Make-Do and Mend
I've been toying with the idea of creating my own clothes for awhile now. I own numerous vintage sewing manuals and a fab little sewing machine. I've been a little scared to try but tonight I ordered two cute little 50s patterns from ebay. One is a skirt and the other is a robe. I think those should be easy enough to start with. I daydream of being able to create my own amazing wardrobe but I think I better take it one step at a time.One of my favorite little vintage sewing pieces is a lovely little pamphlet from the 40s, "Build your own wardrobe; Do it thus - and Sew!" It's got so many great tips on refashioning your current clothes and "making do." that I thought I would share it with you.
Damn Good Vintage has scans of the individual pages if you'd like to see those. But I made a really high-res printable pdf version for you and you can get it right here. WARNING: This is a pretty large file - 70MB - so grab a cup of tea or get started on your cleaning.
Do you sew your own clothes? I'd love to see some of your projects and hear your advice.
posted by Retro Audrey at
9:00 PM
7 Comments:
Sewing is one thing that I haven't gotten into yet. I went through a phase a few years ago...I started a quilt. It is actually almost finished--all that is left is the border--but it has been sitting in a trunk for three years now. And it is horrible and uneven.
My mother recently gave me her old sewing machine, but I have yet to use it. I suppose that I may get into sewing sometime, but probably not for a few years.
Sewing is a dying art, isn't it? May I suggest an easy pattern? The whirlaway dress: http://www.butterick.com/web/shop.cgi?s.item.B4790.x=1
It's very easy, albeit greedy on the fabric. Good luck to you!
@Opal oh that pattern looks lovely. I shall have to give it a try. Thank you!
I learned how to sew in Home Economics classes in the '60's. It's fun! Recently, I made my own kilt. I was given a length of plaid material to use for rag rugs, but thought it was to pretty to cut up. So, I took a kilt out of my closet that I had bought in Scotland years ago, and looked carefully at how it was made (I didn't take it apart). I figured out how to make that length of material into a kilt of my own, and it came out pretty good. Ironing the pleats across the back was kind of hard, but the plaid made it east to line everything up. I wear it all the time!
Tho my mother sewed her whole life, I never bothered, until I was at university and became so enamoured with the edwardian period, that I NEEDED to dress so. I began with some simple modern patterns for gored skirts and tops and then altered them with pleasts and vintage lace etc. Then I put away sewing or awhile, but in the past few years I have become enaomored of the 1950's and so have begun again. Just take it slowly and follow each step. U can cheat at first and not line a dress. It won't look as good on the hanger, but u won't tell on (unless the fabric is quite sheer) I really like the vintage macall butterick and vogue reissues. Even some of the reissues have been put out of print but u can still get them. Here is a good site http://www.lanetzliving.net/inc/searchresults?s=dessin&ss=dessin&n=424824
Step 1 (if you haven't already done so): Make sure your sewing machine is clean and works properly. Do this before you even cut out your fabric. Find some scraps to practice on. Soooo many beginning seamstresses (I hate the word sewer!) get frustrated and give up because they can't get the machine to work properly.
Visit www.patternreview.com for all kinds of help. I have taught sewing to eighth graders as well as make my own clothing, home decor, christmas gits, etc. There are very few things more rewarding than getting a compliment on a piece of clothing you made yourself. Good luck!
Yus! Sew your own! A lot of those patterns are not too hard and with practice, the more difficult patterns get easier. I definitely "refashion" my clothes as well... I have several pair of cropped pants (my favorites look like pedal pushers, now, with little flapper buttons on them!) that I've made out of too-long or outdated trousers. I've taken in a couple vintage skirts that were slightly too big as well (darts are your friend!). And I'm definitely into crocheting berets to cover my noggin when it's cold out. Yay sewing! *encourages*
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