Anybody dream of buying a sewing machine and making their own clothes?

[laGrosellaEspinosa]

How delusional am I?

I don't want to make everything but just the odd thing. A jumpsuit or a dress. I see a very clear vision of an item of clothing in my head sometimes and I think it's beautiful and I both want it and I want to create it.

Anybody have a sewing machine? Can they recommend a good solid reliable one that threads the needle (essential). Is it useful for making alterations even if you're not Stella McCartney (I reckon my designes would be better than her :-p )

My machine is a 31 year old Elna from my mum. And going against the grain, I started with stretch fabric and PDF patterns. And I get fabric on line, mainly from a polish site as it's cute, good quality and cheap. I've made kids clothes and now some for me too. Also alterations and repairs.

Ive made a few things over the years and learnt the hard way that
a, not all patterns fit all body types. In fact the cynic in me says that most patterns need adjustment of some kind which is a total pain. Tilly's patterns in particular are for her shape I think. Why most shop bought size 10s fit me and most pattern made size 10s don't is a mystery.

b, after you've bought a pattern, fabric and notions even if on sale, even if from a charity shop you will probably be spending as much if not more than you would on a shop bought item.

Here's one story from my experience
I wanted to make a sixties style a-line dress and found a great looking pattern. Bought that. Had some fabric in my stash. Bought the other bits- zip, thread to match and needed some interlining stuff. Checked measurements on back of pattern packet and cut out size that seemed to match mine. Made dress, it looked fab and sewing went well. Very pleased with myself. Tried dress on. Ah. Neck gaped really badly at the back, lots of extra fabric at bust and underarms, tight over tummy.
I could have taken it to bits and made adjustments but the thought of unpicking all of that work was too daunting.
So I drafted a combined pattern that was smaller on the top and bigger over the hips and I adjusted the neck at the back as I sewed it. I bought new fabric, matching zip and buttons. This dress turned out beautifully. It fit me to a tee. I've now put on a few pounds and it no longer fits me at all.

Sorry that's all a bit negative. My advice is to read online reviews before making anything. Be prepared to adjust everything. Only buy expensive fabric when you are sure the pattern works for you, whether that's from having used it before or by making a toile and making any adjustments based on that.
Because I'm an idiot I made several things which really weren't my style and they never got worn. I made a blouse by Tilly. I never wear blouses. It was a lovely blouse but I never wore it. Ditto the long dress (very little house on the prairie) and the A-line skirt (very, very A-line)

My latest make was from The Stylish Dress Book and is great. Thank the lord!

I wonder if jersey, whilst perhaps harder to sew, is more forgiving of fit issues? And allows for less complex patterns meaning the time you lose with careful slow sewing is made up by having to do less of it.

after you've bought a pattern, fabric and notions even if on sale, even if from a charity shop you will probably be spending as much if not more than you would on a shop bought item

But the quality and fit are far superior.

A Hobbs linen dress even on sale will be the best part of £100. I can buy 3 m of linen for around £30, a pattern (half-price Vogue specials) for £10. I have an original. properly fitted, properly made (eg lining, hand sewn hems) for under £50, plus my time. But I sew while watching trash telly.

I have one, and used it a lot when I lived alone. I had the time. I sewed my own wedding dress because I couldn't afford to buy one.
Now I only sew when people ask me for a favour. I wish I hadn't told anyone.

Years and years ago when I was teen, I used to make nearly all my own clothes and progressed onto clothes for DS's.

I dont do much now now but have a couple of patterns I've bought in the last year that I threaten to get around to.

Technically it was my t trade, so I have been put off doing my own stuff fo years...no excuse now though

Jivebunny I kept quite for years about what I did and especially that I had worked for a military tailor...the fist time I let slip I was very quickly invited to someones for coffee and told their DH had been promoted and it was going to cost £150 to redo his rank badges...mmm yea there is s reaosn for that..

I don't mind PDF patterns at all and most come in multi sizes so you can grade between them, or print out a different size if you change shape.

There are lots of great sewing FB groups - my fave is Curvy Sewing Collective.

After sewing with the big $ co's for years, I now mainly use online indie pattern companies. Some of my recent fav's are:

papercutpatterns.com/collections/sakura/products/otsu-jeans shop.cashmerette.com/ www.namedclothing.com/shop/asaka-kimono/
www.patternsforpirates.com/product-category/womens/
www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/myrtle
www.scrooppatterns.com/products/ngaio-blouse

bonzo jersey is a lot more forgiving re fit.
It's not more difficult - I was told this and put it off for years. It's actually super easy but you need stretch fabric needles and to use the right stitches.

OP with sewing you will make mistakes. You need to accept that is part of it. But it is a fab hobbie and if you have a vision of what you want, it is possible to make it.

It certainly isn't cheaper than CHEAP clothes, and you can spend £££££ on fabric. But I think it does work out cheaper, and you get better quality garments most of the time (if you choose your fabric wisely).

There are many many great sewing blogs, FB groups etc - lots of knowledge shared out there.

Oh my i started reading this thread and clicked on the drapers daughters link. Just lost an hour looking at all the fabric and patterns. Sooooo want to dig my ancient sewing machine out and start learning. I can do straight lines and have made a couple of tops years ago now. Need to have a good clear out so i can find a spot for my machine to live instead of its current back of the cupboard home

Excited at the thought!

@ bensonbunny I used the children's version of this pattern to make pj pants for ds and it had fabulously easy to follow instructions. It was my first item after a sewing class and they look fab. The fly was a bit fiddly but I think there's a version without.

flightywoman thank you so much for that link!

Tilly and the buttons PJ trousers done! Made from an old cot bed duvet cover. Things I learnt...i need to take more care cutting out and should may be get some better scissors.

Finally RTFT after bookmarking it AGES ago. I took a 6 week course at a local women's centre and made a tiny cushion cover and a bag and since then have stockpiled patterns and bought a full size machine (Brother LS14) which hasn't left its box. I seem to be afraid to start...

Also, finding plus size patterns is hard. I love the look of T&TB and Merchant & Mills but they don't go anywhere near my size. Hurrah for Cashmerette though!

Am loving the avid seamstress patterns on the drapers daughter. Has anyone made the sheath dress and can comment on how easy it was? Also, does it suit a pear shape with a tummy?

I've got an ancient swiss made Elna machine, bought for me for my 21st birthday. I retired last week. Time I got into sewing again. Its done nothing but curtains for the last 35 years apart from loads of lovely frilly dresses for DD when she was small.

Bit of a late jumper onto this thread. My DP has high functioning autism, and one of his hobbies is "Cosplay" (yep he's basically a Big Bang theory character)
So I bought a sewing machine a few years ago.
I'm still not brilliant, but that's more to do with me not having the time, but I'm getting very good at alterations and simple patterns.

However, I found a great place for sewing machines

www.britishsewingcentre.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5PDLBRB0EiwAh-27MidX3ChhL4hsMjDu9IVQUsqL0gjEgS9RCaL1o7TTlwsx1HTXaboKZBoCAbQQAvD_BwE

Hopefully this could help some of you out.
Fabric wise I'm a Londoner so I go to Goldhawk Road as there are millions of fabric shops there.

I've come back to eat my words about big four patterns - well, partly. I've been looking for a non-waisted shirt dress pattern - something like a djellaba - and eventually found a Vogue pattern that will work. It was a Sandra Betzina Today's Fit. The instructions are incredibly detailed and helpful and include instructions to alter the pattern to fit (e.g. for narrow or round shoulders, larger arms etc). Haven't made it up yet but I'm very impressed.

However I also bought a Butterick Very Easy pattern for culottes at the same time. This is the same company but the instructions are really minimal - you'd have to have quite bit of experience under your belt to tackle them.

So on this basis, perhaps two cheers for the big four.

Read the reviews about the sewing machine place Frankenstein - I've heard some horror stories about their service and the quality of their machines

Great thread, how did I miss this?!

Have made stuff for years, off and on - latterly off, alas - and own both the Lidl overlocker and multiple sewing machines, to my shame. I have an epic fabric & pattern stash but little motivation so am hoping to gee myself up into some action.

I've also been to Japan and I warn any fabricaholic now that if you're lucky enough to set foot in Tomato in Tokyo (which is actually about 5 shops in a whole district of fabric shops) you'll barely escape with your senses intact

But for buying fabric here, yy to Abakan in the NW, Goldhawk Rd in London, and Fabric Godmother and Croft Mills online.

I made these for DD for her holiday :)

The top was crocheted using a cheap cotton yarn and the skirt is a polycotton offcut which cost about £1.

DD adores them and it is worth the £5 and 3 hours it took to make!

This afternoon I'm making a best for me from a free online pdf pattern and some cheap Cotton I found on our local market.

It may not be the cheapest way of getting clothes but it's my new hobby and I'm loving it.

Wow! Go glen . Maybe you should change your name to the sewing ostrich?! Am pondering downloading the sheath dress pattern to save some money and making a toile.

However I also bought a Butterick Very Easy pattern for culottes at the same time. This is the same company but the instructions are really minimal - you'd have to have quite bit of experience under your belt to tackle them

That's why I generally only ever buy Vogue patterns. I find the cut is more generous (so their 12 is a good size 12, not a skimpy Zara/Primark 12) and the instructions are very detailed. I buy Vogue patterns when Sew Direct (online) or John Lewis do a 50% deal, which is at least twice a year.

It may not be the cheapest way of getting clothes but it's my new hobby and I'm loving it.

Can I suggest that - if making for yourself, rather than a growing child - you think differently anout "cheap" ?

It takes time to sew at home well, and so I tend to see home sewing & making my own clothes as a way to get really high quality at a fraction of the price of high street good quality. So I don't think it's worth it to sew polycotton - that's what Primark is for.

After a while, you learn to tell by feel and even look (I was guessing correctly all the fabrics at a recent museum display of haute couture), the composition of a fabric. It's feel (called "hand").

The big virtue of home sweing is the ability to find lovely pure cotton with a sift wearable feel for £5 per metre, and make a lovely full skirted summer frock for £20

I have a winter coat that's pure wool gaberdine, in a classic cut & it's now around 30 years old. I've worn it every autumn and it's only last year that it started to look worn. Pure wool, lined & interlined, and very wearable. It took me a couple of weeks to make, but has lasted for years. It's now too tatty to wear, but I can't bring myself to give it away - it's my "throw on over pyjamas to go out in the rain to bring in more wood for the fire" cover up now!

Oh I'm only using the polycotton to practice don't worry.

I have a few patterns I'm squirreling away once I'm a bit better.

I agree about the quality. I have a pattern for a gorgeous pair of shorts I want to make in linen for when I go to Florida next year which I saw similar online for £70. I'm building up to that. Also nice jersey dresses which I spend a fortune on even second hand I can't wait to make.