The making your own clothes thread

[MulberryPeony]

Just because a few of us seem likely to get back in the habit with some spare time/wanting to look expensive/capsule wardrobe/consume less.

I made quite a lot of my own clothes as a teen and early twenties but I’m not sure I’ve completed a project for me since. Hand sewing wadding into padded curtains did me in!

I’d like to make a copy of some floaty shorts and duster coat I already own. Got a fair few basic patterns for tops and throw on dresses so might make something light for summer too. I’d like some comfy trousers but worry I’d end up with something resembling pjs! Thinking of repurposing a slub woven cotton smock from a few years ago as there is oodles of fabric to go at.

I’d class myself as a beginner level but happy to adapt patterns. Button holes scare me.

Would anyone like to join me? What is on your to-make list? Any more beautiful sites for me to browse expensive looking fabrics like the merchant and mills one mentioned the other day? Does anyone know of any sites where I can look through a pattern book like the catalogues they have inside fabric shops?

@simplificate Minerva crafts often has sales on their patterns and eBay is good for bargains

I buy mostly PDF patterns from indie companies - they often will have sales. The big 4 usually have 50% off sales at one point in the year.

I tend not to buy a pattern unless I think I will make more than one garment from it - which psychologically helps to spread the cost.

simplificate that book looks fab

Keep an eye on the sewing magazines too. Love Sewing mag do clearances of their back issues so you can get a copy for £3 with 2 or 3 patterns included.

My 10m of neon peach cheap jersey arrived. Holy crap 10m is a lot of fabric.

Neon peach is a thought provoking colour and 10m of it....well

Only think I have intentionally bought that much of was black lycr and I am still working though that!!

I finished my cross back apron. It looks really good! Might be a good one to have in reserve for a house warming gift (only for people I REALLY like!). Stuffed the hem up slightly but not enough I want to redo it!

Next is the assembly line cuff top. If I can do that one then I will make about a million of them! It’s the perfect every day top and I can even make long line ones to tuck into my tights when wearing skirts! If I ever go back to the office...

Also going to a geranium top for DD w it h ruffle sleeves. Will be v cute and perfect for the summer.

After that, I will attempt knit fabric!

Oh need to do a week of repairs first though. Got to fix a hole in some leggings, a hole in a dress which caught on kitchen handles, make some bread bags for my sourdough from tea towels plus repair some loved shirts for DS2.

Peach neon. Man, what are you intending to make...?

Anyone found a good stockist of boyish fabric that’s not polyester or too cartoony. I know what I like when I see it but hard to find!

I was really pleased to see Merchant and Mills now do their patterns in PDF and I notice they've increased their size range
What I really need is board short fabric
I find Stoff and Still have a good fabric range but not for shorts.

I've just discovered Russian pattern companies - unbelievably cheap (£2 ish per pattern) and your can tailor the pattern to your own measurements. I'd check the reviews first to see how people found them, but:
en-grasser.com/
lekala.co/
vikisews.com/

I tried the free shell top from Grasser and it was excellent, albeit minimal instructions.

I have been looking at Lekala but I haven't made anything yet!

I am struggling with a waist band atm

I think Lekala is the one where I was advised to check reviews to make sure someone had actually made it - there are so many patterns there was a suggestion they might have been designed by computer and not necessarily tested. No idea if that's true, though.

Interesting - thanks for the heads up

Lekala has genuine reviews on patternreview.com it seems the instructions require some knowledge.

@Didkdt I do have some knowledge - I'm an odd mix of pattern following, mixing up patterns to get what I want and actually just draping and going with the fabric

But my daughter is much more of a beginner so I'll warn her to be careful

Well the peach neon was £1 a metre so seemed perfect for wearable toiles for knit fabric. I'm trying to learn how to sew ice skating dresses so it's perfect for getting a feel for the pattern fit.

Bit of a sewing day, a pair of cotton trousers from a Tilly and Buttons pattern. Lockdown friendly elastic waist. Fabric was from Fabric Land, grey with redchinese fans.

My other project was my first go at Sew Over It 'Ultimate Shift Dress'. Really should have measured the pattern pieces rather than trusting the back of the pattern as it came out tiny!!! I had little t rex arms when I tried it on. It was small across then bust too. I even went back and checked the seam allowances but for once doesn't seem to be my cock up I'm trying to make a sleeveless top out of it to not waste all the material.

I’ve made the wrap top from Sew Over It and it seems to be drafted for very narrow shoulders - mine are quite wide. The wrap let me get away with it but the next time I made the shoulders wider and the arms too and it was a better fit.

Actually @kittykarate I bought loads of a horrid blue when I tried bra-making so I sympathise

It is good to practice with - have you looked at Jali patterns I remember their leotards being excellent

I have a few Jalie patterns and apart from the no room for mistakes 1/4 " seam allowances they are great. I'm about to try one that is a mix of mesh and stretch with a sweetheart style bodice. While I mostly speak Jalie lingo there are a few things about how they do the binding that I want to try out before using something more expensive.

Ah KatyMac I'm pleased it wasnt just me with Sew Over It patterns, I guess as an indie it's easy to start with your body first. I think Tilly and the buttons is similar, a lot of her patterns flare a lot at the hips . It's fine if you're a similar shape or know their quirks.

I've got a Simplicity pattern.. lordy I do not speak their language...

I was really inspired by handmadebycarolyn.com.au/tag/vogue-2900

I have just managed to get a pattern from overseas! I am daunted but looking forward to making it!

I am completely blocked atm all my creativity is foggy and I am finding it difficult to finish anything

Or indeed start anything!

That blue dress is lovely but the fabric of the dress below it (Swedish?) Is spectacular!

I’m sewing a Burda dress at the moment and thought I had graded it out at the waist but it still feels a bit tight. I’m not really going to know until the zip is in, but I almost can’t face it.

@Bananasandchocolatecustard

I have a question about the Merchant & Mills Camber dress and top pattern. I made the size 8 dress, I’m not size 8 but a previous M&M size 10 dress I made was huge - I had to cut off 1.5” from each side!

I had to alter the size 8, by reducing the seam allowance to 1 cm instead of 1.5 cm. I like the dress, but it’s not the A line shape it’s supposed to me, it’s straighter. The dress fits well in the yoke and the top part.

Should I make the second dress (in linen) to the size 10, or make a size 9 version by reducing the size 10 pattern? Advice welcome!

To the person who commented on the skill needed for these patterns - I agree, definitely not advanced beginners!

I find M&M come up very big, similar to Toast sizing Im a size 12 but an 8 in the Box Box dress. I would adjust for size 9 if you can

www.moons.co.uk/apparel/ladieswear-heritage/double-cloth/

I really wish I had the gut to make something with moon wool which would last for year but be timeless