Sewing as a beginner

[TryAgainAnotherDay]

Always loved crafting, knitting, crochet and basic sewing. Was always good at sewing at school but not done much since leaving, only basics such as turning clothing up, buttons and basic fixes.

Had a look at buying a memory blanket a few weeks ago and they where stupidly expensive, so decided to make my own. I'm hooked.

Blanket turned out well for a first attempt and going to do a couple more, but what I really want to aim to is making clothing, I've always dreamed of making my own but the problem is I wouldn't know where to start, I wouldn't even know how to read a pattern.

I've looked for local classes but can't find any, so does anyone have any recommendations of where to start. What can I make first to start bringing me up to clothing? is it easier / harder then it looks? Should I just give up?

Any tips would be very much appreciated.

@TryAgainAnotherDay okay, thank you ☺️

Watching with interest. I started with face masks in lockdown & a few other simple things. I made some pyjama bottoms for DD & have material to make some for me. It's the "tricks of the trade" I'm looking for as I'm sure I'm making it more complicated than it needs to be!

There is a long running Sewing Thread on here somewhere so you could start by joining that?

Also, plenty of sewing Facebook groups too.

Personally, I DON'T recommend Tilly and the Buttons patterns. They're poorly drafted and you'd be better looking for a good sewing book that explains about fitting for your body shape. The out of print books by Ann Ladbury are excellent. You might find one in your local library.

Otherwise, Made to Sew on YouTube is very good and she explains the techniques very clearly.

I did have a book, can’t think of what it was called and about 15 years ago but it was very simple short projects to do and try. Will see if I still have it.

I’ve made anything from a long woollen check skirt to tops and a dress. I’m quite lucky in that my DM lives fairly nearby so if I do get stuck I ask her what to do. She had her own small fashion business years ago making 18th century smocks.

The other thing I’d say is a in person class really helped me for a year or so. The thing which slightly put me off the class is it was oversubscribed and too few tutors and I wasn’t that good when I started.

Pick your fabric and pattern well. At 17 I wanted to make a chiffon lilac sheer wrap blouse and bought everything to do it, but it’s a very tricky fabric to sew, even for an experienced sewer, DM kindly ended up doing most of the work on that one though I did do some of the easier work. DM also made me a stunning net/lace/satin knee length fitted evening dress in my 20s but fitting the front and using bias was tricky even for her who’s a very experienced sewer!

With both of us basically practice makes perfect. DM and her best friend are the sort of sewer who are naturally talented. Her friend took patterns from Vogue magazine in the 60s and wore them a few days later. She made a lot of her DCs clothes. My DM made simpler items but made my summer checked dresses for school. Altering clothes (eg taking sleeves and a skirt off a dress to make a top) is good practice too.

What a lovely thread!
I know it's a few months old but I wonder whether you made anything @TryAgainAnotherDay ?
I am very similar. I'm 65 and when we were children my mother made most of our clothes. We were very poor and I remember her scouring the market for remnants. I learned the basics from her and could make dolls clothes when I was 10. As a teenager I replaced the zips in jeans (no lycra and they broke all the time).
In lockdown I bought a sewing machine and made small things like boxes.
A year ago I joined a craft group and I've made a few quilts and some quite nice bags.
I'd really love to make some clothes - just simple trousers for me.
I've ordered that book "Love at First Stitch"
The first review on there is a pleasure to read.

I've started dressmaking this year. Started with PJ bottoms for non-fussy husband. I can read a pattern, so they were easy enough, Then some trousers by TatB. I used the Marigold pattern, and I echo what everyone on here has said.

First of all, I measured me and the pattern, and made some adjustments to the length and the leg shape. I used the website pictures to make sense of the waistband instructions, but generally her instructions are good for beginners, I think. Next make was a man's shirt. The collar was a learning curve in every way, but I now feel confident with sleeves and button holes.

If you find a pattern, google it and look at Amazon reviews -people will generally say if it's difficult to follow or if lots of adjustments have to be made. Then, before buying, check youtube for the pattern number. The shirt I made is quite popular, and there are two really good step by step tutorials. I've bought the Helen Rhiannon Easy Dressmaking book, and I've drafted a pattern for a tunic/dress to go over leggings. I'm using some nice, but cheap fabric, so not much wasted if it goes wrong. There is a FB group for the book and another for the Great Brit Sewing Bee - really helpful and inspiring epople on them who will offer advice on all things dressmaking.