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?

Does anyone here sew from Burda Style magazine?

I made a cheap fabric cocoon dress and it actually turned out well - its the same fabric I used for my everyday skirt. Pound fabrics have some cheap but good enough quality fabrics.

I got some lovely fabrics from pound a metre actually (they weren't actually £1, but maybe £3ish) - they had some lovely stretchy stripes which will make great tops/leggings/cuffs etc

I've definitely had more luck with pound a metre and pound fabrics than I've had shopping on Ebay. The Ebay descriptions are generally pretty poor. I've had more expensive mistakes on Ebay than I've had on the pound* sites.

@GreyGreyGrey I have sewn quite a few Burda Style magazine patterns recently. You have to add a seam allowance, which can be tricky.

@Wildernesstips, nice! I’ve some some too. Tracing the patterns is a pain, but the cut is usually good.

I finished my Tilly and Buttons Nora sweatshirt. Ooof the proportions are all wrong for me. Far too square and oversized. As a pattern, an easy make, but nothing I'd want to wear out in public, as it's definitely 'comfy' rather than stylish.

Wanted to post this here in case people are interested
Henri do online workshops and offer patterns and fabrics too

@GreyGreyGrey yes, I do (I live in Burda-land and often see my office in the back of their photo shoots).

Tracing the patterns is a pain, but their drafting is consistent, so once you know which (if any) adjustments you need to make for fit, you can be fairly sure that it will be the same on all of their patterns, e.g. I always trace a 36, grade to 38 at the hips and take an inch out of the bodice and sleeve lengths. Their petite tops fit nicely, but of course there are not as many of those.

I also use Patrones and Ottobre magazines, current project is a velveteen skirt from Ottobre.

@StatisticallyChallenged

What's your sewing set up like? Do you have a sewing space always set up?

There's a few options - depends on ceiling heights etc. Mine is an ultra short throw so sits on my table. Other people ceiling or wall mount.

I've been looking at this which projector did you get? How are you set up? Do you trace straight on to your fabric. Thanks 😊

I made some of these lounging pajamas over lockdown, they were so easy to make and this company re grade vintage sewing patterns to fit modern day sizing. vintagesewingpatterncompany.com/collections/vintage-sewing-patterns-pdf/products/vintage-sewing-pattern-1930s-beach-pajamas-jumpsuit-mabs6726-1?variant=34704430006317

I made 2 things over christmas - the Tilly and Buttons sweater dress shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/products/billie-digital. Dunno why, I just had a tough time making it, I've got puckers in the neck band and the pockets look a bit sad mouthed. I think that might be a 'feature' of the design though looking at the careful photography they've used. I did the understitching as directed, but think maybe top stitching might be better.

I also made a pair of Jalie Jeanne pyjamas. Nowhere near as classy as the ones you made Zuzu - but it was nice to have a pair that are at the correct leg length for me, and I'll definitely make the pattern again.

Ooo hello.

I am making a tailors ham and sleeve roll to up my sewing game. I actually just need to finish stuffing the one for my aunt and sew them all up. Then l will be converting two old pairs of jeans into aprons as per the most recent sewing bee book. After that, making the smock dress from that same book.

I’m just not sold on the Tilly patterns, though to be fair I’ve not tried one and they are quite popular.

I made an oven glove (I know it’s not really clothes) - using the free Bombazine pattern.

@LadyTiredWinterBottom2 do you have a pattern for the ham ?

I drafted one using instructions from the interwebz. Stuffed it with scraps of fabric, it takes loads..!

I did a YouTube search and there are several videos on how to make a tailor's ham and patterns are included. I made one and it was really easy, in fact the trickiest part was stuffing it with sawdust.

I'm very 50/50 on the Tilly patterns - they come with very clear instructions, and generally look like what's on the envelope when you finish. The downside is, they look like what's on the envelope ;-) Also it feels like her start point for drafting is herself - so if you are not Tilly shaped (she has longish body, and is quite hippy) things are not always successful. (I have a similar criticism of Sew over It and her little bird like shoulders).

My main Tilly dramas are caused by using the overlocker though - she has a generous seam allowance for patterns with stretch (5/8) as she really expects you to be using a normal sewing machine. So on a fiddly thing like a neckband, it gets extra tricky to keep it straight, stretched and even. While a 1/4 seam allowance gives little room for error, it really works well with an overlocker as the blade just has to trim off a whisker.

Anyway, here are my pajamas I made using the Jalie Jeanne pattern with fabric from www.littlemisssewnsew.co.uk/ I admit I wouldn't normally make pajamas but it's definitely nice having a pair with correct length legs. I'd make more if I drop lucky on some cheap fabric.

@LadyTiredWinterBottom2 What is the latest sewing bee book like, can you recommend it?
I have a ham from Prym, it was a present a few years ago and it’s more useful than I would have thought.
Current project is a Chanel-style jacket which is taking ages and spreading little bits of boucle tweed all over the house. I started it two years ago and life (and simpler sewing projects) keeps getting in the way.

I do recommend it, it has a good mix of projects and pattern hacks. There are a couple of mens patterns too.

Ahh the jacket sounds like a wonderful labour of love!

Some of the TATB patterns are great - I love the Billie (really nice shape sweatshirt) and the Tabitha (in Make it Simple) - I've tried loads of basic t-shirt and jumper patterns and these are my 2 'go to' patterns. I've got the Billie dress cut out, ready to sew. I made the Juno PJs for 2 friends and for me at Christmas - the 3 of us are very different body shapes/sizes and I made them with only their 'normal' dress size to go on (so no actual measurements) and they all fit a treat. I've made 3 Bertha cardigans too (1 for my mum and 2 for me) - that's a great cardigan!
I did make a Lotta dress in the autumn though, and I just don't love it. I can't decide if it's a bad choice of fabric for the pattern (stripy jersey), but there's something about it that just doesn't work for me.

It's interesting that someone said up-thread that they thought the patterns were good for the long-of-body/hippy shape. I am 5'4" and have to lengthen the Tabitha to make it my 'ideal' length. And I found the Juno to be snug on the hips (mine are small), so I'm not sure I'd agree about the shape they're drafted for.

Actually - I've got that wrong - it's the Grainline lark I have to lengthen, not the TATB tops...

Maybe I'm guessing wrong on her shape - all I know is it's just not my shape. It was a Billie dress that I struggled with - let me know how you get on with the pockets as mine did not seem to sit right.

I’m beyond excited to find this thread! I took up sewing in 2017 and love it like I’ve never loved any other hobby before Now I just need to find time to actually do some this year, in amongst the homeschooling and working etc. I habvent sewed since December and my fingers are itch8ng to get at my machine!

I need to take the plunge and sew the Billie. I'm debating cutting the pockets out of a contrast fabric, but not decided yet. I've cut it a LOT longer than the pattern, as it's way too short for me.

The sweatshirt is worth a try though (seeing as you have the pattern already). It's a lovely shape. I had to lower the neckline - it's very high (lots of comments online to that effect).

I agree with the poster up thread who said that the big four patterns are better than most of the more expensive Indy productions. I rather think TATB comes in this category. I can’t buy a pattern from someone I watched not know how to draft a dart. Have been looking at coat patterns and have gone back to Vogue. I think great fabric really makes the difference but again some of the best buys come from markets and mill shops. I have bought fine suiting once destined for Paul Smith for £4m and some printed designer gorgeous silk for not much more. I was comparing my friend’s Merchant and Mills linen with some I bought as end of roll special buy and mine was just as nice and 1/6 the cost. Shop around, reuse patterns, draft your own basics and sewing can be better value again.