Where to start: making own clothes?

You could start by making draw string bags Ideal for storing shoes dust free.

Most patterns are relatively easy to follow. Stick to something simple to start with elasticated shorts and t-shirt type tops.
Bedding and curtains are easier than you think, all the lines are straight. You may want to think about making your sons first grown up bedding and curtains.

Here are some older threads listed in the mega index that might help:

Dressmaking:
- Dressmaking
- Making and adapting clothes
- Sewing my clothes

Pink

Rather than buying individual patterns I sometimes buy Burda magazine, there are lots of patterns in this.

Hi! Congratulations on acquiring a sewing machine. Make sure you read the manual thoroughly!

When I teach friends to sew, I usually start out with a cushion cover. Here are some good instructions, but there are probably hundreds similar online:
http://www.waverly.com/Project/ShamDirect.asp

In fact, here is a links page full of projects:
http://www.allcrafts.net/sewing.htm#freeprojects

For your first clothing project I'd suggest an A-line skirt, preferably from a Simplicity pattern because they are generally quite easy, have clear instructions and don't cost as much as some other companies such as Vogue. I've never made kid's clothes but I'd imagine that they'd be cheaper if you make mistakes (less fabric) but also more fiddly (smaller pieces). The beauty of a good A-line skirt pattern is that you can make adaptations to it easily, increasing or decreasing length, altering fabric colours, adding trims and so forth. Remember to take your waist and hip measurements before you go to buy the pattern, because your clothes size might not be the same as the pattern
company's.

An apron is another good choice for first clothing project. I believe there's a link on the above page but I haven't checked it out.

General advice based on errors I have made myself while learning to sew:
* choose easy fabrics. For the time being avoid: slippery, silky fabric (slides around when you're trying to sew and sometimes pins can leave marks), stretch/knit fabrics (you need rounded needles and I have found the layers can distort quite easily if you use the wrong stitch or pull on the fabric), napped or directional fabrics (danger of laying your pattern the wrong way and having one or more pieces 'upside down'), plaids and stripes (you need to match them at the seams and this uses more fabric and adds to the complexity of sewing). Fabrics which are easy to sew are medium-weight woven fabrics; I favour cotton, poly-cotton, and wool blends.

* Don't use two different bolts for the same garment, even if they look identical. I once made a shirt out of black cotton, but ran out of fabric before cutting the last sleeve, so I went back to the store and bought more. Unfortunately they came from different dye-lots, and faded at different rates. Moreover, I had a shirt which was mostly a blue-black colour but the one sleeve had a reddish tinge to it. Of course, ignore this if it's a deliberate fashion statement you're trying to make.

* In fact, lay out all of your pattern piece on the fabric BEFORE you begin cutting, as this will save waste and prevent mishaps like the one mentioned above.

* Pre-wash fabrics that shrink. Cotton, for instance, can shrink up to 6% on washing. If you don't prewash and iron you can end up with a very funny looking garment.

* Press your fabric as you go. Pressed fabric is easier to sew and you'll get a better fit and finish.

* Cut off the selvedge. The non-cut edge of the fabric (called the selvedge) is woven differently to the rest of the fabric and hence will shrink more. It seems like a good idea to leave it on so you don't have to finish the edge (trust me, I have done it), but you will end up with strange looking seems which don't fit correctly or sit flat.

In my opinion the best way to learn sewing is by doing it. I'd recommend Simplicity patterns to begin. If you have beginners' classes handy they could be worthwhile but I am completely self taught and I do OK. I'd suggest getting some beginners' sewing books from the library and having a good read of those. At this stage I wouldn't buy them because you will probably outgrow them very quickly.

Books to buy and keep:

If you have some successes and decide you enjoy sewing, the best book for those teaching themselves to sew is the Readers' Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. This is an essential reference book, in my opinion. The older version I bought had a section on tailoring which was missing from the new edition, so second hand would be better if you can find it. I like that it covers pattern fitting and alteration as well as just about every sewing technique you will need in the normal course of garment sewing.

Another good reference for when you become more confident and experienced is Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing. This has a lot of good instructions for 'couture finishes', linings, invisible zips, basically everything to distinguish your garment from something you bought off the rack.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

Zed42 wrote:

Markets are a good place for cheap material and thread. IMO I find that good thread makes a hell of a difference.

Know of any in London? I am new here (from Australia originally) and have had a devil of a time finding good and/or cheap fabric stores. In my home town I knew where each one was, what quality of fabric they stocked and what their price ranges where but I've had to start over again here. And the markets I've found haven't had fabric in them at all, unless you count wall hanging sort of fabric.

Zed42 wrote:

HTH and have fun ... tomorrow I'm going to attempt to figure out the overlocker I've bought, wish me luck!

Good luck!