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 )

Yes the neck is pretty flat - by some fluke I suspect!
No no no! Any mistake is a fluke, getting it right is always due to skill. Trust your Auntie Zippy on this.

It looks great - totally professional. Is the neck trim bias binding or one you made earlier? .

Goddess it's bought jersey bias - it's got a tiny bit of stretch, but I don't think it's actually much stretchier than woven bias. I was going to do the sleeve cuffs too but didn't have quite enough - I cut a piece at 80% of the cuff circumference but it gathered a bit so I took it off and did folded-over edge. Then, when I did the neck I stretched it a tiny bit to get the flat finish but it's probably somewhere closer to 90% of the neck length.

I think the neck trim is enough actually - fantastic job!

Flighty the red neck trim is fantastic!

I have just purchased a folding table from B&Q for cutting out fabric!

Love the red neck trim flighty

Watching this thread - have a dinosaur of a sewing machine but it works great ...I think.

Would love to make something

I haven't read though all this yet, but I've already ordered the Janome machine that frenchfancy linked to for £89 as well as used copies of the Makers Atelier and Merchant and Mills. I don't need another hobby, but how I would love to make clothes that fit out of fabrics I like. Very excited here, thanks for starting the thread OP.

Feeling very proud today as I am wearing a pair of trousers I've made which I am completely happy with. I've done skirts and dresses and tops, but was nervous of tackling trousers. They're not that difficult a shape - slouchy wide legs - but it is lovely to have a pair of trousers that really fits. The difference is amazing, they're so flattering. I used some cotton-linen denim which has a very slight sheen and quite a lot of body. Putting the fly zip in was a bit tricky, I had to follow the instructions exactly and stop thinking about it as it was completely unclear to me how it would end up until I got to the final stage. Otherwise they went together really well and I'm looking forward to doing another pair, perhaps in wool next time.

not-so-stealth boast, but I nailed an in seam french seam pocket today. Gonna go try the other side...

I want to make this...

I don't have the pattern, it's £75 plus postage on Etsy, in the wrong size, so I'm going to have to figure it out!

I'm both excited and apprehensive!

oh that,s crazy. love the collar. wouldn't know where to start making it though!

Great thread! I haven't read it all yet, but I'm going to get my sewing machine out (sometime soon, when I can sort out a work area) & start making some things. I used to really enjoy it. I might start with non-clothing though, to get a bit of practice in.

Pop i think the main part is relatively straightforward - princess seamed bodice and a long skirt. The collar is a portrait collar and I CANNOT find how to make one anywhere!

Flighty that dress is beautiful. I found this blog about drafting a portrait collar.

I fancy a sailor collar, I mentioned it to dp and he gave me a look. I'm not sure they are in

SCREAM!!

I got a copy of the pattern for under a fiver! It's currently £78 on Etsy!

Completely the wrong size but I can grade it and now I will have the shape of the collar pieces and the instructions.

I am SO pleased! And relieved!

Started the Christmas makes this week

I have a Janome, among others, but it doesn't thread the needle. This thread will be interesting to watch!

Bargain flighty. You'll have to show us the finished result!

I got a Brother, relatively basic model, when I was getting married and buying our first house.

I've used it for various sets of curtains over the years (not all our curtains, but certainly quite a few and that has more than paid me back the purchase price!! Especially as it included full length, blackout-lined and interlined curtains for a large bay sitting room window).

I did start a top for myself years ago - it still has pins in it as I got stuck, and then had no time to fix it, with the arms.

I've made a bunch of stockings for family over the years, and want to make some for the nuclear family this year (time allowing). I have fabric and patterns and ideas for about 101 different projects (including 2 handbags, various tote bags, dollie clothes, burp cloths and fleece blankets for various babies - some almost to teenage years, oops - patchwork table mats, cushion covers to match a relative's sitting room, pyjamas for DD and her DCousin.....and loads more!).

My trouble is that life has been mega busy and I haven't had time to sew. Except for repairs. So I need to get myself back on track with small projects and start to clear out some of my stash. Or else decide which things can go to a charity shop or some other meaningful way to offload them.....

I have fabric and patterns and ideas for about 101 different projects
Me too Biddy plus I have knitting things on the go.
I decided at the beginning of 2017 to start using up stuff rather than buying more - you can guess how that went! Although I did finish a skirt I bought the fabric for 2 years ago and have just done a quilt top with fabric purchased about seven/eight years ago. And have the wadding and backing already purchased too.

whispers I am currently trying to finish a cardigan I started in April, which was due to go to Canada at the end of this week (now will have to be posted!) for a new baby coming this month. And I recently wound up the wool of the back and half a sleeve of a baby cardigan (probably 6 month size) as I was never going to finish it - the child it was for is now 9!

I have crates hidden in the attic that DH doesn't know about - of wool and fabric. I managed to keep my card making stash to reasonable proportions, and do actually make some when I need them...

I think I need to give up work....

Please can someone tell me what sewing machine to buy!!!

I have been looking at the one from the gbsb. What does everyone think?

I am a novice so want something easy but with the extra bits that might be useful once I get the hang of it

Dropping back in with the PSA that the Lidl Singer overlocker is back on Sunday. I am cursing the fact that we are out with family all day and checking the Lidl store locator to see if I find one on the way...