chicagoshar

I teach sewing, along with quilting. The hardest part of sewing, I agree, is the fitting. Sometimes patterns are unnecessarily hard, I think. If I'm working with a pattern I haven't made before, what I do is to make the major pieces (bodice front & back WITH darts), skirt, etc., without any finishings (pockets, zippers, collars, closures, facings) out of muslin just to see what the fitting issues are. I always do this when making bridesmaid dresses and/or wedding dresses. It's easier to find out whether it's going to fit or not at that point, before involving expensive fabric.

iamsogone

sewing clothes is not any harder to me than quilting start with easy patterns it will tell you what everything means on the pattern i like to do both but being i worked for years in a sewing factory doing almost everything quilting was a lil challenging at first i say if you want to do it jump and do it

Olivia's Grammy

I've been sewing all my life, started at the age of about 5. I still make most of my clothes and have started sewing for Olivia. I've at least one of anything you can think of. One the hardest things to get use to for me is the difference in seam allowances. After piecing quilts the 5/8 looks so large that I remeasure it. When sewing for the bottom half, I sew the seams at 1/4", then try it on. It's easier to take up the 1/2" then is it to take out. I use a serger to finished my seams. Good luck, I'm sure you can do it. As several people have suggested, start with something easy and little fit. Vintage are more fitting. I think McCalls run the largest. I wear a size 6 skirt and pants in ready to wear and a 14 in patterns. Go figure. Measure, measure, measure.

lynsue

I sewed years ago. Decided to make a blouse -- found a pattern -- right size (didn't check the measurements. Tried the tissue pattern on (like I used to) Ok, they alway seem okay -- like years ago. (only differenc that patterns back when I was sewing were one size --- not like today -- 3 maybe 4 sizes. Well it seemed to fit right for my size.

It's harder today because of the way the patterns are -- and -- don't believe because to got the right size it's right. The size I bought and cut to wasn't right. I never checked the measurements -- hadn't sewn clothing in years -- figured I was okay. Well, the blouse was too small -- cheched the size measurements -- the size I bought and cut to was mesurements that were approximately 2 sizes smaller than what the size I purchased should have been. Purchased clothing is getting larger -- I didn't understand how the pattern I got actually was about 2 sizes smaller.

I've since purchased another pattern -- 2 actually (with all the sizes). I'm going to use musling to cut a pattern and accuatily fit it before wasting more fabric. I'm disppointed with my first attempt after past years of sewing -- BUT not giving up

pocoellie

It's not that hard, and this is from someone who wouldn't have been caught dead in any kind of homemaking class, and I've never taken any lessons, either sewing or quilting. Go for it!!

pegquilter8

Oh boy. Another quilter who wants to cross over.

Welcome! Please go find Simplicity sewing, maybe at library or on eBay. Ask at LQS is anyone would be interested in teaching. I'm sure a long time sewer could walk you through a simple pj, sundress or shirt pattern to get you started. Good luck.
Sewing is fun and rewarding, but harder to find dressmaker fabrics now as no one wants to really spend the time or money. Persevere and you'll have fun.

Suse

I started with clothing, I think it is harder, although I haven't actually quilted anything, just made the tops and backing. My machine's throat is too small to quilt anything. Good luck! 8-)

chicagoshar

When I teach, I always warn students that today's patterns run two sizes LARGER than off-the-rack. So if you wear a size 10 in store-bought, you'll buy a size 14 pattern. My rule is this: if it's too big, take it in. If it's too small, give it away!

cindyjean

I am a professional seamstress. I alter formal wear. Mostly wedding gowns, prom dresses etc. If you have taught yourself quilting, then you can teach yourself garment making. I am doing the opposite of you. I am now teaching myself to quilt. Bottom line, if you are self taught, then you can pretty much sew anything, once you learn. Just take your time. Patterns can be tricky to read sometimes, but that is when I would go to my closet and look at something already done, like a collar of vest or whatever. Once I could see it, then I understood. By all means use cheap fabric as a model. Get it sewn and fitted the way you like it. Then "go get em" with the final fabric. Would love to see a picture when you are finished.

Ramona Byrd

It is difficult in that every clothing line and pattern maker
have different ideas of what measurement belongs to
what size. And with finished clothing, I've found that most
of the time, the more expensive the line, the larger the old
sizes run. For instance, in a garment from Sears or such,
you might buy a size 14, but the same measurements in a
very expensive garment might claim to be an 8 or 10!!
It's called vanity sizing, which has nothing to do with reality.

Like the others said, measure three times and cut once.