{"id":1820,"date":"2021-04-14T13:29:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T13:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.contrado.com\/blog\/?p=1820"},"modified":"2021-02-12T11:52:02","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T11:52:02","slug":"beginners-guide-to-making-clothes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.contrado.com\/blog\/beginners-guide-to-making-clothes\/","title":{"rendered":"Beginner\u2019s Guide to Making Clothes: 21 Tips from Real Dressmakers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Want to make your own clothes but aren\u2019t sure where to begin? We get it, sewing can be confusing. But we have scoured the internet for you and contacted some real-life dressmakers to ask them what the one thing that they wish they had known when they were starting out was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s right, we\u2019ve searched high and low to bring you some of the greatest beginner hints and tips and we\u2019ve compiled them all into one handy guide for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Tips from Dressmakers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. For the cause<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Laura from The Quiet Needle<\/a> told us: Have a dedicated pair of scissors for sewing and cutting fabric. Remember to keep them sharp and never use them to cut paper. Cutting paper will dull the scissors. The heavier the scissor the better too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"dedicated<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Prep, prep and more prep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Suzy from Sewing in Spain<\/a> said: Always take time over the preparation before you start sewing. It\u2019s hard because you are keen to get to the construction phase, but it makes all the difference to a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sewing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Press as you go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stacie from\u00a0Notions of a Dressmaker<\/a>\u00a0says: If I could only give one piece of advice for a new sewist it would be this\u2026 Do not underestimate the importance of your iron! Failing to press your seams may seem like an easy way to save time, but I absolutely believe it\u2019s the difference between your projects looking \u2018home-made\u2019 and expertly hand-made. I keep my iron set up right alongside my sewing machine so it is on hand between every seam I sew. Pressing will not only set your stitches to make them more secure and long-lasting but will also ensure a lovely crisp and clean finish to your creations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iron<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Build Your Confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nicki at Away With The Faeries <\/a>says: Start with a cotton print, as it\u2019s not prone to slip or stretch when sewing. And by using a print, minor mistakes such as a wobbly seam are unlikely to show. This will save your frustration and build confidence in your sewing abilities. Remember that sewing is a creative process unique to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"print<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Know your fabrics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sally, a.k.a Secret Life of a Seamstress<\/a>, says: Getting to know which fabric types work best for different garments was a massive game-changer for me.  I used to always go for cotton because they are easy to work with but they just don\u2019t work when a pattern needs drape, likewise, a drapey fabric wouldn\u2019t work where you need more structure.  As soon as I got my head around what worked best with what it began to make sense why my stiff cotton blouse just didn\u2019t feel right.  Your pattern envelope will usually give you suggestions of what fabrics work well for the type of garment you are making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"know<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. One way system<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Quiet Needle<\/a> let us know that: When you\u2019re changing your thread on a sewing machine NEVER pull the last thread back through the machine. Cut it at the spool and pull the tail through the needle and toss it. Machines are made for the thread to go in one direction and have \u201d lint catcher\u201d. If you pull the thread in the opposite direction eventually the lint will be pulled back into things like the tension control. I learned the hard way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sewing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. Don\u2019t let zips be your nemesis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Di from Sew it With Di<\/a> said her top tip was: Are zips your nemesis? If your clip-on zipper foot is wider at the back then buy an adjustable one that\u2019s narrow all the way to the back. You\u2019ll be able to sew perfect zips without needing to open them to stitch past the zip pull. No teeth peeking out to spoil your clothes, no wobbly topstitching, stitch right next to the teeth for fly fronts and bags. It\u2019s perfect for all sizes of piping as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Di is fab with zippers and has a whole tutorial on them\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Make a mock-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sewing in Spain<\/a> Instagrammer Suzy Roberts advised: Make a toile or a muslin (I use old sheets), at least of the bodice part if it is a dress. This doesn\u2019t take long and it\u2019s better to adjust your fit before cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"make<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Start with the basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Karen from Sew Little Time<\/a> told us not to get sucked into buying all the expensive gadgets or machines, just start with the basics and get stuck in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"start<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10. Change that needle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beth from Beth Smith Textiles<\/a> says: Change your sewing machine needle regularly. I used to sew with the same needle for weeks and weeks. I would just use it until it broke but now I change my needle more frequently. Sometimes after 3 projects if I am just sewing cotton and sometimes after just one project if what I\u2019m sewing is more difficult like denim or sequins. It\u2019s amazing how much more smoothly things go after changing a needle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I take out a needle for lightweight fabrics to switch to a denim needle I don\u2019t save the finer needle either. When I switch back to the finer fabric I always get a new needle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"change<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11. Iron your interfacing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fee from\u00a0My Sewing Club<\/a>\u00a0says: Understanding your sewing machine makes sewing much easier and way more fun. Another of my favorite tips is to iron your interfacing on to a rectangle of fabric before you cut out your facings, once you have ironed the fabric and interfacing together, you can then easily cut them both out in one go, so much quicker and neater, no annoying bits of interfacing hanging over the edge, to gunk up your iron or ironing board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"iron<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

12. Be accurate with rulers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Karen from Quilter\u2019s Paradise<\/a> told us: Whenever possible, use your ruler to cut your pieces, not the measurements on the cutting mat.  Your ruler markings are more accurate.  This way, if using various mats when cutting a project, you will have consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ruler,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

13. Tidy as you go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nope, this isn\u2019t those echoes from your childhood (or was it just my mom that used to bark this at me?). Another top tip from\u00a0The Quiet Needle<\/a>: Keep a small Tupperware container near you for loose thread, thread clippings and fabric clippings instead of walking over to a garage can each time. Keep a lint roller handy for a quick thread-clippings pick-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"lint<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

14. Make space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nicki at Away With The Faeries<\/a> told us: Have fun, but watch out for the growing fabric stash, it\u2019s addictive and you may need a bigger room!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"craft<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

15. Diagnose upside down<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John, the Sewing Machine Man<\/a> gave us this handy piece of information: Did you know sewing is upside down? When your stitch is messy on top it means the problem is with the bobbin, and if it\u2019s messy underneath the problem is with the top thread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sewing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

16. Wash away<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Suzy at Sewing In Spain<\/a> said: Wash your fabric, many fabrics shrink, so better to find out before you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"wash<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

17. Test first to make sure the needle is right<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Karen from Sew Little Time<\/a> says: Make sure you\u2019re using the correct needle for the type of fabric you are using and always do a test run of stitches on a scrap piece of fabric before you start on your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"test<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

18. Round the twist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Quiet Needle<\/a> says: Need a sharp corner? Keep the needle down, lift the foot and rotate the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"simple<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

19. Cut, and take your time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Susan Young Sewing<\/a> told us: As a former sample cutter my number one top tip is to cut out your project carefully and accurately. Take your time, measure carefully using your tape measure, check the grainline is parallel to the selvedges. Pin sufficiently and cut smoothly. If you\u2019ve cut out neatly you\u2019re off to a good start with your project so you\u2019ll know any discrepancies as you make it up probably aren\u2019t down to your cutting and could be the pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"take<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

20. Allow for your seam allowances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Susan Young Sewing <\/a>also told us: My second tip is to make sure you sew your seam allowances accurately, check what it is for each pattern and stick to it! With this in mind, you should be guaranteed success!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pay<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

21. Trace and tear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another fab tip from Karen at Quilter\u2019s Paradise<\/a>: When hand stitching sayings on wool applique or other fabric projects, trace the saying from the pattern onto Glad Press \u2018N Seal.  Place this on top of the wool\/fabric you are stitching on and hand stitch over the saying.  Once finished, rip off the Press \u2018N Seal to reveal your perfect hand-stitched work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"applique\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Time to get started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There you have it \u2013 a collection of hints and tips from real-life dressmakers. Now all you need to get started is to pick a project and get to it! Create your own custom fabric to make your beginners clothing project truly unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"design<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want to make your own clothes but aren\u2019t sure where to begin? We get it, sewing can be confusing. But we have scoured the internet for you and contacted some real-life dressmakers to ask them what the one thing that they wish they had known when they were starting out was. That\u2019s right, we\u2019ve searched […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"%%title%% %%page%%","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Sewing can be confusing. To help you on your way, we've collected 21 great beginner tips from dressmakers. You'll be a pro in no time!"},"categories":[5,2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBeginner\u2019s Guide to Making Clothes: 21 Tips from Real Dressmakers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sewing can be confusing. To help you on your way, we've collected 21 great beginner tips from dressmakers. 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