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?

I made Aurelia Cardigan by sew liberated.

Hmmm . Not something I'll make again. I skipped the woven fabric bits as it just seemed like you were adding ironing effort. Weird fitting on the bust and arms. Ruffles seemed to want to flip over despite top stitching. Seems like I wasn't the only one to not enjoy it www.wearesewhappy.com/2012/07/completed-aurelia-cardigan.html?m=1

I could probably hack the pattern into something more wearable by me (e.g. extend the fronts, fit a binding instead of the ruffles). Not sure I'll ever go through that effort though - so if someone wants the pattern drop me a message and I'll post it out to you. This is a link to it sewliberated.com/products/aurelia-cardigan-sewing-pattern

Lockdown pre Xmas menat the DC didn't get a chance to do their Xmas shopping. So I helped them make a paid of summer PJ's for their step-mum for a Xmas gift.

The Assembly Line have put out this free PH pattern - the shorts ahve pockets which is a big bonus. I've notices many sewists have been lengethening the shorts into long pants. Quick easy make, nice pattern.

theassemblylineshop.com/collections/modern-sewing-patterns/products/free-pyjamas-sewing-pattern

oh gosh sorry for all the typos! I've lots the ability to type!

That's a great little pattern Yep. I've signed up to download it.

Will you wear it Kitty - I hate it when I get grumpy with the making then am not sure I like it either.

I have a pair of trousers I made for myself but that I appear to have styled for my much thinner friend. Nothing went right with them either.

Lets just say I will the cardigan, but my sartorial standards not likely to be that high over the next 6 months. I'm using working at home to wear a lot of 'yeah, but' clothing items that have lurked in the back of the wardrobe for a while.

@kittykarate - I've finished my 2 Billie dresses and I LOVE them! I wish I'd made one earlier as it's perfect lockdown/WFH wear.
I made one in a fleecy backed sweatshirting, and one in french terry. For both, I made the pocket bags in a contrast (woven) fabric in a colour to match the neck/cuff.

I was super careful about sewing the pockets, making sure they were flat etc etc, as I thought if they were the slightest bit off they would affect the shape. The french terry one was more troublesome as it's stripy, so I was having to pattern match stretchy stripes on a pocket facing. Challenging!

I checked my measurements again - I sit exactly on the midpoint between a 2 and a 3 on bust, waist and hips, so I must be the 'right' proportions for TATB patterns. Although so far, I've always made a 2 and occasionally taken a bit more off the side seams.
I'm going for a skirt and pinafore next, so hopefully they'll fit as well!

ReviewingtheSituation I like the style of the Billie, and I think I'll definitely use the pattern again. I'll just have to be more careful on the pockets as they are definitely the landmine in that pattern. I added a row of zig zag stitching after the fact and they sit a lot better now, just need that bit more 'structure' after I'd possibly not started from the perfect place.

Maybe using a woven fabric for the pocket bag helped with structure. It could have gone very wrong (matching a woven with a stretch), but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise!

I've made several jersey Bettines, and they definitely sit much better with a woven pocket bag.