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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 · 16/08/2023 23:38

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2023 21:42

Thanks, @AnnieSnap The sheet is poised, waiting for me to be brave.

My trip to Guthrie and Ghani was lovely. The staff were fabulous.

I’m so jealous. It’s just too far away for me! Will you post details of the fabric/s you chose?

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2023 07:26

Sorry - link went wrong.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2023 11:27

Done! A bit big but I think I can get away with them out of the house?

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
AnnieSnap · 17/08/2023 13:32

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie lovely, great pants. Roomy is fab in hot weather.

OP posts:
Rosenspants · 17/08/2023 20:56

I don’t see why not. I see lots of floral pyjama type trousers out and about. They’re great!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2023 21:22

Thanks, both. They can be my 'Going to the local shops' trousers!

tribpot · 18/08/2023 06:15

Carrie Bradshaw was wearing full-on pyjamas with high heels yesterday on And Just Like That so you are right on trend @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Brieandbeetroot · 24/08/2023 14:31

Afternoon ladies! I wondered if I could ask for some advice on a pattern? Would this be achievable for a beginner? I'd like to make some I'd really want to wear rather than starting with perhaps easier things that wouldn't actually be my style.

https://www.minerva.com/mp/1004448/vogue-sewing-pattern-9197&variant=1003719

Also for autumn/winter, what kindof fabrics could I use to create something mid-weight, not too stretchy?

Minerva

https://www.minerva.com/mp/1004448/vogue-sewing-pattern-9197&variant=1003719

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/08/2023 15:15

How much of a beginner? They rate it as very easy but there are certainly simpler ones- this has a lined bodice, sleeves, a skirt cut on the bias and top stitching, all of which increase the number of things to go wrong compared with, say, a simple skirt. But if you already know your way round your sewing machine and would like to expand your range a bit, go for it, there’s nothing obviously super tricky that I can see.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/08/2023 15:17

Oh sorry just realised skirt is cut on crosswise grain not bias, so shouldn’t be any harder

UnalliterativeGeorge · 24/08/2023 15:23

Ooh I didn't know this thread existed. I made a waistcoat for my lanky 8 year old to go to a wedding. Next time I'll start further away from the deadline to finish sewing... Maybe.

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
ReviewingTheSituation · 24/08/2023 15:24

@Brieandbeetroot - are you used to following a sewing pattern? Old style patterns (like Vogue) don't tend to be as easy to follow/use as many of the newer indie pattern designers (which are also much more likely to have a lot of support available through sewalongs, blogs etc)

A quite fitted, lined dress with a bias cut skirt isn't an obvious first garment to make (although it's a nice dress).
The new Fabric Godmother pattern (the Peony dress) has a very similar shape (you could leave out the shoulder ruffles and arm frills), and they position that as intermediate - but it looks easier than the one you've picked there. I'm sure there are other patterns of a similar shape/style too, but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

Floisme · 24/08/2023 15:25

I'd call myself an intermediate beginner. I've made a few shirts (all of which I ended up unpicking to fix mistakes) and I'd still struggle with those set-in sleeves. And top stitching might sound straightforward but it's a bugger getting it to look neat - and it looks awful when you don't.

I agree about starting with something you actually want to wear but I'd be prepared to make mistakes. You can always learn from them!

Floisme · 24/08/2023 15:26

Soz, multiple cross post - that was to Brieandbeetroot

Brieandbeetroot · 24/08/2023 15:30

Thank you all! Absolute beginner! I took home economics at school about 20 years ago and had to makes clothes etc with sewing machine, overlooked etc but haven't done any garment making since, just other handsewing projects, and I doubt I can remember anything helpful.

Very helpful to hear the likely challenges and complexities in a pattern like that. It will help me I think to work out what skills and techniques to try and practice for the types of patterns I'd like to make.

I will have a look at that pattern thank you @ReviewingTheSituation.

@Floisme I am a bit of a "oh yeah I'll read a lot and then just dive in and figure it out" sort of person, not always successfully!

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel perhaps looking for a simpler A-line skirt would be the way to go in that case.

PickAChew · 24/08/2023 16:01

Separates would be your best bet for building up your confidence, @Brieandbeetroot . Much less of an investment in terms of fabric if you're not happy with the finished garment.

ReviewingTheSituation · 24/08/2023 16:08

It's not just the sewing that you need to think about, it's the fitting. If you haven't sewed for yourself before then going for a fitted bodice first off is quite a challenge.

I'd go for something really simple first off - just to get used to the different techniques etc. If you start off with a pattern you've set your heart on/have a clear vision about how it's going to be, then you'll be more disappointed if things don't go to plan.

The Lotta dress by TATB might be a good place to start - it has a gathered skirt and a round neck like your pattern, but no zips, topstitching or set-in sleeves. You could make it in a nice stable fabric like cotton poplin or chambray (I'd do the latter). The top isn't fitted, so you wouldn't get the same look as your pattern, but it would be a very satisfying sew!

ReviewingTheSituation · 24/08/2023 16:09

Plus also what @PickAChew said!

The new Bernadette skirt from Friday Pattern company looks nice as a starter skirt.

ReviewingTheSituation · 24/08/2023 16:11

I hadn't touched a sewing machine for many years... until lockdown. I haven't been a clothes shop since. It can get addictive, and before long you can tackle some complicated stuff. I've done everything from tops, skirts, dresses, trousers, jeans, hoodies, coats/jackets... On to bras next!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/08/2023 17:14

In that case yes absolutely start with a skirt or a very simple sleeveless dress.
I agree that cotton chambray is a good easy fabric to start off with. Minimal stretch or fraying, doesn’t slip, and not too expensive.

Brieandbeetroot · 24/08/2023 19:55

A bit left field, but would an apron work? I need a new one and it wouldn't matter if it was a bit "rustic"!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/08/2023 20:03

@UnalliterativeGeorge That waistcoat is fabulous!

@Brieandbeetroot As an absolute beginner, I'd say that dress is very far removed from something simple to start with! An apron would be a good idea.

I've spent this afternoon trying to sew bust darts. I JUST CAN'T DO IT! I've watched a million videos and had a million attempts and I CAN'T DO IT!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/08/2023 20:17

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/08/2023 20:03

@UnalliterativeGeorge That waistcoat is fabulous!

@Brieandbeetroot As an absolute beginner, I'd say that dress is very far removed from something simple to start with! An apron would be a good idea.

I've spent this afternoon trying to sew bust darts. I JUST CAN'T DO IT! I've watched a million videos and had a million attempts and I CAN'T DO IT!

What is the problem you are having with the darts? Is it making them match? Have you marked the stitching line on your fabric?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/08/2023 20:21

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/08/2023 20:17

What is the problem you are having with the darts? Is it making them match? Have you marked the stitching line on your fabric?

I just can't work out how to fold them.

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