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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
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/03/2024 19:36

I made an Indigo dress today, all bar the hemming. I really like it and managed to get the sizing just right. Jeez - I hate taking gathering threads out though! Now to decide whether I want it over the knee, or longer.

AnnaMagnani · 16/03/2024 20:01

I bought some extra strong thread in anticipation of sewing leather bands round the sleeves of a coat that are getting worn.

Am promising myself I can make new stuff once mending is done, it's just the mending keeps growing.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/03/2024 16:44

Indigo pics. Quite pleased with myself!

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 17/03/2024 22:28

Well done, they’re lovely!
Really nice fabrics too.

Rosenspants · 18/03/2024 12:27

Those dresses are really impressive! @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/03/2024 13:49

Thank you, both. I can see myself making a lot of these in different lengths etc. I want to lengthen the bodice on my next one.

AnnieSnap · 18/03/2024 18:29

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 😄

Most good fabric retailers give you the weight. I’m used to judging that accurately now. I recommend Guthrie Ghani, it’s owned by Lauren Guthrie who was on an early Great British Sewing Bee. She was/is brilliant, but very anxious in completion, which led her to have to leave. They include a video of most fabrics being handled and also have an excellent YoiTube channel, showing & discussing their fabric. Hey Sew Sister and Simple life Fabrics. The last one is a little business owned by a lovely woman called Sarah. If she hasn’t included the weight for some reason, a quick message will get you a quick friendly reply 🙂

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/03/2024 19:01

Guthrie and G is a lovely shop. I'm just not really good enough yet to be buying expensive fabric! I need a middle ground between £2 a metre on the Rag Market and £15plus on lovely fabrics in G&G. :)

Rosenspants · 18/03/2024 19:20

Have you tried Dalston Mills? I often find there are some decent prices which sit somewhere in the middle. I order online so take a bit of a chance but have been quite pleased with what arrives. Having said that, I did treat myself to some Liberty lawn when I was in-store ,last year. It’s sat unused until now. I’ve just got a bit brave and decided to use some of it to make a Pinnacle top, (PaperCut Pattern version 1) https://papercutpatterns.com/collections/tops-1/products/pinnacle-top-sweater?variant=39450666500162

Pinnacle Top / Sweater

A versatile piece with comfort like no other. The Pinnacle Top has three variations for optimal wear and is a classic Papercut fave. The Pinnacle’s cropped oversized fit features two detail front triangle panels. Variation 1 has a Deep V neckline with...

https://papercutpatterns.com/collections/tops-1/products/pinnacle-top-sweater?variant=39450666500162

Rosenspants · 18/03/2024 19:26

Liberty lawn fabric

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/03/2024 17:59

Thanks @Rosenspants I tried them a while back and they couldn’t honour my order. Must give them another try.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 22/03/2024 06:07

Great work @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie 🥰

Ive stalled on my pattern copying and subsequent sewing. Keep having people round and having to put all my stuff away!

I have a friend who has a dedicated sewing room. It even has a hard floor for sweeping stuff up <swoon>

ReviewingTheSituation · 22/03/2024 17:53

Sew Much Moor is a good fabric shop for 'cheaper than G&G but more than the rag market' fabrics. I've had some good stuff from there. It does highlight that you get what you pay for though. Like Sew Amazing was the same - not quite G&G quality for some fabrics, but OK.

I buy quite a lot of bolt ends from my local shop, and also buy from destashes on instagram. I've got 7m of fabric on the way (cosy colours sweatshirting, dashwood viscose and a nice viscose twill) for £52 from a destash last week.

As for sewing, I've done very little since the Christmas break (when I made a fully lined wool coat!), but I did knit a jumper (my first). Now I've got a dress on the go for my mum to wear to a Buckingham Palace garden party and need to make a jumper for DH's birthday on Thursday (have got as far as cutting it out - it had better be a quick sew!). And have my eye on lots of patterns for myself too.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/03/2024 18:01

Thanks @ReviewingTheSituation and @Ohyeahwaitaminute Would love to see a picture of the Palace dress when complete.

ReviewingTheSituation · 22/03/2024 18:51

Will do! It's currently in all its constituent pieces! It was a very stressful cut-out, because it has a vertical stripe and everything had to be cut very precisely and pattern matched. And when I got to the end, I had literally (and I use that word in its truest meaning, not to exaggerate) 3mm of fabric left.

I'm about to get on it now...

AdoraBell · 22/03/2024 18:54

I’ve been thinking about this but my stitching is bad and have nowhere to use a sewing machine in the house. I might just lurk for now, if that’s okay?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/03/2024 21:50

@AdoraBell I just use the kitchen table and my stitching was very bad to begin with! Lurk away, but I'd highly recommend getting some cheap fabric from a market and just having a play.

AdoraBell · 22/03/2024 22:29

I can’t use the table it’s glass and it’s not stable.

Cynderella · 22/03/2024 23:13

Have just re-found this thread. I read it ages ago when I was thinking of starting sewing again - may have been this time last year. Since then, I've made a few wearable garments for me and the family. From that and quite a bit of (online) shopping, I now know:

  • Dalston Mills is usually where I get fabric. I often have a few tabs open when shopping, and there doesn't seem to be one site that has everything I'm looking for cheaper than everyone else, but Dalston Mills generally have enough. I buy from one place to get free delivery. I like the way they tell you fabric composition and weight - I wish they showed garments made from the fabric.
  • I prefer french seams to overlocking on clothes for me. Overlocking is good enough for everyone else in the family😂, and I do love it for speed.
  • Love my rotary cutter. I use a cheaper one to go through paper and then better one to get through layers because I make copies of patterns.
  • Tracing patterns is a pain in the arse, but it's so much easier to cut round paper than tissue if making another item from same pattern.
  • Searching a pattern number on youtube often comes up with really good tutorials on specific steps in a pattern.
  • Aquiring a stash is so much easier than I thought it would be.
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/03/2024 22:43

@Cynderella What kind of paper do you use for pattern tracing?

I made another Indigo, this time with flounced sleeves. I used this fabric from Hobbycraft. A bit expensive for a poly mix, I thought, but it was nice to sew with and I'm really pleased with the final product. One or two little mistakes, but I don't think the average bear would notice.

It won't let me post a pic, for some reason.

Buy Black Waffle Fabric by the Metre for GBP 9.30 | Hobbycraft UK

Buy Black Waffle Fabric by the Metre at Hobbycraft UK.

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/black-waffle-fabric-by-the-metre/6636051000.html

Cynderella · 24/03/2024 00:15

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/03/2024 22:43

@Cynderella What kind of paper do you use for pattern tracing?

I made another Indigo, this time with flounced sleeves. I used this fabric from Hobbycraft. A bit expensive for a poly mix, I thought, but it was nice to sew with and I'm really pleased with the final product. One or two little mistakes, but I don't think the average bear would notice.

It won't let me post a pic, for some reason.

I bought a big roll of brown paper from Amazon. Also some carbon paper and a tracing wheel. I lay the pattern on top of the carbon paper on top of the brown paper and then wheel around the outline and markings. I write the pattern number size and what the piece is on each piece.

I hate doing the 'tracing' but feel patterns are too expensive not to do it.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 24/03/2024 06:31

I had to pop by and tell you that Fabric Godmother has some fabulous floral and joyful fabrics in at the moment.

The only irritating thing is that they quote their prices for HALF A METRE so a) any price quoted is basically double per metre and b) you probably shouldn’t visit if you have any kind of fabric stash… 🤣🤣

https://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/

Dress Fabric: Fabric Godmother Dressmaking Fabrics To Buy online

Fabric Godmother brings you a collection of dress making fabrics, dressmaking patterns and haberdashery. All of our fabrics are available to buy online our collection of ex designer and fashion fabrics

https://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/

MerelyPlaying · 24/03/2024 07:34

I use that dotty paper for tracing (I think it’s dot and cross?) bought from Amazon. I concur that tracing is something I hate, but it makes it much easier in the long term. I often need to alter patterns and tracing it first means I have something less flimsy to start cutting and spreading for a full bust adjustment for example.

That’s a really good tip about searching for tutorials, thanks.

MerelyPlaying · 24/03/2024 10:13

Also, @ReviewingTheSituation can you explain about ‘destashes on Instagram’? I am addicted to watching reels of people sewing little pouches on there, never occurred to me you could actually acquire fabric. Do people post stuff they have got for sale then? how have I missed this 😄!

Rosenspants · 24/03/2024 10:44

I’d have to admit that I also find tracing off tedious but I do it because I want to preserve the paper pattern in case I want to make the same thing in another size later. I’ve been using Swedish tracing paper on a roll from Amazon.