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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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FrontEnd · 01/06/2023 13:41

Liberty sale has started in case anyone's into their Tana Lawn or poplins. I made a maxi dress tana last weekend...absolute dream to work with and drapes beautifully!

DollyParkin · 01/06/2023 13:58

There probably is that difference for tailored clothing, but tailored clothing is really not in vogue these days. I like edgy or relaxed flowing lines. Independent patterns companies tend to follow fashion. That suits what I want. The beauty of making our own clothes is that there is something for everyone’s taste.

Those are pretty generalised statements and basically not true! Tailoring is always in fashion. When I wear my Donna Karan tailored suit & trousers, I get a lot of compliments, and my fashion stylist friend in New York wanted to know where I'd bought it ... It's edgy alright. And yesterday randomly, a woman in a coffee shop complimented me on my coat - it's Claude Montana pattern from the 1990s I think, but the most gorgeous flattering simple cut.

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7e/49/67/7e4967a6d922afd530933e83c8d76f3f.jpg

(although weirdly the dress looks awful on me, so I just make the coat as a summer duster coat - this year's version is in pale cream/yellow heavy linen)

And for those going on about the sleeve placket thing - I mentioned it in the context of a Great British Sewing Bee challenge a couple of series ago. That is a series which brings together supposedly 'experienced' sewers, but several of them had never done one before.

I really WASN'T saying that a beginner should know how to do one - of course not. It's fiddly.

But I WAS assuming that GBSB contestants are not beginners, and that as it's a standard thing on men's shirts, and women's shirts made like men's shirts (I have several patterns like that), they'd have encountered one.

Here's a woman's bodysuit I'm currently making as a shirt (just lengthened the bodice pieces) in a fine parachute silk, that has a placket:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/75226720/vogue-1961-american-designer-donna-karan

Your title is "Experienced and beginners welcome" but clearly not. I hope you all have fun, and realise there's so much more to learn! And sew dresses with pockets (one of the main reasons for sewing Grin )

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7e/49/67/7e4967a6d922afd530933e83c8d76f3f.jpg

Brefugee · 01/06/2023 14:00

I don't think style and beauty is the place to be kind and fluffy to beginner sexists, there are other threads for that.

am only up to this comment and frankly (😂) i don't think anyone needs to be kind and fluffy to sexists .

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/06/2023 14:05

Thanks for further info on pockets. Makes sense.

@DollyParkin You must be very talented, and that's great. It wouldn't have hurt to be a bit less sneering to those who aren't (or aren't yet) imo.

PickAChew · 01/06/2023 14:16

I don't think anyone is wanting to be disparaging towards your choice of sewing project, @DollyParkin . Your suit probably is lovely, as is the blouse you linked but not everyone wants to dress so formally, even those of us with the skills and experience to make such garments which, face it, are overkill for mooching around Sainsbury's, doing a school run or even sitting in your home office doing paperwork.

I do agree, though, that sewing bee contestants should be able to do these things even if it's for the first time (having made garments of similar complexity) just as they should know where to start with fitting to different body types and so on. The ridiculous timescales allowed don't ever help, there, though. (no one is ever going to look at a shirt and instantly think "wow! That was made from scratch in under 5 hours!" At least not in a good way)

DollyParkin · 01/06/2023 14:23

I really don't dress formally! I just tend to prefer not to wear baggy shapeless clothes that are unflattering. And I wasn't sneering - just talking about what I like sewing. But you know, sneering goes both ways. It seems like having expertise is not wanted, despite the title.

So that's 2 experienced sewers you've told off. Have fun

PickAChew · 01/06/2023 14:26

I'll resist the predictable joke about your knickers being too tight, (oops) especially as I haven't told anyone off. 🙄

PickAChew · 01/06/2023 14:29

And "unflattering" is subjective but crack on.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/06/2023 14:29

Told off? I wasn't aware I was telling anybody off. Just asking people to play fluffily and not be snooty. Silly me.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/06/2023 14:32

I'm an 'expert' at my job. But I also hope I know how to support people who are just starting out, without making them feel that they're somehow inferior or ridiculous for not immediately being the 'DKNY' of things.

Healthconcerned · 01/06/2023 14:32

Oo seeing this thread has inspired me to continue my two piece set I'm working on for summer! In a teal viscose linen (probs will just go for regular linen next project though!)
https://fridaypatterncompany.com/products/saguaro-set-pdf-pattern

I'm not super experienced, I have made a couple half successful things in the past, this pattern is a good challenge but easy to follow so far!

Saguaro Set - PDF Pattern

The Saguaro Set is a two piece woven set made up of elastic waistband pants and a pullover top. This is the perfect outfit for road trips through the desert, sunset walks on the beach, or dancing the night away. The pants feature roomy pockets and a wa...

https://fridaypatterncompany.com/products/saguaro-set-pdf-pattern

PickAChew · 01/06/2023 15:10

Linen viscose is a pretty wilful fabric @Healthconcerned but will look lovely made up, in that pattern, draping better than pure linen.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/06/2023 15:17

@Healthconcerned Cute! Looks really comfortable and summery.

ReviewingTheSituation · 01/06/2023 15:22

I think TATB patterns are a great place to start, and they often introduce people to new skills, and include details (like understitching) that really improve the finished look. Yes, some are on the unfitted side (the ever popular Indigo dress for one) - but that's a shape/style that's in loads of RTW stuff at the moment.
I did my first zip fly on a TATB pattern (Ness skirt), and she has fitted patterns like the Rosa shirt, which I believe also has cuffs and a 2 piece collar. The Lyra dress is another which is a great introto collars.
Her instructions are very clear and easy to follow - contrast them with something like Simplicity pattern (or, worse, Stylearc!) and it's easy to see how she provides the perfect way to learn.

Margrethe · 01/06/2023 15:36

Thanks for the tip on CLC Essex for pattern printing! Very useful.

Rosenspants · 01/06/2023 16:05

Ooh another sewing thread! Great! Will follow both. 😊

witheringrowan · 01/06/2023 16:30

@ReviewingTheSituation Ha! StyleArc have loads of patterns that I love and are interesting shapes and well cut, but I've never been able to get to the end of on of their projects without finding a youtube video that explains how to do it properly. I live in these with a more fitted top for work in the summer : https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/bob-woven-pant/

Bob Woven Pant

This is a balloon shaped pant with an elastic waistband and in seam pockets. Sewing Tutorial Click here for a step by step tutorial for the Bob Woven Pant 

https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/bob-woven-pant

Healthconcerned · 01/06/2023 17:11

PickAChew · 01/06/2023 15:10

Linen viscose is a pretty wilful fabric @Healthconcerned but will look lovely made up, in that pattern, draping better than pure linen.

For me (who dislikes ironing) it just creases a lot but even worse I turn up the heat and get those weird ironing marks on it because I'm impatient 🤣 but thankyou!! It's looking g good so far!

PickAChew · 01/06/2023 17:13

They are a lovely shape, @witheringrowan . I'm currently making up my first style arc pattern - it's one of their older single size file patterns. I did skim through the "instructions" once and I think 9 of the 12 lines were to do with the actual sewing! The pockets are an unusual construction but it's easy enough to fathom out.

I had a one off large remnant piece of viscose that I felt would suit some baggy bottoms for summer so diwnloaded the pattern after Christmas, combining the sale discount with SEWITYOURWAY and another code (GET10, I think) so only ended up paying about £3 for it. Probably cost me more to print out!

Healthconcerned · 01/06/2023 17:13

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/06/2023 15:17

@Healthconcerned Cute! Looks really comfortable and summery.

Thank you! Just finished the top I'm surprised it fits so well!! Just the trousers to do now!

AnnieSnap · 01/06/2023 17:16

HecticHedgehog · 01/06/2023 13:05

@Waterfallgirl yes. Although I'm lazy and just lay them out and trace the size I need. They do move sometimes though! Some people use weights for holding down their material to cut so you could do that too when tracing.

I use tins from my kitchen cupboard 🙂

OP posts:
AnnieSnap · 01/06/2023 17:19

FrontEnd · 01/06/2023 13:41

Liberty sale has started in case anyone's into their Tana Lawn or poplins. I made a maxi dress tana last weekend...absolute dream to work with and drapes beautifully!

Ooh, where? Do you have a link?

OP posts:
AnnieSnap · 01/06/2023 17:24

DollyParkin · 01/06/2023 14:23

I really don't dress formally! I just tend to prefer not to wear baggy shapeless clothes that are unflattering. And I wasn't sneering - just talking about what I like sewing. But you know, sneering goes both ways. It seems like having expertise is not wanted, despite the title.

So that's 2 experienced sewers you've told off. Have fun

You were sneering. Have a look back at your comment. As for loose clothing being unflattering, that’s your opinion. Other’s May have a different opinion 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
AnnieSnap · 01/06/2023 17:28

@Healthconcerned So many people raving about that pattern. Sadly, it wouldn’t suit me, but I’d love to see yours when it’s finished 🙂

OP posts:
Thurgie · 01/06/2023 17:32

I took a pattern drafting class in art school and made my own dress, but that was in the 90’s. I recently bought a brand-new treadle sewing machine off Amazon because I’m concerned about rolling blackouts here in California. You can fit these new machines into vintage sewing cabinets with a little sawing away. A great thing is we have the Amish here in America who don’t use electricity, and they make brand new wooden sewing cabinets to fit these machines. So I got one of those. I’m really excited to get back into sewing. I want a dress form that Incan set to my weird measurements.

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