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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
Rosenspants · 07/05/2024 13:47

They look fab, @SheSawSeaShore Is the blue a jumpsuit?
I was about to have a go at the Jemima jumpsuit from Sew Over It but I’ve actually cut out the pieces for the dress version instead. I’ve got bright red linen viscose for it but thought that I’d look a bit … erm conspicuous in a red jumpsuit … like a CBeebies presenter or something. I did find it very hard to trace off as the pattern lines overlap illegibly in places.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/05/2024 19:34

Brilliant work W@SheSawSeaShore

I've just got hold of the Remy Raglan Top pattern from Sew House Seven and the Tilly and the Buttons Nora cardigan pattern. Any tips on fabric/sizing/sewing either of them?

SheSawSeaShore · 07/05/2024 22:31

Thank you @ReviewingTheSituation @Rosenspants @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie The blue outfit is a McCalls trouser pattern - the same one I used for PJ bottoms - and a New Look top. I’ve made 3 of the tops, hoping they’ll be useful for summer. I’ve never found a jumpsuit to fit me properly and not brave enough to make one yet so this was my compromise 😀

I really love the Davenport dress - it’s got more detail than I’d usually choose if buying a dress and the fabric is pretty out there for me. I’m finding I feel more confident wearing different styles now I’m making them myself. I’m planning to try a sleeveless davenport and already have another sagebrush cut out and ready to sew 😀

I like the sound of the red viscose dress, and the TatB patterns - I haven’t tried any of hers yet. Off to look them up - not that I need any more 🙈

ReviewingTheSituation · 08/05/2024 09:39

The Davenport is indeed lovely, and very easy to make into different versions (with/without the sleeve flutter, short/long sleeves, hacked into a top with all the different sleeve options...) I think you could also hack the Sagebrush into a dress, by adding the Davenport skirt to it (and altering the length of the Sagebrush to be the same as the Davenport bodice.

If you like Friday Pattern Co patterns, you may also like Closet Core. They have VERY detailed instructions (and often sew-alongs on their website), but the patterns are a bit more complex. They are great patterns for making slightly more involved garments, and there is great satisfaction from sewing them as they feel like quite an achievement. I learnt things like zip fly insertion, welt pockets and jeans making from their patterns - they really are excellent.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 08/05/2024 18:24

@SheSawSeaShore The Tilly Indigo dress is proving brilliant for me. I ended up ignoring all her measurements and just cutting a straight size 14 (my normal size) and it's a perfect fit. I've made six so far in different lengths and with/without a frill on the bottom or flounced sleeves. They look really different depending on the length and the fabric. I've also experimented with adding waist ties for a neater fit. Love it!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/05/2024 07:13

Not a dress but I taught myself crumb quilting!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/05/2024 07:13

Pic.

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Merryoldgoat · 13/05/2024 18:51

Anyone joined Seamwork? I’ve just joined and there’s lots to try but I’m feeling a bit daunted

SheSawSeaShore · 14/05/2024 07:00

Thanks for the pattern suggestions. I’ve written myself a list of things to make and whether I have the fabric yet or need to look for it, because I keep getting distracted by new patterns and fabric so need to stay focused! It’s lovely to explore different ideas and inspiration though (and there’s plenty of space to add to the list 😉)

There are a couple of patterns on the list I need fabric for - I’m off to read back through the thread for suggestions of where to buy that aren’t too expensive…

Your patchwork is beautiful @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I’m saving all my scraps so I can try it one day - I’ve always loved patchwork quilts.

What’s seamwork @Merryoldgoat ? Sounds interesting.

Hiddendoor · 15/05/2024 13:51

Does anyone have any recommendations for online shops i can look at for draper, thin Jersey material?

In doing #memademay and realised that i have a load of long sleeve tops and short sleeve blouses but very few short sleeve tshirts. I have a good pattern, but the Jersey i do have is too thick for hot, hot days.

Hiddendoor · 15/05/2024 13:55

AAAAAAH!
DRAPEY not draper.

ReviewingTheSituation · 15/05/2024 18:01

Guthrie-ghani.co.uk have lovely, good quality, jersery. I raided their remnants bin (online) last week and got a few 1m pieces that will be great for tshirts.

orangejuggling · 15/05/2024 19:46

Ray Stitch in London have some beautiful lightweight jersey in jewel colours. A bit expensive but very wide so you get a lot.

Hiddendoor · 15/05/2024 21:21

Fab, thanks both. I have some tshirts from next that are light and drapey so want to copy them multiple times so I don't have to go in a shop again 😂

@ReviewingTheSituation i will give G&G a whirl, I always write them off as being a bit pricey but remnants are always good!

@orangejuggling not heard of Ray Stitch, will have a look.

I've just bought some fabric from Rainbow Fabric Kilburn, they have heyoooge stock but a bit hit and miss in terms of what I like. This was a nice navy cotton with polka dots of different sizes. Not the Jersey I was looking for. Oh well.

ReviewingTheSituation · 15/05/2024 23:34

G&G aren't the cheapest, you're right. But their stuff is good quality. I think Ray Stitch is the London version of G&G - both lovely shops, and they sell a lot of the same stuff!

orangejuggling · 16/05/2024 10:14

It’s also worth checking the fabric composition on your favourite t shirt. I thought I liked cotton but all of my favourite tshirts are viscose jersey.

bridgetreilly · 16/05/2024 13:24

Hello, I am a fabric addict. I have just tidied my sewing room and have found 3 garments in progress, a cardigan I hadn’t seen for months, and enough garment lengths of fabric for, um, 55 garments,

Send help. And best advice for destashing…

Hiddendoor · 16/05/2024 13:41

Just checked @orangejuggling and the labels claim 100% cotton. It is definitely stretchy. Will carry on looking, but it may be viscose jersey is what I'm looking for!

@bridgetreilly I recently sent a lot of fabric into the high school with DD, at least 5m of untouched fabric and a wagon load of scraps of around 0.5m I was saving for unknown projects. I felt lighter almost immediately.

Otherwise, I buy a lot from people destashing on Instagram or some Facebook pages.

ReviewingTheSituation · 16/05/2024 14:22

@Hiddendoor cotton jersey is definitely stretchy, but viscose jersey tends to have more drape (as does modal jersey and bamboo jersey). Viscose jersey also tends to be a little bit thinner/finer.
What t-shirt pattern are you using? If you're on instagram, have a look at the # for the pattern and you'll see lots of versions of it, and people will often say what they've made it with. It's such a great reference source!

bridgetreilly · 16/05/2024 14:31

bridgetreilly · 16/05/2024 13:24

Hello, I am a fabric addict. I have just tidied my sewing room and have found 3 garments in progress, a cardigan I hadn’t seen for months, and enough garment lengths of fabric for, um, 55 garments,

Send help. And best advice for destashing…

Make that 56. I just checked out Rainbow Fabrics for the first time in a while. Also, Tula Pink wide backing for £9.99? It would be rude not to.

bridgetreilly · 16/05/2024 14:32

Hiddendoor · 16/05/2024 13:41

Just checked @orangejuggling and the labels claim 100% cotton. It is definitely stretchy. Will carry on looking, but it may be viscose jersey is what I'm looking for!

@bridgetreilly I recently sent a lot of fabric into the high school with DD, at least 5m of untouched fabric and a wagon load of scraps of around 0.5m I was saving for unknown projects. I felt lighter almost immediately.

Otherwise, I buy a lot from people destashing on Instagram or some Facebook pages.

Yes, I need to look into Instagram destashing, I think.

Hiddendoor · 16/05/2024 14:47

@ReviewingTheSituation the pattern i have is one i rubbed off my Next t-shirt. I adapted it a bit to be a bit longer with a curved back hem.

I'll point my search to viscose jersey, definitely want a little less weight than the cotton Jersey i have!

PickAChew · 16/05/2024 16:20

bridgetreilly · 16/05/2024 13:24

Hello, I am a fabric addict. I have just tidied my sewing room and have found 3 garments in progress, a cardigan I hadn’t seen for months, and enough garment lengths of fabric for, um, 55 garments,

Send help. And best advice for destashing…

I'd call that nicely set up for the next pandemic 😂

Merryoldgoat · 16/05/2024 19:46

@SheSawSeaShore

https://www.seamwork.com/home

I’m enjoying it currently

Seamwork

https://www.seamwork.com/home

bridgetreilly · 17/05/2024 00:10

PickAChew · 16/05/2024 16:20

I'd call that nicely set up for the next pandemic 😂

That is what I was pretending until I tidied up and counted.

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