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Sew Your Own - the Alternative For Frustrated Clothes Shoppers
By Anke Herrmann of Flamencreaciones
Do you know that feeling of frustration when, after hours of clothes shopping, you go home empty-handed when all you wanted is find a piece of clothing that - you like;
- fits you well;
- flatters your figure; and
- you can afford? Of course, you can keep looking. Or you can buy something that you don't really like or that doesn't fit you in a way that makes you look your best, knowing right from the start that you will hardly ever wear it. Or you can have a go at making your own. You don't need to compete with Karl Lagerfeld or John Galliano in order to look great in your outfit and have fun in the process of making it. Here are a few tips to get you going: Learn the Basics
Learning to sew clothes will perhaps take more than a few hours but the basic techniques are not difficult and can be mastered in a short time. Sign up for a class or ask your mum or grandma for help. Check out your local book shop and of course use the internet to find instructions and tips on every aspect of sewing. Get a Sewing Machine
Before you are sure that sewing is for you there is no need to invest a lot of money. A simple sewing machine, new or used, will do the job. Ask around, chances are someone you know has one and isn't using it. Ebay is a good place to check as well as your local dealer. Start With a Simple Project
Rather than practising just for the sake of it set out to make something you will actually want to wear. A skirt - straight, A-line or gored - is a good place to start. You will learn all the basics and have something to be proud of at the end. Choose a Pattern
There are countless commercial patterns available. These days many can be downloaded from the internet and a good number of them are free. Look at the measurement charts to choose the correct size. If your measurements don't correspond to the chart choose the bigger size, e.g. if your waist is a size 8 but your hips a size 10 buy the size 10 pattern.
If you have a fitting problem when you buy clothes chances are you will have the same problem using a commercial pattern. In this case you will need to learn how to adapt your pattern. Ultimately, it pays to learn how to make your own patterns. Buy Fabric
When buying fabric your imagination is the limit.
It is easy to get carried away in a fabric shop. Before deciding make sure the fabric is suited for the garment you want to make, the colour matches other clothes you have so you have something to wear it with and don't forget to check the care instructions. Some materials shrink and have to be washed before you start sewing, others must be dry cleaned. Cut and Sew
Cutting is perhaps the most important step. A wrong seam can be undone but a mistake during cutting could put an unexpected end to your sewing project and enthusiasm. The key for both, cutting and sewing, is to work with as much precision as possible. It might be hard to imagine but half an inch makes a huge difference. Read the instructions carefully: Following the right sequence of steps saves a lot of time and frustration. Do fittings early and often. Nothing is more annoying than spending a lot of effort just to find that the finished garment doesn't fit. Experiment!
You are the designer. Add or modify details the way you like it. If something doesn't turn out as expected see whether you can make it a feature! This is the fun part, and having fun is what is it all about!
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Contributor's Note
Give sewing a go! There is a good chance your first project won't be your last. Just be careful, you never know where it leads .. I ended up setting up my own business as a dressmaker for flamenco artists.
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Craftster.org - Get tips, ask questions, get inspired
| Sewing Patterns
| Sewing books, pattern, info and more
| Tips for buying a sewing machine
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