Does anyone here make their own clothes?

[Malldelly]

It's something I've always wanted to do. Is it very difficult as in will it take years of practice before I can make anything I could possibly wear outside? Or will I be able to give Victoria Beckham a run for her money after a couple of you tube videos and a cheapish sewing machine. Help before I waste any more money on yet another hobby that lasts ten minutes.

I used to make many of my own clothes, I stopped several years ago as I found that I no longer had the patience for it. I almost got back into it; I began making face masks last year before they were widely available, and I loved the feel of sitting down at my sewing machine and making something.

I did come from a long line of skilled amateur dressmakers, though. My mother and both grandmothers were quite good, and I learned from them, starting at an early age making doll clothes. But I think the basics are not that difficult, and as with so many other things, it just takes practice. And with YouTube available these days, there are lots of ways to get tips and inspiration.

Do it! I love to sew (and pp are right, thinking about sewing and buying fabric are adjacent hobbies). There’s a sewing thread you might want to join, some lovely mumsnetters in there will cheer you on I’m sure, and they’ll definitely be able to advise on fitting to your figure. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/arts_and_crafts/4261344-Stitch-and-bitch-thread-3-Sewing-is-harder-than-it-seams?pg=1

It was the T&tB ones I didn't rate. Sorry

I mainly make for my LO, but also do bits for me. There is a skill / knowledge divide between making knit clothing that can have some stretch (e.g Anything with Lycra in like leggings etc, less stretch such as french terry which is thicker and warmer for jumpers or jogging bottoms or fleece which is similar to french terry) and cotton or other woven clothing that doesn't have any stretch.
As well as learning how to use these different types of material and how they work with clothing Patterns you might want to make, you also need to consider what machine you have. A standard sewing machine will allow you to make most things, but can be slow and make things more difficult than they need to be for constructing knit patterns. Also be aware for a really top finish you actually need 3 machines - a standard machine, a serger and a cover stitch. Standard machine can be most versatile, a serger / overlocker will do main construction quicker and easier, a cover stitch will do the best finish for topstitching seams and hemming. You can absolutely start with a standard machine, see what you enjoy and once you get the hang of it and if you are keen you can get an overlocker. I started off with one and now have these two, not got a cover stitch yet and can do most patterns with a nice enough finish.
If you are interested in an easy intro to knit patterns I'd highly recommend Waves and Wild. The patterns are straightforward with good instructions and advice on each step.
Facebook is good for a lot of pattern, fabric and habadashery supply recommendation groups.

I've also had some good courses from Craftsy - they do loads of offers if you add to basket and wait a bit. Would also recommend an in person just to get started, and don't worry if your first garment is a bit rubbish - I found it didn't take that long to get from quite wonky to wearable with simpler patterns and my (I think) 7/8th garment was a lined winter coat that I've had loads of compliments on. And for bigger boobs a full bust adjustment is life changing - don't be put off by it seeming complicated, it's very doable with a little bit of sewing experience

I'm wearing more and more homemade clothes. I find it so therapeutic (except when unpicking a seam) and it is really good for your self esteem to make clothes to fit your body, not be made to feel bad when shop clothes don't fit well. Agree it isn't cheap but nor are tailor made clothes/therapy. It is a slow, mindful process that makes you examine your buying habits and clothing tastes and needs closely. Do I want this enough to spend the next 3 weeks making it? The Foldline website is a brilliant place to look for patterns. Independent pattern houses like Sew Liberated and Untitled Thoughts tend to have really beautifully written instructions with great pictures and video links. I find Vogue Butterick etc a bit cryptic even after 15 years sewing. Agree that an in person course would be a great way to get started, then the world is your oyster!

I'm glad you're going for it op!

I've been sewing since July and have made several lovely items already.

I agree with what a pp said about machines. I have a basic Brother sewing machine and find that whilst it's great for non stretch clothing , you'd really want to buy an overlocker of you want good strong stretchy clothing. A zigzag stitch just isn't enough imo , especially for close fitting stuff like underwear.

However , the reason I started sewing was to make well fitting clothing out of high quality cotton. A standard sewing machine will serve you well for that.

Good luck

I'd recommend looking on Instagram for pattern inspiration. There's a lovely sewing community there.

Do I want this enough to spend the next 3 weeks making it?

Yes this is the stage I feel I have finally reached. I went through a stage of buying cheap fabric and cheap patterns (e.g. Ellie and Mac) and not really being massively happy with the outcome. After a couple of mega fails I got quite disillusioned for a while and stopped sewing altogether for several months. I learnt lots doing it though so although I didn't come out of that part of my 'sewing journey' with many wearable items I've got so many skills from learning from all the mistakes.

I now spend a bit more on fabric and really think about what I need/want in my wardrobe. In the same way you might go back several times to think about e.g. a Hobbs dress or an expensive pair of shoes before buying. The result is I'm now building up a very well tailored, well fitting classic wardrobe of unique clothes that I've really thought about and planned.

I’ve also wondered about this, everything’s so shit on the high street now.

I used to make some of my own things when I was young and clothes were expensive. When the prices came down in the 90s, I stopped but I've recently gone back to it after a 30 year break. I was never particularly good at it but I already knew the basics e.g. how patterns and sewing machines worked.

I wouldn't say it's easy. It's a skill that you have to learn. I'm not naturally gifted at it and I'm also impatient - I can't be bothered with a toile for example - so I make lots of mistakes. But I do find it immensely satisfying and it's heightened my appreciation of well made clothes, and also my impatience with the crap that's on the high street these days. My grandmother and great aunts were seamstresses so I think there's probably some primal feeling of family connection going on too.

There's lots of stuff on YouTube but much of it's poorly presented. I found a good old fashioned book very helpful as a way of refreshing my memory.

In terms of choosing patterns, I think a lot depends on your personal style and taste. Tilly and The Buttons just isn't my thing - I quite like Merchant and Mills, although they can be a bit artsy-wanky sometimes, also Makers Atelier - quite a bit more expensive but printed on decent quality paper so they last longer.

@Floisme I agree that tatb branding is very twee. I've made up a lot of their stuff but it's all in black , grey or dark checkered fabrics. I'm no where near young or willing enough to pull off the brights and pastels on the pattern envelopes. I like the clear instructions for a beginner though.

There is also this fabulous thread where people talk about their makes, show pictures of their makes, share their disappointments and triumphs, ask and give advice and generally support each other.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/arts_and_crafts/4261344-Stitch-and-bitch-thread-3-Sewing-is-harder-than-it-seams?msgid=112319463

I second the recommendation for Merchant and Mills patterns, especially if you like Toast styling. The Assembly Line has a similar vibe but they are around £18. Both are easy to follow and have a nice range for beginners. I’ve recently started sewing again after finding I was between sizes for a Toast cord skirt. I was actually considering buying one at £125 and altering it when I realised I could make one and save cash in the process.

I do agree that some of the TATB styling can be a bit twee, but her instructions are very good indeed, which can make a big difference for a beginner. Her patterns are much easier to follow than the trad pattern companies, and her books have whole chapters on useful techniques.

I wouldn't want to make a whole wardrobe of TATB patterns (I wouldn't want to be without my Billie dresses or Ness skirts either...) but as a resource, her stuff is great.

I agree about making a toile first. I used a piece of old sheeting which helped. If you have sloping shoulders rather than straight it will help to get a better fit with the pattern and before making the real thing.

I stick to simple summer dresses with a big neckline so that I don't have to bother with zips as they can be popped on over your head. I find buttonholes fiddly so also avoid those though I have done them in the past.

Pressing your seams as you go helps to give a more professional finish.

I have made a couple of things but I struggle to adjust the fit - I’m short and curvy and i often want to both shorten a bodice but also do a full bust adjustment, neither of which I’ve cracked yet.

Once you have a few patterns that work well for you then adjusting patterns becomes a lot easier too; I often overlay a new pattern over a well fitting one to see what areas are likely to be a problem which saves a lot of time and tears.

I'm mostly sewing stretch just now - I'm still wfh and with 4 hairy cats I'm not doing that in smart tailored clothes. Even that is satisfying though. I've never found a shop bought hoodie or pair of joggers that are as soft and comfortable as home made ones, and unlike shop bought they fit properly. Ditto leggings - workout gear that FITS and doesn't fall down.

I tend to be more impulsive with my quick sew stuff like this, but the more in depth slower sews are more carefully thought out. I've just lost quite a lot of weight and nothing fits anymore. I've bought jeans (too much hard work and my machine isn't really up to it), knitwear (can't make that!) and a couple of jackets/coats, but otherwise will be making everything from scratch. I hadn't actually bought any ready to wear clothes for 18 months and for most things I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I agree with @FamilyStrifeIsHard2Bear about 3 machines - I started with a sewing machine which was all I had for years but I only sewed curtains/household stuff. Started sewing wovens, then moved on to stretch and the overlocker arrived fairly rapidly aftewards. They kept me going for ages and realistically are enough, but after watching a few too many youtube videos I persuaded DH to get me a coverstitch for my birthday this year. I'm still learning but it does make a big difference to the finish, and it's so nice not to have my stretch hems flicking out constantly!

Oh @StatisticallyChallenged if you haven't tried a coat/jacket give it a go. They are wonderfully satisfying to sew and you get a real sense of achievement.

Plus people seem to feel much less awkward admiring a coat than they do other items of clothing and you can show off the linings etc and all the lovely detail without having to flash your underwear.

@pastabest

Oh *@StatisticallyChallenged* if you haven't tried a coat/jacket give it a go. They are wonderfully satisfying to sew and you get a real sense of achievement.

Plus people seem to feel much less awkward admiring a coat than they do other items of clothing and you can show off the linings etc and all the lovely detail without having to flash your underwear.

I actually have a lovely heavy wool coat which I made for myself last winter - ended up finishing it in March when it had warmed up too much for it! So it's still sitting on the mannequin!

It is now quite a lot too big so will need dismantled and recut I think. I plan to make more and actually have some fabric, but they are quite a big project (I'd need to do a new toile due to size change and my preferred styles are quite vintage, full skirts and lots of pieces so time consuming) and I literally didn't have a single coat that fitted.

I managed to find a nice Ted Baker wool wrap coat massively reduced so decided to grab it. I'm hopefully not completely done losing weight either so I'm reluctant to make a big coat just yet, they're such a bugger to alter!

My mother was a dress maker so I sort of grew up with to start with having clothes made just for me, and later making my own. I loved it, going to the market to choose the fabric, picking the style and having a new dress in a couple of days. I made most of my daughters clothes until she was about 8. I continued making my own until I was about 50 and then gradually it faded away. I loved the adaptability of it.

I made a blouse at the start of lockdown - success but a bit tight as it was not quite the right size of pattern, think it was American sizing . First thing I've made, other than curtains, for decades. It would probably help if you went to an actual sewing shop /JL somewhere that can advise on sizes etc.

@Yusanaim, the patterns usually have the measurements on them.
Don't go by dress size. Older patterns are much smaller, probably something like a size 12 being a modern 8.

Not all patterns have a seam allowance.

I used to, but I am rather unwell. I used to make everything. Coats, jackets.
I'm self taught. I taught myself using Vogue Patterns and an old copy of Vogue Sewing book.
These days I make beautiful little soft toys and embroidery.
I think you need a good machine to start. It need not cost a lot. Secondhand machines can be great. I use my Mums old Bernina but other makes are good too.
You need needles, pins, a pincushion, a tape measure and some dressmakers chalk. Dressmakers scissors, thread snips and an unpicker tool.
Small snips are handy.
You also need an iron and ironing board.
A tailors ham is handy for pressing curved seams.
The first thing I would make is a simple skirt with a waistband and zip.

Thanks @Dorisspider, that list is very useful. I'm getting the machine next week, very excited to get started. Will probably start with a simple skirt. Thanks to everyone for the info and the encouragement x

Thanks for share this!