Sewing help please

[janeite]

Some of you might remember that I bought my dds a sewing machine for Christmas, even though I have no idea how to use one.

Well today I helped dd1 to make a skirt! We just bought some really wide black elastic and then gathered up some material, which we stitched to the elastic and then up the side in a side-seam. It looks absolutely gorgeous on her and we both feel very proud! Even better - it cost only £1 for the elastic and 50p for the fabric from the market - so it is a real credit-crunch achievement!

SO - does anybody know any websites that might help two complete novices carry on with sewing?

Thanks ever so....

It's been a long time since I did much, I think I make about one thing a year now lol. Will be awhile before I can do much with the way my back is. I have triage tomorrow though, so hoping things will start to move now!

A fashion designer? Wow - that is what dd1 thinks she wants to be! Any hints on college/uni courses?

"Coraline" is a great book with a rather silly ending. My Year 8s loved it though. Have just read "The Graveyard Book" which I liked a lot.

Blossomfield do an ND and HND, which is where I started, not sure where else do them. The ND also gives an AS in Art and background in all other art areas. I don't know if they still do but when I was there they had the contract with the Clothes Show for work experience, I was a model dresser one year which was brilliant. You need good English, Maths and Art results, same as doing A levels.

Carry on doing what you're doing, it's good practice. Also good for her to draw lots, people and clothes especially but anything as you have o show inspiration from differnt things - I knitted a jumper based on the ICC . Reading Winifred Aldred books and trying them out, most courses are based on her women's wear book.

If she wants to try working with a pattern or from the Winifred book I don't mind helping.

Thanks Tinks - that is really helpful. Off to check out Winifred A now. Although she has come home tonight (this is after years of wanting to be a fashion designer) saying she thinks she might like to be a forensic artist! Clearly art is going to be in there somewhere! Will keep her going on the drawing and with experimentation. English and Maths results should be v good.

I think when you are an artist, you're an artist so will think about all different art areas. TBD draws mainly cartoon type drawings (far better 2D artist than me) and he's a civil engineer so spends his life drawing, he loves it! Personally I just love making things, when I did Foundation I hated anything that was 2D, apart from 3DD (drawing 3D drawings 2D, IYSWIM), but I loved doing anything that was making something.

Thanks again. She was so excited when i told her I'd been speaking to you and we've been looking at Blossomfield and various other things. Just need to find her an evening class for now.