Does anyone else make their own clothes

Penelope_Penguin

voiceofreason wrote: »

Look at that! Faith restored - glad to be proved wrong, I suppose!

I know that the search function has a bad reputation. It's not perfect, but it's nowhere near as bad as some people make out :rolleyes:

If anyone wants a few of the pointers I use, please send me a PM, and I'll be delighted to let you have some help (though my Inbox is full atm, so leave it until tomorrow )

Penny. x

Charis

Years ago I used to do a lot of dressmaking but I haven't really made anything since a spectacular failure in grey crushed velvet that cost a lot of money and made me look like a pregnant seal. Sadly, after that I neglected the craft and tried on my clothes before I bought them ready made.

In the spirit of OS moneysaving, and the hope of catching up with the latest techniques and fabrics, I preordered the new DK sewing book and it arrived, hot off the press, this morning. It's fairly expensive (hardback) but the local library would probably be pleased to get one in (I think it costs £2 at our library to order a new book)

It's a gold mine for anyone who wants to get into dressmaking. Many years ago I made a lot of my clothes, including my wedding and bridesmaids' dresses and a tailored coat but there are things in the book that are new to me. It starts with the very basics and includes pattern altering, what tools you will need, what types of fabric there are and how to do just about everything anyone will need to know for home dressmaking.

The main problem with restarting my hobby will be sourcing material but I was directed to this thread tonight by Penelope Penguin and have already gathered the names of a few online suppliers. I might also try the suggestion to alter charity shop buys.

Now to go back to the beginning and read the whole thread, but not all in one go :eek:

Magpye

For those interested, the Sewing Book is available from the Book People here for only £8.99.

Has anyone got any recommendations on sewing machines? My last experiences were at college and they were big industrial thingies that we used, so I haven't a clue on reliable domestic makes.

bellaquidsin

Years ago I regularly made clothes for myself and the children. This lapsed as the children grew up, ready made garments became cheaper, material became harder to come by and I became relatively more affluent.

I now find that the affluence is lapsing, the ready made clothes although cheap are just so much rubbish and although material is still difficult to source with DH's retirement looming it's back to the sewing machine for me.

A trip to the local market last week provided me with two skirt lengths. One was £3 and the other £1.99, enough to pay to re-hone my skills.

One skirt is cut out and tacked up ready to sew and I'll probaby devote tomorrow to this project. I'm not sure whether this is a journey back in time or a tremendous leap of faith but, whatever, I'm giving it a go.

Bella.

Charis

Magpye wrote: »

For those interested, the Sewing Book is available from the Book People here for only £8.99.

Ouch! I preordered it from Amazon. Been waiting for it since early January (it was only published this Monday) and it cost me a lot more than that even with 5% student discount. Still, the recommended price is £25!
:mad:

I looked on the Book People website last week but I didn't see it then. Maybe I was looking for something else and missed it. I will have to keep a closer eye on the BP website. They are real bargains.

InkyCats20

This might help new sewer's & those hunting for fabrics, etc - there's a good article in Prima's Mar '09 magazine, with a craft directory, also "soft furnishings" article for beginners & a pattern included for brides & bridesmaid's dresses.

Losinmoney

I'm stuck in with the snow! I've been looking at last year's summer clothes dreaming of better weather. I've got a great long dress, 2 years old but hardly worn, with a big frill on the bottom of the hem. The frill dips a lot (it was designed that way) and I think the dress would look much better shorter. How easy is it to shorten myself - does anyone know please?

Rikki

Losinmoney wrote: »

I'm stuck in with the snow! I've been looking at last year's summer clothes dreaming of better weather. I've got a great long dress, 2 years old but hardly worn, with a big frill on the bottom of the hem. The frill dips a lot (it was designed that way) and I think the dress would look much better shorter. How easy is it to shorten myself - does anyone know please?

Would the dress be the right length at the shortest point with the frill removed?

If so, I would carefully unpick the seam where the frill attaches to the main skirt. Trim the longer skirt length to the same level. Press and fold the raw edge over by about 0.5cm to the inside, press and then turn over again by about 1 cm this time and you can slip stitch the new hem.

This is a rough guide, ask more questions for more help and advice.

Losinmoney

Thanks very much Rikki. The length without the frill is fine at the back but it goes up - it's designed to look like this - so it would be too short at the front. Well above the knee at the front. It swoops round a bit flamenco style. But it's a flowery linen dress. I wonder if I could remove the frill, press it, cut quite a bit off the length and the depth. Then check the length of the dress and shorten it at the back a bit, then put a smaller shorter frill back with less fabric in it so it's not so full. Hope this is clear - it's easy to see but hard to explain!

Charis

Magpye wrote: »

Has anyone got any recommendations on sewing machines? My last experiences were at college and they were big industrial thingies that we used, so I haven't a clue on reliable domestic makes.

There are a couple of threads on this on MSE:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1109811&highlight=janome

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1066111&highlight=janome

some useful advice on here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=130705&highlight=janome

If not, have you thought of asking on the Sewing Forum?

http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/