Make 'designer clothes or 'haute couture' for yourself! Do you have a wardrobe that has clothes that don't quite fit? Here are some tips to make your own clothes.
The advantages of making your own tops are many.
1 You save money 2 You select the fabric and design that you like 3 It will fit your shape rather than you trying to fit into a set 'high street' shape.
Steps to making your own top/dress/tunic/t shirt 1.
You will need to make a template pattern of your size that you can use again and again.
In the long run this will save you time and as you gain confidence in using it, you will be able to adapt it and adjust it for different styles.
2.
The simplest way to make a template of your own size is to buy a readymade pattern and then to tweak it so that it fits your shape.
For example, you may have a higher waist or bigger hips and a smaller bust.
It is worth putting the time into making up a pattern that fits your body shape exactly as you can use it again and again later on.
3.
Buy a simple pattern that is as close to your shape as possible, eg a shift dress with sleeves so that you have a basic shape to work with.
You can always add features like cuffs or fancy necklines as your skills develop.
4.
Buy some inexpensive cotton or muslin fabric and cut out your fabric by laying it on the pattern you have bought.
(Simplicity, easy Vogue do many basic patterns).
5.
Once you have cut out the basic pattern which should be just three pieces (sleeve, front and back plus facing), sew it up.
It is important to sew (tack) this part up by hand as you will be undoing it later on.
6.
Once you have sewn it up then try it on.
Look very carefully at where the waist it, is it in the right position for you? Is it the length that you want? Are the darts, if any, in the right position? Are the sleeves too long for your arms? Are the shoulders hanging off? Once you have checked these you can begin to make adjustments.
Many well fitted dresses do not even need darts.
It may help to compare it to your best fitting dress to see if it the shape you want it.
7.
Now you can adjust your top according to how you want it.
You can do this by unpicking the top you have made and then carrying out the adjustments.
You may find if there are significant changes that it is worth making up a new top with fresh fabric so as to get the fit right.
Then again it again and see how it fits.
Tailors chalk is good for marking hemlines and other marks.
A friend and/or a long mirror is ideal for helping to you to adjust your top and a tape measure for getting your size is handy.
Once you feel entirely comfortable in it, you are ready to cut out your customised paper pattern which will serve as your pattern for all the tops you make.
8.
You can use baking greaseproof paper for your pattern as it is strong and does not rip easily.
If it is too narrow you can tape too strips together.
.
Undo the seams that you basted by hand.
Put the dress pieces onto the paper and cut around it as exactly as possible.
Use plenty of pins to hold it down onto the paper.
9.
Transfer any basic markings onto your paper pattern.
These are the hem lines or other points (eg on sleeves, zip position etc) that you need with a felt pen.
10.
Now you have a basic pattern that you know will fit every time.
There are many website that give simple short sewing instructions for basic sewing skills eg hems, zips, buttonholes etc.
see for example expertvillage.
com or ehow.
com HAPPY SEWING!
The advantages of making your own tops are many.
1 You save money 2 You select the fabric and design that you like 3 It will fit your shape rather than you trying to fit into a set 'high street' shape.
Steps to making your own top/dress/tunic/t shirt 1.
You will need to make a template pattern of your size that you can use again and again.
In the long run this will save you time and as you gain confidence in using it, you will be able to adapt it and adjust it for different styles.
2.
The simplest way to make a template of your own size is to buy a readymade pattern and then to tweak it so that it fits your shape.
For example, you may have a higher waist or bigger hips and a smaller bust.
It is worth putting the time into making up a pattern that fits your body shape exactly as you can use it again and again later on.
3.
Buy a simple pattern that is as close to your shape as possible, eg a shift dress with sleeves so that you have a basic shape to work with.
You can always add features like cuffs or fancy necklines as your skills develop.
4.
Buy some inexpensive cotton or muslin fabric and cut out your fabric by laying it on the pattern you have bought.
(Simplicity, easy Vogue do many basic patterns).
5.
Once you have cut out the basic pattern which should be just three pieces (sleeve, front and back plus facing), sew it up.
It is important to sew (tack) this part up by hand as you will be undoing it later on.
6.
Once you have sewn it up then try it on.
Look very carefully at where the waist it, is it in the right position for you? Is it the length that you want? Are the darts, if any, in the right position? Are the sleeves too long for your arms? Are the shoulders hanging off? Once you have checked these you can begin to make adjustments.
Many well fitted dresses do not even need darts.
It may help to compare it to your best fitting dress to see if it the shape you want it.
7.
Now you can adjust your top according to how you want it.
You can do this by unpicking the top you have made and then carrying out the adjustments.
You may find if there are significant changes that it is worth making up a new top with fresh fabric so as to get the fit right.
Then again it again and see how it fits.
Tailors chalk is good for marking hemlines and other marks.
A friend and/or a long mirror is ideal for helping to you to adjust your top and a tape measure for getting your size is handy.
Once you feel entirely comfortable in it, you are ready to cut out your customised paper pattern which will serve as your pattern for all the tops you make.
8.
You can use baking greaseproof paper for your pattern as it is strong and does not rip easily.
If it is too narrow you can tape too strips together.
.
Undo the seams that you basted by hand.
Put the dress pieces onto the paper and cut around it as exactly as possible.
Use plenty of pins to hold it down onto the paper.
9.
Transfer any basic markings onto your paper pattern.
These are the hem lines or other points (eg on sleeves, zip position etc) that you need with a felt pen.
10.
Now you have a basic pattern that you know will fit every time.
There are many website that give simple short sewing instructions for basic sewing skills eg hems, zips, buttonholes etc.
see for example expertvillage.
com or ehow.
com HAPPY SEWING!
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