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Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome

811 replies

AnnieSnap · 24/05/2023 11:40

Dressmaking has becoming a topic in the ‘No Buy, Low Buy’ thread. In order not to derail that and because it deserves its own thread, I invite anyone who would like to make some of their own clothes or those already doing so to post here about fears, joys, problems, successes etc.

Having binged watched several serious of The Great British Sewing Bee when was laid-up with Covid and because that corresponded with the woman who did my little alterations stopping doing it, I was inspired to get a cheap sewing machine to try to do my own. That was just 16-months-ago and, having no previous experience at all, I quickly fell in love with sewing. I am not usually very patient with tasks (I have great patience with people and animals, but not with much else). Surprisingly, I have endless patience with sewing even when things go wrong 🤷‍♀️ At the beginning, I never dreamed I would be able to make clothes, but it turns out I can. So far, I’ve made dresses, skirts, tops, trousers, a gilet, a couple of things for my husband and even a jacket and a coat 😮

I try to buy ‘deadstock’ fabric when possible in the interests of the environment. It is fabric that is overstock from designers or big companies like Boden, M&S, Nobody’s Child and all the rest, or even fabric they have had produced and have changed their minds about using. I was horrified to discover that up to recently, all of this, tons and tons every year, went into landfill. It still does if it isn’t sold.

Any sewists (as we’re called these days) or potential sewists, what’s your story? And don’t forget the new series of The Great British Sewing Bee starts tonight. BBC1 9pm.

@pigtailsandall @theatrical @Zipps @remuslupinsbiggestgroupie @daisywaisy

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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AnnieSnap · 30/05/2023 13:37

thesugarbumfairy · 30/05/2023 10:29

I sew all the time, but mostly bags (I teach bagmaking) however i make the odd garment. I am a pattern tester for Jennifer Lauren - I find her patterns extremely easy to follow. (and excellent for those of us on the larger side)

That’s great. Her patterns look really nice. I keep meaning to make a more complicated bag. So far I have only made a bucket bag. My love is making clothes though 🙂

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 30/05/2023 21:22

May I join?

I know the basics and have been on a dressmaking course but I haven't made anything for years. I bought a Brother sewing machine from a colleague a couple of years ago and finally used it a couple of weeks ago to hem a voluminous maxi dress that I was tripping over. I did a fairly good job if I say so myself.

I'd also be interested to know how you access deadstock fabric OP.

🐝

DollyParkin · 30/05/2023 21:49

I've always made my own clothes, as did my mother before me. I like to use designer patterns, and tailoring. I find the new style of home dressmaker (a la Tilly & the Buttons) a bit boring - the cut of those sorts of patterns is generally not very interesting. The downside is that it takes me ages!

I found that just by using Vogue designer patterns (Donna Karan & Ralph Lauren & Claude Montana are my go tos) I've learned a lot about tailoring & construction. Clare Schaffer's patterns use couture techniques, but it's an awful lot of hand sewing.

Currently I have about 4 things on the go, plusI just cut out a new dress pattern to make a wearable toile for a dress for a fried's wedding in 6 weeks.

And let's not talk about my fabric stash. Just went to Abakhan's today - I love bargain hunting there & have the most gorgeous soft blush pin stretch fine needlecord as a result. Plus some printed satin which feels like lingeries satin. I use it for interesting linings. Oh, and some more plain unbleached soft cotton muslin I use to interline summer dresses as it gives the actual cotton fabric body and structure ...

pastabest · 30/05/2023 21:58

There is a long running mumsnet Stitch and Bitch Thread over in Arts and Crafts!!!

DollyParkin · 30/05/2023 21:59

I buy deadstock fabric from Amo Threads and Fabrics at Play. They have really lovely quality stuff.

I also like Croft Mills, and all 3 companies have people who know their fabrics. I get pissed off with retailers that don't sell good fabrics - who try to sell 'linen' that's viscose or ramie or polyester, or who price everything by the half metre.

If you spend time making things, don't use crappy fabrics, is my motto. Poly-wool pills, whereas I have some pure wool suits and a couple of coats which are probably more than 20 yers old. And so on. Linen & silk are beautiful durable fabrics & lovely to sew and wear.

bluedomino · 30/05/2023 22:02

Please may I join? I'm obsessed with The Sewing Bee and sewing magazines. I would love to get a new sewing machine, with an automatic threader and the option to go really slow as these are the bits that really frustrate me.
I've made children's clothes but have chickened out of making anything for myself yet. I'm such a weird (fat, pear, thick thighs) shape I'm a bit frightened to try!
I'm caught in a catch 22 state, I feel that I would sew more with a better machine but don't feel like I sew enough to deserve a new machine! Talk about self-sabotage. Going to try a pair of Lisa Comfort wide leg trousers. Wish me luck.

mauveiscurious · 30/05/2023 22:06

As a tall woman I sewing from late teens to my thirties then kids arrived . I love changing sleeves length etc but haven't made anything recently

Stonechatty · 30/05/2023 22:09

Thanks for starting this thread! I’ve been sewing clothes for several years now. I also try buying deadstock fabric- in case it’s useful my online sources are generally:

Newcrafthouse (all deadstock - I think there are other shops like that but this is the only one I use of them. The other shops below usually have some deadstock)
Rainbow Fabrics (very reasonable prices)
fabric godmother
Sew me sunshine
Like sew amazing
Good fabric store
Sherwoods fabrics (bought a Paul Smith deadstock very cheaply here recently!)
Simply Fabrics
sister mintaka
Lamazi fabrics
Sew sew sew

some of the above have physical shops and some have open days.

DollyParkin · 30/05/2023 22:11

Simply Fabrics are good - I have some lovely block print cotton from there. And they identify their designer deadstock. I've bought some really nice linen fabrics from there as well.

crackofdoom · 30/05/2023 22:17

Hello, can I join?
I have a machine, alter my own clothes and frequently make "square things" like cushions and curtains, but have never yet made any clothes from scratch.

I recently bought a book called "You will be able to sew your own clothes by the end of this book" by Juliet Uzor- I believe she's a past Sewing Bee winner? There are some good patterns in there- there's a pinafore dress I'd really like to make, but I suppose I'd better go for one of the very simple ones like a top first.

WitchDancer · 30/05/2023 22:18

May i join too please? I used to sew with my Nana but to my shame I gave away her sewing machine and my smaller one i bought to replace it. I've been watching Sewing Bee too and have just ordered a Brother machine plus a basics book to remind me of everything I've forgotten.

tribpot · 30/05/2023 22:20

I've just done the Tilly and the Buttons tutorial 'Make Friends With a Sewing Machine'. This was really good and easy to follow. Like the OP, my main ambition is to make plus size clothes in decent fabrics; I get way too sweaty in manmade fibres but finding stuff in cotton is so difficult. I also don't like long sleeves. However, I don't wear dresses or skirts, so that makes things a bit more challenging to get started.

Fingerlimes · 30/05/2023 22:21

Can I mention Lekala.co? They do made to measure patterns very cheaply ( $3-4) Fit is great.

Sarvanga38 · 30/05/2023 22:21

AnnieSnap · 30/05/2023 13:37

That’s great. Her patterns look really nice. I keep meaning to make a more complicated bag. So far I have only made a bucket bag. My love is making clothes though 🙂

I can very much recommend this duffle bag pattern from Knot & Thread (although I made it in Kaffe Fassett fabrics, rather than patchwork and used cotton strapping for handles).

I amazed myself by managing it very nicely, I still can’t believe I made my lovely bag when I look at it. 😆

Great size for a weekend bag, and pattern earns it’s money for great gift making.

Sarvanga38 · 30/05/2023 22:23

*its money, bloody auto correct.

AnnieSnap · 30/05/2023 22:48

Thank you @Sarvanga38 It’s really nice, but I have a couple of Sweaty Betty bags that size. I’m thinking more these sorts (the pink one in the first picture) in a bag sewing book I have.

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
OP posts:
Hiddendoor · 30/05/2023 22:48

Hello!
I love sewing clothes, I've currently got a wrap dress on the go and need to finish it pretty soon.

I'm fantastic at buying fabric but fairly slow at making the clothes.

The reason I make clothes is because what I want to wear just isn't what is fashionable or sold in the shops. I like a bold print.

Currently buy fabric from Rainbow Fabrics Kilburn, decent and affordable fabric.

Also follow various destash accounts on Instagram which can be an affordable way of getting fabric too.

Sarvanga38 · 30/05/2023 22:50

AnnieSnap · 30/05/2023 22:48

Thank you @Sarvanga38 It’s really nice, but I have a couple of Sweaty Betty bags that size. I’m thinking more these sorts (the pink one in the first picture) in a bag sewing book I have.

Oooh, that is lovely!

rivercobbler · 30/05/2023 22:53

Would love to join you. I haven't done a lot of. sewing but am. comfortable using my sewing machine for basics. I made some. cushions last year that went well! Haven't used a buttonholer yet. I have a dress that I absolutely love the shapenof and would love to copy in a different fabric - fortunately it is EXTREMELY simple in shape so I could probably just cut round it and see the front and back together. We'll see - I have to find the right fabric first.

AnnieSnap · 30/05/2023 23:02

Welcome @rivercobbler 👋

OP posts:
ReviewingTheSituation · 30/05/2023 23:05

I knew the basics for years, but didn't really sew... until I was furloughed for 3 weeks in 2020 and needed something to do. I haven't been in a clothes shop since. I make everything now - tops, skirts, dresses, jeans, PJs, coats... next on the list is a bra.

I absolutely love it, and having been over 3 years without buying clothes I wonder if I ever will again.

I'm a huge fan of Closet Core patterns, but also Fibremood and Friday Pattern Co. With a few others thrown in for good measure!

MaryLennoxsScowl · 30/05/2023 23:23

I make things on and off - currently very much off - and one thing I have learned is to look for patterns where the measurements aren’t too far off your own. Tilly is very pear-shaped and everything she makes suits her but looks dreadful on me (smallish hourglassish), plus I cross three sizes in her patterns so it’s a lot of grading. The small independent patterns will hold your hand a lot more than the older companies (Vogue, Simplicity etc) who are designed for people who know how to sew already, not complete newbs. Most sewing patterns are on Instagram and searching each pattern there will show you lots of people’s version with their comments about how it fits, so you can get a sense of whether it’s likely to fit you nicely and whether the instructions are clear.

SparkleHard · 30/05/2023 23:53

I’ve been making clothes on and off for a few years now, but my success rate is a little underwhelming. One of the “positives” is that it has made me super critical about the fit & construction of shop bought clothes and I haven’t bought much since, so at least there’s a saving there 😂

After a phase of making dresses I never wear (I think all sewists go through that phase...), I’m now more focussed on relatively simple clothes that are actually wearable. I made a successful version of this Toast t-shirt a few weeks ago. Making something this basic may not appeal to everyone, but I’m tall and often struggle to find tops that are long enough, so it was worth it for me.

https://www.toa.st/products/organic-cotton-easy-tee-delft-blue

Organic Cotton Easy Tee | Delft Blue

Organic Cotton Easy Tee | Delft Blue

Our Delft Blue Organic Cotton Easy Tee is crafted from lightweight slubbed organic cotton. It has dolman sleeves.

https://www.toa.st/products/organic-cotton-easy-tee-delft-blue

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 31/05/2023 08:46

Hello 😊 May I join you? Could do with a proverbial kick up the … to get going again.

Did several years of sewing classes, a couple of terms of pattern making (very useful, if you’re thinking of doing one) and then got divorced. Have a Tilly and buttons Chloe top that I need to rescue.

Thanks for the links to patterns, fabric places etc. I’ve disappeared into a wonderful rabbit hole 🤣

As someone upthread said- I’m excellent at buying fabric but take AGES to make anything.

One bit of advice is to start making stuff for winter now! I found myself working 6 months behind the seasons accidentally, but discovered that it worked. It does help to have a fabric stash…!