elnan

Just wondering if you have spent some time at the Ozark Folk Life Center in Mtn. View, Arkansas. That could give you some new ideas if you're looking for something out of the ordinary to get into for income. Willow furniture, bent cedar, musical instruments, weaving, etc. usually sell well. If you do go to Mountain View, plan to stay at least one night so you can absorb the warmth and emotion as each evening everyone migrates to the outdoor singing and playing. I have never met anyone yet who has been a part of that and not felt that they had "come home".

ErgoTiger

I havent been up to the Folk Center since I was a kid. Would like to make my own fabric one day.

Im not the only one getting sick of $2_POS from the big store shelves!

sewbeadit

Cathy, love those pattern things, the whole photo is really neat looking with your machines all there surrounding the Patterns, I love the looks of them hanging on the wall. I want some too!

donna13350

This is an online manual for the McDowell system..just scroll down a little...
https://archive.org/stream/instructi...0mcdo_djvu.txt

SteveH

The McDowell system was developed in the victorian era as a way to allow seemstresses to try to make even close to what Tailors were paid. (Women's clothing was SIGNIFICANTLY more complex but seamstresses were paid about 1/5th of what a tailor was)

They went out of business in the 20's as I recall. They came out with updates to the "system" as clothing styles changed.

There is a LOT of info out there.

Here are a couple of search terms to get you going: Bespoke (this is the term for properly made clothing) Dever (Devere's) McDowell, Cornwells

I have posted the manuals for all of these on our forum, check it out in the manuals section (the forum is in my signature)

also this gentleman is offering classes in historical bespoke tailoring (I have not used his services yet)
http://williamsclothiers.com/

ErgoTiger

Ive been reading up online abit, and there is alot of info. I even took one of my fav work shirts and took tape to it, lol....

I never thought all my shop and art skills would help me make my own clothing !

yobrosew

I so want those! Has anyone ever updated with plastic? I so want!!!!!!!

SteveH

Plastic.... ewwww.