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 )

Deux That Anderson blouse looks lovely. I'm not confident at setting in sleeves yet though.

I woke up at silly o'clock this morning for no reason and stumbled on this. Loved reading what everyone is making and doing!
I'm looking forward to getting a new sewing machine in the next couple of months and want to have a go at making some clothes, I've done things for toy dolls before but that's all so it could be a fun challenge.

for those interested in sewing lingerie, here is a link to lots of amazing patterns: curvysewingcollective.com/revisiting-lingerie-month/

I make scrundies for myself (not yet perfected) and my daughters who LOVE their funky pants.

Had a day off work today as DD was poorly. Had a lovely time cutting fabric and pinning it while DD snuggled in the sofa and made 2 dresses and a top while DD slept.

Not the best pictures but am feeling very happy with myself. The dress is a free pattern from craftsy and the top was a pattern I got in the charity shop for 99p. The fabric cost me a grand total of £6 for about 5 metres from the market (all end of bolt pieces).

Feeling very pleased with myself as I have 2 things I'm happy to wear outside the house and DD has a cure play dress.

I tried a stretch fabric for the first time and made this (it the 3hour slouchy cardigan out of the GBSB series 3 book), I'm really rather pleased and DD has admired it as well, which I'm taking as a big compliment! I'm debating pyjamas or a dress as my next project.

You're all making stuff so fast! I spent 2 hours cutting and sticking a PDF pattern and trying to resize it for petite figures last night and then I was knackered! Definitely should have started with that drapey top instead, it's just that drapey tops have never suited me, too short and with not particularly large but oddly conical boobs means they hang straight down and make me twice as big. Also I always want sleeves so might as well learn to do sleeves from the start, thought I, foolishly.

I then spent two hours reading about stretchy stitches thanks to this thread, which I hope will come in handy. Does anyone know any nice sewing blogs? I've been reading whatkatiesews.net for inspiration as I used to read her house blog, but her preferred shape is sack-like and I'm hourglass abd need a waist in things. Love her fabric choices though.

I love reading about what everyone is making. They're great and so inspiring.

Mary. I've book marked lots of blogs as I've been bouncing around on google with searches starting 'how do I ......'. One I really like is sewsarahsmith.wordpress.com/blogroll-my-favourite-sewing-reads/ and she has lots of good blogs on her blog roll. Another is Minerva bloggers network. www.minervacrafts.com/blogger-network/all

I must just post this you tube link. This is a teen boy who knocks up his own hoodies. So refreshing, no tape measure in sight. I'm going to use his method to replicate DH's hoodie.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ysNH86vqiI

This one is by someone else on how to copy your favourite t-shirt, very inspiring and makes it look so easy.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=A90PmZLvwFM

Oh how lovely! People to talk sewing with. I've been sewing for four years now and am rather obsessed. In fact am abroad on holiday and missing it! @Zoya, I've made five Coco tops so far, as it's a brilliant fit on me. Two of them were actually women's with a slight stretch, and one was in that weird neoprene. I love the colour and the way it sees, but I don't like the feel on my skin. Otherwise I like indie patterns (BH London, Sew Over It, Colette, T&TB) but also make some from the big four. I love my overlocker but I'm not sure I use it to its full extent - hoping to do a class soon. And for fabric I love Fabrics Galore but also use Fabricland for cheaper options. And Goldhawk Rd. Thank you for the thread!

Fab thread (see what I've done there..)

Benson, I downloaded a simple PJ bottoms pattern for free from craftsy, I'm going to make them at the weekend with a simple vest top. I love the cardi by the way.

Its my birthday at the end of this month so I'm asking for some books, I have asked for the Merchant one and a couple of sewing bee books. There's a playsuit in one, does anyone know which?

Thanks glen I think I will try making pyjamas for me as practice then try trousers for DS. I also fancy trying a dress if I can find the right pattern (shift dress with pockets and a scoop or v neck in a stretch fabric, not found one yet). My GBSB book is the series three one called Fashion with Fabrics. It has a jumpsuit with a vest top if that's what you are thinking of?

Placemarking so I can go through this thread properly. I'm keen to start making clothes for me and my DCs. So far I've only made cushion covers! Would people recommend the John Lewis machines as a good fairly cheap all round option for a beginner?

I think it is, I'll add that one to my list, thanks.

Craftsy had a nice round neck Jersey dress, don't think it has pockets though. It's definitely worth having a look through their free patterns, I've found some really nice things.

Oh @Benson, have you looked at the Sew Over It Heather dress? I've made two, and it's a stretch knee length dress with princess seams at quirky pockets. I really like it, and will definitely be making another.

Thanks glen, Craftsy is a bit overwhelming, there is so much on there! Have seen a couple of dress contenders which I've saved for now.

EAT - how high is the neckline on the Heather dress? I had seen it but really don't feel comfortable in a high neck. I was also looking at the intro to sewing with knit fabrics online course on sew over it which has the Emma dress but again I thought the neck might be a bit high (and no pockets on that one).

Marking my place as I need to read this. Getting so frustrated at not being able to find clothes that I really enjoy wearing, particularly trousers, and I have a sewing machine that is massively neglected!

Hi Benson. I'll take a pic and post it next week (on holiday right now). It's not a high neck, but not revealing or anything either!

I have the Sew Over It Heather pattern, by haven't attempted yet as I'm a bit afraid of knit fabrics...

Cashmerette are having a 40% off PDF patterns offer until tomorrow - they haven't done any discounting before - I got the Upton and Webster Dress patterns. I've been living in their short sleeve Appletons (wrap dress) all summer.

shop.cashmerette.com/
code: TRYCASHMERETTE

Surpriseeggsforbreakfast How do you convert the A4 pages in a pattern to A0?

And thanks for the tip re the Sorbetto. I've always sewn a bit but more home furnishings and bags. I've recently made two skirts which I live in (basically jean replacements) but have been scared by sleeves. I've been wasting loads of time on indiewsew and Kollabora which are great sites for discovering patterns and seeing all the ways people have interpretted them. I really wanted to try making a minoru jacket but thats jumping in the deep end a bit. So I'm going to make V3 Sorbetto (though may cut the sleeves at an angle so they are a but more flattering) as a test run.

Pop I don't know about other pattern designers but Sew Over It pdf patterns come with an A0 copy shop format file, and a letter to confirm that you can make a print for personal use without infringing copyright.

Those of you who have mentioned Instagram, who are some good people to follow? I'm getting into sewing but time is limited with 3 kids including a 9 month old who will not nap unless on me or in the car/pushchair.

@economymode

Two that I'm following and really enjoying are:
www.instagram.com/houseofpinheiro/
And
www.instagram.com/ym.sews/

How on earth they hold down jobs and still manage to sew so much is beyond me!!!

Pop many, but not all, PDF patterns come with an AO file too.

I usually join the PDF's A4 sheets all together (using glue stick is 100 times easier than using tape), but I have sent some AO files off for printing on Friday for the fist time. I got 9 patterns, 21 sheets, printed for £25.