Advice needed for sewing clothes for DC

[coffeecoffeegoose]

Following on from an earlier thread, I think I would like to try and make some clothes for DC and DNieces

I have no experience in this but do have very basic sewing skills from school and have no idea what I would need, how to read patterns properly anymore or what fabrics might be best - how do you wash them? So many questions
Where do you get your patterns and buy the fabrics and how do you know how much to get? What about zips and buttons and things..
Am I mad for thinking I can do this?

I do have a sewing machine already that I got as a Christmas present when I was at school currently gathering dust under the bed, it's basic but has quite a few stitch settings etc

Maybe start with dolls clothes. Thats what I've been doing during lockdown with my also very dusty sewing machine that I didn't know how to wear.

Tbh I don't think anyone would want to wear what I've produced so far so I definitely need more practise.

A local sewing shop to me does lessons so after lockdown I'm going to look into going. I'm wondering if there are online lessons ....

*didnt know how to use

Great patterns for kids are Brindille and Twig or Puperita. Both have loads of patterns that don't need buttons/zips, just made from stretchy material. There are really helpful facebook groups for both and they offer loads of advice. For material, Fabworks online is great. For fancier patterned material I like Caboodle Textiles, Kailuna Fabrics and Second Star Fabric.

I taught myself by taking apart old children's clothing and using the pieces as a pattern or template. Do it on a simple garment first...one with no fastenings.

Note. Don't try stretch fabric untill you're more experienced.

I disagree, the first thing I made was with jersey and I much prefer using stretchy than woven fabrics. Horses for courses I guess.

How old are the children?

I've had good success with Made by jack's mum patterns. The harem pants are easy enough. The first pair I made were ok but the second were a lot better! She does mainly use Jersey though.

I buy mainly organic jersey, so it depends on your budget. I really love Lillestof.

To start with Jersey you need ballpoint needles and I would recommend clips over pins.

It's also easier to cut jersey with a rotary wheel rather than cut it, but you can use scissors if you have to.

I teach fashion and textiles. The best fabric to start with is cotton or polycotton. It’s easy to unpick and doesn’t stretch out of shape (too much) when sewing. I definitely wouldn’t use jersey or a stretchy fabric. It is difficult to work with.

Tilly and the Buttons website is good for tutorials as is YouTube. The first thing my students make is a zipped make up bag (they find their own pattern on the internet) to get used to using the zipper foot and inserting a zipper. The first garment they make is a circular skirt - again they make the patterns themselves you can find it online but I use the guide from Winnifred Aldrich pattern cutting book.

Obviously at the moment you need to get all materials online. Fabricland is nice and cheap, eBay is another place I get things. Make sure you have very sharp scissors, pins and universal needles to begin with.

When I was at Uni we made little samples of all the seams, hems and zips as a practice. The DK Sewing Book is great for instructions and I still refer to it

A pattern will tell you all you need to buy eg how much fabric, any buttons, zips etc.

The instructions, on folded paper inside the pattern, are very clear (I love the drawings!). They tell you everything you need to know about how much fabric, where to place the pattern pieces to cut, and how to sew the garment together. It's a good idea to study the instructions thoroughly before starting.

I agree to start with a rigid fabric eg cotton. Also start with a pattern that doesn't have complicated fastenings (eg zips, buttonholes). Once you master that then move on to something more complicated.

I say 'complicated' but it's not complicated once you know how, just takes practise. I'd practise eg zips, buttonholes on smaller swatches of fabric first iiwy until you get the hang of it.

God luck! 😊

Well, God or Good will do 😃

Thank you so much everyone, I will check these out

I think I remember that book from school DeBliss I was thinking I needed something like that but couldn't remember the name, so thank you!