Sewing as a beginner - tracing clothes as patterns?

[Lagirl20]

I’d like to buy a sewing machine and try making some clothes myself. I can use a sewing machine in a basic way, including darts. I’m wondering if it’s unrealistic to think that I can trace items I currently own - like the linen top linked below - and create a pattern, to recreate them? Advice from more seasoned mumsnet sewers welcome!!

beyondnine.co.uk/collections/tops/products/esme-meadow-stripe-linen-top

As a beginner I would recommend using a simple pattern then you will learn how pieces go together and in what order to sew the seams.

I would also recommend following an actual pattern. Modern patterns come with lots of advice and, well, nice fabric is actually quite expensive!

If you are learning using duvet covers and sheets from charity shops then it’s worth a punt for something simple that’s not stretch.

You can also use a pattern punch wheel to draw round items without dismantling them.

The tricky bit would be the facings. Watch a few videos as it does help.

A close dupe of this top would be the Ashton Top by Helen’s Closet.

It’s a PDF pattern so you print it at home. Helen from Helen’s Closet is well known for her great instructions and really holds your hand as a beginner, you don’t have any issues!

I was about to recommend the Ashton top pattern for this kind of linen top too. Though I would suggest paying for it to be printed on big paper. CLC prints is who I’ve used but I know The Foldline have a buy and print service too.
Helens Closet has rave reviews for a good reason, the patterns are well drafted and leave you with exactly what you were promised, with sensible construction instructions that usually means your item is well finished and won’t fall apart the first time you wash it.

There’s also the book Clone your Clothes by Claire-Louise Hardie which might be useful to you. She’s on Instagram as the Thrifty Stitcher.

I’m good at adjusting things from charity shops but not experienced in making completely from scratch. I’ve thought of doing this too, for example a pair of trousers I had for years just got paper thin, I was thinking about unpicking them and making a pattern

You can do it but you might find it quite difficult. You might not be able to get each piece to lie flat to trace. In that example it looks like a top that is made out of two pieces. If the front piece is smaller than the back piece then you'll never be able to get the back to lie completely flat to trace with taking about the top. So it will take a lot of trial an error.

Having said that, you should just try it if it's a project you're interested in even if it's harder. You should only make projects that interest you otherwise you won't finish them. A pattern will be easier but you will also learn by just trying things out.

I would start with some patterns for similar types of clothing. When you are familiar with how they are put together you can easily customise patterns by tweaking the length, neckline etc to match the measurements of something you want to copy.
I'm a big fan of Closet Core patterns, the Azure dress/top is similar to the one you linked.

There's actually a book called Clone Your Clothes which teaches you the techniques to do this. I wouldn't have attempted it as a beginner but it sounds like you have some experience with a sewing machine so you would probably be fine with some guidance.
Edited to say: sorry, just noticed someone already mentioned the book.

I sew (reasonably successfully) from patterns & have tried and failed to make clothes based on my existing much loved items! It's v hard, well to me at least.

Absolutely you can. That top is as basic as they come. No bust shaping at all. Just remember to add enough fabric for a seam allowance. I’d want to add facings though. You could bias bind the neck and armholes too.

It has a dart.

The handy thing about commercial patterns is that they come with instructions! I'm a fairly experienced sewer and do make my own patterns (after doing a course) but am still sometimes a bit flummoxed about the method and order of putting something together. YouTube tutorials can help, but can be bewildering too. I have found about 20 different ways of doing a trouser fly on there, but the best method so far came from a Closet Core pattern I bought.

Yes you are right it does. It’s in the wrong place but it’s there.

It would probably be too high for me. The beauty of making your own clothes!

Fantastic advice, thanks all