aibu to want to make my own clothes?

[NoodleOodle]

a) so that they are an accurate representation of my personality
b) to be sure no child/slave labour was involved in their production
c) because it would just be cool, and other reasons like fitting well and being available in the colour of my choice, control costs, not see everyone in my town wearing the same things etc. etc. etc.

Trouble is, I can barely sew. Do any of you lot make your own clothes - how did you get started?

I've started doing it. Got a sewing machine a couple of years ago but had a couple of really bad failed projects so abandoned it but started again with simpler projects a few months ago and now I have a couple of wearable items.

Go for it! My reasons are the same as yours OP. I'd say start with realistic projects that you will be likely to finish fairly easily. I've made 3 pairs of Colette Clover trousers in the last few months and they come together so easily and are really practical. Need to make some tops to go with them all now...

Yes, I think the trick is to start with simple patterns with clear instructions, in easy fabric, and build up to the trickier stuff, rather than finding a dress you like the look of and deciding to make it no matter what the difficulty level.

When I was at college one of my flatmates saw me make a dress and thought 'How hard can it be?' so she decided she would like to make herself a silk dress for a ball, and that she would like to sew it with silk thread.
If the dress had turned out as envisaged it would indeed have been lovely, but it didn't get much further than the cutting out stage (which was tricky enough with her very slippery silk!)

Fabric is soooo expensive but I love to sew. I taught myself (using common sense and youtube!)
I've since made myself a dress and circle skirt and my DS some shorts, thomas cushions and a lovely quilt.

I do buy fabric from shops but find if I shop around a bit can get it a little bit cheaper, Fabric.com is a american company but I find even with import charges it's still cheaper than buying it in the country.
I also hunt in charity shops for fabric and clothes to alter. Ebay is good too.

Good luck!

Something else I've done is find something you like the cut and shape of and that fits you as you like. Then very carefully pick it apart at the seams (taking pics of each stage so you have a visual when it comes to putting it back together)...et voila! You have the patern pieces to make it yourself but in the fabric of your choosing

I started out making kids clothes (mostly for DD-poor DS) before making clothes for myself. You learn the techniques involved in following a pattern instruction and it gives you a bit more confidence when working with larger quantities of fabric.