It's funny that you should ask about making clothes. Last year I took a Craftsy class about shirtmaking from Pam Howard (great class- she's a wonderful teacher, very patient!). That shirt turned out well so I decided to make a blouse. The fabric I got is a little stiff and I made 3 muslins to try to fit it properly. Just finished the blouse yesterday, it's ok for a summer blouse. You are right, fitting is the big issue. I found that since I've been quilting, I've become a much better sewer! There are a lot of garment sewing blogs that I read- lots of inspiration out there.

Kathy

PosyP wrote:
Great that your skirts are too big. I know that makes you happy. It was actually necessity that got me into sewing. Even as a youth I had long arms, a long torso, short legs, and big hips (like a gorilla ) and a mom who loved to sew. So that's how it all started. I do buy my slacks and almost don't wear skirts anymore. :shock: Good luck with your CRH.

PosyP wrote:
I know I am very lucky to have 2 daughters who both like to sew when they have time. Now we are back in the UK it is much easier to get together so we are making the most of it. My DH is also very good at helping me with fitting so I am truly blessed when it comes to sewing.
I am sure you will get your daughter trained up as soon as you think she is ready - bags are a great way of getting them started on the fitting trail.

Marianne

Marianne-is-sewing wrote: Marianne, what a great thing to be able to do. I don't have a daughter...just two wonderful grown sons. I do have a daughter-in-law but she's a committed quilter (isn't that great?!) and not interested in fitting patterns. I agree that it takes me almost as long to go shopping and buy something that doesn't fit and is only something I settled for as it does to cut out and make something I love.

I really need to be making some more clothes this summer. I tried on a load of skirts yesterday and all but one is far too big, two of them can be reduced, whilst a third I have hardly worn but like the fabric, I reckon I could probably convert to a blouse after stripping it all down though. First things first - I need to get CRH finished for the show.

Marianne, I envy you your fitting weekends with your daughter - just what is needed to make things easier. (mine is still too young to be much help for fitting)

Next week-end my oldest daughter is coming and we will be fitting several patterns for summer tops and hopefully make toiles so at the end of the week-end we are both ready for some serious sewing. After spending 2 years preparing for a big move (me) we have revived our twice a year "fitting patterns" week-end with 4 times a year. I made 4 new skirts in spring after our last session.
Because I have stopped trying to quilt anything bigger than a block I have no use for my tack gun any more so I have taken to use it as a pinning tool. Great for fitting - avoiding having acupuncture in wrong places after a fitting session. I also use it instead of pins when I try to precision piece quilt blocks - works a treat for me.
I have received lots of ideas for tracing a near-impossible to trace Sewaholic pattern I bought during a recent trip to London to see a Kaffe Fasset's exhibition from the ladies on the Yahoo group I belong to so should be able to get that one traced too before the week-end.
You are right that making clothes does take time but so does going to the shops to try on RTW that in my case never fit me as well as the clothes I make myself.
Have fun making up your tops and the bag.
Marianne

Reetzbobeetz wrote: You know, I am sure you could be good at it, but it does take some time. I get the impression you don't have much of that though. Makeovers are a good work around sometimes.

ritzy wrote: Thanks Ritzy. I always have more I want to get done than I can really do. Much better than being bored though. But in this case I need some new clothes and my new air conditioner requires me to be frugal the rest of the year. I'm grateful for it though. The weather here in the summer is miserable without a/c.

Lorchen wrote: Sounds wonderful, really. I always wanted a granddaughter. I do have a wonderful grandson though. He's 10 and lives just a couple of miles away.

crocus999 wrote: heh heh heh...

Well BJ I was never much good a making clothes... but I did convert a maxi dress into a maxi skirt a few weeks ago. And it is so comfortable. I am going over to have a look at your blog about it now thanks.

Wish you good sewing--sounds like you have a lot you want to get done.

I wish I had the time for making clothes. Between work, granddaughter, and a couple of quilt projects with deadlines, I hardly find time to breathe.

NO. Too busy making mug rugs