ok guys so here it is. in town we have a shakedown store it is kind of like a head shop. and they have a really nice patchwork dress that they have just use like a quillting pattern for the patchies. i would have bough it but they wanted 350 for it. so i have some questions before i try making my own. 1) when you sew the pieces together how do you keep from having extra fabric on the bottom. thanks for all of the help you can give meand any hints would be greatly appreciated i will be starting it on monday. so hurry just kidding but seriously thanks
ive been wondering alot about patchwork too...so im just bumping this thread up 350 is alot...like unbeleaveable alot
It takes a bit of time to make these dresses. Especially when you are starting out. You just need to lay out the peices and sew them together. It's an artform.
I'd start with simple strip work if you've never done patchwork clothing before. It's tons easier. If you do decide to go ahead, the key is to measure, measure, measure and to match the insides of the squares (so the seams are straight where they cross. You can always trim the loose edges before adding the next square. A rotary cutter is super helpful-- but I'm assuming you probably don't have one or want to pick one up. If you're using a quilt block pattern, I'd make a couple of templates. 1 of each individual part of the block, and another of the finished size of the block to trim the block to after you've pieced it. Also make certain that you keep your seam allowances consistant. And measure a couple more times. Good luck -H
yeah i do have a rotary cutter that my mom has the quilting stuff but what do you mean by strips. what can i make out of them?
You can do a basic skirt or really anything you'd make with patchwork. If you cut straight strips of different fabrics and then just sew them together and gather and add elastic or a drawstring at the waist-- voila instant skirt. If you want it more fitted, or just a better twirl, you can cut tapered strips (8 or 9 inches at the bottom and 3 inches at the top are a nice size) alternate your top and bottom to get the most out of the fabric. Then sew them together to make your skirt-- make it to your measurements for something fitted or do the elastic/ drawstring thing. I don't have any pics of adult clothing done with strips right now or I'd post it. Sorry (I've been concentrating on kid's stuff and serious patchwork for awhile) -Hastings
ok guys so i have decided on making a skirt first thinking it might be a better thing to start with. and i have also changed to do just normail patchwork. so is there any ideas for a starter thanks for the help
First of all I would avoid buying a dress in the store... stores have to bump prices up so much just to cover all of their costs that they will add like 30% on top. If you buy online or at a festival directly from the makers you could get the same thing a lot cheaper. I would not try doing quilting patchwork either until you are pretty into the sewing. You have to line things up very precisely. Skirts are a good place to start too, as you are doing You can try making a one fabric skirt first & then try strips. I am not sure what you meant by "how do you keep from having extra fabric on the bottom" ~ but I am thinking you mean on the back, what do you do with the seams? Either sew back over them with a zig-zag stitch to keep it from fraying or else use a serger sewing machine. Best of luck!! ~Tiffany
