Brand New Seamstress-In-Training

[Brenna]

I believe this is something I might enjoy so I'm going to jump in and give it a go!  My mother has a sewing machine so initial costs will only be fabric and thread.  She has the machine, rulers, cutting & other utensils, but she herself is a VERY BASIC seamstress. 

I have watched several YouTube "lessons" on beginning techniques.  I have watched how to make an "eye pillow" filled with flaxseed and spearmint.  It looked minimal in supplies and difficulty.

I want to ramp up to creating my own garb but all signs point to BABY STEPS.  Starting out small and simple and working UP to costuming.

One question I did have is this:  In this modern day and age, is it far less expensive for a girl of ample size to purchase her garb from a retailer or make it from scratch?   I've found a complete set (irish dress and chemise) for approximately $75.00.  Can they be made by hand cheaper?  What with fabrics, patterns, and not really understanding what I'm jumping into?

I realize I won't have the satisfaction of having my very own garb that I created, though,  AND this is why I am so anxious to get started learning the ways of the seamstress!  I think that sense of accomplishment and level of appreciation of my own work would be very rewarding!

[LadyShadow]

Best of luck.  It is an extremely fun (and sometimes aggravating) experience.

[LadyStitch]

It really is a balancing act. It will take time before you are to a point where you can really do the stuff that can show off your assets, but you can just buy it BUT you are paying for someone else's time learning. 

There is nothing like being asked where you bought something and you can respond with  "I made it myself!"  Like you said baby steps will do wonders.  Something that I had a professional dance theater costumer tell me.  The way she practiced techniques was to find some silly home project and make things using that technique.  She wanted to work on her pleats so she made a pleated bed skirt. This meant when she got pleating a fabric for dance skirts she was comfortable making pleats.  She made place mats to practice bias tape.  To do mitred corners she made bound napkins and large place mats.  This way she had Christmas gifts for people, AND she could practice.

I have to say the best first garment to try is a peasant blouse.  You learn seams, pressing, making casings, and running elastic.

Something that has helped me through the years is to make a technique book. As I learn something new I pin/glue/staple an example of what I did and directions on how I did it in my own words.  (typed or hand written, doesn't matter as long as you did it.) That way when you are on a different project but can't remember how you did something, you can can look in your book, and there it is. 

Goodluck.

[Sorcha]

I am on the thin side and very long waisted.  I've always had trouble getting clothes to fit correctly.  So when I started looking at bodices and then at their corrsponding price tags, I just couldn't do it.  I couldn't spend that kind of cash on something I knew wouldn't fit me in the least.  And bodices need to fit a girl.
So I jumped in and started making garb.  Like Lady Stitch says, it's great to say "I made it myself".  And you'll never run into the situation of...  I like it, but I wish it was a different color/style/longer/shorter/more lace/less frill... etc.
But the part I like the best is the fact that it fits me!!!  Even if it costs a bit more to make than to buy, I get what I want and it looks SO much better on me than anything off the rack would.

[bookwench]

It may not be cheaper to make by hand, but when you make it yourself you have control over what fabrics you choose and you can adjust the pattern to fit you specifically (always a good thing, especially with bodices).  And, like others have said, it feels so good to say you made it yourself!

[operafantomet]

It may not be cheaper to make by hand, but when you make it yourself you have control over what fabrics you choose and you can adjust the pattern to fit you specifically (always a good thing, especially with bodices).  And, like others have said, it feels so good to say you made it yourself!

Plus, it'll be cheaper in the future, once you've learned the basics and can make yourself any kind of garb instead of buying it.

[Brenna]

Something that has helped me through the years is to make a technique book. 

I didn't even think of that! But boy I'm sure you've referred to it countless times!  I'm glad I have such knowledgeable ladies to start me off on the right foot!  Learning from others makes things all the more painless!  Thank you, thank you!

[bookwench]

It may not be cheaper to make by hand, but when you make it yourself you have control over what fabrics you choose and you can adjust the pattern to fit you specifically (always a good thing, especially with bodices).  And, like others have said, it feels so good to say you made it yourself!

Plus, it'll be cheaper in the future, once you've learned the basics and can make yourself any kind of garb instead of buying it.

Exactly!  

[Brenna]

it'll be cheaper in the future, once you've learned the basics and can make yourself any kind of garb instead of buying it.

That is what I'm thinking as well.  Because once you HAVE the patterns and you've learned the techniques, changing up the colors to make brand new items is a breeze and a lot less expensive after the initial purchases!  Great thought!

[Dinobabe]

One question I did have is this:  In this modern day and age, is it far less expensive for a girl of ample size to purchase her garb from a retailer or make it from scratch?   I've found a complete set (irish dress and chemise) for approximately $75.00.  Can they be made by hand cheaper?  What with fabrics, patterns, and not really understanding what I'm jumping into?

If you make the same dress and chemise it will cost you more.  Mainly because you aren't making 40 of them!  And like many people have said there is so much satisfaction that comes with doing it yourself.  However, if later you want a nobles dress then I am sure you have noticed how much they cost to be made (and they are absolutely FABULOUS)!  But when you do it yourself you can take the time to find the right fabric on sale, learn the techniques, find bargains, hunt at goodwill stores, etc. and be able to make it for MUCH less.  When I started mine I really had no idea what I wanted, just that I wanted a noble outfit.  My surroundings would be my inspiration.  I would see something in a store and say "Hey, that's what I need!"  If you order a dress then all of that stuff needs to be decided upon pretty quick.  I am one partlet away from finishing mine and I have been working on it for about a year!  And I am SOOOO happy I did it myself.  Is it as good as the wonderful seamstresses on this board?  No.  But it's MINE!

Oh, and start your stash now so when you do get an inkling to make something you already have that 50% off fabric in a bin!
Welcome to FA!

[Brenna]

Welcome to FA!

Thank you so much for the advice and tips.   I have been sneaking some YouTube video watching at work on basic sewing (elastic waistbands, scrunchies, t-shirts, eye pillows, etc.).  I mean, why would they have given me speakers and internet accesss if they didn't expect this from me? 

But, anyways, I have gotten myself more and more excited with every reply in this forum and every YouTube video I watch.  LOL  Even got my mother excited. She called me a few minutes ago at work asking me if I knew there were remnants for cheaper than yards and to look for scraps to save up.

[gem]

Hello, welcome, congratulations, and good luck!!  This is the best place in the world to be if you're interested in making garb. I have literally learned how to sew from these forums.

I used to hang out on a mundane sewing board, where the other seamstresses always CLAIMED it was cheaper for them to make things themselves. But what you have to keep in mind is that YOUR TIME is valuable, as well. Last summer I had a formal event to attend and needed a pretty top to wear. I was balking at paying ~$70 for something at the store, and my mom suggested that I make one. I quickly realized it would take me a lot more than $70 worth of my time (not to mention the cost of materials/patterns) to make a blouse! (I ended up finding a top for $35; even better!) 

I've reached a point where I really want to make everything (altho' I still will buy pieces if I fall in love with them!), so of course I'm strongly an advocate for MAKE IT YOURSELF!    But: learning how to fit can be pretty challenging, and it's a crucial component of garb: it must fit properly, whether it's bought or made.

I think you *could* make an Irish dress and chemise for less than $75 (not counting your labor costs), but it will take some careful sourcing of materials, which can be trickier as a beginner since you might not know where to get things for better prices. Start with a 99 cent pattern (Hancock, JoAnn, and Hobby Lobby have near-constant sales on patterns from Simplicity, McCall's, and Butterick). See if you can find inexpensive cotton gauze, broadcloth, or muslin (~2-3/yard) for the chemise, and then use the rest of your budget for the gown itself.

That said, you may not WANT to use the cheapest materials you can find for your first foray into garb. Quality materials make sewing so much easier!

I do think that an Irish gown is a very beginner-friendly project... but I could be biased! My first garb was an Irish gown from a now out-of-print Simplicity pattern:



I made it from velveteen that probably cost ~$7.00/yard (for a long time, I refused to buy fabric that cost more than $10/yard), plus maybe one yard of quilting cotton to line the bodice. The clasps I had in my stash (I thought they'd be easier than grommets), and the chemise was purchased.

Signing up to receive coupons from the larger stores (if you're lucky enough to have them in your area) is one of the best ways to save money. Keep an eye on the sales, too; often they'll discount some of their fabrics by 40-50% off, and you can stock up.

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned this yet, but even so it bears repeating: Natural fibers are your friend.  They're easier to work with, will look more historical, and most importantly: they will keep you cooler on those hot, hot days at Fair. We all love linen especially, and a good place for great prices on linen is Fabrics-store.com. They have great everyday prices, but they also have frequent sales, plus they send coupons with every order, and you earn discount points for every dollar you spend there!

[LadyStitch]

The 99 cent and 1.99 patterns will be your friend.  And yes signing up for the major stores coupons is wonderful.  That way you get get deals on fabric and notions.

One thing that has helped me is naming my project and doing a journal on them.  Even if it is just, "I made it from fabric X, from Y pattern. I ran into  xyz problems along the way.  I could have done qrs better next time."  This way you have a way to work on improving your work.

As a cronic pattern-aholic  I will start with saying once you start getting them, keep them organized. It will save you head aches in the long run.  There is nothing like knowing you have a pattern for something but finding you have no idea where you put it. 

[Dinobabe]

Gem brought up a good point about patterns.  They are SOOOO EXPENSIVE!  It's stupid!  I only buy patterns when they are on sale.  AND I buy any pattern I am interested in; Ren, goth, cowboy, fantasy, civil war, whatever.  That way I have the pattern if I need it and I can combine pieces to make the perfect outfit.  I did this recently on a chemise by combining the body of one Ren pattern and sleeves from a civil war pattern.
Oh, and make sure you get the correct size the first time!   The big 3 tend to run large, the package says I am a size 12-14 when a 8-10 fits just fine.  I've even used size 12 for one piece, 10 on another, 8...  All for one outfit!  Sometimes you have to adjust for mass production sizing.

Don't be afraid of the learning curve!

[Brenna]

Gem, that is the exact dress style (and even color) that I've been pricing at every online store I can find a link to.  It's the one I want to wear!  It's funny that you've posted it as a first project.  Is this a sign?