Hello Dear Reader,
I'm getting on with some summer clothes! I know it's a bit premature but I'm a slow sewer and I'm very much a beginner and I want to get things right.
Here, for what it's worth, is my advice.
Cut out your patterns, it's easier to get on and make something if you're ready to go.
Buy fabric you like - remember, you'll need around 3 yards/metres to make a dress and around half that to make a top and just over a yard to make a blouse. I aim for linen viscose blends that don't shink.
All cottons and cotton linen mixes will shrink so I make the items a size larger working on the basis that I'll lose a size on the first wash. Fabrics only shrink once. I will use man made fibres for blouses, but I've only made one so far.
I lengthen my patterns straight away. They are designed for women 5' 6" and I'm 5' 10" so I add 3 inches to the body and 3 inches to the sleeves. I don't want skirt lengths to be just below my knee so that's long enough. It's essential that I lengthen the body.
Even if I pay £8 a metre for linen, a brand new top, made to my body measurements will be under £15. Not bad for made to measure.
I take my time. I measure, measure, measure. I always work on hip measurements on tunic tops and dresses as I'm pear shaped and I want things to hang comfortably over my hips and bum.
Make the instructions bed time reading. I read, with the ipad on my lap and look up tutorials and you tube guides to help me understand. If you've never worked with interfacing, or anything fusible then look at a video of someone doing it. I always read through the instructions twice before I start and keep referring to them whilst I'm working.
Always go by the pattern sizing and not the clothe sizing that you buy. Once you've made it, it won't have a label reminding me of my 44" hips! So what the heck it's only a number!
Currently, it takes me half a day to make a garment. Make it in three hours is for the Great British Sewing Bee and they have been sewing for years.
I'm busy working on freelance writing at the moment (hence I can afford to make some new clothes) and have a big piece to do tomorrow but I will try to get the fabric cut out and make a start tomorrow on an oatmeal coloured linen tunic top that I'm sure will get lots of wear this spring and summer.
Over to you Dear Reader, is there anything I've missed? What extra advice can you give to me to help me with my fledgling sewing of my summer wardrobe?
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
