Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

Flip

Original poster

What have I done?!?

22 replies

bethatasitmay · 29/04/2015 08:29

Encouragement needed!

Yesterday I fell in love with a dinosaur patterned fabric online, and decided I wanted to make my DD a dress. She loves dinosaurs, but she's likes dresses, and it's impossible to find a combination of the two in shops! :(

So on a complete whim I ordered a couple of metres of the fabric, some lining fabric and a bit of plain cotton for a trim. And a pattern.

And then I realised that a) I don't have a machine and b) I can't sew to save my life.

So now I'm freaking out, and wondering how I'm going to hand sew a dress for a toddler with no experience whatsoever.

Any advice and encouragement would be very welcome!!

OP posts:

DearGirl · 29/04/2015 08:33

I would do a pillowcase toddler dress in this situation . That would be easiest.

Micah · 29/04/2015 08:36

I did exactly the same. Only I bought a machine too :)

Two years later and a bit of practice i have orders for the stuff I make.

BlueBananas · 29/04/2015 08:36

Find someone who can sew, give them the fabric and your DD's measurements, sorted!

elQuintoConyo · 29/04/2015 08:40

Good or you Micah I'm thinking of doing the same. It's a bit bloody scary though

Er, but, yes: pillowcase dress or get someone to make it for you.

Original poster

bethatasitmay · 29/04/2015 08:43

Thanks all - do you think I need a machine? I'm not sure I even know how to use one... :(

I can do a simple back stitch? Does that work for dresses?

OP posts:

Original poster

bethatasitmay · 29/04/2015 08:44

Thanks all - do you think I need a machine? I'm not sure I even know how to use one... :(

I can do a simple back stitch? Does that work for dresses?

OP posts:

Original poster

bethatasitmay · 29/04/2015 08:44

Don't know why that posted twice - sorry!

OP posts:

ClapAlongIfYouLike · 29/04/2015 08:47

Do you have any friends who can sew, or (know of ) local friendly mn-ers who can? Then it may not be as big a crisis .
Pick a simple model, or at least check the difficulty of the pattern you have chosen (and perhaps make a trial version not of the dinosaur fabric to start with.
Good luck! I am sure it will turn out lovely.

FelixFelix · 29/04/2015 08:52

Where are you located? I bet there's someone here who can help. I am in West Yorkshire if that helps!

LetThereBeCupcakes · 29/04/2015 08:59

I did something similar when I was in my early 20s. I was in a show that called for 1970s outfits. So I just decided to make one. It was fine!

I'm in Wiltshire. I'll help if you're close.

Micah · 29/04/2015 09:20

Machine is much easier than hand sewing, and if you're only doing cotton and basic fabrics a cheapie one will do. I'd get one, or if you know any ladies in their 70's many have an old singer stashed in the cupboard- DM has a treadle one!

With the great british stitch off or whatever it's called, there are workshops springing up all over. There's one near me does them, you can go in and use their machines, take your pattern and they'll walk you through it.

elquinto- I started out making stuff for the kids, then people would ask me where I got it, then ask if I'd make one for them. I could probably turn it into a full time business, but it keeps me busy enough around everything else, and I like being able to pick and choose what I want to do. I cover the cost of materials with a bit to spare though :).

steppemum · 29/04/2015 09:39

I'd sew it for you, in exchange you can do something for me (no idea what, just mean I would happily do an exchange)

if you want someone to do it, go online and find a pattern. I could run it up in an afternoon with a pattern, and post it back, but would need to see your dd in person without a pattern

steppemum · 29/04/2015 09:49

lots of ideas on here

elQuintoConyo · 29/04/2015 14:20

Thanks, Micah I have just made DS two pairs of shorts from a pattern I cobbled together by drawing around his pyjamas very simple, cheapand individual - I had a lot of fun choosing the fabrics and the contrast for the pocket

krisskross · 29/04/2015 14:28

Hi OP, are you know Facebook? If so there is a good site called sewing circus, making kids unisex clothes, eg skirys out of dinosaur prints. I've not bought anything but their stuff is lovely

krisskross · 29/04/2015 14:29

Oops meant to say are you on Facebook, obviously

UnidentifiedSighingObject · 29/04/2015 18:15

There's a dead simple pattern for an a-line dress for girls inside issue 13 of the lovesewing magazine - it has a rainbow and other stuff sewn onto it, but you could ignore that and just use the shape for your lovely dinosaur fabric. If you wanted, you could basically use the template to cut out the two main pieces (front and back) and hand stitch them together (inside out) and hem the bottom. I agree with others, machine sewing is a LOT easier than you think, and far quicker, but there's no reason you couldn't hand sew it if you felt more comfortable.

Otherwise, check out Pinterest/Google for pillowcase dress instructions, as that would be do-able.

If there's a sewing shop near you, I'd go in and chat and ask for their advice.

Original poster

bethatasitmay · 29/04/2015 19:15

Thanks everyone for your offers of help and encouragement!

I do think I should probably give it a go before I collapse crying into my pincushion. Felix has very kindly sent me a pattern that should be much easier than the one I have (which includes knickers and a hat!) so I might try that before I give up altogether.

I might be back here in a week begging for assistance though!

OP posts:

ClapAlongIfYouLike · 29/04/2015 22:36

That sounds like a plan. Just don't get them in a twist..
...

Marcipex · 01/05/2015 18:15

Ask around. Local fabric shops? WI?
I'd happily run up the long seams for you and you could do the finishing.

Original poster

bethatasitmay · 05/05/2015 07:45

Hi all! I have started on the dress now. I bought a cheap and cheerful "mini stitch" sewing machine, but it's so cheap that it's crap, and I can't actually even load the bobbin in! The instructions refer to parts that are simply not there on the machine. So frustrating. Looks like I'll have to hand sew...

OP posts:

MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow · 05/05/2015 07:53

OP, where are you?

I'm in West Yorks and have a basic full size sewing machine going spare, the only reason I got a new one is because the feed dogs don't drop and I needed dropped dogs for quilting.

Its a perfect machine for beginners, let me know if you want it. (If OP doesnt want it and anyone else wants it let me know as I hate that its not being used...)

Flip