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?

@TheClitterati Ive ordered the Upton pattern and also in a mad moment have decided to try and cut a pattern of a favourite dress Ive recently bought. I dont think Lady V will give me a pattern

@BestIsWest. My Mum used to work for a few factories that made for M+S. She used to spend quite a bit of time in London with them and they were vey good to her

I’d love to make some soft bras/barrettes. I found some patterns but I guess there will be a fair bit of trial and error getting the fit right.

Fantastic @Oldraver! Now what option will you chose to make first? I think my toile will be V back & front necklines and a gored skirt.

If you need any help with sizes/grading etc there is an excellent FB Cashmerette group.

I've been meaning to take a pattern from my fav hush joggers that are falling apart! It can't be too tricky but I've never done it before.

I'm not sure what's in my stash that is suitable. It will have to sleeve less as the didn't have the sleeves bit

I'm doing the skirt pattern for my dress and one back panel is wider than the other, so will split the difference

Has anyone here also found the Sewing Place forum? That's UK based, I believe, although not limited to the UK. Artisan Squared Reloaded is a USA based (I think) forum for sewing, and Pattern Review has a forum on their site. I think you need to sign up for them all to be able to read and post over the whole forum, but there's no cost involved as far as I know (except voluntarily).

I can't imagine my life without sewing. It's the one thing I do where I'm completely in the zone. Hours can go by without me noticing and it sometimes feels like I'm waking up after I've been absorbed in pattern cutting or adding crystals to a wedding dress. It's very therapeutic (but I do appreciate that not everyone will find it so relaxing!)

Great to see more and more people taking up sewing.

I've been sewing for many years now. I make all my own clothes, including swimming costumes, jeans, bras, coats etc.

I find I can't bear to buy clothes any more. They don't fit right, or they are polyester, or are ridiculously expensive. I like being able to choose what I wear rather than have the buyers for a clothing chain decide for me.

I get patterns from all over the place, Burda, simplicity, Mccalls etc. I buy quite a few pdf patterns. I especially like lekala.co.

I agree with previous posters about the poor quality of some indie drafting including Tilly, but I do appreciate that they make simple patterns which are less scary for beginners.

I finally got round to buying my own overlocker last year (always had acess to one at work) and it's fab.

I also bought a late 1960's/early 70's sewing machine cabinet complete with machine, which I've actually not got round to using.

Will have to prod OH to service it

Oh and yea on a sidenote....I did buy an industrial machine a few years ago from my mechanic...it never got comisioned properly but I ended up with DS instead

@oldraver my mum says their standards were so high! 8 stitches to the inch, no more, no less. It was a sad day for our locality when they moved their factories abroad.

@BestIsWest...yes. My Mum said when they had inspetores round they would hide any genunine rejects and pick a few threads as a 'show mistake'

Hi

I got a new sewing machine in 2016 and also started sewing classes which were really great and helpful. I find sewing really relaxing most of the time.

I tend to make fairly simple tops, and just make them in different fabrics. I like natural fabric so it's mainly cotton. I love the feel of Liberty tana lawn so I treated myself before lockdown. I haven't made anything yet but it's lovely to stroke.

I'm lucky to have a very reasonably priced fabric store near me which rarely charges more than £6 per metre. I buy fun fabric from them, and online I've bought from the village haberdashery (lovely shop to visit in real life). The fabric godmother, Minerva crafts and sherwood fabric.

Favourite patterns are from new look, vogue, the avid seamstress, and individual patterns such as Ogden cami, scout tee and the Leschi blouse.

Doing is the best way to improve. I'm not a particularly careful person but sewing forces me to take care so that the final result is wearable. Skirts are easy enough for beginners but if you won't wear them then a bit pointless. I usually work full time so make casual tops in Smart fabrics which look great and are individual.

I'm still looking for a trouser pattern. I've really enjoyed reading about what other people do.

Thank you for all the inspiration

Retrieved my patterns from the loft. Two trouser patterns, wide leg and slim leg, a shell type top (1 hour apparently) pattern that has different necklines and sleeve/sleeveless option, and a throw on sleeveless shift dress and strappy cami type dress that I’d probably use. Some are 1996 Prima pattens but hey the 90s are back aren’t they? Honestly they don’t look dated at all in general. After that exercise I feel I can relax browsing some fabric choices.

What's a good make of sewing machine these days? I have an old Frister and Rossman, which is still going strong but is quite basic... I've been starting in on my fabric stash over the last few weeks!

I might join in, I'm feeling pulled in 95 directions just now but I have a big fabric stash to work through

I'm a fan of fabworks mill for lovely wools especially, and I have had a few successess with the Gertie Sews range of books and patterns. There's a lovely dresses one which are mix and match tops, bottoms, sleeves etc and easy to adjust.

Sewing machines,I bought a new one last year and spent ages researching.
About £100 - absolute minimum
About £250-£300 will get a decent mechanical machine
About £500 - good computerised machine
Over £1000 you must be a quilter/embroiderer
Brother, Janome/Elna, Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking all decent. Bernina (like mine) very nice but cost twice as much for the same thing.

Modern machines are more plastic than metal, I would not go too cheap or it will feel weedy next to your old machine.

Between the Sewing Bee, lockdown and all the sewing masks/scrubs etc, stocks are getting low. I'm in a few FB sewing groups, it sucks you in!

Thanks NotMe. I need to do some research by the sound of it! I like the idea of the computerised ones...

I have this www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LVS9A1U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8 but I got it on Black Friday 2 years ago for half price. It's been excellent so far, I've managed to break the auto threader (my own fault) but other than that not missed a beat.

And as a bonus I can programme it to embroider whatever word I fancy, I was most proud of the time it embroidered "Wankbadger"

I’ve decided in the last few weeks I want to start making my own clothes. Have bought a machine and am learning how to use it.

I’ve been reading the curvy sewing collective website and learning about pattern alterations. I’m quite short from shoulder to bust (straps and clothes are often too big here) but full bust. It’s helped me realise why I always feel a bit scruffy, because shop bought clothes really don’t fit me properly.

I’m going to take it slow, make lots of muslins using simple patterns and once Ive worked out a pattern fit I like make it in a few colours / material types.

I’d love to add some simple, well fitted pieces to my wardrobe like basic tops and bottoms in neutral colours that I can then accessorise.

I bought a merchant and mills pattern and it’s definitely not beginner! Just waiting for a new part for my machine then I’ll make a toile first out of an old sheet as I don’t trust my cutting. Mind you buying a rotary cutter has helped.

I make my own block patterns using Winnie Aldrich and then adapt them as needed. Perfect fit every time as long as you re-do your blocks if you have a significant weight change. I just use cheap lining paper to draw them out.

www.amazon.co.uk/Metric-Pattern-Cutting-Womens-Wear/dp/1444335057?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@RoomR0613 that sounds amazing- I've always thought that to be a very advanced technique.

@mycat check out Cashmerette Patterns- they are designed for curvier bodies with built in full bust adjustments, the pants are for either apple or pear shapes etc. There are a few other companies like this but these are patterns I've used with success.

I've made a dress today - a wearable toile - my first Upton dress. 6 gored skirt, lined v neck bodice, invisible zip, pockets! I'm very happy with it - will absolutely wear it lots.

Not really, TheCliteratti, I'm far from advanced and I'm still very much at the stage of doing simple cotton dresses, a few bits and pieces for the children etc. Pre-made patterns have always baffled me in comparison, particularly as I'm short with a top heavy hourglass figure and so always end up with something two sizes too big due to my bust measurement and the waist in the wrong place as a result.

I've made very basic body and skirt blocks from Aldrich, and joined together they have made several of the most flattering and well fitting dresses I have ever worn. No need to do FBAs etc as they are already built into the block.

It admittedly takes a bit of work initially to draw up the blocks (and a pattern master tool thingy is a must) but once you have the blocks you can use them over and over again as a template. I learnt how to do it that way rather than using patterns so it seems normal to me I suppose.

@StatisticallyChallenged I like that one! And the embroidery is something you should be very proud of!
@RoomR0613 I'm going to look into that - I'm a moderately tall top-heavy hourglass and find pre-printed patterns often don't fit round my bust at all...

I'm very full busted (JJ or thereabouts) so I've never met a pattern that didn't need a full bust adjustment!

The FBA is effectively built in if you do your own block from measurements, but I found it was hard getting the sleeves/armholes right afterwards. It makes you realise how badly fitted off the peg clothes can be though.