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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
119
ThisOrdinaryLife · 01/09/2023 18:04

I think you're being hard on yourself @tribpot - your stitching is extremely neat especially on the curves of the bag handles and what I think is a front pocket? I mean it's just perfect! I would love to be able to sew that neatly.
I'm only just getting to know my machine so I think the slider is the speed switch, it does have a little panel to choose your stitches and thankfully yes the bobbin cover is transparent which is a good job as that took me a whole afternoon to work out how to thread a bobbin - I'd have stood no chance if I couldn't see what was happening 😂
Of course all I need to do now is actually sew something.
We're off on holiday soon to Turkey and rather than bring back more leather goods and cheap dvd's I'm going to make a beeline for the market and see if I can find some simple cotton to play about with when I get back.

tribpot · 01/09/2023 18:18

thanks for all the stitch compliments 😍This is entirely due to the two-speed pedal and being able to go really slowly.

Yes, the bag has two outer pockets as well as two inner - here's a pic from a different angle.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/09/2023 18:48

That bag is great.

Just made another top. The fit is still a bit off, but I think this one is wearable with a cardigan or blazer over. It's in a cheap viscose from the market, which feels lovely and silky.

TurqoiseJasper · 01/09/2023 23:49

Shortening jeans and keeping original hem......

I have watched about 736 YouTube videos on how to do this, but have yet to find one that I think is not terribly complicated and very time consuming!

Can anybody point me to a definitive tutorial? I am a shortie........ Yes I do have a a sewing machine!

InMySpareTime · 02/09/2023 07:57

@TurquoiseJasper if you have a rolled hem foot, just cut the legs to leg length plus 1.5 times the rolled hem gauge (eg if it's a 1/2in rolled hem foot, leave 3/4in hem allowance).
Inside out, run the seam through the rolled hem foot.

Spaceman101 · 02/09/2023 11:43

Hello I'm new on this thread. I'm trying to gather a skirt using clear elastic. Are there any tricks I'm finding it difficult to stretch it enough whilst I'm sewing. Also are there better types/brands of elastic I should use?

ReviewingTheSituation · 02/09/2023 12:00

Clear elastic is generally quite lightweight - are you sure it's strong enough to hold the weight of a gathered skirt?

How wide is the elastic? And what fabric is the skirt made from?

TurqoiseJasper · 02/09/2023 12:19

InMySpareTime · 02/09/2023 07:57

@TurquoiseJasper if you have a rolled hem foot, just cut the legs to leg length plus 1.5 times the rolled hem gauge (eg if it's a 1/2in rolled hem foot, leave 3/4in hem allowance).
Inside out, run the seam through the rolled hem foot.

I don't, but actually wanted to keep the original hem on the jeans.

clowniform · 02/09/2023 14:06

Finally began sewing up the Helena wrap dress I'd cut out before Covid struck. Perhaps some edges had stretched out in the interim but it's proving much more faffy than expected, and there were some surprisingly sharp angles I really had to stop, snip and pivot for, while under the machine with the needle in, which had not been noted in instructions or marked. Managed to get the bodice assembled, then found an unambiguous error (on the pattern pieces themselves, not due to my cutting) in the skirt and pocket notches not lining up so decided to break for lunch 🙄Just motivated by thought of how useful it will be if the forecast Indian summer manifests, but frankly it's not been an enjoyable process.
Anyone here tried Just Patterns before? What did you think?

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
InMySpareTime · 02/09/2023 14:56

@TurquoiseJasper that's why all the tutorials are tricky, it's easiest to take length from the ankle end of jeans, anywhere else involves a cut+shut approach on a tube of fabric that is not uniform width, which is tricky.
You'll also end up with a seam in the length of the leg, which could be uncomfortable unless understitched.

Spaceman101 · 02/09/2023 15:45

ReviewingTheSituation · 02/09/2023 12:00

Clear elastic is generally quite lightweight - are you sure it's strong enough to hold the weight of a gathered skirt?

How wide is the elastic? And what fabric is the skirt made from?

It's a viscose jersey so pretty lightweight. Not sure about the width of the elastic 6mm or so I think

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/09/2023 17:03

TurqoiseJasper · 02/09/2023 12:19

I don't, but actually wanted to keep the original hem on the jeans.

As far as I can see this method basically just takes a tuck on the wrong side just above the hem, cuts the excess off and finishes off the raw edges. Is it really any more complicated than that? Wherever you do it there’s going to be a seam visible and it’s less obvious at the ankle than anywhere else.

clowniform · 02/09/2023 18:54

Bloody Helena finally done. I love the result (added length but no other changes) but will wait a bit for the memory of the sewing experience to fade before making another!

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel many thanks again, am saving your advice for this year's coat(s if being ambitious).

Agree with all @tribpot really neat work and harmonious fabric choices.

@TurquoiseJasper you could refine the join by unpicking the hem, and piecing at the first fold, then refold the hem enclosing the new seam. Bit less bulky this way. Depending on the cut and how much you're taking off you may need to narrow the leg circumference to make the two tubes match.

clowniform · 02/09/2023 19:01

Also forgot, @Rosenspants lovely top. Dare I say I prefer the drape of this to Tana tawn (which is a bit crisper)? Or will Liberty PR can track me down and prevent me from darkening their portals again?

Rosenspants · 02/09/2023 20:23

🤣 @clowniform I bought that particular cotton lawn because it felt so soft. I’ve not come across another that handles quite like it. I treated myself to two types of Tana lawn at Liberty in a sale a couple of months ago which I haven’t used yet. It’s definitely a little less soft! I notice that Jenny Stitches is doing my one in a different colour way
https://www.jennystitches.co.uk/products/cosmos-pima-cotton-lawn

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/09/2023 16:13

Brieandbeetroot · 04/09/2023 16:04

Afternoon all. Just wanted to share this and see if anyone else shares my horror that even at this price point (sale or original) there's no attempt to pattern match. I mean really, what are you paying for??

https://tnuck.com/products/jacquard-bella-24-7-pant?variant=43483280015582

‘Ow much? 😮😮😮

Yanbu.
There are several people on this thread who could do a better job than that (not me, I have very little practice in sewing patterns) and probably would if you gave them £500.

Brieandbeetroot · 04/09/2023 16:27

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel well quite! To be clear, I saw them on a style blog, I have no intention of buying them but I honestly thought ok well at that price, with that fabric the pattern will be beautifully matched, it will all look seamless. Nope!

PickAChew · 04/09/2023 17:46

Brieandbeetroot · 04/09/2023 16:04

Afternoon all. Just wanted to share this and see if anyone else shares my horror that even at this price point (sale or original) there's no attempt to pattern match. I mean really, what are you paying for??

https://tnuck.com/products/jacquard-bella-24-7-pant?variant=43483280015582

That's atrocious. Even if it doesn't work out all the way along the side seams (sometimes the front leg is eased into a slightly bigger back to allow for movement but even this tends to be on the inseam, rather than the outside), there is no excuse for not matching along the centre seams. Especially at that price point!

PickAChew · 04/09/2023 17:49

And, yeah. Polyester and dry clean only. They're going to end up stinking!

ThisOrdinaryLife · 04/09/2023 19:44

@Brieandbeetroot This is why I really want to learn how to sew and make something for myself.
Those trousers looked gorgeous from the front (love that fabric) but my-oh-my the sideways view is awful. Fair enough if they were from H&M and cost £20 but at that price what are they thinking?! 😮
Mind you I'm a million light years away from being able to pattern match so who am I to judge 😂
I have made some progress though - I've bought myself a rotary cutter and and an old edition of Reader's Digest 'Complete Guide to Sewing' 😊

clowniform · 10/09/2023 19:18

Hello all! Has everyone downed tools over the heatwave?
Just wanted to share my last finished object, the Just Patterns Helena wrap dress, and my Simplicity group sale pattern delivery 😁Can't wait for it to cool down enough to get going on these! First will be a dickey using some remnant bits, because my post-viral brain was baffled by the instructions for the others, but also what a useful garment and how did they ever go out of fashion?
Anyone else made any of these?

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
AnnaMagnani · 10/09/2023 19:23

@clowniform that dress is stunning on you.

Yes completely downed tools - plan for this weekend was do some gardening, finish tax return, make top.

Actually achieved - none of the above

InMySpareTime · 10/09/2023 19:44

Parents visiting for the weekend. so they've brought up a dress that needs a modesty panel adding. I did that, then they went charity shopping and bought 5 pairs of trousers for me to turn up. Thanks. No, I'm not busy.
It's FINE.

They'd better say thanks -this time-