly) or kittie has some similar woven lightweight fabric (name escapes me at the moment, but she posted it on here a couple of pages ago),or if you can get very thin cheap lightweight lining paper from Homebase or similar, that would do as well. Really any thin paper would do, and if you have problems seeing through it very well, you could always stick your pattern up on a patio or french window and stick your tracing paper on top, to use as a makeshift lightbox (use Magic Tape or similar so it doesn't leave a gooey mess on the window).

top_drawer that's one I've never heard of! Hope that playing with the tension helps, just move it a very small amount each time and then stitch a reasonable length of stitching to test it. Good luck.

metherer I think the answer is 'it depends' :rotfl: Helpful, aren't I?:p I think it depends on what sort of top it is, if it's a casual top you could always leave side slits open for about three inches from the bottom to accommodate your bottom half, and have a straight hem. Quite a lot of my t shirt type tops patterns have curved hems at the front and straight ones at the back (to accommodate my huge bust and also because it's quite flattering). I think if it hangs pretty low I would go for a straight hem personally unless it's a shirt type top in which case the choice is yours. (well it is anyway, it's your top and you're the designer). I'm so glad you're pleased with it.

Mrs F who is hoarse from singing and might just about manage to get to her sewing machine before bedtime. xx

InkyCats20

Thanks Mrs F

The one mentioned previously is this isn't it ?

http://www.fabri-baste.co.uk/page3.html

Good job you're on the ball :T

kw03cd

InkyCats20 wrote: »

Hello all, I hope it's nice & sunny where you are, it's very bright here today

The Readers Digest book "Complete Guide to Sewing" arrived on friday, very good condition, so I'm very pleased with that, looks very, very familiar I'm sure my mum has got a copy of this but where it is, is anybody's guess :rotfl:

Quick question, any ideas for what to use when tracing patterns off a double sided pattern ? I know I can stick lots of small pieces of paper together & I have got some Tootal Dressmakers Squared Pattern Paper but the sheets are not very big (87.5 cms x 62.5 cms), seem to remeber years ago you could grease proof paper in big sheets rather than on a roll (or am I imagining that)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

IC

I have always used grease proof paper you can usually get it at the supermarket in rolls. If I like the garment I then copy the grease proof paper pattern onto wall paper to give you a long lasting copy.

metherer

Thanks Mrs F

cat64

Hello everyone:hello:

Is there a thread for people who make their own clothes - want to ask for advice so could someone please direct me to the right place? Thanks!

Seakay

There you go:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=683165