missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Cool. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 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? I think Morostheos answered most of this already, but... Joann's, Hancock, Hobby Lobby, all have online shopping available. All three often have sales and coupons, too. I like fabric.com but I've found that some of their fabric is thinner than I expected it to be (bought some jersey for a dress--it came out really cute--but it's pretty thin so I'm just going to use it for a beach cover-up. Also there is a deep V in the back that shows my bra so It's not really suitable for Mass. Next time I make the dress I'm altering the V.) As for zippers, I recommend getting some cheap zippers off amazon and practicing on scrap fabric until you get the hang of it. I still have a hard time with them. I bought these to practice on: http://www.amazon.com/Nylon-Zippers-Special-Closed-Bottom/dp/B0055DKJY4/ref=pd_sim_ac_4 For learning fabrics I would recommend going to a store when you're in the city and just looking at the types of fabric, feeling them, make a note of the ones you like. Most patterns will also have a list of fabric types that work well with the pattern. I haven't had much of an issue with modifying patterns. It was easy enough to do. I have a kid who needs the waist measurement several sizes smaller than her length. I haven't had to modify them as much for myself, but for my scrawny kids. (I haven't really sewn much for myself until recently, though.) I wouldn't be scared, but measure carefully, and perhaps even baste stitch first to make sure it's a good fit before you do a regular tight stitch (because that's going to be a PITA to rip out if you have it measured wrong... been there, done that.) Once it's basted you can carefully try it on to make sure it sits right. This isn't a necessary step by any means but it might help you be more comfortable until you get the hang of it. (Truthfully, I probably should do this more often myself...) Messing up is pretty easy to fix unless you've cut too small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Thanks, I actually feel a tteeeeennnnyyyy bit excited to start. I think I'm driving up to church on Sunday. (I have friend that I sometimes rife with since I'm poor and it costs a bit in gas money. lol) So I'll look in the stores then if I do. I'll make a day of it. I'm just nervous about measuring. LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 A skirt is a great way to start. Zippers are not all that difficult, and there are great online videos that can help show you if a spot is difficult for you. Joann's is a great place for fabric and notions, Sign up for their adds they put out 40% and 50% off coupons all the time, they can be used online and in stores both, you can use multiple coupons on a purchase, but not the same item. http://www.joann.com/ I also like this sewing forum ALOT, there are wonderful sewers with tons of experience and willing to help, great pattern reviews... I often watch Hobby Lobby and Joann's for patterns as several times through the year (usually around season changes) they put patterns on sale for $5.00. It's also possible to make patterns from an existing garment that fits you well. http://sewing.patternreview.com/ I suggest that you take the time to fit your pattern before sewing and especially if you are making something with expensive fabric you also get a cheap muslin to practice and put it together first with the muslin to adjust fit ect... As well I found this book extremely helpful in learning the fine details for making trousers. Well worth the price in order to make wearable clothing. http://www.amazon.com/Making-Trousers-Men-Women-Multimedia/dp/1589234499/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363921937&sr=1-6&keywords=sew+pants If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I will do what I can to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 A skirt is a great way to start. Zippers are not all that difficult, and there are great online videos that can help show you if a spot is difficult for you. Joann's is a great place for fabric and notions, Sign up for their adds they put out 40% and 50% off coupons all the time, they can be used online and in stores both, you can use multiple coupons on a purchase, but not the same item.http://www.joann.com/ I also like this sewing forum ALOT, there are wonderful sewers with tons of experience and willing to help, great pattern reviews... I often watch Hobby Lobby and Joann's for patterns as several times through the year (usually around season changes) they put patterns on sale for $5.00. It's also possible to make patterns from an existing garment that fits you well.http://sewing.patternreview.com/ I suggest that you take the time to fit your pattern before sewing and especially if you are making something with expensive fabric you also get a cheap muslin to practice and put it together first with the muslin to adjust fit ect... As well I found this book extremely helpful in learning the fine details for making trousers. Well worth the price in order to make wearable clothing.http://www.amazon.com/Making-Trousers-Men-Women-Multimedia/dp/1589234499/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363921937&sr=1-6&keywords=sew+pants If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I will do what I can to help. I was wondering about the making a pattern from something that fits well because I have a dress that is similar, but grey and black, and I really like the top part being printed. lol. Also, I love that the link still works even though the filter changed it to pants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 I just realized I can't go to Hobby lobby this Sunday... haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayte Postle Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Skirts and sundress is where I started out and there are a lot of easy patterns on the sites people have already listed. I have a similar problem where I'm not "normally" proportioned. Something that helped me TONS was learning how to fit my preexisting clothes. Seriously, it was a life changer. Especially with the combined cost of patterns and fabric, it's often been cheaper for me to buy clothes a size up and size it down, than to make something myself. It also opens up a whole new world when going to Goodwill or other second hand stores. Here's a great site that can step you through the process of learning to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I was wondering about the making a pattern from something that fits well because I have a dress that is similar, but grey and black, and I really like the top part being printed. lol. Also, I love that the link still works even though the fiddler changed it to pantaloons. I've made patterns for a couple things from an existing garment. It wasn't too difficult. I just used the free newspaper they throw in my yard every week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 I've made patterns for a couple things from an existing garment. It wasn't too difficult. I just used the free newspaper they throw in my yard every week. Do you just out line the garment? I'm confused as to how this would work for the front of a dress. Which is why i'd be a little anxious about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Skirts and sundress is where I started out and there are a lot of easy patterns on the sites people have already listed. I have a similar problem where I'm not "normally" proportioned. Something that helped me TONS was learning how to fit my preexisting clothes. Seriously, it was a life changer. Especially with the combined cost of patterns and fabric, it's often been cheaper for me to buy clothes a size up and size it down, than to make something myself. It also opens up a whole new world when going to Goodwill or other second hand stores. Here's a great site that can step you through the process of learning to fit. I love this blog. The girl goes to thrift stores and refashions the clothing she buys. It's pretty awesome. http://refashionista.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Measuring video, this lady does a good job IMHO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q7neoaXxzM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I use her Plumn Line measuring method for all of my crotch rises. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18lO92amAo0 There are several good bust measurement videos with just a quick search as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Copying a shirt... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRLCHj2mDFE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Copying pants http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z5JADuZMTo I DO suggest getting a commercial pattern for the first project, even just a. Quick Sew pattern is fine, so you can get familiar with garment construction OR (more $... Get a couple books and study up) I found it helped me tons in makinging my own patterns to have a so.id understanding of the purpose of little pieces I would have missed otherwise, simple things like sleeve packets which are seen, but not really noticed until it's missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 (edited) Do you just out line the garment? I'm confused as to how this would work for the front of a dress. Which is why i'd be a little anxious about that. Yeah, pretty much. Do you remember that peach drapey shirt I made? (I can send you a link if you want) I basically just traced the original shirt onto the newspaper. There are some garments I'd be worried wouldn't turn out perfectly following that method, but for the ones I've tried thus far it's worked. I wasn't quite as meticulous as the threadbanger link PPOP posted. I am sure their method would turn out a slightly more crisp end product. Since the dress you linked is pleated you would have to figure out how wide you need to cut your fabric before the pleats. Once you have that figured out making the pleats is easy. Edited March 22, 2013 by IcePrincessKRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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