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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:
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119
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/03/2024 10:44

Thanks, both. I think I just need some big sheets of tracing paper to begin with.

Any ideas for a paper pattern for a loose, summery popover top? One with a little tie bit at the neck ideally, that can be left open or tied. I’d like to make one in muslin or a soft cotton dobby.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/03/2024 10:46

Sorry @Rosenspants I missed your reply. I was just looking at that Swedish stuff on the Clothkits website.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/03/2024 10:48

Trying again with a dress pic.

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Rosenspants · 24/03/2024 15:25

Here's the one I made...probably my most worn me-make... sewn in cotton lawn.

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
VimtoVimto · 24/03/2024 17:08

@Rosenspants, that’s lovely. I bought the Stevie pattern before covid but never got around to making it. I was concerned it would be too boxy in a poplin but hadn’t thought about cotton lawn.

ReviewingTheSituation · 24/03/2024 23:14

@MerelyPlaying - yes - people sell their stashes on Instagram!

If you search 'destash' on instagram, it will bring up all the destash accounts. People generally have a separate account from their main one, just for destashing. Every so often, they will post the fabrics they want to sell, usually it's the first to comment who 'wins', and then you transfer the money via paypal. I've had some great bargains that way.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/03/2024 08:15

@Rosenspants I’d been avoiding Stevie because I thought it would be boxy, but yours is lovely. It’s not quite what I’m after, but I might try it anyway as Tilly’s instructions are so good for beginners.

Rosenspants · 25/03/2024 10:25

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I graded from the bust through to the waist (smaller above, to one size bigger at the waist) and consequently it seems a slightly more fitted shape. I did also make a couple of the tunics...definitely graded up for the hips. And like I said, I often wear the Stevie back to front!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/03/2024 13:31

I’ll definitely give it a try, maybe as a shorter top.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/03/2024 17:12

I've made a flounce-sleeved blouse version of the Indigo, with the remnants of fabric from the dress. I think I love it even more than the dress version. I got the dress and the blouse out of three metres of fabric.

Aria999 · 26/03/2024 17:57

I made half of a dress when I was a teenager and totally messed it up.

I no longer have a sewing machine. I hand sew patches and hems.

Following in an intrigued kind of a way.

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 27/03/2024 06:10

Hello @Aria999 ☺️. Welcome aboard!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/03/2024 11:01

I’m off to Guthrie and Ghanie later. I may be some time!

Divebar2021 · 17/04/2024 09:17

Hello all…. I have been thinking about having another go at making some clothes. I did a class making my own block and toile for a pencil skirt and subsequently went on to make a skirt with “ Tilly and the buttons” ( before she was known as that) but it’s been a long time. I think I have a lot of questions - first one …. Should I get my machine serviced before I try. It’s about 10 years old but hasn’t had much use in that time.

Isabelle70 · 17/04/2024 21:22

I haven't made any clothes for about 20 years unless you count fancy dress :)
I have purchased some cotton fabric to make a holiday breakfast dress.
I am going to use a very old Prima pattern for the kaftan.
I am also off to London next week so hoping to get to John Lewis to see what they have.

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Ohyeahwaitaminute · 17/04/2024 23:01

I’m looking for a pattern for a tunic like that @Isabelle70

Do Prima still do patterns? I have a kimono one buried somewhere.

In sewing news, I’ve just booked myself on a half day course on ‘Get to know Your Overlocker’ in May. It drives me bananas and I just want to be friends with her. I could achieve so much more if we got along. 🤗

@Divebar2021 Give your machine a go on some old sheeting to see if it works. You don’t want it chewing up your nice fabric

My old sewing teacher used to say that the best way to keep a machine in good condition was to use it regularly.

Isabelle70 · 18/04/2024 06:11

@Ohyeahwaitaminute I am not sure if Prima still do the patterns as I have unsubscribed from the magazine . I have seen a lot on eBay for sale. I have 2 patterns one with a waist and the other I prefer the neck so I will see how I can combine them. I think the neck one also has bust darts so a bit more flattering.

Curlingstone · 18/04/2024 14:15

@@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I managed to get the Tessuti Athina top as a free download (& my local sewing shop prints A0 for a bargain £5). Loose, little tie at neck, no buttons. Not made it yet but looks like it might be the sort of thing you're looking for.

Curlingstone · 18/04/2024 14:24

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie ignore me. I was thinking of the Remy Raglan top by Sew House Seven. I like the neckline.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/04/2024 16:04

Thanks so much @Curlingstone I’d ideally prefer a paper pattern that I can just order without having to sort out printing, but I’ll take a look at it online.

Still loving the Indigo and have a couple of versions planned. I did a long one with a frill on the bottom that I’m really pleased with and my next one will be with one of the lovely fabrics I got on my G&G trip.

Divebar2021 · 18/04/2024 16:11

I’ve bought some cheapie fabric ( I think it’s a polyester mix of some kind). I was a bit over enthusiastic and got 4 metres…. I was only planning on making a top to start 😀…..and I’m not that huge! Pink clothing a go go. I’ve got a pattern in Fibre Mood magazine but it has button holes so I might think of something else…. Or I might just give it a go.

MerelyPlaying · 18/04/2024 19:03

Does your machine do buttonholes? They are quite easy, worth the trouble. But you could always just sew buttons on top and use snap fasteners instead.

SheSawSeaShore · 07/05/2024 07:12

I started sewing with a pair of pyjama bottoms last year but have really got into it since Christmas when I cleared out enough space to have a little sewing table (and also got a new machine). I’ve made a couple of patterns from The Friday Pattern Company which I really like, they have easy to follow instructions (and YouTube sew alongs which are great!) I’m working my way up to an Upton dress from Cashmerette as it’s designed for a fuller bust…so far I’ve made the skirt but I hate making muslins so I’m putting it off - will definitely need one (or several 😩) to get the bodice fit right.

I impulse bought a digital download pattern yesterday and sent it off to be printed, this is new for me I’ve only bought printed patterns so far. Here’s a couple of the things I’ve made. It’s a bit addictive isn’t it?!

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
ReviewingTheSituation · 07/05/2024 10:07

That's some very nice sewing there! Lovely Sagebrush and Davenport (the latter is one of my favourite patterns - I've made 2 dresses and 4 or 5 tops from it). I don't recognise the trouser/top set, but it looks very nice - a great fit!