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Original poster

Home made clothes chic? Or cheap?

32 replies

Rhymerocket · 22/03/2015 10:13

I'm a size 18/20 apple shape and I have real issues getting nice classy clothes to fit me. Soooo I love seeing and decided to make some of my own. I made a corgi pus Pink Boucle jacket which I have worn loads and just made a few other pieces. All r well made and I have been asked lots where I bought my jacket.

However had a pal over for coffe this week and showed her my latest project and she said "it's not like u to be so cheap"?
She said home made clothes look anything But stylish. I'm i being deluded. ????

OP posts:
Velvetbee · 22/03/2015 10:22

But home made clothes aren't cheap. Your friend is a cow.

yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 22/03/2015 10:23

I grew up in a house where my mum made a lot of her clothes, and ours. She had always done it, it was considered unusual in the 80s, as clothes had just started to get less expensive. Clothes are now considered disposable, people don't realise that material is expensive to get what you want and that you may be making stuff to actually fit rather than save money.
Just a difference of opinion, if you are happy with your work, carry on Grin
Well done you!
I'm working on my sewing skills at the moment and would love to be able to do this but I want everything yesterday which in working on.

Original poster
Rhymerocket · 22/03/2015 10:24

No Velvet ur right! My main motivation is to get clothes which fit me properly and flatter my shape.

OP posts:
MsAspreyDiamonds · 22/03/2015 10:28

Completely ignore her, the silly woman as she is probably jealous that she isn't creative like you. I wish I could see, I did sew a skirt at school but that was years ago. I really admire people who can do this and there are lots of programmes like Sewing Bee and local classes that are tapping into people's need to create and customize. There is a free sewing guide with todays Sunday Telegraph paper with free patterns and tips if you are interested.

Ignore your 'friend' and carry on sewing.

chanie44 · 22/03/2015 10:28

I don't know anyone who makes their own clothes. It can be very chic if you are using modern patterns. You will have something original, it will fit you really well and you can choose the material and finish yourself.

Plus you have the satisfaction of knowing it wasn't made in a sweat shop!

burnishedsilver · 22/03/2015 10:30

Assuming you're good at it, definately chic.
You're a fashionista, she is an idiot.

If you're not good at it and it's a bit amateur looking that's a different story.

mirpuppet · 22/03/2015 10:30

Completely dpends on how well they are made.

I know some people who make there on clothes and they look wonderful.

Other people make their own clothes and they are not quite right.

Depends on the skill level and the project.

Original poster
Rhymerocket · 22/03/2015 10:33

Thanks girls. Feeling reassured now. Have a family event next weekend and have made a dress and jacket to wear so at least I know no one will have the same out for lol.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rhymerocket · 22/03/2015 10:39

Burnishedsilver I love u! I have never been cAlled a fashionista before. Woohoo.

I'm good at it. It's my only talent. So the things I make look professional.

OP posts:
Superexcited · 22/03/2015 10:46

I sew and it certainly isn't cheap to do. I love sewing clothes for myself because I can choose the style and the fabric and make it to fit my shape perfectly. Well made homemade clothes look far better than off the rail clothes bought in mediocre shops. Badly made stuff looks terrible though.

GERTgert06 · 22/03/2015 10:49

No, I don't think you are being deluded. Well made, well fitting items don't look home made. By stylish, I wonder if she meant fashionable ( wearing pretty much the same as everyone else)? Top designers bring out a "look" each season, which every manufacturer rushes to copy, so every store ends up selling almost the same thing. Boring, and the same doesn't suit every figure, as you know.

goshdarnit · 22/03/2015 10:53

Making your own clothes is not cheap! When you factor in the fabric, the notions like zips, thread, buttons etc, and most importantly, the time involved, they can end up far more expensive than a sweat shop produced item from Primark etc. I have made dresses for weddings etc and they are cheaper as I would have bought a £150+ garment instead.
But, what you end up with (hopefully) is a garment that fits you, is unique and should last you for a long time. I love making my own stuff and the pleasure I take from it makes me very happy.
Your friend obviously has no idea of the processes and costs involved...
Carry on, next stop; GBSB! Grin

mammuzzamia · 22/03/2015 10:56

Your 'friend' sounds rude! I couldn't make anything like that.

Now, if she had been talking to me she might have had a point. I'm no seamstress and would have to pretend I was trying for the boho chic look. Grin

Alwaysrushingaround · 22/03/2015 11:00

I'd love to have your talent OP..
Can't sew and no classes nearby tho
I am always taking things to dressmaker to be altered..PITA
Enjoy your flair and good on you for being creative !

lurkingaround · 22/03/2015 11:11

What a rude, unsupportive friend!

I wish I could make clothes. I'm a little envious of your talent. I bet your clothes look excellent. You are not deluded.

Brillenbar · 22/03/2015 11:39

I think it's utterly chic. You are quite right that it's all about fit, and if you are good enough to tailor your own clothes, there are plenty of people who would pay you hundreds to do it for them. And you are one more person who is not supporting sweatshop child labour.

SunnyL · 22/03/2015 12:37

Circa 50% of my wardrobe is now handmade. Your 'friend' can shove it where the sun doesn't shine if she thinks I'm cheap. The material cost may be cheaper but the time it takes makes it far from cheap. Instead I get clothes that fit perfectly whereas she gets to wear things that 1000s of other women also wear.

Viviennemary · 22/03/2015 12:40

It depends entirely on the skill of the person making the clothes. Some can look homemade and cheap but some people have the skill to turn out very stylish garments.

yumyumpoppycat · 22/03/2015 12:46

I think it is def not cheap, your friend is jealous! It is true though that it will depend on how well the pieces turn out but I would never think someone going to that effort was cheap, even if the pieces weren't quite right. You could always mix and match with shop purchases.

OneLittleLady · 22/03/2015 13:00

how rude of your 'friend'. well done, made at home clothes can look fabulous, even better than shop bought stuff. I'm having sewing lessons over the summer so i can make my own things. ignore her, it was a very mean minded and nasty comment for her to make. it isnt cheap and it isnt easy, it takes real skill to make something that looks good so carry on and be proud of your creativity Smile

LoveVintage · 22/03/2015 13:02

Not cheap at all and much more ethical. I am quite envious of your skills. Would you put a picture up of something you have made?

MrsDeVere · 22/03/2015 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

daftyburd · 22/03/2015 13:07

I am so jealous of your talent and I bet your so called friend is jealous too. I am terrible at sewing. To have the ability to alter my clothes never mind make them would be living the dream. Focus on the compliments you get and forget her negativity.

Branleuse · 22/03/2015 13:10

thats a really bitchy comment from your friend.

dressmaking is creative, clever and bang on trend. Also less capitalist. Very cool x

NoRockandRollFun · 22/03/2015 20:39

CHEAP? Many years ago I suppose it was something people did to save money, or perhaps that was just my family? Clothes are made overseas in sweat shops by children for pence. Fabric, patterns etc. can be really expensive in comparison. Clothes making is REALLY popular at the moment and has been for a while, just look at all the many 100s of sewing blogs out there, and there's Sewing Bee of course. I got the bug about 10 years ago but haven't progressed much beyond curtains, shopping bags and cushion covers. Made DDs Elsa and Ana outfits recently and feel all inspired to make myself something now. Big respect to you for making something people have commented on. Your friend is an incredibly rude tit.