Anybody make their own clothes?

[gothnurse3]

I am just learning how to sew but I am thinking about making some of my own clothes. I am tall and have a really hard time finding things that fit me. I also have very simple taste. I love elastic waist skirts....I have one of those "boy" shapes...no hips, no butt, no waist. Straight like a 2X4.

Please share your stories

[orangefoot]

Once you start making your own clothes it is so much fun choosing what to wear! For an easy first elastic waist skirt try this Make it from an old sheet if you want to test it first then buy some fabric you want to be seen in and make a 'good' one.

Happy sewing!

[Mom2Joseph]

I am really into sewing/serging my own garments now! I even love making my own patterns too.

I can get fabric on sale and make my clothes far cheaper than buying. Plus I get control of the style and fit. I adore doing it. I'm curvy and tall so learning to work with knits has been fantastic.

Check out www.sewingpatternreview.com to check reviews of patterns before spending money on them. That site has been a terrific resource for me.

For repurposing your own clothes I like to check out www.craftster.org

Also, try different patterns till you find a company you like. My mom always hated Butterick so I stayed away from it and recently found that I love their patterns.

Good luck!

[Lily's_Mom]

I've been sewing my own clothes since I was 16!

Actually, I started out making boxer-shorts in grade 8 sewing class, then I took sewing in grade 10. We made pj pants, button up pj top, blouses, dress pants, etc. During the summer I sewed myself several pairs of jeans for the next school year.

Just start simple, pjs are good because it doesn't really matter if you make a mistake on it. The more things you make (the more practice you get), the more your sewing skills will improve. I love making my own jeans! I can make a pair for $15-20, instead of spending $80 at Tall Girl.

[Lazy Gardens]

I used to ... one trick is to remember that people do not recognize the cut of a pattern as easily as they remember the fabric. Make the same skirt pattern in a plaid, stripe, floral and solid in coordinating colors. Pair the skirts with a solid jacket (purchased because jackets are a #$%!@ to make) and you have an instant wardrobe.

Always test a pattern in inexpensive fabric before you spring for the expensive stuff. I tested patterns by making them in white polyester knits - I had the only Vogue Designer Original lab uniforms in the hospital. Then I would make it in a fashion fabric. I was such a clotheshorse.

[Roxy2007]

i am less adventurous with sewing for myself beyond the A-line skirt or simple wrap top. but i am a thrift store shopper, get something that fits but not necessarily my taste and use that as a pattern or modifying maternity tops to fit me.

[lj2blessed]

I'd LOVE to do this for me and DH...I guess I just need to take the plunge and buy a sewing machine, huh? I don't have hundreds to invest in a machine though - could I get away with one for under $200? Maybe a good Kenmore or Singer? Or are there places that sell refurbished or good used ones?

[Roxy2007]

Originally Posted by lj2blessed

I'd LOVE to do this for me and DH...I guess I just need to take the plunge and buy a sewing machine, huh? I don't have hundreds to invest in a machine though - could I get away with one for under $200? Maybe a good Kenmore or Singer? Or are there places that sell refurbished or good used ones?

yes you can, maybe even a vintage machine.but just make sure its working properly. i am not a fan of buying a machine from ebay, but maybe try checking your local craigslist or even a local dealer. in this trying economic times, i wont be surprised if you can find a good one new for $200. good luck!

[choli]

I made a lot of my own clothes when I was a teen because I was extremely skinny and lived in a country where they didn't have "junior" clothes, only adult which were much too big for me, and childrens which were much too childish for me.

Now I mostly stick to altering clothes to fit better, as I am into tailored fit clothes. If you like elastic waist type things, though, it is very easy to make that sort of thing. Setting zippers is a PITA.

[VOBetz]

I've made myself a couple of skirts with yoga waist bands or elastic waist bands. I have an adult shirt pattern that I keep meaning to sew for myself.

[Mihelinka]

I've made lots of skirts. I wish i had more time to make them! I used to take classes here
www.sewfastseweasy.com
I've never used traditional store bought patterns. They seem so complicated

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Roxy2007

i am less adventurous with sewing for myself beyond the A-line skirt or simple wrap top. but i am a thrift store shopper, get something that fits but not necessarily my taste and use that as a pattern or modifying maternity tops to fit me.

What pattern do you like for wrap tops and do you have pictures?? I really really want some wrap tops out of woven fabric that are really wrap and not faux. (but knit pattern would be okay too, I just am a bit scared of knit fabric sewing)

[sweetpeppers]

I would like to try making myself some long skirts, as I am also tall, and they're always to short. I like really full skirts. Any tips on them?

[nerdymom]

Originally Posted by lj2blessed

I'd LOVE to do this for me and DH...I guess I just need to take the plunge and buy a sewing machine, huh? I don't have hundreds to invest in a machine though - could I get away with one for under $200? Maybe a good Kenmore or Singer? Or are there places that sell refurbished or good used ones?

check out target. they have a bunch under $200.

[fabhare]

I make my owen skerts other then that I don't make any thing els for my self, however I make dresses for my 4 year old. The best place to go is JoAnns fabric when they have $1 patter sale.

[courtenay_e]

I'm nearly five eight, but have a thirty four inch inseam and long arms to go with the long legs...I have absolutely no waist, though, less than an inch between my ribs and my hips. I LOVE TO SEW FOR ME! I know that everything I make will fit me just right, and I love that. Of course, it took some time to figure out how to alter patterns properly, but once I did, it has been all fun from there!