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?

hi MikeUniformMike, I haven't got round to my cocoon dress yet. I think @HalleLouja has done theirs though!

Thanks kittykarate. I've ordered some fabric, but I think I'll need to do a test one first. It looked nice in the magazine.

@HalleLouja, did you make the cocoon dress?

The fabric I ordered is needlecord, is that tricky to sew with? I will need to be careful with getting the nap right but are there any other things to watch out for?

The Tilly and the buttons patterns are a bit simple - I tried a dress on and it did nothing for me. might be easier for a beginner.

Dressmaking is expensive isn't it. I've been distracted by the toast thread but if you add up the price of fabric (£24 per metre x 2.5), £14.50 for the pattern, interfacing and thread it's £££ so £160 for a dress isn't that much and that's before you factor in your time.

Silly question for some of you, But can you use a normal sewing machine for hersey / knits or do you need an overlocker?

I am making Cocoon dress number 3 with some gorgeous chambray gold leaf fabric. Am going to use the left overs to make some cushions. The fabric is gorgeous.

I will take some photos once this dress is made. I tried to alter the pattern for version 2 and it didn’t quite work....: Might make v 3 with sleeves but I am not sure yet.

My sewing has been limited to some toddler harem pants. I'm really pleased with how they look, but not sure if my friend is up for her bairn looking like MC Hammer.

@kittykarate

My sewing has been limited to some toddler harem pants. I'm really pleased with how they look, but not sure if my friend is up for her bairn looking like MC Hammer.

I have some pj bottoms I made years ago before I lost weight that were always were big. But I affectionately call them my MC Hammer pants.

My latest Cocoon dress was a complete success. I wore it out last night. This fabric was absolutely beautiful but unfortunately is out of stock now. I am going to make some cushion covers out of the bits I have left.

Has anyone got any other good beginner patterns I could make? I have subscribed to Simply Sewing magazine to get some ideas. I used to get a quilting magazine and do use them for inspiration.

@HalleLouja, could you post a photo of the cocoon dress please and what fabric did you use?

You need an overlocker for knits but if there's only a slight stretch, you should be ok. I think there's a stretch stitch.

The fabric is the one linked. They have other chambrays just not that design. When i take a photo I will upload it but don’t have one at the mo.

I'm sure it looks stunning @HalleLouja.
I hadn't clicked on the link as I thought the gold leaf sounded scary, but it's nice. That looks a good site.

@kittykarate

My sewing has been limited to some toddler harem pants. I'm really pleased with how they look, but not sure if my friend is up for her bairn looking like MC Hammer.

If you'd like any more toddler friendly sewing patterns I've bought some from madebyme patterns on Etsy - was a total beginner when I started using them last year (still am..!) and they're great, there was only one of her patterns that didn't seem to work for me.

I've almost finished a cocoon dress and it looks a bit like a sack on me
I may need to attempt alterations eek

hey try a belt it looks much better. Made it wearable.

Hi all, I've been making masks and it's reignited my interest in sewing, I used to make my own clothes as a teen, can follow a pattern, do basic tailoring, have done buttonholes and zips before but not for years! But patterns and fabric seem to be so expensive these days - definitely not a cheap option anymore! I want to make some simple cotton tunic tops for work, what is often described as a "popover" (no buttons) but can't find a pattern I like. Where do you all tend to buy your fabric from?

I spent the weekend making a pair of trousers that aren't very successful! My fault. The pattern was for cropped trousers and I thought I'd lengthen the pattern. I then bottled it and made them as per the pattern but I can't bear how cropped they are. Also messed up one of the pockets and the entire waistband.

I will be able to wear them but probably only for bed.

On the plus side, I'm really chuffed that I had a go and I was doing really well until I messed up the pocket. After that I just kind of gave up and started making all kinds of silly mistakes.

I'd like to give the trousers another go but it's quite an expensive hobby to learn so I might need to give it a break for a couple of weeks first.

tinkywinkyshandbag, I'm no expert by any means but whenever people have recommended a fabric shop I've added them to my bookmarks so have quite a list now:

thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/
www.minervacrafts.com/
www.trurofabrics.com/
www.stonefabrics.co.uk/
www.croftmill.co.uk/
www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/
sewmesunshine.co.uk/
www.fabworks.co.uk/
www.sewisfaction.co.uk/
drapersdaughter.com/
merchantandmills.com/
www.itokri.com/
www.abakhan.co.uk/
www.organiccotton.biz/

I've only bought from Draper's Daughter and Merchant and Mills so far.

Entschuldigung, I've done that before and managed to save one pair of trousers by adding a cuff - worth a try?

@Entschuldigung wow that's an impressive list thanks

Hello! I've been spending the last couple of days reading through this thread while breastfeeding my 4.5 month old. I'm finding it difficult to buy nursing friendly clothes that are also sustainably made. I started sewing some Harems from Made by Jack's Mum (my first ever experience of knit fabrics!) and have been loving it, so time to make clothes for me.

There have been lots of useful tips and resources shared here - thank you!

Just thought you might like to know there's 25% off simplicity patterns at Minerva today. I have my eye on a shirt dress.

@MikeUniformMike

The Tilly and the buttons patterns are a bit simple - I tried a dress on and it did nothing for me. might be easier for a beginner.

Dressmaking is expensive isn't it. I've been distracted by the toast thread but if you add up the price of fabric (£24 per metre x 2.5), £14.50 for the pattern, interfacing and thread it's £££ so £160 for a dress isn't that much and that's before you factor in your time.

£24 per metre? My dressmaking has to be considerably cheaper than that.

I am thinking of making Liesl and I Everyday Skirt. Its got pockets. I am easily swayed by pockets.

I've been a bit slack in reporting my sewing! Over the past few weeks I have made:

#1 - A Tilly and Buttons Coco top (I slightly changed the line in the bottom 1/3 of the garment as I think it has a weird triangular kick by default). Fabric was from poundametre.co.uk. Probably about £3 a metre in reality.

#2 - A Tilly and Buttons Lotta Dress. I wouldn't have probably bought this, but it came in a subscription box I've been getting from www.littlemisssewnsew.co.uk. I initially tried to put the pockets on as I love having pockets but as I made it in jersey they looked like gaping mouths. The pockets would work if you made it in woven.

#3 - Two pairs of trousers from the Tilly and Buttons Marigold pattern. Made in fleece backed sweatshirt, they are going to be cosy work at home loungewear. The sweatshirt material was from poundametre again.

Next plans are to make some long sleeved tshirts for my husband (he's really tall and thin, and so struggles with arm/body length for things that fit his chest). I have some athletic type material for this and some stripey jersey.

@kittykarate you have been busy.

I am just about to buy yet more fabric. To make the top from my Simply Sewing magazine this month.

This is me in my Everyday skirt. Its a really nice pattern to make. I have also made my daughter a cushion out of the fabric from my Cocoon dress. I still don’t have a photo of the dress, despite being out in it twice....