Does anyone else make their own clothes

ivyleaf

There's a thread on here called "Does anyone sew their own clothes?" with a lot of knowledgeable people who post on it, I'm sure someone there will be able to suggest some websites to help you find what you're looking for.

Good luck with your sewing

Rikki

Does anyone else sew their own clothes

she_grinch

Rikki wrote: »

Can you recommend a pattern or site on making rag-dolls. This pattern I've got is a swine to do. :mad: Well fiddly.:o

http://judisdolls.com/babybows/babybows.html
try this one.
I usually get books from the libraryt to make my dolls as I can order one if I get the title or number off the back of the book.
I also have an old rima pattern which I constantly trace and remake.

flea72

sashacat wrote: »

Abakan in Liverpool is still open as I use it quite often. I have difficulty getting patterns for babies that aren't all frilly. And I find the range of fabrics in John Lewis very much smaller than it was when I started sewing 30 years ago? Does anyone know if Birkenhead market is still open nd if so does it still sell remnants? thanks

If you dont want frilly clothes patterns for children, then i can really recommend this

https://www.ottobredesign.com - then click on the English translation

you can subscribe to it, so you get a book of patterns 4 times a year, or you can just buy the books individually

The instructions are fairly minimal, but most of the time you can wing it, and it turns out ok

Flea

lellyo

hi sashacat

yep birkenhead market is still open, i know they have fabric stalls but don't know if they sell remnants.

hope this helps?

frankie55

Hi there, I'm just getting back to sewing after making my daughters wedding and bridesmaid dresses 10 yrs ago. Swore I'd never do it again!! However my 14 yr old GD wants to earn to sew, we've both orderd new sewing machine, my old one is terminal and a new one is cheaper than getting it serviced etc, and boght a couple of Dressmaking for Dummies books, but most of my old haunts for buying fabrics seem to have disappeared has anyone bought fabic from the internet or e-bay? I'm keen to know how you choose the fabic and if the discriptions are acurate etc, I've looked at Aberkan which is very interesting. Luckily I've still got all my patterns from the 60's and 70's which GD days are very cool lol. I look forward th chatting to you all in the very near future and learning new skills.....the arfuritss in my hands is going to be my main problem, but at least she will be able to get down on the floor to cut things out. I've made many wedding dresses, including ones with boning and gold threading, but mainly with full skirts.

jamtart6

i cant wait to swap jobs and get some more time to faff making my own stuff! just bought my own house and would love to sew my own quilt covers and curtains etc. but just not sure I'd be good enough at it.

I have a 1950's Singer machine which needs a service - unless anyone can reccomend a cheap new machine from anywhere?(sub £80)

champys

jamtart6 wrote: »

I have a 1950's Singer machine which needs a service - unless anyone can reccomend a cheap new machine from anywhere?(sub £80)

jamtart - do keep the 1950's Singer, even if you decide to buy a new machine. I inherited a 1950's Singer from my late MIL only a few years ago, and find it is better at certain things than my 1980's top-of-the-range Singer Futura. The old manual one is great for thick fabrics, canvas etc. and it stitches beautifully and regularly. It does a lot of very useful service!

bellaquidsin

champys wrote: »

jamtart - do keep the 1950's Singer, even if you decide to buy a new machine. I inherited a 1950's Singer from my late MIL only a few years ago, and find it is better at certain things than my 1980's top-of-the-range Singer Futura. The old manual one is great for thick fabrics, canvas etc. and it stitches beautifully and regularly. It does a lot of very useful service!

I'd second that. I had an old manual Singer and it would sew anything from silk to leather, can't say that for the modern electric ones I've had since.

Bella.

Savvy_sewing

Jamtart, if the sewing machine only needs cleaning, and a bit of oil, could you not do that yourself? I used to overhaul my own machines when I was running my sewing business.? If you are having problems with it stitching etc, you may have to have it serviced. Cost depends on where you live though. There is someone that does them where I am, but not sure of his current prices etc, I would have to go into the town and look for the card again.
Sorry thats probably not much help.
I agree the older machines are more robust, especially with the varieties of fabrics that are heavier to sew.