Anyone make their own clothes?

[lavenderbongo]

I can’t find anything I like in the shops at the mo. I’m early forties and I live in NZ, which means we do not have the wide selection of clothes shops you have in the UK.
So a couple of weekends ago I spotted some linen dresses I liked but found I didn’t like the price! So I attempted to make my own. I actually found it’s not that tricky.
So does anyone on here make their own clothes and can you recommend some blogs or websites which might provide some good hints and tips or inspiration.
Thanks

I am just starting to 😄I am doing a basic dressmaking course with a local Asian ladies group and we are being walked through taking our own measurements and then using them with a favourite top to make new clothes. And then at the same time at home I am I am doing the same thing with a favourite pair of trousers. I found a couple of blogs by just googling things like how to make a T-shirt using an old one as a pattern and then the same with trousers. I also joined a few craft-based Facebook groups for instant support off people who know what they are doing.

Tilly and the Buttons is really good. She has books, patterns and a blog.
www.tillyandthebuttons.com/?m=1
Also, Sew Over It for the blog and patterns.
sewoverit.co.uk
Lauren Guthrie has a good blog and books too - guthrie-ghani.co.uk/blog
If you can access BBC iPlayer, the Great British Sewing Bee has just started again. It's always good for inspiration and sewing tips.

I do a few things. Ive just made a couple of dresses, one successful, the other less so as it needs tweaking and I haven't got around to it. It is difficult finding 100 % cotton dresses sometimes in the uk, they are rayon mostly. Shift dresses are easyish. You just need to decide whether to interface or seam bind the neck and armholes. There are loads of very helpful tutorials on youtube which i found immensely helpful.

Yes I make loads of them! If I see something in the shops I can't afford I try to do it myself.

If you're in NZ then printable PDF patterns are the way to go. Burda has about a million, all kinds of styles.

My favourite sewing blog is Gertie's - her aesthetic is 50s pin-up/rockabilly which doesn't really suit me all the time but she's VERY good: blog.bygertie.com

Thanks All - I will take a look at the blogs. Unfortunately we can’t get bbc iplayer over here
I’ve just been experimenting with making my own pattern by drawing round my existing dress. I think my main problem is the seams. I’m not that keen or patient enough to follow patterns!

I live in NZ. Try “Papercut Patterns” brilliant Kiwi company.

Lavender we have just learned this you make a seam allowance of a two finger width of the person who will be wearing the garment. If it’s for yourself use this as a basic guide if you were making for a child it would be their fingers so narrower.
In places where it might bunch, so under the arms, at the narrowing of the waist and any bust seams, you would make this allowance smaller.

I think you might need to use basic patterns to start with, as even shift dresses have darts for the just. They can be difficult to place freestyle.

Look for patterns that are very simple.
'Very Easy', 'Beginner', 'Quick'...
Pick a pattern that you like and if the results are good make it in a different fabric.
I wouldn't bother with PDF patterns.
The pattern will show how to lay the pieces out before cutting.
Avoid obvious pattern that need matching.

It’s interesting how some people just don’t go for patterns. I have always sewn from patterns, can’t see how it’s easier without instructions or pre drawn sized pieces. I mean each to their own but I wouldn’t automatically assume they are complicated.
On the other hand you may just have an instinct for cutting and fitting, keep practising!

@missnevermind - sounds like a great course! Whereabouts is it?

I do a combination of patterns and copying existing clothes that I like. The patterns are teaching me probably some good basics about darts and what order to put things together but I don't want to just rely on them.
My problem is finding the time to fabric shop - online has resulted in some great and some very bad purchases!

@onesie1001
I live in the Midlands in a predominantly Muslim area and we have formed a local ladies type group. A lot of the ladies make their own suits or pay for a tailor to make them. Their are always notices in home windows or on lampposts about sewing classes round here. It’s just having the courage to make that first move 😊