Hello darlings,
If you’re tired of the same old clothes that you see on the windows of the shops, that just about everybody seems to be wearing, you might have considered making your own clothes. Although this won’t be easy to start with, it’s definitely doable if this is something you really want to do.
At the end of the day, you’ll have a wardrobe full of unique clothes that perfectly suit your style. Not only that, nobody else will own them! They’ll be tailored to you too, fitting your body perfectly.
I have considered it in the past, walking down that road, so I wrote down some tips to bear in mind before you start making your own clothes.
Decide What You’d Like To Make
First, you need to decide what you’d like to make. Making a pair of jeans is obviously going to be vastly different to making a dress. You should choose one thing to start with, and you can potentially branch out when you’ve mastered it. Just don’t expect to make a perfect dress or whatever you choose right off the bat! There are more things to consider before you’re able to do that.
Ask Someone To Translate A Pattern
Patterns can be confusing, particularly to newbies who have no idea what they’re looking at. If you need help, ask someone to translate the pattern for you. Someone in a sewing or craft shop may be happy to help you. If you know somebody who’s into sewing, even better!
Get A Sewing Machine And Other Essentials
You’re going to need a sewing machine and other essentials before you can even consider making anything. There are a number of different machines to choose from, depending on your needs and what you want to make. Make sure you do your research. It’s probably better to buy second hand first, to see how you feel about your new hobby. It’s also worth thinking about a lightweight sewing machine to begin with. You’re also going to need things like:
-
Pins to hold your fabrics together
-
An iron and ironing board
-
Chalk wheels for making positions on fabric
-
A seam ripper for mistakes
-
Rulers for measuring during construction
-
Shears and scissors for fabric only
-
Pattern weights
-
A tape measure
Make sure you know what you need to make whatever it is you desire and get it before you begin.
Get Used To Your Machine
Now, you have your machine, but you must get used to it before you attempt to make anything. This means learning exactly how it works and finding a method of using it that suits you. You’ll need to practice with fabrics that you don’t really care about, and take your time. When you’re confident you can start your project.
Start Off With A Simple Project
Even if you’ve decided you want to make a dress, start off with a simple project, like a cushion cover. This is pretty simple, and will give you more confidence. You’ll also feel satisfied when you look at it each day. This will give you more motivation to continue creating things.
Make Some Test Garments
Once you have your confidence and you want to go about making a dress, try making a few test garments first. You can use cheap muslin cloth for this, just to see how you do. Then, when you have the pattern and everything down to a T, you can use your special material! This will stop you from having to continuously re-do your item and potentially ruin your special fabric.
Join A Sewing Group
Joining a sewing group in person or online helps you to socialise with people like you. Sometimes even people who are doing the same pattern! This should motivate you and help you if you need it.
YouTube Tutorials
YouTube tutorials should become your new best friend. After all, why take a class when you can just see how everything is done online? You should watch as many as you can to get to grips with techniques. They are invaluable!
Check Pinterest
Pinterest is an amazing place for checking out patterns before you decide which one you want to create. They can show you what they look like on real people, and can give you a different perspective if you need it. Check out my board for DIY clothes.
Don’t Go Into This Thinking You’ll Save Money
Never go into making clothes yourself thinking you’ll save money. This won’t always be the case. Quality materials cost money, and this will cost you your time too. Although it’s worth it, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons!
Get Comfortable and Set Plenty Of Time Aside
When you sit down to create your masterpiece, make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. This means wearing comfy clothes, tying your hair up, and making sure you won’t need to move for a while. Set plenty of time aside. In fact, don’t plan anything for the rest of the day. You’re going to want to get lost in this. You might even want to make some snacks for yourself beforehand so you don’t need to spend too much time away from your project.
Wash Your Fabric
If you can contain yourself when you arrive home with new fabrics, wash it before you start creating your masterpiece. Imagine how devastated you’d be if you had to put your item in the wash, to realise it’s shrunk a size or two afterwards? All that hard work! If you don’t want to wash it, at least give it a good iron beforehand.
Now you know pretty much everything you need to know before you start making your own clothes. All there is to do now is get out there and do it! Don’t let a lack of knowledge or experience stop you from trying it. If you don’t try it, you’ll always wonder. There are so many simple projects, and you’ll loved owning clothes that nobody else has. It’ll take a little time, but you’ll soon master sewing skills and techniques making you a great seamstress. Believe in yourself and enjoy yourself.
Lot's of love
