Making my own clothes for work - where to start?

[blobby10]

Many years ago I made a couple of simple lined wool skirts and now, with the quality of shop bought clothes going downhill fast and the prices only rising have decided to try again. But where on earth do I get material from? I have a sewing machine but my old go-to shops of Fenwicks and Debenhams have left my nearest city and I have no idea where else to go! or what to look for in a material and lining without physically seeing it

And patterns? I'm looking for simple straight skirts with a button and zip fastening then some simple lined classic tailored dresses - sleeveless is fine to start with - tunic style but with darts under the bust/around the waist for some definition.

And thread? The stuff I bought recently to reattach some buttons is so thin and thready (no pun intended!) - has the proper stuff gone for good?

Does anyone with experience have any suggestions?

I am a long time sewer although don't make smart clothes as I don't work anymore so the pattern companies I use may not be appropriate but I can suggest a few for you to look at.

'Sew over It' do a lot of dresses, often with a vintage vibe if that's your thing, the Assembly Line are a Scandinavian pattern co with a very modern Scandi vibe (I have made a couple of their casual garments and think their patterns are pretty good). Tilly and the Buttons are quite popular but not really my bag. The Foldline website is a great pattern resource and they also have a youtube channel with monthly updates of new patterns and a view of Trends and patterns to match.

For fabric, it's quite difficult to buy without feeling it I know, but I have used several online fabric shops including Guthrie & Ghani, Lamazi Fabrics, Fabworks, Fabric Godmother, Sew Me Sunshine and Merchant & Mills (v spendy but lovely natural fibres with a Toast aesthetic and also have their own patterns).

Lauren Guthrie from G&G mentioned above is lovely and has a youtube channel giving details of new fabrics. She also does an Instagram and Youtube "live" once a month where you can send questions about patterns and fabrics and she'll answer them. She was on the first series of the Sewing Bee and is v experienced. She also has a sewing society every month where you can buy a kit that includes pattern, fabric, notions and a video tutorial if that's something you might find useful.

Oh, also many of the fabric shops will send samples so you have a look and feel before you buy.

Hope that's useful - it can be a bit overwhelming- I tend to make quite casual clothes for my lifestyle and am often in state of decision paralysis as there's so much choice.

Good luck x

Thank you so much @NeartoNewquay (my favourite place in the country btw!) and I will have a look.

I go for the classic/boring look which doesn't seem to be available in shops these days - can't stand all the frills and frippery bits on modern clothes as when you have a big stomach, the last thing you want is excess material drawing attention to it! So straight or A line skirts (2 or 4 panels) with a small slit at the back, proper waistband then classic tailored slip dresses which just have a bit of shape to the waist area and a couple of darts under the bust. And lined of course which you have to pay £££ for in shops now and which used to be standard. I will have a look at those online fabric shops.

This thread is practically what I was about to ask! I'd like to have a go at making some trousers for the office but they need to be relatively simple. I can't get my buttonhole right on my machine and I've never tried a zip!
Any ideas on patterns and fabric?
I'd like a tapered leg, skimming shape, the sort of shape that floats over you rather than clings if that makes sense?

I wondered about Megan Neilson Opal, possibly a bit too fussy on the waist though.
Closet core Pietra looks like a very good shape, but I'm not sure if a bit of pleating in the front might be more flattering.
The Assembly Line pleated trousers look good also but have a zip I'd have to tackle, can't tell if they'd look too wide though.
Lastly is Tilly and The Buttons Mathilde trousers, again, its very hard to tell.

A lot of patterns are made up in linen or poplin looking fabric, I'd be looking fir something a little thicker than that, im not sure what though.

It's hard to take the jump on a pattern and precious fabric when you're unsure! I just want some timeless sort of flattering trousers.

Hi @Sewliketosew - I think the only trousers that you could make without a zip or button would be elasticated waist - there are quite a few patterns around with those but not sure whether they would be too casual.

Zips seem terrifying when you haven't done them but they're really not that hard. I always make a toile when making trousers- usually out of calico or old curtains if they are going to be quite structured like denim, or old sheets/duvet covers if more lightweight. It's less risky and apart from getting the fit right I find it helps to go through any techniques that need practising.

You could look at the Sewing Society section on the Guthrie and Ghani website as you can see the old archived kits (plenty of trousers on there) - I think you can also buy Lauren's video tutorial separately too and she walks you through the make and any challenging bits.

The Merchant and Mills Eve Trousers are quite a classic shape but have a side zip. If you look on Instagram and search the #mmevetrousers you can see other people's makes. I've made a couple of pairs and they're very comfy.

I've had plenty of Sewing disasters in my time and think it's all part of the learning curve. Honestly you can probably do more than you think x

Thank you, I really like the look of the eve trousers, my only concern is whether they may be slightly too voluminous through the leg. I'm only short and added width can make me feel wider than I am. Having said that, I don't want skinny fit or very close fit. I want them to be tailored and pleated so that they look neat, but not huge or too floppy. Just skimming.

For thread, I’m a devotee of Gutermann. Others prefer Coats. But both are still available.

You might find your machine prefers one over another, I’ve not encountered it, but some machines can be picky princesses!

Also, fabric and haberdashers can often be tucked away so you might want to Google your area + fabric or sewing shop. There could be one on the edge of town!

Or a branch of Hobbycraft in a nearby town. Or IKEA! They also do fabrics.

For techniques, Fashion Sewing TV on YouTube is really good, her explanations and camera-work are excellent.

Have fun!

For zips, side or concealed zips are much easier than fly type zips!
https://www.craftsy.com/post/how-to-sew-an-invisible-zipper

https://itch-to-stitch.com/how-to-fly-front-zipper-upland-trousers/?srsltid=AfmBOorYl3X_Yg3hPtytUdw-vApRpCFW9wY9U0PIE2-hQO35FwWw8QUR