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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
Merryoldgoat · 24/02/2024 19:58

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I like Pound Fabrics.

I got my overlocker out today and I adore it.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 24/02/2024 22:56

I’m finally getting round to copying my first item of clothing… a very simple beach cover up in a thin cotton voile. Going to make some bias binding out of the remaining leftovers to go round the neck, and treat several seams as French seams.

However, I’ve spent half the day on YouTube catching up on how you do it.

MerelyPlaying · 25/02/2024 08:23

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie the skirt looks great. Sorry no recommendations for online buying, one of the reasons I don’t often buy fabric online is that it’s so hard to gauge the weight/ quality.

Re making the skirt longer, just add a bit to your paper pattern. You might find it has a horizontal line across it for lengthening/shortening. if so, you cut the pattern in half along this line, tape a bit of paper underneath it and lengthen it as much as you want, so you are adding length in the middle of the skirt, rather than at the hem, if you see what I mean.

Or alternatively, you could just add some paper to the bottom of the pattern to extend the length. I’m sure there are YouTube videos on this, it’s one of the easiest adjustments to make. But definitely alter the pattern and then cut it, don’t try winging it while you’re cutting it out. Ask me how I know 😄

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/02/2024 08:36

Thanks so much @MerelyPlaying I think I need to add a bit in the middle. The bottom of the pattern is shaped so adding length there would alter the shape too much, I think. I promise not to wing it! 😂

Rosenspants · 25/02/2024 09:37

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie really like the skirt! I’m assuming the pattern doesn’t have lines that say ‘lengthen or shorten here’

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/02/2024 09:40

Rosenspants · 25/02/2024 09:37

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie really like the skirt! I’m assuming the pattern doesn’t have lines that say ‘lengthen or shorten here’

It might do. I just hadn't thought about such a thing - I'm so short that lengthening things has never really occurred to me before! I'll have a proper look at the pattern.

clowniform · 25/02/2024 09:59

👋 I'm still around but knitting much more than I sew lately. In fact, currently on the train to Unravel to replenish yarn supplies and start drinking unfeasibly early catch up with knitty friends😁

Welcome @Brieandbeetroot from a fellow reader and in-jumper. How's it all going? It's fine to be a lot rubbish at knitting as you can just undo it and have another go for as many times as you like. I love to cannibalise my old knits for yarn when I fancy a change in style and the smug glow of thriftiness.

Great skirt @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie looks like it's draping beautifully! In addition to excellent advice about lengthening, you can also grade down between sizes from hip to waist to address that issue. As a pear I have to do this with most pattern companies and within 3 sizes is straightforward. More than that and it really need darts, or lowering of standards 😉

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/02/2024 10:04

@clowniform Oh that's a good idea - so I adapt the pattern slightly to cut the waist a bit smaller? I'll have a look. Really annoyed that I don't have any fabric, as I want to get going on another one immediately! The drape in it is really lovely.

clowniform · 25/02/2024 10:13

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie Yep -- it's easier if you have a curved ruler, but just draw a smooth line blending from between the size A line nearer the hip and the size B line near the waist, on both front and back pieces. (I just do this on the one, then trace the new line onto the other, to make sure they match up for sewing.) Finding nice fabric is absolutely the hardest part of sewing!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/02/2024 10:31

Front and back are exactly the same so hopefully won’t be too tricky.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/03/2024 20:07

Update - made another skirt today and graded it down a bit at the waist. It fits beautifully, but I forgot to try to lengthen it, which I'm annoyed about!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/03/2024 16:01

Might be talking into the void here, but I've ordered a Tilly Indigo dress pattern to try out. I've made several pairs of the Jaimie trousers - keep sizing down every time but still think I could go smaller. Perfect for lounging in though.

AnnaMagnani · 04/03/2024 07:35

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie thanks for restarting the thread.

Sadly I am nowhere near as productive as you. Sewing has been limited to darning some jumpers.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 04/03/2024 08:14

I’ve found my sewing mojo, and have managed to copy a very simple cotton top that I wear over a swimsuit. Had to figure out how to make bias binding from the fabric… that was erm… interesting.

Have now moved onto a longer A line dress with a notched neckline, pockets and ‘separate’ sleeves that originally comes from Uniqlo.

Due to seeing friends in the West Country recently, I’ve managed to go to Truro Fabrics and the Exeter Fabric Centre. Both are huge!

Does anyone have a good tip on making bias binding as I want to give it a go again. When it sits around a neckline you can’t fudge it!

InMySpareTime · 04/03/2024 08:19

I think there's a magic tool that you pull through a strip of diagonal fabric and it folds it into bias binding for you.

clowniform · 04/03/2024 09:00

Bias binding thingies:
https://jaycotts.co.uk/products/bias-binding-tape-maker

(There are cheaper ones on amazon etc. but the ones I tried had rough edges that snagged fabric, didn't pull through as smoothly and handles that got hotter than the surface of the sun, so please learn from my mistakes and get the Clover ones.)

That Tilly dress looks nice @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie. I have a similar pattern (StyleArc Montana) and find it v. versatile.

Clover Bias Binding Makers from Jaycotts Sewing Supplies

Clover Bias Binding Makers

Create your own bias tapes in minutes. Choose from 5 different sizes - jaycotts.co.uk

https://jaycotts.co.uk/products/bias-binding-tape-maker

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/03/2024 09:10

Nice to see other people are doing stuff.
The only thing I have made recently is a basic wool dress as part of a Viking outfit. My next thing is a Tudor gable hood for which I have bought a pattern but I will need to do a dry run first with cardboard for the stiff bits to check the sizing.

MerelyPlaying · 04/03/2024 10:59

Lost my mojo entirely, I started a pair of trousers before Christmas, refused to believe my measurements and didn't add enough to the back rise so they would barely cover my (not insubstantial) bahootie .... I will get them out and start again, it was only a toile so always intended to be subject to adjustment. I knew that I have a high waist, but I couldn't believe I needed to add nearly 12" to the pattern. My aim is to get a pattern that fits properly, and then I can just make what I want, it's always a struggle to get bought ones that fit.

If you search 'making bias binding' on YouTube or similar, there's a way that you can stitch a rectangle of fabric and then cut it so you get a continuous long strip. I second the Clover gadgets for making it, when I make it it's never quite as neat as the stuff you buy but it is nice to have matching binding, and once it's sewn in place it looks just as good.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/03/2024 17:59

Nice to see everyone. I wore my second, better fitting, bias cut skirt to work today and felt super-swishy in it!

Hiddendoor · 04/03/2024 20:01

Hello!
I have been making mostly knickers, a cotton top with fancy sleeves and some alterations to a tshirt I managed to shrink.

I'm also buying fabric quicker than I make things. I've got another fancy sleeved top and some trousers in mind, but have to cut out ASAP to maximise my sewjo.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 04/03/2024 22:36

Ahhh… Welcome to the Fabric Stash Club @Hiddendoor 😁😁😁

Thanks @clowniform for the link. I’ll get those.

I watched that video on YouTube and got completely confused with folding fabric into a triangle… Need to sit down and watch it again before I start the next one… or just buy some ready made!

Merryoldgoat · 04/03/2024 23:08

@Hiddendoor

Fabric buying is a hobby in and of itself. I take out my fat quarters and refold them when I need to feel better. I’m already wondering if I need some more even though I have a whole kallax section full.

Welcome - it’s a lovely place to be

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 05/03/2024 07:11

@Merryoldgoat Love the image of you stroking your fat quarters. My dp would be sure to find a euphemism in that!

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 05/03/2024 23:25

I have ‘fat quarters’ too!
They’re parked on the bed under me as I type this 🤣

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/03/2024 15:44

Update on the Tilly Indigo. I made a trial one as a short top, just to see if I could do it. Didn’t bother measuring myself, just made it in my usual size 14 but with a tiny bit more on the chest, which I actually could have done without, I think.

The sleeves were a bit fiddly but I managed them. I did bias binding instead of facings for the neckline.

Things I like - I don’t really like it as a top but think I might potentially love it as a dress if I can get the sizing just right. I might size down to a 12 at the back next time. I think it could be lovely in a leopard print or a print on a black background.

Things I hate - taking out the tacking and the gathering threads.