weezie

I make complicated quilts. Keep that in mind when I tell you that making clothing is much easier. Simple quilts (not a lot of bias or points to match up) are easier than garments, though.

More things to keep in mind:

Beware that some garment fabric is difficult to work with, such as one with a nap (velvet, faux suede, corduroy, etc.); it has a mind of its own; "repeat" prints, stripes, plaids should probably be avoided.

If you are a complete novice to garment sewing, there's a thousand things can go wrong. And I'm not sure where to seek advice before you get started, other than a good book and, even so, it won't keep you from all the initial pitfalls. Start simply & inexpensively and take your time. Don't remove your pattern pieces until you are ready to sew those garment pieces together and, most importantly, follow the pattern directions step by step. Having made just about every error possible over the years, I became experienced enough to know where and how I could deviate from the order of instruction, but for a beginner, that is a recipe for disaster.

Also, I like my seam allowances overcast (I have a serger for that).

Lastly, sorry if I'm repeating other responses to your question; I haven't read the whole thread yet.

weezie

I forgot to tell you that I take a standard pattern that I don't have to adjust the pattern to get a good fit. Of course, I do "fittings" as I go, but I do not have "narrow shoulder/wide butt/short waist/long waist" adjustment issues.

Rachelcb80

I'm heading over to Amazon in just a minute to see if I can find either of those books! I think I'm going to need them for more and longer than a library check out would provide. :) Thank you for the suggestion!

sewNso

back when i sewed........clothes......i would pin the pattern to the daughter to see if it was a good fit. bodice, length, bust okay, back wide enough, shoulder seams where i wanted them. skirt hips...fit... waist long enough, etc. you can even do that to yourself if you are careful.

lfw045

Vogue patterns tend to be harder, in my experience. I prefer Butterick but I have used all of them....

lfw045

http://www.sewingwithnancytv.com/ind...ink=true&chn=1

I watched these videos when they were shown on TV and want this set myself. It is amazing the way she teaches you to measure and adjust any pattern to fit you exactly.

mom-6

I have found that the instructions on the patterns from the 50s and 60s are much easier to understand than the ones you can buy now. Some of the current ones seem to have been written by people for whom English is their second language, plus they use some really funky ways of putting stuff together in some cases( or at least the instructions make you think HUH??? if you are an experienced seamstress).

If you can find an old Singer sewing book probably published late 40s/early 50s (big page hardback book about an inch or so thick) it gives excellent instructions on every aspect of sewing from how to make necessary alterations to a pattern to constructing the garment to darning by machine.

Barnes & Noble has one of the Singer Sewing Books in the out of print books section for $12.99 from a third party reseller. The next one listed is priced at over $50.00.

If you have any questions as you are sewing, please PM me and I will gladly answer as soon as I get back on the computer.

Rachelcb80

I ordered the Simplicity book from Amazon used, for a whopping $1.14. The shipping was three times as much. :)

Thank you very much to all the ladies who have offered their help to me. I very well may need to ask a few questions here and there. Luckily my step mom sewed a lot when I was younger so I have her to go to also.

I know I just ordered the patterns today but I'm ready to get started already! :)

Quaint Quilter

When I took sewing classes a few years ago, the instructor told me to always make the size of the pattern that is one size up from what you normally would wear. Example...if you are a size 6....go up to a size 8. Depends on the pattern as well....measurements always seem to be different. You can buy current "remake" patterns at Butterick and Simplicity. Just type in "retro" or "vintage" in the search and some patterns will come up. Then, when Hancocks or Joanns run them on sale for $1.00 or $1.99, pick them up then. Hope this helps.

Oklahoma Suzie

I learned to sew before I quilted.