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Stitching & Crafting Room:  I want to make clothes- need advice please  |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 25 2011 : 6:44:14 PM
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I would start with cotton or cotton blends. Read through the pattern very carefully before you start and make sure you have everything and understand it. Pick a day when you have time and no interuptions, and GO FOR IT! Good luck, Carol
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 05:04:07 AM
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Good luck! I hope you post results! Sewing is one thing that I've never really gotten the hang of. I hope it works out for you!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9403 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9403 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 05:20:19 AM
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For tunics I would suggest challis but if it is your first time sewing then maybe a cotton blend so that it will hang nicely. Challis is very slippery material to work with but hangs beautifully and doesn't wrinkle. Even when it does the wrinkles hang out quickly. It is my experience to use something in cotton when you are first starting out with sewing much easier. Also pre-wash your fabric for shrinkage before you make your clothing.
I am sure you will enjoy it and do a wonderful job! I do advise reading through your pattern first to make sure you understand it as well. And by all means ask questions if something stumps you. Every question is worth asking. 
farmgirl sister#43
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
694 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
694 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 06:59:32 AM
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I love learning on cotton blends, you many want to start with a quilt to get the "Straight line" stitching down. I then would recommend doing a simple button down shirt here http://butterick.mccall.com/b5034-products-7649.php?page_id=363
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Farmgirl #2951
Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 08:11:43 AM
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| Wash your fabric before you make your clothing. |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 08:19:39 AM
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| Wash your fabric before you make your clothing. Yes I posted it twice on purpose, it's that important. If you are adding trims, ric- rac, lace, also make sure that they are preshrunk. I have always found that in teaching a youngun to sew, one of the easiest and more forgiving fabric was a medium weight muslin, It (wasn't) as expensive as the cottons, it was one color so it was easy to see the stiching area, and as it would occasionally happen, someone would sew one part on to another, sleeve to front, you can about imagine. But we always found that the taking out of stiches is also a learning experience. Don't let the process intimidate you, take your time, and think the steps through, and you will let your creative side out and the next thing you know you'll be sketching your own designs to make patterns with. Let us see how your progressing, you'll find that here you'll get encouragement every step of the way, CAUSE WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 09:58:05 AM
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One thing I learned from patternreviews.com wash your fabrics more then once! I wash at least 3 times now, but if it's a really shrinky type fabric like cotton you may want to up to 6 times. Because it will keep on shrinking! At first I thought silly, then I got to thinking I am very very short! Like only 4'8, unless I buy capris (which go to my ankles!) even "petites" are way too long on me, as they are usually made for people at least 5'2 (a whole half a foot taller then me!). I always wash my pants before taking them to get hemmed, and a few times a few months later the pants are too short! hmmm....yup some fabrics DO continue to shrink!
That being said. I have just started this year sewing too. (I mean I don't count 25 years ago when I was in junior high home ech! lol)
If you have a really GOOD locally owned fabric shop you may want to see if they have classes. We have a place here called Needle Nook people from all over the world order from them. They specialize in knits and underclothes fabrics-like sheer nighties, bras, panties, also swim suits and such. The woman who owns it is a expert seamstress. She even makes and sells her own patterns, and specializes in bras! And bra fitting. She has helped people who never could buy off the rack bras (I can order mine at least!) design and fit into bras she teaches them to make. She has all kinds of classes. Usually at least one class a month, the stores blog always has the schedule. Her classes run around 20 dollars, with exception to the bra class, which cost 50 dollars. But, these classes all include a made for YOU customized pattern. She takes ALL your measurements and fits the pattern specifically to you! Not just the few measurements that show on store bought patterns. She teaches in her class how to adjust patterns to fit you perfectly also.
Any way, all that to say believe it or not my first shirt was made from knit. It's supposed to be harder to work with then wovens (cotton blends). But, in her class it wasn't that hard. She only accepts up to 5 people per a class so you have a LOT of one on one help. It's the best fitting shirt I have EVER had! I've never been able to buy one that fits that well! NEVER. I have a tiny waist, and big breast. I wear a size large pants, and a 3 X shirt just so my breast will fit, but that makes the arms, waist and belly all baggy! While still the buttons on a button down are bulging, or on a knit is stretching at the bust. This one first so well! I love it! No bag looking! lol haha And not too tight on the bust either! Goes in at the waist, perfect arm length, etc etc.
Any way, I was very pleased with my class. If you have a locally owned shop like that that offers such customized classes, I highly recommend them. You also won't feel like such a dork. Their was only two other women in my class I took cause one got sick and one lived way out of town and the weather got really bad that week. So it was just the three of us, and the teacher. The other two students, were just as clumsy and dorky as me when it came to sewing! lol haha I was really shy and scared at first that I would be the one looking the stupidest, but it got fun when they were making more mistakes then me! haha Like one of them forgot to wash her fabric! UHG! She had to wait till the next day to start on her shirt, while the whole class time the teacher was washing her fabric the first day in the back of the store! haha. And a series of other things! Meanwhile I had a nursing baby that I had to stop and nurse every few minutes! haha And no one said anything. So it was all good. So if they do have a class my point is don't be scared you will be the one with the least skills, I found we were all about equal when it came to that! haha And thankfully we had a wonderful teacher! Also at this store she said we can come in any time and get more help for free! And use her machines any time. And her store also offers each Saturday every one come in and work on their projects on her machines! But, it's such a small neighborhood store people come in daily for that as well! She also encouraged you if you had your own machine to bring it in and she would help you learn to use it if you needed that too. Any way...I would ask around and see if your town has such. If you lived near me I would say go to the same teacher!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 10:07:10 AM
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oh and one more ps Connie are you going by the measurements on the patterns and not the sizes. The sizes don't coordinate with store bought sizes for clothing. You have go to by the measurements.
Personally for me I can't just go buy regular patterns and have them fit. My measurements for my bust are not even sold in any sizes of patterns they sell. So I have to adjust the bust to fit the other measurements that match my body. Because unless otherwise stated all patterns in the USA are based on a B cup bust. (like McCall's, butterick, etc) I buy from this one lady who basis her's on a D cup and really in my opinion it's more like a F or higher cup she does, actually, cause I wear a H to a I cup and NEVER have to adjust the bust on her patterns! But, most of her patterns are for nursing or maternity.
Any way, my point is, make sure you are matching your size to the measurements and not X size cause that's what you wear in store bought ready to wear clothing.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
Edited by - MagnoliaWhisper on Jun 26 2011 10:08:16 AM |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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DeniseMGM
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Denise
WI
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 06:40:52 AM
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There's a book called "Design it yourself: Pattern making simplified" by Cal Patch. It's a great companion book for any level of sewer because it has really good advice in terms of measuring your body so that what you make will actually fit. I find that patterns are good basis, but my shoulders are always more narrow than the pattern allows, so I always always have to make adjustments.
Also, I find that independent fabric stores are well worth visiting as the staff is nearly always friendly, they offer appropriate classes, AND sewing with quality fabric will make the experience better all around from sewing the garment to actually wearing it. I've had many many failures when I sewed in my early 20s and couldn't afford better fabrics. My personal lesson is that it's always better to spend a little more on better textiles!!
Denise - Farmgirl #1976
www.lionsdaughter.wordpress.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 1:32:27 PM
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Also the grain of the fabric is important. Make sure the grain arrows on your pattern line up with the grain of your fabric. Each pattern has a certain amount of ease built into it depending on how it hangs on the body if you don't make sure the pieces are cut on the proper grain then it can effect how it fits. Lengthwise grain has no stretch in a woven but there is some stretch to the cross wise grain where as the bias (corner to corner) has a lot of stretch.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: I want to make clothes- need advice please |
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I want to make clothes- need advice please
