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I want to learn to make my own clothes (in Seattle)
Hi! I am completely frustrated by my inability to find clothes in the
color, style, fit, and durability that I want in the store, and have decided to learn to make my own. Fortunately my favorite clothes that I want to copy are all very simple -- 1 to 3 pieces of fabric, mostly knits, with few or no buttons and no darts. So I think I can do it. I've requested a bunch of books on sewing from the library, and am investigating local classes, but I'd appreciate some advice from experienced people. Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? I've heard/read that the latter is better for making clothes quickly. Do I need both or just one? (I might be able to borrow a sewing machine from time to time, so right now I'm leaning towards purchasing a serger.) Of the various introductory sewing / clothes making books out there, which do you think are the best for a total beginner? Will I be able to copy my current garments, or is that too complex for a beginner? (It seems simple... for example I have a grey knit dress that is only three pieces of fabric sewn together, it seems like I should be able to turn it inside out, trace it, add some fabric around the edges, and sew it together. Is there much more to it than that?) Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? What else should I know? Thanks!!! Jacqueline |
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Jacqueline Passey wrote:
Hi! I am completely frustrated by my inability to find clothes in the color, style, fit, and durability that I want in the store, and have decided to learn to make my own. Fortunately my favorite clothes that I want to copy are all very simple -- 1 to 3 pieces of fabric, mostly knits, with few or no buttons and no darts. So I think I can do it. I've requested a bunch of books on sewing from the library, and am investigating local classes, but I'd appreciate some advice from experienced people. What an excellent idea - but be warned: knits are not the easiest fabrics for a novice to tackle! Yes, they may need fewer pieces, but they can be harder to fit and the stretch makes sewing them less easy. Get a book specifically about sewing knits: the Stretch & sew guide is excellent. Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? I've heard/read that the latter is better for making clothes quickly. Do I need both or just one? (I might be able to borrow a sewing machine from time to time, so right now I'm leaning towards purchasing a serger.) You can sew seams very quickly on a serger, but a sewing machine is better for almost everything else you will want to do, and it is impossible to do some things with a serger (buttonholes, for example) and very difficult to do others (like zips! No way can you do a nice posh low visibility garment zip with a serger! High visibility bag and fleece zips, yes, but not skirt and trouser zips). As a professional sewer and teacher, I'd say get a sewing machine FIRST, and then if you like the sewing, get a serger later when you know more about garment construction. It is perfectly possible to get very good results on knits with an ordinary machine. Of the various introductory sewing / clothes making books out there, which do you think are the best for a total beginner? Will I be able to copy my current garments, or is that too complex for a beginner? (It seems simple... for example I have a grey knit dress that is only three pieces of fabric sewn together, it seems like I should be able to turn it inside out, trace it, add some fabric around the edges, and sew it together. Is there much more to it than that?) Yes, quite a bit! You have the essentials, but it's learning about how much to add where, and how to add for pleats, pockets, and other details that you need to learn too... You need some practice with other simple garments first, I think, and you then need to learn to slip a pattern off a made garment. There are a couple of good books on the Book List on my web site. The Kwick sew and Stretch and Sew patterns will be a good place to start. Look at some of the Singer books and the Sewing For dummies and Reader's Digest ones too. Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? Can't help you there! Seattle is a long way from Kent, UK! What else should I know? Too much to list here! Start by browsing through the Sewing room sections on my website: there are some basic sewing lessons there, and a useful glossary of sewing terms, plus a guide to taking measurements and reading a commercial pattern. Have fun! -- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
#3
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The best all-around, not-too-expensive, basic sewing book I have ever used
is Simplicity's 'Simply the Best Sewing Book'. It has plastic comb binding, which allows for hands-free reading: a very useful feature in any sort of crafts 'how to' book. You'll find the sections that deal with fitting women's clothes more useful than I did. Reader's Digest publishes the (New) Complete Guide to Sewing. A well-stocked used book dealer is likely to have a few of the older editions in stock, if you don't mind the somewhat dated fashions. (Or buy the new one and wait a few years and the fashions will look equally dated.) There will be other responses here and I'm sure before this thread is over, you'll have several responses to just about every part of your message. Max "Jacqueline Passey" wrote in message om... Hi! I am completely frustrated by my inability to find clothes in the color, style, fit, and durability that I want in the store, and have decided to learn to make my own. Fortunately my favorite clothes that I want to copy are all very simple -- 1 to 3 pieces of fabric, mostly knits, with few or no buttons and no darts. So I think I can do it. I've requested a bunch of books on sewing from the library, and am investigating local classes, but I'd appreciate some advice from experienced people. Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? I've heard/read that the latter is better for making clothes quickly. Do I need both or just one? (I might be able to borrow a sewing machine from time to time, so right now I'm leaning towards purchasing a serger.) Of the various introductory sewing / clothes making books out there, which do you think are the best for a total beginner? Will I be able to copy my current garments, or is that too complex for a beginner? (It seems simple... for example I have a grey knit dress that is only three pieces of fabric sewn together, it seems like I should be able to turn it inside out, trace it, add some fabric around the edges, and sew it together. Is there much more to it than that?) Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? What else should I know? Thanks!!! Jacqueline |
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"Jacqueline Passey" wrote in message om... ,,, Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? .... Try these: http://www.pacificfabrics.com/class_home.asp and http://northwestsewing.com/classes-nseacommcollege.htm |
#5
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"Jacqueline Passey" wrote in message om... .... Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? .... I forgot to add that some of the JoAnn's Stores also have classes. The Pacific Fabric stores have sewing machines for you to use in the beginning sewing classes. It is useful to actually learn and use a machine before buying one. Also, other sewing machine stores offer classes, it is just that they do not seem to have websites with the class schedule. |
#6
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(Jacqueline Passey) wrote:
Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? I've heard/read that the latter is better for making clothes quickly. Do I need both or just one? (I might be able to borrow a sewing machine from time to time, so right now I'm leaning towards purchasing a serger.) Please see The Sewing FAQ at: http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/sewing The short answer: A serger is very nice to have, a sewing machine is a must-have. (One of my friends bought a serger thinking a sewing machine wasn't necessary, and a month later he gave up and bought a sewing machine.) Of the various introductory sewing / clothes making books out there, which do you think are the best for a total beginner? http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/books Will I be able to copy my current garments, or is that too complex for a beginner? It's fairly easy. One or another book should explain how. (It seems simple... for example I have a grey knit dress that is only three pieces of fabric sewn together, it seems like I should be able to turn it inside out, trace it, add some fabric around the edges, and sew it together. Is there much more to it than that?) No, other than that if you trace the edges of the existing cut pieces and use the same seam allowance the manufacturer did, you don't need to add any extra. What else should I know? I put it in The Sewing FAQ, for which the URL is above. Tom Farrell http://www.SewingWithTom.com/ |
#7
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I want to copy are all very simple -- 1 to 3 pieces of fabric, mostly
knits, with few or no buttons and no darts. So I think I can do it. I've requested a bunch of books on sewing from the library, and am investigating local classes, but I'd appreciate some advice from experienced people. Knits can be a bit tricky to work with. Stable interlocks generally are easier than stretch knits for beginners, imho. One of the interesting things about patterns is that "simple" patterns with no darts, no closures -- things that really look simple -- can be the hardest to fit because they need to fit well. Fru-fru can be much easier, because the fitting problems get lost in all the details. More pattern pieces, darts, etc, are also easier, because you have more places to improve fit. Because you're in Seattle, and because you're specifically interested in knits, may I suggest for your first "big project" you try something like a vest or "sweatshirt" type top in a good grade of Polarfleece? Though it looks a little intimidating, it's actually quite easy to work with and small problems like slightly wonky seams get lost in the pile. Prints and textures also help hide minor sewing issues. I'd suggest this as a possibility after you've done some basic sewing on wovens (perhaps something like a canvas tote bag) and a small polarfleece project like a hat. Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? I've heard/read that the latter is better for making clothes quickly. Do I need both or just one? (I might be able to borrow a sewing machine from time to time, so right now I'm leaning towards purchasing a serger.) Sergers are really nice to have, especially when sewing knits. But they won't help much when you're trying to do buttonholes and zippers. So I'd say sewing machine first, serger second. But depending on your pocketbook and your enthusiasm, you might consider buying used machines for now, then upgrading when you need/want to. There are a lot of excellent machines taken in on trade... I'd sooner see you with a used midrange or used-to-be-nearly-top-of-the-line machine than a new, cheap machine. I think you'll be less frustrated. If you know someone experienced in sewing, bribing them into shopping with you may be useful. Of the various introductory sewing / clothes making books out there, which do you think are the best for a total beginner? Will I be able to copy my current garments, or is that too complex for a beginner? (It seems simple... for example I have a grey knit dress that is only three pieces of fabric sewn together, it seems like I should be able to turn it inside out, trace it, add some fabric around the edges, and sew it together. Is there much more to it than that?) There's a little more to knocking off a design than that... with knits, especially, it's best to match the amount of stretch and the drape of the knit. You might look at Besussen's Making Patterns from Finished Clothes and Doyle's Patterns from Finished Clothes. You might want to look at Kwik-Sew's patterns, especially the "Learn to sew" series: http://www.kwiksew.com/Cold_Fusion/c...me.htm?H=North and their sewing books, especially "easy sewing" -- this actually includes the basic patterns for knits, which you can customize to suit. http://www.kwiksew.com/Cold_Fusion/c...okFrameset.cfm Kwik-sew patterns are nicely drafted, and work quite well, even if the illustrations are a bit... um... dorky. When they're made up, they're great. (I'm not a particular fan of Butterick/McCalls/Simplicity/Vogue, fwiw.) Stretch and Sew is another company whose patterns I like; again, well-drafted, and often quite suitable for further design extensions. https://www.gmidesign.com/stretch/home.html -- take a look at #150 and #160, for instance. Burda is another pattern company I like. Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? I believe North Seattle Community College offers beginning adult sewing. Other than that (I'm down in the Portland area), the three education venues I've heard about are advanced classes at Nancy's Sewing Basket, Judy Barlup, and the fashion program at Seattle Central. You might want to look into ASG: American Sewing Guild: http://www.asg.org/html/chapters.html#washington I think you'll definitely want to come to the Puyallup Sew Expo: it's the biggest in the US, and one of the most inexpensive sewing events. Put your name on the list now for the class catalog that comes out at the first of the year. http://www.sewexpo.com/ What else should I know? Fitting is often the biggest challenge; some of the basic techniques you should work with when you start fitting (imho) are learning to read wrinkles on clothing, and flat pattern manipulation. For my $0.02, the best fitting book is rather expensive, but worth every cent: Leichty, Pottberg and Rasband's Fitting and Pattern Alteration: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...l/-/0870057758 It's not a beginners book, but it's much more complete, and it teaches a lot of "wrinkle reading". If you can borrow it from your library, it's definitely worth a read-through when you start fitting, perhaps in conjunction with one of the more lavishly illustrated but more limited books like Betzina's Fast Fit or Hazen's Fantastic Fit for Every Body. There are a couple of magazines that you may want to subscribe to, or at least browse at the library: Sew News is aimed at beginners, and often has excellent basic information on such things as various ways to put in a zipper, or different waistband constructions. Threads is more advanced, but I think it's a good one for beginners to at least know about and look through occasionally. I regret I was too cheap to take out a subscription years earlier than I did... it's one of the few magazines I save and use articles from again and again. The other thing that I think is tough for beginners is judging fabric. If you're used to wearing middle to high end ready to wear (Liz Claiborne and up), you may have partially educated your fingers on what good fabrics feel like. There are a lot of crummy fabrics in the world, some of which can be made to feel pretty good by a variety of finishes that disappear with cleaning and wear. Or they're made of blends that are likely to pill or fuzz or... IMHO, these are fine when you can get them cheap and are using them for muslins (mockups of finished garments), but if you're going to spend the time to make your clothes, buy very good fabrics -- they're easier to work with, they last longer, and they look good. There are a series of books from Julie Parker: All about Cotton, All about wool, All about Silk that might be useful and interesting to you; there are also some more generalized fabric guides with emphasis on how to handle particular fabrics from Sandra Betzina and Claire Shaeffer. FWIW, I prefer Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide, the earlier, larger, not very sexy looking book. Another book you might find interesting in your early career, but get even more out of later is Winifred Aldrich's Fabric, Form and Flat Pattern Cutting. In particular, you may want to take a good look at how different fabrics look when made up in similar patterns, and the "which fabrics drape rather like another fabric" list in the back. There are lots and lots of things to know about sewing, and things I wish I'd known more about when I started sewing -- I can't begin to list them all. Probably the two tips I wish I'd gotten drummed into me earlier are to pay meticulous attention to grainline, and to use good interfacing, often in more areas than the standard patterns specify. Oh yes, buy good thread, and replace machine needles often. And I've yammered enough for tonight. Kay |
#8
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Excuse me, but there are a couple of problems with your plan of making
all of your own clothes. The plan seems impractical. Even a simple design takes skill to excecute well. sewing skills take years to perfect. One does not start whipping out professional looking clothes the first time. My recommendation is to develop your sewing skills by customizing existing garments. Change buttons, lengthen or shorten hems and cuffs. Add details, or take away excessive fourishes. Fix small flaws. You will see success much more quickly by modifying existing clothes than trying to construct an entire wardrobe all by yourself. I've found e-bay to be a good place to find suitable clothes. Usually in fine shape, occasionally requiring a small repair. Kay Lancaster wrote in message ... I want to copy are all very simple -- 1 to 3 pieces of fabric, mostly knits, with few or no buttons and no darts. So I think I can do it. I've requested a bunch of books on sewing from the library, and am investigating local classes, but I'd appreciate some advice from experienced people. Knits can be a bit tricky to work with. Stable interlocks generally are easier than stretch knits for beginners, imho. One of the interesting things about patterns is that "simple" patterns with no darts, no closures -- things that really look simple -- can be the hardest to fit because they need to fit well. Fru-fru can be much easier, because the fitting problems get lost in all the details. More pattern pieces, darts, etc, are also easier, because you have more places to improve fit. Because you're in Seattle, and because you're specifically interested in knits, may I suggest for your first "big project" you try something like a vest or "sweatshirt" type top in a good grade of Polarfleece? Though it looks a little intimidating, it's actually quite easy to work with and small problems like slightly wonky seams get lost in the pile. Prints and textures also help hide minor sewing issues. I'd suggest this as a possibility after you've done some basic sewing on wovens (perhaps something like a canvas tote bag) and a small polarfleece project like a hat. Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? I've heard/read that the latter is better for making clothes quickly. Do I need both or just one? (I might be able to borrow a sewing machine from time to time, so right now I'm leaning towards purchasing a serger.) Sergers are really nice to have, especially when sewing knits. But they won't help much when you're trying to do buttonholes and zippers. So I'd say sewing machine first, serger second. But depending on your pocketbook and your enthusiasm, you might consider buying used machines for now, then upgrading when you need/want to. There are a lot of excellent machines taken in on trade... I'd sooner see you with a used midrange or used-to-be-nearly-top-of-the-line machine than a new, cheap machine. I think you'll be less frustrated. If you know someone experienced in sewing, bribing them into shopping with you may be useful. Of the various introductory sewing / clothes making books out there, which do you think are the best for a total beginner? Will I be able to copy my current garments, or is that too complex for a beginner? (It seems simple... for example I have a grey knit dress that is only three pieces of fabric sewn together, it seems like I should be able to turn it inside out, trace it, add some fabric around the edges, and sew it together. Is there much more to it than that?) There's a little more to knocking off a design than that... with knits, especially, it's best to match the amount of stretch and the drape of the knit. You might look at Besussen's Making Patterns from Finished Clothes and Doyle's Patterns from Finished Clothes. You might want to look at Kwik-Sew's patterns, especially the "Learn to sew" series: http://www.kwiksew.com/Cold_Fusion/c...me.htm?H=North and their sewing books, especially "easy sewing" -- this actually includes the basic patterns for knits, which you can customize to suit. http://www.kwiksew.com/Cold_Fusion/c...okFrameset.cfm Kwik-sew patterns are nicely drafted, and work quite well, even if the illustrations are a bit... um... dorky. When they're made up, they're great. (I'm not a particular fan of Butterick/McCalls/Simplicity/Vogue, fwiw.) Stretch and Sew is another company whose patterns I like; again, well-drafted, and often quite suitable for further design extensions. https://www.gmidesign.com/stretch/home.html -- take a look at #150 and #160, for instance. Burda is another pattern company I like. Can anyone in Seattle give specific recommendations about local stores, classes, sewing groups, etc.? I believe North Seattle Community College offers beginning adult sewing. Other than that (I'm down in the Portland area), the three education venues I've heard about are advanced classes at Nancy's Sewing Basket, Judy Barlup, and the fashion program at Seattle Central. You might want to look into ASG: American Sewing Guild: http://www.asg.org/html/chapters.html#washington I think you'll definitely want to come to the Puyallup Sew Expo: it's the biggest in the US, and one of the most inexpensive sewing events. Put your name on the list now for the class catalog that comes out at the first of the year. http://www.sewexpo.com/ What else should I know? Fitting is often the biggest challenge; some of the basic techniques you should work with when you start fitting (imho) are learning to read wrinkles on clothing, and flat pattern manipulation. For my $0.02, the best fitting book is rather expensive, but worth every cent: Leichty, Pottberg and Rasband's Fitting and Pattern Alteration: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...l/-/0870057758 It's not a beginners book, but it's much more complete, and it teaches a lot of "wrinkle reading". If you can borrow it from your library, it's definitely worth a read-through when you start fitting, perhaps in conjunction with one of the more lavishly illustrated but more limited books like Betzina's Fast Fit or Hazen's Fantastic Fit for Every Body. There are a couple of magazines that you may want to subscribe to, or at least browse at the library: Sew News is aimed at beginners, and often has excellent basic information on such things as various ways to put in a zipper, or different waistband constructions. Threads is more advanced, but I think it's a good one for beginners to at least know about and look through occasionally. I regret I was too cheap to take out a subscription years earlier than I did... it's one of the few magazines I save and use articles from again and again. The other thing that I think is tough for beginners is judging fabric. If you're used to wearing middle to high end ready to wear (Liz Claiborne and up), you may have partially educated your fingers on what good fabrics feel like. There are a lot of crummy fabrics in the world, some of which can be made to feel pretty good by a variety of finishes that disappear with cleaning and wear. Or they're made of blends that are likely to pill or fuzz or... IMHO, these are fine when you can get them cheap and are using them for muslins (mockups of finished garments), but if you're going to spend the time to make your clothes, buy very good fabrics -- they're easier to work with, they last longer, and they look good. There are a series of books from Julie Parker: All about Cotton, All about wool, All about Silk that might be useful and interesting to you; there are also some more generalized fabric guides with emphasis on how to handle particular fabrics from Sandra Betzina and Claire Shaeffer. FWIW, I prefer Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide, the earlier, larger, not very sexy looking book. Another book you might find interesting in your early career, but get even more out of later is Winifred Aldrich's Fabric, Form and Flat Pattern Cutting. In particular, you may want to take a good look at how different fabrics look when made up in similar patterns, and the "which fabrics drape rather like another fabric" list in the back. There are lots and lots of things to know about sewing, and things I wish I'd known more about when I started sewing -- I can't begin to list them all. Probably the two tips I wish I'd gotten drummed into me earlier are to pay meticulous attention to grainline, and to use good interfacing, often in more areas than the standard patterns specify. Oh yes, buy good thread, and replace machine needles often. And I've yammered enough for tonight. Kay |
#9
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Edgar S. wrote:
You will see success much more quickly by modifying existing clothes than trying to construct an entire wardrobe all by yourself. AKK NO! Help! I hate alterations and always did. Even aged 7 it was waaaaaay easier to start from scratch! Nice new fabric, chosen by me, with a pattern chosen by me... Bliss! Altering something that I didn't like enough to leave as it was? BLEAH! No fanks, mate! See, we're all different, and alterations are a very different skill from basic construction. I do not go there... -- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
#10
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....snipped
Hi! I am completely frustrated by my inability to find clothes in the color, style, fit, and durability that I want in the store, and have decided to learn to make my own. Fortunately my favorite clothes that I want to copy are all very simple -- 1 to 3 pieces of fabric, mostly knits, with few or no buttons and no darts. So I think I can do it. Should I get a sewing machine or a serger? Do I need both or just one? sewing books ? copy my current garments, or is that too complex Thanks!!! Jacqueline A sewing machine is a must! unless you don't want finished hems, necklines, etc. I like the readers digest complete guide to sewing as thats what I learned from (and all I own unfortunatly). There is a new edition in stores now, basically the same as my 1976 first edition (older than me, and in better shape than me too lol) copying is easy, I just did a santa suit with that method, it just takes practice. I learned by myself, I chose fabric, pattern and followed the directions (after learning to use my machines basic stitches making cloth diapers and curtains) It really was easy, I used a mccalls girls dress for my DDs for flowergirl dresses in my wedding. I will admit they are a far cry from what I can accomplish now, and its only been just over a year (but I have devoted almost all my free time to learning once I discovered how addicting sewing is) here are some pics, the white and purple dress was my first, the rest are all my own designs http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.js...04_87043219506 Just remember, preshink!!!! Find correct grainlines!!! (mistakes I have made!) try googling "learn to sew" there is lots of information out there. Good luck! Michelle Giordano |
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