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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

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s2412 · 01/01/2025 16:11

Hi everyone

New here and just wondered if there was any dress makers on here
I have seen a dress that i would really love to try and make for my daughter but i have absolutely no experience what so ever and i am a complete beginner so i just wondered if there was anyone on here that i could show the photo to that could point me in the right direction on where to start and what kind of pattern i would need etc.
Thank you in advance :)

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 01/01/2025 18:24

There are plenty of commercial patterns by people like Simplicity if you google children’s dressing up princess patterns.
However I really don’t think I would start with this as a novice sewer. There’s a lot going on in that dress with the puffed sleeves, ruched over skirt, multiple layers of net etc. It’s more of an intermediate project than a beginner’s one.
But if you want to make cute and princessy dressing up clothes there is plenty you can do that is much easier and is still the same vibe, with the right fabric- skirts, capes etc, and then you can work up to it.

pastabest · 01/01/2025 20:25

s2412 · 01/01/2025 16:11

Hi everyone

New here and just wondered if there was any dress makers on here
I have seen a dress that i would really love to try and make for my daughter but i have absolutely no experience what so ever and i am a complete beginner so i just wondered if there was anyone on here that i could show the photo to that could point me in the right direction on where to start and what kind of pattern i would need etc.
Thank you in advance :)

Pretty sure that is AI generated.

Not that it makes it unachievable- I've made something similar using vogue 7819 (no puffed sleeves though) but it involved having both a sewing machine and an overlocker, doing a million teeny tiny rolled hems and using reasonably advanced fabrics and techniques such as French seams for the sheer fronted satin backed bodice plus the burrito method and a hidden zip.

https://ohsewcrafty.co.uk/childrens/27426-vogue-sewing-pattern-v7819-girl-s-special-occasion-dresses-with-bolero.html?srsltid=AfmBOopLhj5BpeQgFAhjgFxR4RxkfI5Xx-sVeDXS4XwMD0wYgwZGJAW6

Vogue Sewing Pattern V7819 Girl's Special Occasion Dresses with Bolero

Vogue Pattern V7819Girl's Special Occasion Dresses with Bolero2-3-45-6-6XS

https://ohsewcrafty.co.uk/childrens/27426-vogue-sewing-pattern-v7819-girl-s-special-occasion-dresses-with-bolero.html?srsltid=AfmBOopLhj5BpeQgFAhjgFxR4RxkfI5Xx-sVeDXS4XwMD0wYgwZGJAW6

KnittedFerret · 01/01/2025 20:27

Wouldn't AI have used punctuation?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 01/01/2025 20:31

It might well be AI but all the elements can be found in actual patterns.
I would go for a dressing up pattern rather than a bridesmaid one because the bridesmaid one will be aiming at a better finish and much more professional look for which techniques will be more advanced.

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 01/01/2025 21:15

@s2412 if you are a complete beginner I would recommend Googling ‘no sew tutu’ tutorials. I had really good results making one years ago for DD with a ready-bought stretchy crochet tube bodice and strips of tulle from a roll. Mine wasn’t strictly no-sew as I stitched the cap sleeves but it’s still very simple Smile

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
pastabest · 01/01/2025 21:28

KnittedFerret · 01/01/2025 20:27

Wouldn't AI have used punctuation?

Not for the picture!

noobiedoobie · 02/01/2025 00:20

I'd love to get into making clothes. At school we did dress making and I really enjoyed learning how to use a sewing machine and work with a pattern and choose fabric. I was pleased as punch with the shorts I made.

I'd like to know how to manipulate patterns too so clothes are really well tailored.

Heavybuthopeful · 03/01/2025 06:09

Thank you for resurrecting this thread, which I have enjoyed reading over the last few days. I made lots of things in my younger days, including a boned strapless ball dress for my sister at one point. I think there used to a be a weekly sewing magazine that I collected as a teenager, with index cards and binders? I hadn’t made anything for years apart from cushion covers (we get through a lot as the dog chews through them) but a couple of months ago my husband and son were both away so I decided to make some holiday tops. I just drew around an existing over-sized raglan sleeved top that I had and have now made about 5 (including one for a friend). They’re pretty quick, will fit me as I lose weight, and can be taken in easily when I’ve lost a lot.

Since starting to read this thread and being re-inspired (thank you ladies) I’ve bought 3 patterns, the Readers Digest book and a bias binding maker, am contemplating a cutting mat and an overlocker and am planning a sewing room. 😊

Dressmaking - experienced and beginners welcome
Ohyeahwaitaminute · 03/01/2025 06:46

Thanks for your post @Heavybuthopeful and bringing this thread back up!

I plan to get my sewing machine out once everyone has gone and catch up on some sewing. I also did a one day overlocker course back in the summer… came home, put it away and it’s not been out since. Yikes.

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