Seasoned crafty mamas-your advice is needed!

[ILoveMySofie]

Thanks so much in advance to all who share their knowledge with me..

I have been wanting to start sewing for the longest time. Main reason is because I want to make clothes for DD (who is 4). The kind of clothes that I like for her cost outrageous $$ and I just know I can make some of this stuff myself. (Crafty things is one thing Im good at!).
The kind of clothes I want to make are at www.floraandhenri.com
Yes, the prices are absolutely insane, but those old school baby bloomers and overalls and simple dresses are just my favorite!
So I basically am going to learn to sew this stuff, and will be using fine fabrics (eventually!) such as liberty of london cotton lawn and also fine silks.

Sooooo what type of a sewing machine should I get? I have NO CLUE about sewing machines whatsoever...brands, types - anything...please HELP!!!

I dont have a set budget, but Im serious about this, so if $100 make a difference between crappy and good, then I am willing to spend it.
Please keep in mind I will be sewing just clothes-not slings or anything heavy duty.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mantasanta]

Sewing clothing like that will take quite a bit of learning. You will have to start with simple patterns. For some really nice stylish clothing, check out http://www.ottobredesign.com/ I have been a subscriber to that magazine and really like the clothing but honestly, haven't even sewn one project from there yet. I am a beginner sewer and just don't have a lot of time to sew and am still sewing easy beginner patterns. Someday, I hope to try something from Ottobre as they are so stylish!

As for a machine, I use a Viking #1+ (I have two of them so if you want to buy one, just email me!). I have also JUST purchased a Viking Designer 1 (hence the reason I need to sell one of my #1+ machines!). I love my Vikings. They sew wonderfully on ALL types of fabric and the stitching is beautiful. Plus you can also do embroidery. There are a lot of heirloom sewing stitches available too.

[eepster]

From looking at that clothing its all about exquisite tailoring and careful details. Probably much of the finishing is done by hand.

Ironicly that kind of sewing doesn't require a fancy machine since most of the things an expensive machine do are short cuts like automatic button holes. Cheaper cloths usualy have serged seams (which are done on a seperate machine) but I bet if you ordered those clothes they have french seams (which can be done on any machine.)

IMO to do stuff that advanced your going to need lessons anyway, so if you take them some where with machines you'll have a better idea of what you want from a machine afterwards. If you enjoy tailoring details like french seams a vintage machine might be right up your alley. However if you find that you want to make clothing faster and want to add embellishments you'll prefer a higher end new machine.

[ILoveMySofie]

thanks so much for the replies.

i am going to read up on what french seams are...i have a lot of stuff from flora and henri so i am going to inspect it...

and of course i am not going to sew the complicated stuff to begin with,
for starters i want to just make simple bloomers that are like diaper covers and also simple a-line skirts and dresses...ive done stuff like that by hand before and it came out pretty good.

but anyway,thanks!