Seriously considering making my own sundresses. Questions!

Hello! This is my life right now:

- I am (sadly) unemployed
- I have a lot of free time but not that much money (aka I'm on SYC and a tight budget)
- I have yet to find a white dress that is not too sheer, too short and that fits my body
- I like vintage style but can't afford it

I also have a sewing machine and a place to buy fabric in my vicinity.

So, I have NEVER made a dress (or any other piece of clothing) but I used to make skirts for my Barbies when I was little. My grandma was a seamstress and taught me a few things. She even bought me a children's version of a sewing machine. My mom used to make all my carnival costumes (including Hunchback's Esmeralda, a witch and Vilma from The Flintstones) and I would watch her make them and pay a bit of attention. All this to say I may have some hidden notions I am not aware of. Though I might just as well be totally clueless.

I was thinking of going for a strapless style and then add thick straps with big button details. I thought it would look cute, give me the option of going halter or criss-cross and be easier since I wouldn't need to deal with armholes. But maybe I am wrong?

http://www.bluevelvetvintage.com/images/P/007.jpg
http://www.google.es/url?sa=i&.....38;tbnid=2
http://www.shop-vintage-clothi.....-dress.jpg

So, onto the questions:

- Is it really difficult to make something like this? I guess it involves making a full skirt, which I think is fairly easy, then a tight bodice and then joining them at the waist and adding a zipper (or buttons? what's easier?)

- Is fabric expensive?

- What fabrics are easier to work with?

- Should I maybe go for an easier style for my first time?

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I've only done little alterations on my own without supervision, but I sewed some pieces with my grandma when I was a teen. I got my own sewing machine in the meantime and want to do more on my own too, but I haven't really found the time so far. From what I've experienced, non stretchy fabric with a bit of weight is easiest to work with (like cotton). Buttons are easier if you have a sewing machine that can sew button holes, but they take more time. But there are great tutorials how to sew zippers online, even hidden ones. I only know German videos, but I'm sure there are Spanish or English ones on Youtube. I think the most difficult thing when you don't have experience is making changes so the dress fits you better. Darts and so on. So I think I'd look for a pattern that you know will fit you well even if you follow it exactly.

KikiG

I don't mean to rain on your picnic, but the styles that you are attracted to require a great deal of fit, and fit is Tricky in sewing for adult women, particularly from the waist up. It isn't like what you are attracted to is the adult version of the toddler pillowcase dress, which would be a terrific first project. It isn't like elastic is going to be there to forgive and finesse any patten issues, and woven fabrics don't have the give of knits.

What one would ordinarily do is to work out the fit issues with a muslin bodice to get the bust and armholes in the right place. You might have to substantially alter a commercial paper pattern to get a good fit. Once you get all the fit issues worked out, you can take apart the bodice and use it to cut your pattern in your fabric of choice. Also, sizes in patterns are nothing at all like sizes in ready-to-wear. In pattern books, it is about 1978. You really, really need to pay attention to body measurements. If you go with a retro, reproduction or craft market pattern, be aware that these typically assume you are advanced in your sewing skills, and need only the most basic of instructions. Sort of like those old recipes that more or less just list the ingredients and assume you learned to make a basic cake when you were 10.

Yes, forgot about the sizes - you really need to pay attention to that. With Burda patterns (most often sold here) I'm a size 42, when I go shopping a 36 or sometimes a 38. With Burda there's a scale that tells you how difficult things are, so you know to start with a one. I've only ever used Burda patterns, so I'm not sure if others have that too. There's also a picture tutorial in every magazin, where one piece is completely explained step by step, not only the usual short summary.

ETA

I also have a little inexpensive lexikon that explains all the techniques that are only ever mentioned (but not explained) in the instruction.

Irene

Thank you for your wisdom! See, I didn't know what I was getting into so I was in fact clueless. I still want to try though. I do have the time (and I am a patient person when it comes to this kind of thing).

I was planning on working on my own measurements and going from there.

I am checking patterns now Thanks for the tips!

Glory

What a wonderful idea! I know a few ladies on the forum have recently talked about sewing some items for a variety of reasons.
Although I haven't sewn garments for about 10 years there was a time when I made all of my own clothing - winter coats, lined suits etc.
I would recommend starting with a simple pattern for your first time along with some forgiving fabric. I think that a light weight cotton would be a good start. In terms of style I would recommend something with less finishing on the bodice to start - and perhaps less of a full skirt.
Also I would shy away from pattern matching requirements at the beginning.

Another question:

Would it be easier to just pick one of my simplest dresses and make another one just like the original (same pattern pieces and sizing) and just a longer skirt? (and of course another pattern but same fabric)

anne

How much help can your mother give you right now? When I was unemployed in my early 20's for a little while, and still living at home, I sewed with quite a bit of input from Mum. But on the other hand, I had been sewing more simple things for quite a few years then (my first sundress I made when I was about 10)

anne, not much right now that would be ideal but I don't want to bother her with things like this right now

annaj

I sew quite a lot, but I still struggle with my own fitted dresses. My body shape isn't "standard" so to get a good fit, takes a lot of tweaking and several muslins before I'm happy - and even that is no guarantee (although I am really pedantic when sewing my own clothes). By all means try it, but by the time you've purchased a pattern, thread, muslin, and your "good" fabric, you might not actually end up saving a lot. I'd recommend starting with more simple things and seeing how you go - simple pencil skirts, a-line skirts, or wrap skirts, or even just some pyjama pants to get you back into the swing of things! Sewing can be a lot of fun, and very rewarding, but it's not always easy to get wearable results!!

rachylou

I'm no expert sewer, but I made costumes for my godchildren when they were little. I think it's hard to sew for yourself. You can fit on other people, you can't pin on yourself. And a dress form is big bucks. One of the things I'd do is enlist a friend to help you fit the garment on yourself.

I think asking a friend is a good idea! As for the dress form, you can make one yourself for cheap. It's all in German, but I think the pictures are fairly self-explanatory.

http://www.burdastyle.de/anlei....._2704.html

Of yourse it isn't worth the effort if you don't use it often, but a friend of mine actually did this and it works!

Laura B.

Active Member

Hi! I like to sew my own clothes too, but it can be very expensive. Second hand shops can be good sources of cheap fabric. For a beginner, I recommend buying either a pattern labelled for a beginner or something like this: http://www.craftsy.com/class/S.....=Affiliate

That way you can get detailed instructions and help along the way. Here's a version where someone changed the skirt to a circle skirt:
http://www.craftsy.com/project.....dress/4848

Youtube is a great resource for help as well. Good luck!

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