Advice for a novice dress maker

[Juliecloud]

Hello
I want to start making my own clothes. I've dabbled before but I feel I'm not very good at it. The stuff I make never seems to fit me very well, which puts me off making more stuff.

I've bought a couple of patterns from Tilly and the Buttons, but the fit never seems right to me. I think I need to try a full bust adjustment but I'm scared to try it!

Are there any brilliant books that I could use and work my way though? Or is it best to attend a class?

[Lifesastitch]

Fit for real people by Patti Palmer and Marta Alto.
This is a great book (in a great series of sewing books) that will walk you through how to do an fba on a various types of patterns.
Always trace the pattern off before then alter the traced pattern.
I’ve never used a TATB pattern but I do find that patterns vary in fit from company to company. Always make a prototype first before cutting into the good stuff.

[Juliecloud]

Thanks!

[breakabletoy]

I belong to a couple of sewing forums, and see Tilly patterns routinely criticised for bad drafting. This is enough to make me avoid them because I'm a beginner, and not skilled enough to work with badly drafted patterns.

[Juliecloud]

What sewing forums do you use?

[Lifesastitch]

PatternReview.com
Thesewingplace.org.uk
Sitchersguild.com (this is a bit of a yawn)
Thefoldline.com

Check out Jaycotts, Sew essentials and Sewing Belle for sewing patterns, sign up to their website for mailshots for when the patterns are 50% off. Ebay is another source. Look for BurdaStyle magazine in the newsagents, and Ottobre Design (I love Ottobre) are good sources of well drafted basic pattern pieces.
It’s worth checking out the pattern review section on PatternReview, people post pics of what they have made and critique the pattern and instructions, it’s not always good!

[steppingout]

I put off doing an FBA because it looked complicated, but they're really not that bad. The first time I made something that fit my shoulders, waist and bust properly it was a revelation! The book recommended earlier is great - there are also good tutorials online (you could try Cashmerette) and there's an alternative method by Professor Pincushion on YouTube which I've only tried once but with good results. Craftsy also has a couple of good fitting classes.