Does anyone else make their own clothes

homealone_2

Justamum wrote: »

I've got a pillow full of stuffing :rotfl:- my DD2's went all lumpy so I've kept it to use as stuffing. Other than that I'm not sure, but as it's quite light I shouldn't think postage would be very much if you were to find an on-line source.

thats exactly what i have done, i was all set to go out and buy some stuffing when making the bed before i left i realised how my pillows were in urgent need of changing and i had some set aside when i bought them in sale so am now all kitted with 5 old pillows and loads of lovely stuffing!!

Savvy_sewing

I am feeling really guilty. With all the moving etc, and the problems with the twins, I forgot that I did say I would look into the cost of having a sewing machine serviced.!!
I have even forgotten who it was as my PM box was full and I rashley deleted it all!.

I seem to have lost the details for the person in Towester, but I did notice yesterday that the Shop in Kidlington, Oxford was doing services from £39 per machine.
Hope that thats still of value to someone?

jamtart6

Scoured the shops today for a maxi dress, none in any of the shops I go to, so bit the bullet and bought some material! It is silk looking (can't remember the name of it) and cost me £3.50 as it was in the remenants bit. I decided if I messed up, it wasn't too much money to lose.

I thought I'll stitch it up, bit of elastic in the top and make a sash to go under the bust, it'll be simple. Then I got thinking about it, decided a pattern was the way to go, Goodness me I thought it would be easy to find a free pattern for a maxi dress online, but no!

Anyone know where to get one from? Thanks in advance. Anyone made one before, are they easy?

Savvy_sewing

jamtart6 wrote: »

Scoured the shops today for a maxi dress, none in any of the shops I go to, so bit the bullet and bought some material! It is silk looking (can't remember the name of it) and cost me £3.50 as it was in the remenants bit. I decided if I messed up, it wasn't too much money to lose.

I thought I'll stitch it up, bit of elastic in the top and make a sash to go under the bust, it'll be simple. Then I got thinking about it, decided a pattern was the way to go, Goodness me I thought it would be easy to find a free pattern for a maxi dress online, but no!

Anyone know where to get one from? Thanks in advance. Anyone made one before, are they easy?

It will depend on what style Maxi dress you are planning to make. If it has long sleeves etc then not so easy.
In the 1970's we used to use Shirring Elastic in our bobbins, and stitch, the distance of the foot apart.
We would make a Tube of Fabric, the width of our fabric if it was wide, or with two pieces joined together. Then we would measure from the under arm to below the bust area, add a few inches to go over the bust, and then we would sew in a spirral around the fabric over the joins, until we had the elastic tube at the top.
Then we would make some straps, and pin them inplace over our bra straps so they didnt show, then sew them to the fabric. Hem.
Thats the simplest.
Then of course you could just use any tops pattern, and just make the length to your required hight.
There are sometimes free patterns on the internet, but you usually have to draw things to scale, and print it up.
The most recent site I have come across is the Burda one. I will see if I can find the site and get you a link.

Rikki

Have you looked at the patterns on the Jaycotts web site? CLICK HERE

Savvy_sewing

https://www.burdastyle.com
Not sure if they have a maxi dress but I havent got the time to look at the moment. Good luck.

jamtart6

Cheers for those links guys

That sounds quite like what I mean mooloo either like this


or the one on the left without the straps. Ideally it would be strapless (because it would be easier?) I assume that needs elastic at the top then..



is this quite simple as a starter or am I aiming too high? I don't want it to look Tori-Spellingesque (picture in the middle) as I think that looks quite tent like

Savvy_sewing

Jamtart the dresses that you have shown have bodice parts. They would not come out of one piece of fabric. The skirts will have probably been cut on the bias. So that they drape.
The one you see in the middle is cut on the grain.
You will be better off having a pattern if you are a novice. Even if it is a basic one.
Although your material is only £3.50 you have not said how much fabric you have.?
You also do not say what size you are, and that would also make a difference if you are thin you can get away with the shirring elastic. If your well endowed up top then you will need a supporting bodice, that is darted and lined probably.
Straps are quite easy to do. They are just tubes, that you can turn inside out, or you can fold the fabric so that the stitching is on the top.

ocemeer

I was wondering if anybody may be able to give me some dressmaking advice....
I have some lovely jersey material which i would like to make a halter neck dress from.. (it was 40p in my local charity shop - they have supplied my basket full of gorgeous materials - though alot of it is upholsery fabric - just ned to find the furniture to renovate).
I think my sewing skills are up to it - just trying to find a pattern, a bit like the second in from the right above (including using some ribbon/silky material underneath the bust to make it seem as though I have one). Just unsure of where best to look for the right size (6/8) or how to reduce a pattern.

flea72

ocemeer wrote: »

Just unsure of where best to look for the right size (6/8) or how to reduce a pattern.

sewing patterns tend to start at a size 8, but i would say that patterns come up small, compared to shop bought clothing, so its prob best to work off your measurements, rather than a 'clothing size'

a size 8 pattern should be 31.5" bust, 24" waist and 33.5" hips

as for styling, this was the only thing i could find, thats a bit similar

http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/7687_Bridal_evening_gown/1270778-1128998-1679669-1683464.html

hth Flea