Sewing

[evexa]

Originally posted by purechris@Dec 3 2004, 03:58 PM
evexa--if you didn't see it in the customisations thread, Gorgeous wedding dress, Great Job!
I've been sewing since I was 14 (18 yrs). It all started with the Jams trend of the mid 80s. My mom refused to pay money for them and made me a pair. When I wanted more, she didn't have the time and showed me how to do it myself....and I never looked back. I think I got the best of both worlds because my mom is very crafty (more crafty than fashionable) and my dad can put anything together just by looking at it. According to my birth numbers I am a process person which fits in perfectly. I have very little training, and am pretty much self taught. I must say, I think I'm pretty good. For lack of a serger, I do everything with French seams, but lately I have been putting the seams to the outside and leaving them raw. I draft patterns from scratch for simpler pieces. More tailored things I start with a store bought pattern and alter it for details. I use a lot of old 60s and 70s patterns when making shirts for myself because menswear was so much trimmer then. Unfortunately, I have a hard time making nice dress pants that fit me properly.

[snapback]449427[/snapback]​

Thank you for the compliment! I just read the thread.
That is awesome, I loved the stuff you posted in the other thread too. You can get sergers pretty cheap in the US - where are you based?

 

[siamit]

Hi,

I'd really love to learn how to sew except that I don't have the time or resources to take an actual sewing class. Do you think it's realistic to self-teach myself how to sew? I went to the library and checked out some books about sewing. I've never picked up a needle and thread in my life so I really have no experience.

Also, if you have taught yourself how to sew, are there any particularly good books out there? The ones I got from the library are just kind of so so.

And to any Bostonians out there, do you know of any good and cheap (and accesible by T) sewing stores?

Thanks!

 

[Luna]

it's realistic to teach yourself. I bought myself an educational sewing machine... they're used in classrooms

 

[purechris]

It's actually pretty simple to learn by yourself. You must have patience! I would check with your local fabric stores to see about classes. Most machines come with a tutorial video to get to know your machine. Talk to the employees at the fabric stores to get suggestions on Easy patterns and fabrics to work with for beginners.

Have patience with yourself. Even the most experienced sewers have to rip seams out every once in a while.

 

[Fade to Black]

I took some sewing classes in middle school and absolutely hated it...which sucks because I really wish I knew how to deconstruct items of clothing and customize them the way I like it.

 

[utopia]

Originally posted by Spacemiu@Dec 3 2004, 12:03 PM
That skirt is very nice in person

[snapback]449032[/snapback]​

evexa, I cannot say it enough, I love the design for your new dress! the leaves remind me a lot of art nouveau. absolutely stunning.

 

[evexa]

Originally posted by utopia@Dec 6 2004, 08:47 AM


evexa, I cannot say it enough, I love the design for your new dress! the leaves remind me a lot of art nouveau. absolutely stunning.

[snapback]453158[/snapback]​

thank you <3
We shoudl team up

 

[Erin]

I used to sew Barbie's clothing (but not my own).

I don't suppose that counts?

 

[softgrey]

look at the GORGEOUS new scarf that purechris made for me...i just got it...and i can't wait to wear it...!!!


thanks chris!!!!

 

[purechris]

Oh my! I'm glad you like it. I can't seem to get enough of it and I have it in 2 diff plaids and am thinking of another.

 

[brian]

that scarf!!

 

[helena]

lovely scarf -I like the tartan

 

[purechris]

thanks guys!
That's THE scarf that I'm always wearing. Most of the time I actually wear it the whole day at work since it's always cold in here.

 

[Fade to Black]

Very nice scarf, i've said it before and i'll say it again chris you have some serious talent.

 

[purechris]

thanx FTB!

 

[evexa]

Originally posted by softgrey@Dec 9 2004, 05:04 PM
look at the GORGEOUS new scarf that purechris made for me...i just got it...and i can't wait to wear it...!!!
thanks chris!!!!

[snapback]458620[/snapback]​

Oh its lovely!!

GJ purechris!!

 

[oceanharlot]

so... I'm not sure if this is the right thread to put this in...

I was wondering if there was any way to find patterns for past runway or couture clothes. I would love to try my hand at playing with some amazing patterns. I am so tired of the basic sillouttes that are offered in the patterns at my local clothing store. I mean come on, how many slipdresses, princess cut, empire waisted or shapless sacks made out of cotton does a girl need to make before she can start playing with something more interesting!

 

[utopia]

yep this is the right thread for questions about patterns, oceanharlot have you tried vogue patterns? some of their patterns are from the runways, though there are only a few that are terribly current...but they're still pretty good. their website is: http://www.voguepatterns.com

they have patterns by oscar de la renta, anna sui, marc jacobs, donna karan, issey miyake, among others...some of them are quite nice. makes me wish I was a more advanced seamstress.

a recent oscar de la renta pattern:

 

[utopia]

this one by issey miyake is stunning as well...

 

[purechris]

utopia--that miyake pattern is actually quite easy. I helped a friend with it. It says 2 way stretch knits only, but we did it in a stretch woven on the bias. It took quite a bit of fabric, but it turned out wonderful because of the frayed edges on a woven instead of the rolled edges of a knit. Keep in mind that some of the sizing of manufactured patterns is off. I used an Anna Sui pattern that was a size 4 for a friend and it was more like an 8 when finished.
I remember a few old posts on here that you could download patterns from past season McQueen and Galliano I believe. It was only a single item though, and printing it out would be quite a hassle, so I never saved the link.
Like I said earlier, check out the thrift stores for old patterns and doctor them up. I have some really fantastic 70s Givenchy ones that I'd love to try out, but don't really have a reason to.
I took a draping class YEARS ago and it was quite interesting, but incredibly difficult. You need a model or a dress form and you just drape, cut and sew.
You could try drafting your own. It's a bit time consuming, but not that difficult once you understand garment construction. Search Amazon.com for pattern making books. A friend of mine just bought one that is actually useed for schools from there.