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Making my own clothes (Greenlady)GreenladyEvergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Scotland! Posted: 27 Feb 2006 01:22 pm Post subject: making my own clothes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As you probably all know by now, I am a newcomer to the world of sewing/knitting, but I really enjoy it and would like to try and make my own clothes, perhaps something simple like a skirt to start off with. Can anyone recommend any useful online sites or books that I should have a look at? Thank you _________________ Don't eat fruit and nuts. You are what you eat... Back to top Kathy Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 1008 Posted: 27 Feb 2006 01:50 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check with the local colleges and community centres for a vocational evening class. I went to one many moons ago (was about 17) and learnt the basics. It was useful having someone to show me and although I've forgotten a lot of it, little bits keep coming back! I'm sure N will know of a good book or books! _________________ Take care Kathy Back to top n Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 334 Posted: 27 Feb 2006 05:43 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'll look on the bookcase..... n Back to top Greenlady Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Scotland! Posted: 27 Feb 2006 10:38 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks very much N! How long have you sewn and knitted for? _________________ Don't eat fruit and nuts. You are what you eat... Back to top Plocket Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 865 Location: The playroom! Posted: 28 Feb 2006 10:01 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you haven't got a sewing machine you might want to start freecycling for one!!! When I was a student I used to make my own skirts - I used to find a fabric that I really liked, checked the width of the material and depending on how wide it was buy twice the length I wanted the skirt to be - basically from my waist to my feet to allow for waistband and hem. The first skirt I made I literally cut the fabric into two pieces, sewed up the sides then turned in the top and hemmed it, then turned it over again wider this time, and put elastic in (leaving a little gap in the sewing to it could be inserted!), and then I hemmed the skirt. I soon mastered doing waistbands and you'll find you learn very quickly. May I suggest that when you are starting off you always try and have a key colour, for example black, and every fabric you choose has that colour in it. That way you can save money by only buying black thread and can use it on everything you make. Ooops I've gone on a bit!!! _________________ A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands www.plocket.co.uk Back to top Greenlady Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Scotland! Posted: 28 Feb 2006 01:10 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for the tips plocket, luckily I have a long-term of a sewing machine from my mum, so thats a good start! Thats a really simple idea for a skirt, I was looking online for sewing guides but I was getting a bit conused with all the terminology like selvedge and things... _________________ Don't eat fruit and nuts. You are what you eat... Back to top Plocket Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 865 Location: The playroom! Posted: 28 Feb 2006 04:36 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm no expert but I'll try and help if you have any questions. The selvedge is the side of the fabric which is woven in such a way that won't fray. The cut edge, when they cut the fabric off the role, will fray most likely. Try and start off with easy fabrics like cotton which aren't slippery, and make sure you tack or pin the edges firmly so you get a nice even edge. Can't wait to hear about your first trial! _________________ A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands www.plocket.co.uk Back to top Kathy Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 1008 Posted: 28 Feb 2006 04:58 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greenlady, the machine is yours, to do with as you wish. I have another 2 here plus the overlocker! _________________ Take care Kathy Back to top Leanne Perennial Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 342 Location: herts Posted: 28 Feb 2006 05:01 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- kathy- by allowing greenlady to keep the sewing machine, youre not making room for another loom are you? _________________ Leanne Back to top Kathy Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 1008 Posted: 28 Feb 2006 05:14 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well actually................I do have another one in mind! _________________ Take care Kathy Back to top Leanne Perennial Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 342 Location: herts Posted: 28 Feb 2006 05:17 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ha! i knew it! _________________ Leanne Back to top Greenlady Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Scotland! Posted: 28 Feb 2006 10:20 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks plocket, i'm getting some fabric from my mum in the post, nice cotton she tells me, I'd love to make a skirt that flares out at the knees, do you think this would be difficult? I was looking around and as far as i'm aware i have to cut it on the bias, although I'm not sure what they mean with the bias. _________________ Don't eat fruit and nuts. You are what you eat... Back to top Greenlady Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Scotland! Posted: 28 Feb 2006 10:21 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leanne wrote: kathy- by allowing greenlady to keep the sewing machine, youre not making room for another loom are you? Naughty mum! there'll be no room for me when I come home! _________________ Don't eat fruit and nuts. You are what you eat... Back to top Svea Seedling Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 86 Location: London Posted: 28 Feb 2006 11:02 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i dont know if you can get burda magazine - it's german, and i know there was a 'easy sew' version available, too burda have been publishing sewing patterns forever now - and i have made some of them before (a skirt and a fleece top) - neither perfect but good enough to wear for me check your local news agent? or are the british deprived of burda??? Back to top n Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 334 Posted: 01 Mar 2006 12:18 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you pm me your address I have a book you can borrow greenlady. I't not high fashion, but the patterns are easy and reliable and once you have done one plain elastic waisted skirt, you can design your own from there. It has patterns in the book for shirts, trousers, etc (same person as the applique book, so dead easy. You need to get some Burda tracing paper which comes on huge sheets (no taping together of mini sheets) as the patterns are multisized and can't be cut or it will ruin the book. I also have a few others you can borrow, which will give you basic terms and so on, plus common sense tips like weighting the pattern onto the fabric when you cut out with cans of beans!!! However, you'll need to hold your breath till the weekend for me to get it all organised. Small matter of work to go to! n Back to top Greenlady Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Scotland! Posted: 01 Mar 2006 02:55 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you all for your useful tips, I'll have a look for that magazine Svea _________________ Don't eat fruit and nuts. You are what you eat... Back to top |