missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 First off: I've never sewn anything in my except a curtain. My mother tried to teach me many times, many years ago. But she forgot that she was teaching me and did it herself. :| I need new clothes, but have not much money to spend on them. Normally, I'd just shop clearance racks and it'd all be cool. But lately, I've just not not been finding things that fit me. (small waist, but quite hip-py and busty - not fun to shop for.) I *can* get a general idea of what looks good on me, it's just particulars that don't work - so that's good. The hardest kinds of clothes for me to find that fit/look nice are dresses and jeans - so eventually I'd like to make my own (which leads to one of my questions - where on earth do you get denim?) I would *love* to make myself something like this. http://shop.stagestores.com/catalog/product/view/id/609312/s/agb-floral-print-high-waist-dress/category/37/?fromCategory=37 BUT - I cannot find a pattern that isn't $13+ that I like and I just think that's a little outrageous, since my hope is that it will be cheaper to make clothes and I don't really think the fabric is cheap, either. lol. So my next question: where do you guys buy patterns? Or do you? The walmart closest to here used to have a fabric section, but they became a supercenter and 86ed it. (because THAT made sense.) so the second closest walmart is 50 miles away. The nearest Target, Joann's, Michael's, Hancock's or really anything of that nature are at least 70 miles away. However, I do go to church in a city (90 miles away) that has all of those, I don't always drive myself there, though, so I *was* kind of hoping to find some online resources. So... questions: Are there any good online places to get fabric or patterns (and where on earth do you get denim?) What are good starting projects? I'm was thinking skirt, but then I was like, "wait, zippers..." and is that a big deal? Should I just dive right in and go full out dress? How do you know what fabrics will work well? Is it easy to ...modify patterns/sizes? For some parts of a dress I'm a large. For others I'm a small. Is it easy to adjust for that? Should I be scared? If I mess up can I fix it? seriously, I tried that dress that on and loved it but the top is see through and the built in cami doesn't fit (and it's 50 freakin' bucks) so ... I kind of really want it, but I'd have to make it myself with fabric that's opaque. Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamin Catholic Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 You should be able to get demin from places like jo ann fabrics or Hancock fabrics on their website. I've even seen some stock it at their stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamin Catholic Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 You should be able to get demin from places like jo ann fabrics or Hancock fabrics on their website. I've even seen some stock it at their stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamin Catholic Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 You should be able to get demin from places like jo ann fabrics or Hancock fabrics on their website. I've even seen some stock it at their stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamin Catholic Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 You should be able to get demin from places like jo ann fabrics or Hancock fabrics on their website. I've even seen some stock it at their stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_vrzsgdktY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 You are really adamant about that fabric, huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamin Catholic Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Duhhhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 You are really adamant about that fabric, huh? I'm more impressed that he sews. :| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I'm more impressed that he sews. :| My father sews. I like how between him and my mother, he's way better at sewing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 My brother knits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Actually all three of them do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morostheos Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 For free, online patterns, this is the best site I've found: http://www.burdastyle.com/ Lots of the patterns are homemade, so consistency is not the best, but there are some great ones!! Otherwise, I generally buy patterns when they go on sale. At fabric/craft stores they will often go on sale for half off - I never buy them full price. If all you have is Wal-Mart, they do have some "value" patterns that are only a few bucks, and some of them are cute. For where to start, I started with a skirt. The zipper was a huge pain, but I got it eventually. Then I made a dress, and realized as long as the dress is sleeveless, it's really no more difficult than a skirt! The dress you linked would count as "sleeveless" in this sense because there is not a separate piece of fabric for the arms. :) I would say start with non-stretchy fabric - it doesn't change size or shape. ;) You can try fabrics that have different textures and drape, but to begin I think basic is best. Once you have the technique down then you can try fancy fabrics. Denim is (unfortunately) very difficult to work with and also requires a strong sewing machine. In terms of modifying patterns, it's not too difficult if you have a friend to help you with fitting. Take your measurements, then at the different spots for the measurements on the pattern mark the size that fits you. When cutting your fabric, cut to the largest size for your measurements but mark the smaller sizes with marking chalk. then you can pin/baste the fabric pieces together and try it on. Pin the spots that need to be taken in and sew to those. Anyway, those details probably don't make any sense, I bet there are some nice illustrated tutorials out there. You shouldn't be scared, except of losing your patience every now and then! :P The good thing about sewing is it's possible to do-over most things, except for cutting fabric. So leave extra seam allowances, then you can let it out or take it in as needed. That dress is really cute, and it doesn't look like it would be terribly complicated to replicate either! Although for your first try, I would find a pattern you like and do the pattern as stated. Then the next time around you can figure out what to do to make it exactly what you want. :) Happy sewing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Since Roamin already answered about where to buy denim 800 times I won't address that. lol If you sign up for the McCall pattern club on their website (I think it's like 5 or 10 bucks for a year) a lot of their patterns go down to about 4 bucks, and even some of the more expensive ones if they are 10 bucks today might be 4 with the club membership next week. They have sales all the time. I found it worth it to pay the 5 or 10 for the membership (I forget how much it was) because ordering 3 patterns with the membership saved me more than the membership fee cost me. I think my total on that order was about $25 and one pattern alone would have been $15 without the membership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 (edited) Since Roamin already answered about where to buy denim 800 times I won't address that. lol If you sign up for the McCall pattern club on their website (I think it's like 5 or 10 bucks for a year) a lot of their patterns go down to about 4 bucks, and even some of the more expensive ones if they are 10 bucks today might be 4 with the club membership next week. They have sales all the time. I found it worth it to pay the 5 or 10 for the membership (I forget how much it was) because ordering 3 patterns with the membership saved me more than the membership fee cost me. I think my total on that order was about $25 and one pattern alone would have been $15 without the membership. I know JoAnn's is a ways off for you, but a couple times a year (Labor day and Memorial day, I think...) they have sales where you can get up to ten patterns of a particular brand (Usually either Simplicity or McCalls) for a dollar each. It'd be worth it to make the trek if you could hit that sale. Edited March 22, 2013 by IcePrincessKRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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