Dressmaking

There is something about the weather getting a little warmer that makes me want to start dressmaking again - most of my hand-made clothes are summer ones.

While I was sorting through my patterns, I thought I would share with you how I organise and store my patterns.

First of all I have a record of my favourite patterns on springpad, I take a picture of the front of the pattern envelope, then I either write the fabric requirements underneath the picture, or if I can get one clear enough, I take another photo of the back of the envelope. This means that if I am in the fabric shop and see the perfect fabric for a project, I know exactly how much I need, no more trying to guess !




I don't know about anyone else but I find that once I have cut out a dressmaking pattern, I can never fit it back in the paper envelope, so I have given up trying and now just store them in these plastic zip wallets, A5 seems to be about right. I did think about colour coding which patterns went in which wallet (Yellow for children's, green for dresses etc) but haven't got that far yet !

When I have finished making an item, I then staple a scrap of the fabric to a piece of card, on the card I will write if I made any fitting adjustments and any little things which I need to remember if I am making the same pattern again. If it is something for the children, I will also write down what size I made - makes it easier to remember when I go up a size.

I then pop the card in the back of the envelope where I can see it easily when I am flipping through the patterns, this means I can see at a glance which pattern I used for a particular item. All my patterns are then stored in a large box so I can easily find whatever I need.

How do you store patterns ? Do you have any other great tips ?

Make do and mend

I tried something differant - my son managed to put a hole in the knees of his Jeans - as they still had plenty of life in them I decided to go for the patching option rather than recyling - I had some gorgeous fabric from Fabric Rehab which made the perfect patch - in fact he loved it so much I may have to patch some of his un-holed jeans !

 

 

More Dressmaking

I have manged a bit more dressmaking this week - my daughter chose this fabric herself and I finally got it made - just in time for the rain !

She was very pleased with the dress but I did the one thing you shouldn't do with a pattern and just went off her age rather than getting the tape measure out. Luckily due to the style of this its not a problem - the top is long enough to wear as a dress this summer and she can wear it with leggings as a top next summer - means she will get loads of wear out of it.

The matching hairband is a hit and I can see a few more of those being made !

This was the pattern I made it from - I didn't bother with the ruffles on the shoulder straps as she wasn't too keen on them. The pattern was fairly easy to follow, although I managed to miss cutting one piece out, still not sure how I managed that but there was plenty of fabric so it wasn't a problem

Here is a hint for storing your dressmaking patterns - the A5 size Zip bags which you can get at office suppy shops are the perfect size for storing patterns, it meant I could put the pattern piece I wasn't using for this item back in the paper envelope which storing the ones in use in the plastic wallet for easy access, then when it is all finished I can just put everything away in the plastic wallet.

I also stapled a sample of the fabric on a piece of card along with the size and which view I made, as I know that next time I come to make this top I'll forget what I made so hopefully this should help.

Dressmaking

I'm going to try linking this post to my first Hand Made Monday.

 I've had another go at dressmaking this week, I used to make loads of my own clothes, but tended to do quite simple designs, my sewing confidence has grown loads so I thought I would have a go at doing some thing which I could fit to me this time. I started with this Kwik Sew pattern I've never used them before, but it was quite easy to follow.

I even made a bodice out of cotton fabric to check for fit before I cut out the main fabric, I also tried the bodice on several times as I made it.

Here is the resulting dress - I love this fabric !

I made a couple of adjustments, I brought it in at the waist a little as it was loose. I think next time I make it I will also make it a little shorter at the shoulders, along with the waist adjustment. I've ordered a couple of pattern fitting books from Amazon so will see how I get on with them - watch out for the next version.

First of all I have to make a messenger bag for my husband, I've found this great fabric which has an atlas print on it and he keeps giving me long lists of all the pockets etc he wants on it ! 

I had a great time at The Handmade Market Stockport at the weekend - met some amazing crafters and had lots of interest in my bags, I'm still thinking of better ways to display the bags and other items, don't think I've quite got it right yet.

I've been doing some dressmaking this week, have finished a summer dress, which as the weather is so good I am wearing, so will have to try some pictures later. I amended the pattern slightly to improve the fit, I don't think it is perfect yet but I think I am getting the hang of it - have ordered a couple of books on pattern alteration from Amazon this morning so will have a good read of those before making the next dress, but I still plan to make a few more dresses this summer, both for myself and my daughter.

Fabric shop trip

After my dressmaking success, I've decided to make some more clothes for my daughter (still need to find good boys clothes patterns !) I ordered a couple of patterns from Jaycotts, which arrived this week so we had to have a trip to the fabric shop for fabric.



My daughter liked this pattern best and chose this fabric to make it, I love the fabric and can't wait for the weather to chance so she can wear this



Of course I couldn't just buy one piece of fabric !! - the plain green fabric I use for lining some of my bags and managed to run out, I loved the floral fabric and plan to use that as bag lining. The Pink fleece is to make Sleeping bags for Baby Annabel - just need to work out a pattern for that - will post pictures when I've done it.

Dressmaking

I used to make loads of clothes but have got out of the habit in the last few years, but decided to have another go ! I thought I would start with childrens clothes first

I actually bought the pattern and fabric last year but discovered making bags so didn't get round to making it - as my daughter kept reminding me

I am really pleased with how the dress turned out - and more importantly my daughter loved it too.

I ended up with mis-matched buttons, the ones I had bought for the dress originally were too big for my automatic buttonhole foot, so I had to have a rake through my stash - I actually like having the 2 differant ones.

I was so pleased with the dress I ended up ordering some more patterns from Jaycotts as they have quite a few on offer at the moment, I have lots of plans for summer childrens clothes, just waiting for the postman to arrive first !