Does anyone here sew?

[Flaxbee]

I have no clue how to do much more than a very simple hem, but I was wondering about finding someone to work from a pattern and sew a few items for me.

How much would it cost - ballpark - to have a dress made, or a blouse, or a skirt?

How would I even go about finding someone to do this and assessing skill?

I ask because I hope I could have a better quality item made (better quality in terms of material, craftsmanship, etc.) for less than what Banana Republic, or J.Crew or other similar store would charge me.

Is that a false assumption? :shrug: I really have no idea, and am trying to do some research.... any input would be great. :hi:

[Orrex]

1. Sew what?

[Flaxbee]

8. knock knock

Who's there?

Sew.

Sew who?

No, Sew What!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Flaxbee...

I used to. Haven't done any real sewing in some years...

Having someone make you clothes ...Hmm...

Word of mouth is good. Do you know anyone who uses a seamstress? Are there any in your town or neighborhood? That makes it easier, if there are.

And of course, you can always learn how to do it yourself...I did. Maybe your high school or community college has a class you could take. Or the YMCA.

I used to find simple patterns and sew from them. My favorite was Simplicity for a pullover shirt. No darts, no buttons, no zippers. Just pullover and go. I made so many that I could sew one in about 2 hours...

I still have all those shirts!

Good luck!


:hi:

[Flaxbee]

5. I did NOT do well in "home ec"

and ended up making a hideous skirt, that, when I had to hem it, I stitched to the skirt I was already wearing. :eyes:

I want a few dresses that are NOT polyester; it seems that so many dresses at many price ranges are almost 100% polyester.

I think it may take longer than my patience would hold out to learn to make a few dresses.

Sigh.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Believe me, I was dreadful in home ec!

It took becoming an adult to get a lot better at it!

Simple is key!

I'll post my shirt that I made, and you can see for yourself!

:hi:

Here's my shirt, with me in it:

[Flaxbee]

12. that looks cool and comfy!

If I could extend that into a dress with a little tucking in at the waist.... hmmm. Ideas, ideas!

Simple is often most flattering, too, as your lovely shirt shows!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. Thanks!

And if you look closely, you'll see no darts or buttons or zippers...

I think you could lengthen it into a dress...it might need to flare at the waist.

I saw a woman a the supermarket one day, with the same shirt on. But hers was boring. The fabric is what makes this shirt. Or doesn't make it...

Glad I could help inspire you!

[handmade34]

26. CaliforniaPeggy

Very nice work and the finish looks excellent from the picture :thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. Thanks!

[carlyhippy]

3. cost depends on the seamstress I can't even ballpark, every seamstress charges differently

when you find someone that will sew for you, ask to see some of their work. As for quality, again, it depends on the seamstress. It's gonna cost more than buying it off the rack, I am thinking. Probably will have a better quality fit, because they will sew it to fit on your body. Sorry that I cant be of any more help.

I had a skating dress custom made for my kid several years ago. Normally the dress would cost around 100.00 from retail. The seamstress was my friend, so I got a discount, with stretch lycra (it's around 15.00-20.00 a yard), it ended up costing me around 50.00. I added the sequins and crystals to the dress myself, so it ended up costing around 75.00 to make beginning to end.

[Flaxbee]

6. Yes, re buying off the rack.

It did occur to me that that may be an issue.

But - I don't mind paying $200 and up for a dress that is great quality material and will last me for years and years if I take proper care of it. I don't know if that's even fair, though. What I resent is big stores telling me $200 for a 95% polyester dress is fair. If I could find someone skilled, I'd much rather pay him or her than a major retailer who is ripping off workers in Bangladesh or China or _____________

And I know no one here to even start asking around.

Thanks for your input, though, carlyhippy. I appreciate it.

[Kali]

4. depends on patterns and fabrics

I used to sew a lot, though not for money but clothes are so cheap due to virtual slave labor, I suspect you are going to be paying quite a lot. Once you have a few patterns fitted the job should go faster but I would say at least 3 or 4 hours per and a fair wage just for the labor. At first you will probably have to be fitted at least once during the project.

[Flaxbee]

7. If I could find someone with skill, and could get a few

patterns that I like / were flattering, I wouldn't mind paying a good wage at all.

I just don't really know where to start. There's a good fabric store in town; perhaps I'll start nosing around there and see if I can get some solid figures to work from.

Thanks, Kali. :hi:

[csziggy]

9. Check at a locl fabric shop - usually they have cards of people who sew for others

As said, costs will vary a lot. There is no set cost for custom sewing and it will depend on the individual you find.

Another route would be to look on Etsy.com for someone local making clothes similar to what you want and see if they would make custom items. That would also give you an idea of how much hand sewn clothes would cost.

[Flaxbee]

13. That was my next step -- the local fabric store.

I thought I'd found a cool indie store, but turns out it's upholstery. So I guess my only choice is JoAnn Fabrics - I know nothing about the store but if I decide to go ahead with this idea, I'll stop in.

[csziggy]

28. The JoAnns here keeps a stack of business cards from seamstresses

Upholsters, scissor sharpeners and others at the front. Sometimes I've asked when I didn't see them - our small local store gets rearranged often. But they do have them.

If your JoAnn's has a regular person that handles the cutting table, they may have more personal knowledge of locals that do custom sewing, so try to ask for that person.

[haele]

11. Find a fabric store that also teaches sewing - some larger fashion fabric type stores in areas

where Wart-Mart hasn't killed the local area will often have simple sewing classes/demo classes in the evenings or over the weekend that will do the "shell and skirt" type class. (Usually, these stores will also sell sewing machines and mannequins.)
Also, check the local community colleges, many have a basic class that can help you learn easy pattern usage and basic tailoring in one or two semesters. Or,you can find a halfway-decent student at either location who would be willing to use you for practice and a small fee.

Honestly, all you need to do is know when to use a straight stitch, when to use zig-zag (or serger), how to pin accurately your pieces in the right place so you don't end up askew, and how to engineer your curves properly.
Setting in pieces like zippers, lining and pockets takes practice, and ultimately, practice is probably the best help you can get if you want to do this on a regular basis.

Haele

[Flaxbee]

15. I really wouldn't mind knowing how do sew well ...

I'm of a rather perfectionist, exacting personality when it comes to my work, so I wouldn't be averse to following a pattern if I ever made up my mind to do it.

But neither my mother nor my sisters sewed ANYTHING so the whole concept is rather foreign to me.

The local college is a performing arts college, though, so perhaps I'll find an extension course or something.

[haele]

16. The trick is knowing what silhouettes work best with your shape -

And since your local college is a performing arts school, the costuming department is a perfect place to start because they usually have to learn how to create patterns and re-tailor existing patterns. The first thing a costuming student usually learns is basic sizing, tailoring,draping and shell construction, which teaches one how to deal with the curves of the body in fabric.
Theatre clothes also need to be quick and easy to sew, sturdy, cover a wide range of styles and easily adjust or be modified for different body shapes on a regular basis. And fun, especially because many "costumes" need to include lingerie.

I used to do medieval re-creation and one of my primary sources for authentic garb was a classical theatre costuming guide. It showed me how to sew everything from "nether-garments" (corsets, "dance belt" cod-pieces) to hats and mock-boots with a standard Singer sewing machine.

Haele

[vanlassie]

27. First rule of sewing (and I have taught sewing)

Accept that you will have to rip apart things and re-do them from time to time. It goes with the territory. A good friend of mine who had 5 daughters taught them all to sew, and she always did their ripping for them at first so they would not become too discouraged right off the bat. But once you accept this fact of sewing, all will be well. Sewing is fun.

And yes, go to fabric stores to find seamstresses. Joanne Sucks, but....such is the state of sewing these days. I think awesome sewing stores used to be the equivalent of "the well" for women- I am grateful I was able to spend time in my youth in fabric stores, listening to women chat.

[Heidi]

17. I don't. My mom started teaching me when I was about 10,

but she threw up her hands and gave up during the zipper installation segment of my sewing education. Her words to me were along the lines of, "You better get a good education and a great job, because you're gonna be buying all of your clothes." :rofl:

[Gormy Cuss]

30. Sage advice.

:rofl:

I made the mistake of sewing something for my mother a few years back and after she had thanked me profusely she started critiquing it....let's just say her assessment of my sewing skills was FAIL.

[suninvited]

18. if you live in a city, you can probably find a local seamstress

that has great rates. And they will be able to fit you as well, which is good because you almost have to fit someone when you use a pattern. Most of them can make a perfect pattern for you, too!

[rivercat]

19. etsy.com

there's a section on etsy where you can request custom items and people bid to do the work-

http://www.etsy.com/alchemy/?ref=fp_nav_alchemy

[Crystal Clarity]

20. I don't know how to make something from a pattern...

(I could probably figure it out but have never tried) Or even finding and paying someone else to do it; I too wouldn't know where to start... But have you thought about buying secondhand but otherwise good quality clothes and then altering them yourself?

I have a sewing machine (just a basic Kenmore which cost me about $150 or less) and have used it for years for mending, hemming and making alterations on things. Especially alterations. I go to my local Goodwill store and find quality clothes that I like, pay next to nothing for them, then alter them to fit. Believe me, there are some really nice things there if you look hard enough.

Several years ago, my clothes alteration abilities were really put to the test... I had gotten a job that required formal business-wear which I could ill afford at the time. So off I went to Goodwill buying about $100 worth of stuff. $100 bucks at Goodwill will get you alot of things. They were all good quality, barely worn suits, skirts, blouses, blazers ect. within my size range. Some were just a touch too big, others a little too small, while others, though they fit, just didn't look right.

The point is that a few alterations here and there did wonders. I used to get compliments all the time. My favorite one was (and I kid you not) "Your clothes always look so well tailored. Who is your seamstress"? Ha!

For me alterations are just about trial and error... if you make a mistake, just rip out the stitches and try again. Plus, all the hard part about sewing has pretty much already been done for you. Somebody else has already spent the $ on some quality suit, dress, whatever, and all you need to do is make it look as if it was made for you. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can! I've never considered myself 'handy' at any type of home craft.

Though people who make clothes from a pattern have told me that it's easy, the idea of picking and buying a pattern, the necessary amount of materials, then pinning, cutting, hemming, adding zippers ect. seems to me like way too much work. And after all that, what if you cut something out wrong or make some other crucial error? Way too intimidating for me... :scared:

Seriously, you might want to try this alteration route. It'd certainly be much less expensive (and less hastle) then dealing with an actual seamstress or tailor in the long run. Buy a no frills sewing machine (or a used one from e-bay, craigslist ect) and begin with clothes you may have in your closet that you like but never seemed to look right on you. Try it on, and then think seriously about what can be done to improve it so that it highlights the best part of your figure and minimizes areas you wish to hide. You'd be amazed at what you can do fairly easily... just trial and error.

Though this suggestion clearly is not the route you were going with your question, I hope you take it into consideration. It's so much easier then it sounds, and it's actually kind of fun too! Good luck! :hi:

[bikebloke]

21. Just repairs.

Plus raising the hems on shorts so they're more comfortable for riding in the heat. Though I keep procrastinating and patch up the older ones.

[sammytko]

22. I used to sew all my clothes, but wouldn't do it now

It really is a pain to stand over a table and cut out a pattern. That is the part I hate. Best bet is to ask at the fabric store. It will cost you a pretty penny.

I don't know what you mean by polyester. I havent seen that stuff in years.

I used to have all my clothes made out of cotten, but I gave up ironing and found that knits are the way to go. And by knits I mean very lightweight breathable stuff. I love it. So easy to care for and I always look great!

[femmocrat]

23. Same here. I don't sew anymore.

I used to make my own suits! Patterns and material cost more than good quality clothing on sale in the department stores. We only have one fabric store in the area now (not nearby). Do you remember when every department store and 5&10 sold patterns and bolts of fabric? I always loved looking through the pattern books!

Plus I don't have the time or energy anymore. I used to lay my fabric and patterns out on the floor! Can't do that anymore. LOL

[sammytko]

29. I'll go to a fabric store every now and then to look around

I still have a machine just in case. But I'll sew big things like curtains, not shirts or pants. Pants were so easy to make. I remember the real polyester from the old days!

[lunatica]

24. Some drycleaners have seamstresses. They're usually for repairs, but

I'm sure they'll be glad to make more money.

[handmade34]

25. I'll do it, I'll do it, I'll do it...

:bounce:

Oh, I'm in Texas right now and you probably aren't. I used to have a business/storefront (The Stitch Shop) and now still carry my sewing machine with me on the road. Wish I was in your area. Good Luck.

[mnhtnbb]

31. At one time, I used to make most of my own clothes.

If you're going to try to get things made for less than you can buy them at discount stores (TJ Maxx,
Stein Mart, Marshall's, etc.) you're going to need to choose very simple patterns that require
little time for the seamstress. Sewing is labor intensive.

On the other hand, if you want to have some quality pieces made, then still choose simple patterns that
won't go out of style and put your money into good fabrics that will wear for several years.

Good luck!

[Flaxbee]

32. I know - I've looked around for a lot of dresses (mostly what I"m after)

and I either don't like the pattern, the cut, or the fabric.

Was thinking if I could find some lovely fabric, I"d have some classic pieces made that would be 'investment' pieces. I'm not looking for trendy, I'm looking for long-term quality without seasonal gimmicks.

Either that, or a windfall so I can go shopping where I *really* want to shop :D

[sammytko]

35. where do you really want to shop,maybe

someone knows of an alternative

[joneschick]

34. degree in design, used to make all my clothes & my kids

now I have a room full of fabric that I barely visit. try http://www.paccprofessionals.org/site/ :hi:

[madinmaryland]

36. My wife does. She has made herself clothing and coverings for furniture.

[applegrove]

37. I sewed bathing suits for a while. I still have a few of them. They were really easy to do

for me since I am not an exacting sewer and the stretch stitch I used was forgiving. I was thinking of selling them for a while but the stitch and machine I used ended up being crap so I gave up.