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 )

Niminy the flimsy paper type patterns are what really put me off, and also lack of detailed instructions. I'm glad to hear you think the T&TB patterns are good.

What sort of stuff is in the Merchant & Mills book?

For a start they are printed on really flimsy tissue paper

My experience is very different. The tissue paper is flexible, and allows you to pin and measure on the body, if you need to. The new style patterns tend to be simple & without - shall I say - any subtlety in their cut. And the normal weight paper doesn't allow for as much adjustment and moulding in laying out & cutting.

The "flimsy" tissue is actually quite robust - I have patterns I've been using for 20-30 years, plus a whole load of vintage patterns I pick up in charity shops. And it allows a much more subtle alteration and adjustment of cut.

I always start by looking at the traditional pattern makers but I find that the designs are often so dated. I do recommend keeping an eye out for Burda Style magazine. It's about £7 and really good value, even if you only use one or two of the patterns. I'm still not wholly confident at adapting patterns to fit my shape beyond simple lengthening and shortening and I find that the Burda patterns suit me.

I like Tilly and the Buttons, although I've never made anything very tailored from one of their patterns so I can't comment on that. I've made their Coco top with a funnel neck in three different colours now and it is perfect.

One thing I would say is that many of the trendier pattern makers (Sew Over It are particularly bad for this) are pdf only. If you go for this then take the file to a copy shop and get it printed onto A0. Printing and tiling masses of pieces of A4 is tedious and has too much scope for error.

It's always worth looking in charity shops. I've done very well in the past when someone's whole stash has been donated.

I think that making your own clothes makes you a much savvier shopper when you do buy on the high street. You start to check labels for the fabric composition, turn things inside out to check the construction, tut loudly when something expensive isn't lined, etc. It also makes you realise that it just shouldn't be possible to buy a dress for £10, and to grasp how poor the fabric and the working conditions must be to create very cheap clothing.

You start to check labels for the fabric composition, turn things inside out to check the construction, tut loudly when something expensive isn't lined, etc

Oh god I do this ALL.The.Time! I was without my sewing stuff for a while a few years ago (huge house renovation, no space) and had to grit my teeth and buy clothes. Awful if you're used to making pretty much everything you wear. I am now in the middle of some gorgeous linen suit tailoring, and can't wait to make a few proper fitted lined dresses.

Totally agree about PDF patterns. I hate them.

@WeyHay I see what you mean about fitting the tissue paper. I tend to trace off my patterns onto tracing paper so I can make adjustments without committing my only copy of the pattern. But because my style is not very fitted and tailored - e.g. Waisted dresses with fuller skirts look hideous on me - I haven't found the simpler shapes to be a problem. I've looked loads of times through the Vogue pattern book and there really is not that much in there that I want to make. It's horses for courses. But I think condemning all the indie designers because you don't like T&TB is a bit unfair.

I agree about looking inside garments when you're shopping. I think of all those women (and children) sitting in sweatshops knocking out clothes for pennies.

The M&M Sewing Book has basic projects and techniques. The Workbook has more advanced projects.

Readers Digest book is s classic. I also really rate Wendy Ward's books. Her instructions are incredibly clear and she really stresses the need to do things properly even in the simplest project.

I've made my own clothes for over 30 years-and am so glad that dressmaking is having such a revival. I made a lot for my children when they were small, amd have always altered their clothes ( pair of skinny Minnies)
I also make curtains and blinds to order, and have in the past done a fair bit of teaching.
I was taught all the techniques the traditional ways, and shout and bawl at the TV when Sewing Bee is on😳

I have 3 sewing machines and an overlocker, my favourite machine is my Janome, but would also recommend Singer

Readers Digest book is a classic Actually, I think that's the one I meant - not the Good Housekeeping!

Another one I find useful is the Claire Schaeffer series - lots of couture techniques and then hacks/shortcuts! But maybe learn the basics first.

And Niminy I tend to prefer waisted dresses with skirts! So a lot of Vogue stuff s great for me. I was very disappointed a few years ago when I made up a Vogue version of a famous dress (which I now can't remember the name of the dress or designer - started the whole bodycon look) which everyone was wearing, and it looked awful on me!

But I do think a lot of the more recent patterns etc - on the back of the DIY resurgence - aren't well-drafted, and don't actually teach you the basic skills and standard shapes for then being more adventurous and adapting and adjusting for yourself. They're rather one-offs instead of being adaptable.

And I do find that sewing a Vogue version of a Dior, St Laurent - or Claude Montana or Donna Karan (2 of my favourite Vogue designer pattern lines) - when I make these, I learn new techniques, and the cut & tailoring is so much more polished. People ask me where I buy my clothes, and if you can click into the right kinds of shapes, it's like an instant diet.

For a beginner sewer (I think the Americans say "sewist"), I'd recommend a series of good basic patterns, according to your style: skirts either pencil, fitted, or A-Line. And a good shirt pattern, sewing a shirt with the enclosed seams etc, will teach you so much, particularly about sleeves and plackets & buttonholes and shirts are very easy & geometric to put together (tip: don't set in the sleeve - sew the armhole seam, then do the whole side seam of body & sleeve in one long seam - it's so neat & precise that way). Also a nice basic dress pattern - again, depending on what fits & flatters you: Waisted, princess line, smock, trapeze.

When you do your own sewing, what you learn is what shapes suit you. When choosing a pattern, look at what are called the "technical drawings" - the line drawings, rather than the photo of the model. These will tell you about the shapes & construction of the garment.

One of the things I love is both the geometry and the "magic" of making something 3-dimensional from the flat 2-dimensions of pattern & fabric. And pressing.

Press, press, press! Even when making a simple top or skirt.

For a beginner machine this jaycotts.co.uk/products/janome-2060#.WW3gG-lpxPY would be hard to beat for £89.

I was taught all the techniques the traditional ways, and shout and bawl at the TV when Sewing Bee is on

Me too, SheSparkles - except for a couple of the winners & runners up - I remember the lovely older woman, who'd sewn for herself, her children & grandchildren. She knew how to do all the classic traditional techniques. (I am almost at her level of skill, but not quite, because I still need to follow patterns & instruction. And I could never do some of the alteration challenges in Sewing Bee! I need a picture, or a pattern, or a specific fabric to start imagining my own version). And there was another woman - again, older than most of the other contestants, who again, knew all the traditional techniques, and could cut & adapt beautifully.

My mum used to sew, from clothes to curtains and duvet covers. The things she made were amazing. This thread has inspired me. My dd (9) wanted a sewing machine for her birthday so I might go to hobbycraft and buy one we can both learn together on. Thanks op!

Wow, keep posting everybody, feel the urge to begin the long, long journey of mastering a skill

long, long journey of mastering a skill

The lovely thing about home sewing is that you can get pretty quick gratification. I can remember making my first skirt (at about 16), and although it took me a while (and a bit of unpicking) to put in the zip neatly, I was wearing it two days after starting the project.

Please can you guys tell me where you get lovely but reasonably priced fabric from, I can only find cheap printed cotton in shops around here ?

Can I ask whether you all tend to trace the pattern onto another material to conserve the original? I'm finding it's taking me ages to even get to the part where I have pieces to sew together! And I am so slow at pinning and cutting...

I have always wanted to learn. I have a basic sewing machine and a pile of clothing that needs taking up. I'm short and skinny so learning to sew would mean having clothes that actually fit me rather than making do in clothes that are too long/baggy!

You have inspired me!

When I was doing some research because I was thinking about buying a sewing machine everyone was recommending to get a sturdy heavy one, trying to avoid those that are fully made of weak plastic and spend good money in a good one, instead of going for the budget one as it will be more difficult to deal with and therefore less likely to be used.

I'm starting to teach myself. DP has PJ bottoms from a charity shop duvet cover, I have a top using this free pattern so-sew-easy.com/free-sewing-pattern-drape-top/ from a couple of charity shop men's shirts. All cotton.
This week I tried my first stretch sewing - I've made a baby hat from a jersey T (my first stretch).
My next stage will be to branch out and follow a bought pattern, not internet freebies!

I'm loving this thread but everyone makes it sound so easy. I've had several lessons and still not made anything, I just don't think I'm a natural, and I get impatient and want it done quickly, which I know is wrong.
I'd love to be able to make my own clothes as I like very plain clothes. I'm always looking for tops - just short sleeves and covers my bottom, no frilly sleeves or cold shoulders, but I can't find them anywhere.
I work full time and really don't get time to do sewing but I have my machine ready for that day when I have nothing to do!

My machine comes out so rarely that when it does, it takes me ages to remember how to thread it all up!

Also, Prima magazine feature a pattern every month, you just phone up for a free one.

I'd start by getting yourself something like the 'Just Sew' or 'See Easy' magazines. They usually come with free patterns or other useful free gifts. Lots of helpful 'how to' sections and they will help you build on your skills over time.

For fabrics, Abakhan have an online shop if you cannot get to a store. The stores are good though as you can buy pieces of fabric sold by weight as well as the standard ' off the roll'.

I've had some brilliant bargains from charity shops and also eBay ( contents of a tailors workshop being sold off and I bought 4m of merino wool suiting for £4.50.)

Machine wise I have a Newhome 6000 ( Newhome became Janome). It's 25 years old, cost £1800 New and I bought it for £250 23 years ago). It weighs a ton but it's fab and does everything you could ever need.

I've seen one on EBay for £30!

'Sew Easy' that should say.

I have a Janome and very happy with it, not made a lot of clothes though, but this thread has inspired me to start making more, thank you OP!

I just don't think I'm a natural, and I get impatient and want it done quickly, which I know is wrong

That used to be me. Sewing taught me to be methodical, patient, keep a tidy workspace, and stop when I get frustrated.

Start with really simple stuff - make a cushion cover! Skirts are easy too, and you'll learn how to set in a zip. Get one of the books recommended on this thread - check your charity shops - that's where I've found good sewing books.

As for good value-for-money fabric, google Croft Mills. Wonderful stuff, and they're mail order. Lovely linen at the moment from £8 a metre.

I have been interested in Learning for a while now because the adult education in my area does sewing courses.

Can anyone recommend any sewing machine shops? I'd like to go and have a look at machines and speak to someone when purchasing my 1st one.

The dream is to make my own clothes with quality fabrics

What is your home set up?
I live in a bog standard two up, two down - no worktop or table space/floor space and i have a toddler and a baby on the way. If I can't allocate myself a workspace to house sewing gubbins set up, I can't do it, can I? In a practical, safe way.