I make a lot of my own clothes...but I'm finding it really gard to find patterns I like...i was just wondering, do you guys use patterns, or just sew stuff? Becuase I know some people that just "free-style" it? Or do you know of a good pattern for skirts and whatnot?
try scouring charity shops for second hand paterns... I have found hundreds of vintage paterns going for about 20 to 50 cents ... if that
Whenever I use a pattern, my stuff ends up messed up somehow. So, I kind of make up my own--especially with skirts and stuff, because they're so easy.
i use patterns as a guide for pants and shirts until i've got it on my own. skirts i just put together as they form; makes more sense to me that way. i buy mccalls simplicity patterns to introduce me to something new. they're really simple and direct, but not too stylish. however, a 1 hour pajama pants pattern taught me all about the logistics of pants making, which isn't as simple as you might think...from there i can make drawstring, zipper, or elastic patchy pants.
some patterns can really help!!! i find having a sewing book can help me out when i wanna get technical with some sewing. i find that pretty hard so i keep with the simple apron tops, skirts, pants and shorts, bag, etc. im not really into learning collared shirts just yet. tho think about it now, it could be cool. good luck on your sewing adventures~
I need a pattern for pants...so far,those are the hardest thing for me. Everything else I either do free style or I just make myself a pattern. I have the book "Threads for Heads" and it taught me so much when I started making clothes....really good book.
That is an awesome book...I remember ages ago when Cre n I were teaching ourselves she bought it and i xerox'd most of it....esp the pants part... Super book! I have found patterns for bodice's make my apron tops a lot more body friendly...'boob room' is essential..
I think patterns are great, especially for learning how to do tricky things. I know I could never have figured out how attach a collar or make a fitted bodice without a pattern. I do prefer the older patterns. I have soooo many. :& Thrift stores and yard sales are good places to find old patterns. Joann's stores have pattern sales pretty frequently if you are looking for new patterns.
I have major problems following patterns.. So I find it easiest not to use one.. And just sew.. If it think about stuff long enough I can figure out how to do it.. Or I look it up in one of my sewing books.. They tell you how to make collars and fitted bodices ect...
haha..omg i forgot all about that book until i found it the other day..i think i'm gonna list it on ebay. i have a few patterns that i use (hoodies, jackets) and also some simple ones that i made myself, cut out of old sheets. As for most things (dresses, skirts, pants, bags) i just wing it.
I think patterns are a great place to start (for the sizing) on larger projects like skirts or dresses...and you can always modify them any way you want...but on smaller things like bags, I 'imagineer' (I love that word!) the finished thing and then break it down into smaller pieces...trace the pieces onto cereal boxes and cut them out. I then have a fairly durable pattern that can be traced around for years...much easier to use than paper patterns ..and I'm recycling again!
i never use a pattern, mostly i just draw what i want onto the fabric and cut it out if i use a pattern at all. i screw up majorly when using a pattern................
I use patterns for some clothes and not for others. Just depends. Skirts can be pretty simple so sometimes I skip the pattern, but button up shirts can be a drag so I just buy a pattern(s). If there isn't a pattern I exactly love then I usually buy butterick/vogue/mccalls they're all owned by the same company and the butterick and mccalls use the same fashion plates so you can interchange the pieces so if I like the collar and cuffs of one mccalls pattern and the body of a butterick then I buy both and piece them together. If you're just starting out though simplicity patterns are probably the best. There are some decent free patterns on the internet for skirts too. If you search on my blog for free patterns... you'll get a couple entries the oldest one has a list of free patterns and I'm pretty sure there are a couple of skirts. There are also a couple of free drafting books on the internet if you want to draft your own patterns... like: http://vintagesewing.info/1940s/42-mpd/mpd-toc-long.html (this site has other books) You can also make your own patterns from clothes: http://www.sewing.com/projects/blousepatternproject/index.shtml (you get the idea)
