Learning to make clothes

[rantinraven]

Hey all I was just wondering if anyone out there makes clothes for kids or grand kids. I am learning to make clothes for my kids and have been wrestling with the sewing machine all week. This is what I have so far :

[NCLee]

Hey, those clothes and kids look great. Sure doesn't appear that you had any struggles.

Since we don't have any grandkids (sigh), I don't sew as much now as I used to. Growing up, Mom made many of our clothes. Between her teaching and high school home ec class, I made a lot of my clothes and for my 2 sisters.

BTW, save your scraps. One day you might want to make quilt tops for their hope chests. (Keep a pix of the outfits with the material to help tell the "story" of the quilt top.)

Love to see that you are sewing. I'm afraid it's becoming a lost art, as many today don't know how to thread a needle to sew on a button. Hope you'll teach your kids. Doll clothes are a perfect way to get started.

Lee

[Jamie]

I have made pj's for some of my older kids, aprons for the little girls.I even sewed some baby slings last year for our newest baby. We are planning on sewing alot this fall and winter!

[rantinraven]

Lee thank you for your kind remarks! Those 2 outfits were the ones that I got done AFTER, I figured out I was sewing the crotch to the legs, and making pants that looked like the kids were all wearing diapers or something in the clothes. I failed the sewing part of Home Economics, and after that I just never picked it back up. I did know how to thread the machine but I didn't know it could have so many various problems. Over the week I have encountered broken needles, bobbin spitting out like there's no tomorrow while the top thread breaks every two inches, and last night we had to take the machine apart to get a huge ball of thread out of there. LOL I admit its user error, as I had no idea you needed to change the dials for different things. I think this is the best way to learn though, cause I'm getting a crash course but I really am enjoying it. My next step is learning to read a pattern because I have no clue. So far I have just been looking at videos online, and then trying to mimic closely what I see. Then I'll add a ruffle here or there but if I knew the correct order of those things I think it would go alot smoother. All in all I have sewed from sun up to sun down (or more) for 5 days and those are the only 2 products I feel comfortable with people really seeing lol.

Jamie I would love to know more about the baby sling making. I have 1 that I got from a second hand store and that thing was a savior. I never thought about making them myself.

I don't know if anyone knows or not but there is a site called etsy.com where you can sell all your homemade crafts. You could put a few things up and see if they would sell if you just like to sew but don't have anyone to really do it for.

Thanks for all the encouragement and I will post more pictures as I get the outfits done.

[NCLee]

Raven, you sure could have fooled me that you're so new to this. If you don't mind getting some advice from an old timer, some of the following may help you get up to speed sooner.

(1) If you don't have the manual for your machine, try to locate one. Do a google search using the manufactuer's name. Once you're on the site, check to see if they have the manual for your model number available. Sometimes these are a free download.

If it's an old machine, sometimes the manual is available from third parties that specalize (sp) in offering such products.

After searching and you still can't locate one, let us know the manufacturer and the model number. Maybe someone knows a source. Or can offer advice on it.

(2) Get yourself a good sewing book. Even though I've been sewing a long time, there are a lot of things I didn't learn from my Mom and home ec classes. Learned those from books. If your nearest Wal-Mart still has a fabric section, they usually have the books, too. Barnes and Noble or similar book stores will have them in the crafts and hobbies section. Or, if you prefer check out Amazon. Here's one that I found with a quick search there. (I have an older one from Simplicity, BTW.) http://www.amazon.com/Simplicity-Simply-Best-Sewing-Book/dp/073942100X

(3) When using patterns, start out with simple designs until you get the hang of it. Simple skirts and sleeveless tops are good choices. You don't want to start out with set-in sleeves and complex necklines, for example.

Jamie had a good point about making aprons. And, if you don't have a little one, doll clothes for larger dolls for your kids are a good way to learn without spending a lot on fabrics. Last time I checked Simplicity has some patterns for these. I used to enjoy making Barbie clothes as a part of Christmas gifts for the young ladies in our family. (Guess I never really grew up. :) )

(4) If you have an older machine, (and especially if you don't have the manual) it may need serving and a "tune-up" if some things are out of adjustment. (Your bobbin problems, for example.) Usually the manual will address the adjustments and maintenance for that model.)

(5) See if sewing classes are available in your area. Sometimes community colleges offer these. Another possible resource are craft stores with emphasis on fabrics, such as JoAnn's Crafts. While they may not offer classes themselves, someone there ususally knows what's available in your area. And, there's the possiblity that someone there could tutor for a couple of hours. At least enough to get you more up to speed with your machine.

In closing, after seeing what you've already done, it won't be long before you'll be sewing just about anything that strikes your fancy.

Hope some of this helps.
Lee

[bookwormom]

the library will have books that teach you every little detail if you want to get fancy. I had an aunt who was a trained seamstress and learned a lot from her. I quit sewing when the kids did not want to wear what I was making anymore. The last thing I made were duffle coats for the family, (got a rare deal on a few pounds of real good wool cloth). Now I shop Good will. I know if I had granddaughters I would be mighty tempted. Pretty little girls you have.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I use to make a lot of clothes, but I was never really great at it. One easy thing to do for little girls is to take T-shirts and sew on a strip of gathered material at the bottom for an instant dress.
You can use T-shirt to make baby outfits too. Snip them up the middle a ways then sew it up into legs. The shirt fits on from the neck. You just have to add a snap at the neck to make it small enough to fit a newborn. For young babies a size 5 toddler shirt is about the right size.
I loved to make jumpers. A simple skirt with a bib added then straps. I wasn't a great sewer but jumpers were so simple, and I could use them over a T-shirt for my daughter. Little boy jumpers are easy too, you just make slacks rather than a skirt and add a bib with straps.

Your granddaughter's dress pictures are great. You did a wonderful sewing job.

[PaulNKS]

Raven,
Believe it or not, I can sew! :dance3: I was 6 out of 7 boys and my mother taught us all how to sew buttons, hems, and patches. However, I was often home from school. There was a period of a month or so that I was confined to a bed. My mother got my interest by taking my GI Joe and using his current clothes to trace on brown paper to teach me how to make a pattern. Then she placed material on, pinned it, cut it, and showed me how to piece it together. Needless to say, my G I Joe became the best dressed of all my friends! LOL...

I also know how to quilt, and I have made mens shirts.

Reading a pattern isn't all that hard. The hardest part is understanding the terminology. If I remember correctly, you have a lot of "seniors" nearby. I would buy a simple pattern and do as much as possible. If you get stumped, I would take it to an older woman nearby and I bet she would be happy to help you. Once shown, it is really easy to master it. the way I learned womens???? I had a ball gown to sew for a woman that was attending the coronation of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Queen years ago. I was worried. But knowing how to read a pattern and sew, showed me that I could then sew anything.

So, if you learn the basics of sewing, and the terminology, you can sew any pattern you want. Also, I have used my mother's high tech machine but I still prefer my old treddle.. It is sturdy, has a gazillion attachments and will easily sew through a quilt edge or through a couple layers of jeans.

I look forward to seeing more of your projects.

**PSST** by the way, Raven, don't tell anyone. Let my sewing be our secret**

[rantinraven]

Ok, here are a few more of the things I have completed in the last few days. Most are for the upcoming baby. Oh I had to edit this to say that I am not sure what kind of sleeves I want for the yellow dress so it isn't finished yet but that is what I have so far. I learned shirring over the last few days and LOVE IT!!!! I saw some material at walmart that was shirred and I wanted to make the girls some dresses but the material was too expensive. i came home and found a video about it and was able to get 120 yards of elastic thread for under 5.00 so I was in my glory. The technique was so much easier than I thought it would be and I am really having a good time using it.

[NCLee]

Way to go!!! From what I see here, you'll be able to do anything you want with with fabric and thread.

Lee

[rantinraven]

Thank you Lee for the compliments. I really wish someone would have sat me down long ago and tried to get me to do this. I feel like I will be playing catch up from here on out but I am having a really good time at it. I have the older girls (6-9 ) sewing clothes for their dolls and such right now. When I sit down to sew they sit down and sew right along with me. Today I have to teach them to thread their own needles lol . with 3 of them getting finished all at different times it seems like I am doing more on their projects than my own. I have a friend that is due to have her baby a little before me and I am trying to work on boy clothes for him. Its much harder for me with the boy clothes! I know how I want the girl clothes to look so I can add a tuck here or a ruffle there. Shorts and pants I have down pretty well but shirts for little boys has been a huge challenge. So until I get something workable that I can repeat boy clothes will be all I work on for the next couple of days. It's good that Patrick doesn't mind sitting in as a model.

[CarolAnn]

First of all, I've GOT to say - GOOD on you, Paul! A real man is one who can do anything - and you obviously can! No shame in sewing at all for a guy. My grandpa not only gave me the basics of sewing, but taught me how to embrioder and how to braid. (I think these quiet activities kept me out of his hair while he was kid-sitting me, though!) But sure enough, he knew a lot about sewing, cooking, canning, as well as the manly arts of fixing machines, building with wood and brick and so on. Thats cool!

Raven,
You might like to try this, now that you've got elastic shirring down: take a long Tee shirt for one of your girls and sew a skirt on the bottom! They're really cute and fast to do - and you end up with a fast little drop-waist dress. Your girls are adorable and it's easy to see they enjoy their new stuff that you made for them!

[mimipaula1]

Raven, these clothes look great! Bright colors are always good choices for kids' clothing! I'm encouraged to see that you're teaching your kids to sew, also. How important it is for us to share our talents/interests with the next generation.

When I was a young mother with a houseful of kids, I received a lot of instruction and encouragement from the older women in our church. They had "been there, done that" on so many of the projects I was attempting; they praised my successes, helped me to repair my mistakes, and taught me to laugh at my failures! I hope you will have opportunity to avail yourself of the wisdom that the older generation has to offer!

My eight-year-old granddaughter started during the spring asking me to teach her to sew. Well, I managed to put sewing instructions on hold until school let out for the summer. I showed her how to lay the pattern on the straight grain, pinning it, and cutting it out---oh, what patience it took (for me!) as she CAREFULLY and SLOWLY cut out each pattern piece! She managed to sit in my lap while I pressed the foot feed and she guided fabric while stitching. The pattern we chose was a little simple top and elastic-waist capri pants. After we finished it, she tried on the outfit! Y'all, those models on the runway in Paris, France don't have a THING on my beautiful granddaughter, who thought her handmade/homemade outfit was the cutest thing ever! The project--fabric, pattern, thread, elastic--cost less than $5, but the look on that baby's face was PRICELESS!

[rantinraven]

Ok here's the latest outfits I have finished. I got plenty in the works but had to stop them because I didn't know how to finish this part or that part. I am half tempted to see if they will let me sit through the sewing part of Home Ec at the school. I completely ruined one dress from not being able to figure out how to do the zipper right :( and had a problem with another and biased tape. But slowly and surely I am getting it. I have the most fun with scraps, and after I finish the ones I am working on lately you'll see why. I love being able to put the different fabrics together to make something the girls love. I went to a garage sale a few weeks back and got a bunch of quilting scraps, and just started piecing things together. Anyways here's the latest pictures:

[PaulNKS]

Rantinraven,

Check with a local arts and crafts guild or fiber arts guild. They can point you in a direction of a sewing club or group of "people" that get together with their sewing projects sorta like the old quilting bees. The arts and crafts guild and fiber arts guilds usually have a lot of members that are also great seamstresses and tailors.

At my age, I would feel foolish sitting in on a high school class with a bunch of 14 to 18 year old kids! LOL... but, I forget that you are half my age and I'm a guy, so that would really be awkward!

Another suggestion is to take your zipper and material to a sewing, knitting notions store and have one of the employees show you how to piece it together. They are usually very helpful, too. OR.. doggoneit... ask one of your older neighbor ladies for help. LOL

For me, the zipper was one of the easiest things once I was shown how. Otherwise, the hardest part is on a guys shirt,... getting the yoke correct without any puckers. But I finally got that one whipped after having to rip and restitch a few times. lol