Trying on clothes made from sewing patterns, before buying patterns?

[AmethystMaud]

I want to start making clothes, but I’m not the easiest size/shape to make for, so selecting patterns is a bit of a risk. I don’t want to spend ages on something to find out it really doesn’t suit me. What I’d like is to be able to try on clothes made from the patterns (in various sizes) before deciding which patterns to use. I believe Merchant & Mills have this option in their shop, but are there any others?

This is a clever idea. I glhavent heard of other places doing it but I wish they did.

You get some very cheap fabric or an old sheet/curtains and make a trial model known as a 'toile' or a 'muslin', then see if any alterations have to be made. Buy the pattern based on your actual measurements not your usual ready to wear size.

There are also books which guide you how to adapt dressmaking patterns to suit your body.

It’s a faff but making a toile first means you also practice following the instructions and get a much better end result. I try not to cut the pattern paper until I’m sure which size I want to make.

Yep! Tedious but sometimes necessary, especially with vintage patterns.

You can also use Swedish Tracing Paper to make a toile of your pattern, try it on, then adjust the pattern-pieces to perfect the fit.

Link didn’t work - I’ll try again…

Oops - it did! Apologies for the double post 😬

https://patterntrace.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-toile-patterntrace-swedish-tracing-paper?srsltid=AfmBOorVq9Y1F9c2EfsFu-1Z2nZFgvCZkxanBMraq-4fgs2yUEX5d1QG

Thanks all! 🙏😊

Making a toile is a really good idea for adjusting to size, shape, etc. However, sometimes it’s that something just doesn’t suit me and no amount of fitting will make it so. I’m definitely better at predicting that as I get older, but sometimes I try something on in a shop and although it fits fine it looks awful on me - doesn’t suit my shape, deeply unflattering, etc. That’s why I’m interested in seeing if more places have the garments made up to try on. But it doesn’t sound like it’s a common thing at all.

I've made a lot of my own clothes and what you really need is a dress making dummy which you adjust to your exact size. That generally gives you a good idea. I don't make clothes any more. Its too expensive. Its cheaper to buy them.

I think it might be easier to find clothes you like in normal shops then look for patterns that replicate that. You'll gradually learn what you like

That depends where you buy your fabric. I don't find it more expensive. I'm horrified at the price of clothes which are often not as well made as clothes I've made myself.

Cool Crafting in Kendal, Cumbria do this for some of their Indi patterns. They also have stalls at the Knit and Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace, Harrogate and Belfast, if you could visit one of those.

I think that if you want nice well made clothes it is now cheaper to make them yourself. For ages it wasn't but stuff in the shops is really poorly made now and often crappy fabric.

I honestly can’t see that there would be much market for this, which is why not many places offer it. There’s barely anywhere than even sells paper patterns in person any more, let along has the shop space for each pattern made up in each size (hours of work for each one) just on the off chance someone might buy a £10 pattern…

I would start with patterns that have simple lines, especially if they’re made from stretch fabrics. You learn your shape as you learn your style. It’s very important to measure yourself accurately, don‘t worry about the numbers but use them to accurately grad patterns so that they fit you better (so you might be different size at the bust, waist and hips).Toiles are important too, especially or non stretch fabrics. Donut be frightened of stretch fabrics, buy some Maraflex thread and you can sew them on the sewing machine.

Thanks everyone. Yes, I can totally see that there wouldn’t be much of a market for what I’m describing. I think I just need to dive in!

Thanks - appreciate everyone’s thoughts!

Ive often thought I'd love to have a mix and match kit with little poppers or zips or tiny magnets along what would be seams so you can choose a back piece and add a front piece with the exact body length and neckline you want, add sleeves of your choice, different width waist pieces, skirts of different styles,
lengths and fullness etc. it would have limited use for a single person unless they like a lot of different styles.

Instead Im mindful about what necklines/sleeves/ waistlines etc and colours suit me on shop bought clothes and then seek out patterns that match as closely as possible. Im currently attempting to recreate a dress from a charity shop with label cut out so just turned it inside out and traced each piece. No idea how it'll turn out though as I'm not that skilled but only one way to learn, and I love how I look and feel in the original except I hate the fabric pattern!

Do you want to describe your shape OP? We might be able to suggest what would suit or not suit?

The way I have always made clothes is to size up about 3 sizes on the pattern itself, and then, being much too lazy to make a tuile or often even to tack my stuff, I pin it all carefully, alter the pins til it fits better and then sew as is. I have never learnt any exciting pattern adjusting techniques, but sometimes add some extra darts etc.

I find that most problems with most clothes are solved by the clothes actually fitting you. I would look for a) simple patterns and b) patterns similar to clothing you already have and like to start with.

Remember that trousers (i.e. having to shape them around your bottom) and sleeves (i.e. shaping round the shoulder) are more complicated, so you might prefer to avoid them to start with - or do things that are forgivingly shaped.

Cashmerette should help with pattern grading as they’ll tell you when you input your measurements.

Hi, I am very late to this but just to say that if I see a pattern I like, I look for it on Instagram and try and find it on people with a similar body shape to me. Independent sewing pattern companies can be really inclusive and often show finished garments on a range of different models too.

Even if you were to try a garment of the same pattern on, making it up in a different fabric might alter the look completely. I have been making clothes for years. You do not save money by making clothes but I do it because I like sewing and having something different.
OP, you could start with a style that is something similar to what you have already worn. The most important thing is sizing. Measure yourself and choose the size that responds to your size. The size will not be the same as when buying clothes as it is not vanity sizing. I am usually a size 10 in shop bought clothes but the pattern size I usually use is a 14. Before you sew your side/waist/ mid seam pieces together on your machine you can tack them together and try the garment on to see if it is a good fit. After that you can adjust the size of the seams accordingly. Start with something simple in an easy fabric to work with. Stretch fabrics are a specialist skill and usually require an overlocker.