Do you make your own clothes?

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

And if so, where do you look for patterns?

I looked at pattern books in John Lewis recently, and just found it overwhelming. Is there a particular brand which does nice stuff?

No. I don't but I must admit I'm a tad envious of those that can. It must be amazing to be able to say that you make your own clothes.

I often look on this forum for recommendations.

The sewing magazines also often review patterns made by smaller makers and I have seen some interesting ones.

Often I will use simplicity because (as them name suggests) they are really simple, so a Burda tbh. They would be a good place to start.

I also make patterns from clothes that I like which have either worn out or are too small/big.

Hoe that helps...

Like PP said Burdastyle is good for patterns but they're not the easiest for beginners. I like quite modern sewing, rather than 1950s sundresses and the like so tend to use Grainline Patterns (her Archer shirt is my work shirt staple), Republic Du Chiffon (French but some English patterns), Megan Nielson (sp?) and Merchant and Mills.

I've found sewing blogs to be great places to get started - if I see something I like I'll check which pattern was used and go from there!

I'm itching to sew something new at the moment but have to wait until I've lost this baby weight

Collette patterns are a good place to start, as are several of the other smaller makers. The trouble is that the smaller makers are often expensive -£15 for a pattern.

Ive found that with the likes of simplicity etc., I'm better off with an idea of what I would like to sew before I go shopping, because the illustrations on the pattern aren't inspiring! Look at the line drawings and not the off putting pictures. I agree sewing blogs are good for inspiration.

I do but I have not yet used a pattern. I make (copy) from existing clothes or buy clothes that aren't quite right and alter them.

I often make fairly simple things (like pj trousers, basic trousers, straightforward dresses and skirts) and make up the pattern or copy it from something I already own. When I do use patterns it tends to be from the smaller companies - try By Hand London, Sew Over It, or Merchant and Mills for some really nice ones.

You can also get lovely pattern books by some japanese authors I like Yoshiko Tsukiori. Each book is £12 or so but contains multiple patterns that you can mix and match.

Yes to the blogs too - people test a pattern and you can see how the finished item looks, so it's much easier to narrow down your choices and just go with what's been tested and recommended.

I love Miss Celie's Pants (a US blog), Dolly Clackett and I'm always coming across new ones.

I'm just starting out - I can't find clothes I like in the right colours etc so have decided to go for it.

I have a few patterns and I recently copied a work top (very simple one) as it was wearing out.

I've recently found that prima magazine has either a pattern included or one you can send off for so it worth looking to see if it's anything you fancy.

so much easier when you just narrow it down.

Just looking at Burdastyle. Digital patterns you print off? I've only got an A4 printer... sellotaping it all together doesn't sound like fun?!