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 )

Zoya. Thanks, I'll had a quick look and that looks great.

I've never seen stretchy fabric except in craft projects where accuracy hasn't been an issue.

We have loads of old t shirts at home and I'm thinking of chopping them up this weekend to practice on. Am I right in thinking I need to get ballpoint needles? And use zig zag? Any advice?

Stupid autocorrect . 'I've never sewn ......'

I started learning a year or so ago, got a 'watermelon pink' starter machine from John Lewis for about £100 which are made by Janome.

TBH it's perfect for a beginner, it does everything I need except a couple of things that you don't really need until your more intermediate (might swap in a year or so).

If anyone needs any ideas for their Birthday/Christmas lists...one of my fave things has been the Gutermann thread book which means I'm never stuck for the right colour of thread (I just order top ups as needed).

😍 at that thread book. I was unaware of such a thing. It's definitely going on my present list.

@Deux

Yep...for stretchy fabric you use stretch/ballpoint needles and zig zag stitching and make sure the thread tension isn't too high.

What you really want is an overlocker (called sergers in the US) which is a dream for stretchy fabric. I went on a one day course to learn how to use mine the other week so just waiting to start a project.

Currently stuck doing repairs to DPs top with cat assistant

I an overlocker, but they seem really expensive, where do people with an overlocker buy them from, which model would you recommend?

I'm back from various holidays and itching to get started on sewing up autumn and winter clothes for me and the children.

Does anyone subscribe to a magazine? I used to have a subscription for Simply Sewing (I think that's the one) but I wasn't impressed at all with the free envelope patterns. Out of 6 issues I think I liked maybe 2 free ones. So any other recommendations?

I have an Ottobre mag for children's patterns which is ace but sparse instructions. And I bought a Burda one for me.

I tend to buy magazines in the shop Gin if I like the look of the free patterns. But having sampled a few mags recently I am thinking about a subscription to Sewing World. They seem to have had a redesign and the magazine feels "calmer" and less busy than some of the others. This month's edition had articles about craftivism and a company that only sells ethically-sources fabrics too.

I'm currently subscribed for 6 months to Love Sewing as I like the articles in it. Sometimes I like the patterns (this months are totally up my street) Sometimes they're a bit meh so I give them away. Threads is a good read but not very cheerful

This thread is very inspiring. I have a basic sewing machine and a lovely hand cranked vintage one. I used to quilt but haven't done any sewing since my daughter was born 4 years ago.

Think I will sign up to one of the online workshops and try to get back into it. Would love to make my own clothes.

@MsUnderstanding do you have a Lidl nearby? Keep an eye out for their offers on Singer overlockers, that's where a lot of us bought ours, I think (going by previous threads). I paid £99 and it's a bargain at that price. They seem to keep doing them quite regularly.

I was apprehensive about getting the hang but in fact it's been fine - I managed to re-thread it with the help of a YouTube tutorial and now feel pretty confident at zooming away.

Hi, please may I join you in your sewing fun.

I've been sewing on and off for years and sew mainly household stuff, bunting and bags.

I've gone from an old Singer to an Aldi special to Brother Innovis 980K Embroidery machine.

DH has just surprised me with a Pfaff Coverlock 4.0 which I can't wait to play with.

We've just moved and I am having to set up my sewing area again but with less room. I'm just waiting for DH to run electricity to the area so I can get back to it. Champing at the bit.

I found my people :D

I've been sewing for a while but started making my own clothes more seriously recently and I love it! I've hardly bought any new clothes recently and nearly everything I've made fits me so much better than anything shop bought. I do need to learn how to do a proper narrow shoulder adjustment though.

For beginners or a quick sew for more advanced sewers I really like the Sew Over It Ultimate Shift Dress. I've made two so far, one in Rifle Paper Co rayon and the other in a Sew Over it viscose floral print . You can also make a simple top with the same pattern so it's very versatile.

Anyone who prints PDF patterns, I recently used Netprinters who are very very cheap for A0 printing. It was so much easier than printing and sticking A4 pages.

Just bought my GBSB live tickets, is anyone here going?

Placemarking as I need to give this thread a good read. I've been thinking recently that I really should start adjusting clithes. I have quite big boobs so a lot of t shirts end up baggy around the middle and hips which is not flattering. Like the look of that shift dress; I have one very similar which I've often thought I'd love to copy in a longer version.
Might actually compell me to get off MN - that seems to be the barrier to most productive activity .

I spent many a happy minute watching these yesterday.

I haven't rtft quite but
Yy to finding your local decent sewing shop especially if they do classes.

Alison Smith and Readers Digest are good books to have near you.
Yy to the singer overlocker in Lidl in October.
Yy to the knitting and Stitching show and is anybody going to the Great British Sewing bee live?
I have been dressmaking on and off for years and love that there are such great patterns and shops now not just John Lewis and the market.

I'm going to GBSB on the Saturday. Instagram is great for following other dressmakers, is anyone else on there? I usually use the hashtag #sewcialists to find people.

My next project is going to be the Sew OVer It Lola coat from their city break set. Really hope it turns out well as I love the style of this coat.

I want to have a go at the M4M MamaNina swing dress. Would do it with a little broderie anglaise petticote peeping out of the bottom. I've seen loads of them on their FB page and they look really sweet.

Does anyone know what shoulder width regular patterns are cut to? I think my shoulders are wider than standard but I'm not sure how to adjust for this.

You need "fit for real people" mary, if you haven't got a book on fitting I recommend it as the first one you buy. V old fashioned looking but don't let that put you off. I used mine so much it fell apart so I bought it again when they reissued it. Photos are classic.

My sewing machine is arriving this week. Due to my badly curved spine its impossible to find well fitting clothes. My mum is going to help me get started as she was a sample maker for almost.30 years for firms like Marks and Van Heusen shirts to name but a few. Im sadly excited.

Thanks Barchester! I do have a book with a chapter on fitting but it isn't very detailed.

Maybe this has been mentioned elsewhere on the thread but I've recently discovered www.threadsmagazine.com. There are some great instructional stuff, tutorials, and so on.

Zoya. Thanks for the the Coco pattern recommendation.

As luck would have it they had it in stock in John Lewis so I bought it on a whim, some Ponte fabric and I made it yesterday. I'm stupidly pleased with it as it fits really, really well. It's was quite easy to sew as not too stretchy. I used about £17 worth of fabric and I don't think I'd get a ponte top in the shops for the same price, certainly not one that fits so well.

I think I'm going to make a hoodie next and make a pattern from one of DH's hoodies. I always steal his as they're oversized and super cosy on me.

I like the Sew Over It patterns mentioned by a PP. had a look on their site and like the Anderson blouse, anyone made it?

Love the cat and sewing spaces pictures. 🙂

Deux I've made a few Anderson blouses now and the reviews are right -I've had to downsize from an 18 (by measurements) to a 10/12 and due to my abnormally narrow shoulders have traded them to a zero. Don't bother with the silly ribbon at the waist - I used elastic in the channel and it doesn't come out in the washing machine unlike the stupid ribbon

Deux I'm thrilled that Coco worked for you. I love ponte - it's so flattering and just skims rather than clinging.

I have vague thoughts of making one up in neoprene or similar but am a bit scared of working with such an unfamiliar fabric. Any experiences?