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 )

I have a Janome 525s - it's the one they have on the Sewing Bee - great sturdy machine

I'm hoping to make almost my entire wardrobe once I get back to ideal weight. ( not jeans or coats!)
I'm in the middle of making nursing bras for myself as I can't get ones in my size easily.
I hate wandering round shops looking for the specific item in my head!

I'm building a capsule wardrobe pattern collection now and appreciating all your comments on best designers & videos :)

@BzyB why not jeans or coats? My jeans are the best thing that I have ever made. They fit which means they are really comfortable and only cost me £15-20 to make. I will never buy jeans again. A proper wool winter coat is on my list for winter.

For anyone wanting to make there full wardrobe check out handmadebycarolyn.com she makes everything down to her own tights. Her clothes are beautiful.

The first thing I ever made was using a pattern from Prima. It was a tartan dress (Christmas issue) and Santa had brought me a sewing machine. The instructions were really clear to follow although I have to admit when I was in school -early 70s - I was taught how to pin patterns, make darts etc so that helped. I managed to match up the checks in the material, make buttonholes and it even fitted properly! That dress made an appearance every Christmas day for years (until I couldn't fit into it any more)
The best thing I ever made was a Halloween costume for my DD when she was 3. It was a Minnie Mouse pattern I had bought on holiday in Florida. Think red dress with white polka dots. It also included a fur fabric head complete with polka dot bow and yellow shoes! I was so chuffed with the end result and the wee one was thrilled.
You've all put me in the mood to do something for me.

I've been doing it for years with just a very simple sewing machine, I'm so sick of the disgusting fabrics and horribly fitting styles for size 18s I often make my own clothes in the style and fabrics I love.
I buy patterns I can't make them. It's not that hard. Start with simplicity patterns which are dead easy and work your way up.
For complicated patterns like vogue you will need a dressmaking mannequin with your measurements on it because they need a lot of adjusting.

The most important thing is cutting the pattern ready to sew. Take your time with it and do it properly. Google is your friend, if you don't know what a term in the pattern means google it.

Another for Tilly I am a total fan girl and been there since her first one. Alas I have nowhere to sew since we moved but I have made many of her patterns as they are so well made and so easy to follow. I absolutely love sewing my own clothes and look forward to the day I can do it again!

Inspired in part by this thread, I'm attempting my second ever clothing project - this A line 3 panel skirt www.lekala.co/catalog/free+patterns/women/pattern/5088#model

Another free pattern,free but pretty hand-me-down fabric from an elderly aunt's stash.

I have already slightly failed - cut it without seam allowances! There's going to be some "contrast panels" at either side now to increase the butt/hip room.

Fascinating thread ! I used to make lots of clothes when I was a teenager but not done so for many years. I have my mum's old Singer machine in the garage, do pp think it would be OK to try and make stuff on now, or is it best to get a new one that can do more fancy stuff?

I'd get the singer out - do you have a sewing machine shop near you? Might benefit from a service if it's been unused for a while but you don't need fancy. Although I'd take electric over hand cranked..

@KanyeWesticle I've made that skirt a couple of times. It is a pencil skirt rather than an A line but it is a great pattern. Just watch the waist band - you need to add a few inches in order to overlap for the button.

Ha misty looking back at my post I definitely overplayed my hand. I am not a pro! When I say 'knocking up' it does take me a good weekend (sometimes dawn til dusk) to make a very basic skirt or vest! Usually follow simplicity 1hr patterns or online blogs etc. I get lots of free patterns with sewing magazines too.

I hate measuring and cutting so rush through it and end up spending more time correcting with the machine. I should definitely be more patient with the first bits.

I really want to make cute baby clothes but I've got my hands full with the little one right now!

The only time I've ever cried in frustration and confusion with a sewing pattern was over a "sewing for fun!" 1hr simple vest pattern.

I can follow Ottobre patterns for the kids (one of those magazine types where they overlay the patterns to give you a migraine before you read their sparse 1/3 page of A4 instructions) nowadays bit that flipping "easy" vest...?

cheeseknight look at Brindle and Twig for kids patterns. I make baby harem pants and rompers as gifts for people and they are always really popular

Well, I really ought to be brilliant at sewing.....

DM was a fashion designer, and I grew up with the sound of her sewing machine humming away. My aunt was a sewing teacher. I went to a school that taught needlwork to a high standard (we had to produce two garments a year independently), and I won the top sewing prize in my final year. I have a very nice Frister & Rossmann machine which was given to me for my 16th birthday so practically an antique But I haven't made a garment in years.

I do regularly use the machine for alterations and mending (I have a big charity shop habit), and for making cushions and curtains.....but I don't have the patience to make clothes from scratch. It's too easy to buy them. And I really struggle with not being able to see what something will look like until I get to the end.

I'm very impressed with you creative lot!

for those of you that have your own blocks drawn out how do you use them?

I went to a dressmaking class a few years ago where the emphasis was on making your own patterns and drawing blocks. As a result I have a really good princess seam type block for my odd shape for tops and dresses but i'm struggling to understand how to adapt it to other styles. I'm getting a bit sick of making the same style over and over again.

I've tried using a readymade pattern recently and the results were just silly. The problem is I have a large bust (34FF) and big bottom but everything else in between is pretty slim. I'm also quite short.

The reason I wanted to make my own clothes was to fit my odd shape Using ready made patterns seems to just be a more expensive and time consuming way of having Clothes That Don't Fit. Am I missing something obvious or am I doomed to making princess seam dresses for life in increasingly daring liberty patterns.

Oh and to the PP who said just to sew the lining and dress fabric together.... WTF why has no one suggested this sooner!

Haven't RTFT but for anyone who's thinking about starting sewing - do it! I've had a machine for years, bit the bullet and did a dressmaking course nearly a year ago. I hated pretty much everything I made on the 6 week course but it taught me how to do things like darts, pleats
Etc. The rest I've picked up from blogs or YouTube and I haven't bought new clothes for ages. Sewing your own is so much more satisfying

I have just ordered a new machine. The new Butterwick one. It's half price introductory offer.
Debbie Shore is promoting it. Whilst the things she makes are not really to my taste, he how to videos are excellent and easy to follow.

I can sew but I don't use patterns if making clothes. I use my existing clothes a rough guide templates and know my size when cutting fabric.

Sewing is a great pastime.

www.createandcraft.com/gb/pp/butterick-eb6100-computerised-sewing-machine-400204?gclid=CjwKCAjwzMbLBRBzEiwAfFz4gZ9BiS2v60f7TQ2KkUB976Dw5PcLLW70m1Tg-nYo9TW7YZ99-L419RoCxegQAvD_BwE

I've been thinking about the Sewing Bee and I realised it actually puts me off sewing.

I watch these people who are the best amateurs in the country and what they produce and I would never wear that because it doesn't look right and it's not made well and I think, well, if they can't do it right then what chance do I have.

Does anyone remember in the 60's and 70's women's magazines sold kits with all the fabric pre-cut so you just had to sew them together? Not Clothkits, where the pattern is printed on the fabric, these magazine kits must have been the pre-cursor.
My mum used them a lot for me as a child. I do wish I still had some of those garments, she was an excellent sewer and knitter. I do have a knitted waistcoat she made me, but nothing sewn, except an embroidered tablecloth. Although I think the fact she was so good was what put me off for many years, because I felt I just couldn't compete.

I think the problem with the GBSB is they have so little time that the finish of the garments must be very poor, and the fact that they have so little time means people watch it and think that 2 hours or whatever to complete a simple top is the norm when it isn't, and therefore feel discouraged when they can't do it in that time.
I do enjoy it however and I'm glad they're making another series. I think it's good for inspiration if not instruction.
Is it coming back to BBC does anyone know and will the lovely Claudia still be on it?

I most definitely don't think 2 hours is nearly enough for anything. Not sure about inspiration either, I've never seen anything g remotely good there.

I also dislike the waste. When someone fucks up they can simply go and get more materials, and fuck up another expensive piece of cloth, in real life you would not do that. Same in the bake off. Ingredients go in the bin, contestant starts again.

But of course this is only my opinion.

I find the time they're given on GBSB too short because they aren't supposed to be familiar with the pattern when they get it. I find I spend ages when it's a new pattern, figuring it out and getting to grips with the order of construction.

But once I've figured it out I do get quicker - the Groove Dress from Madeit Patterns - which is a GORGEOUS dress - I can now get made in under 2 hours, honestly! 30 minutes cutting, an hour sewing...

@ChardonnaysPrettySister

I've not watched the series for a couple of years but loved Project Runway, it was amazing what they managed to create.

The beaded dresses by Laura Bennett (I googled her name) were amazing.

One of the early winners, Christian Siriano is still going strong.

Much better than the GBSB in terms of output.