The Sewing Place
The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Topic started by: countrygal on July 23, 2018, 20:05:22 PM
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Hi everyone,
So next month (come on sweet payday) :toast: I will be attempting to hand sew my first whole dress :thread: This is the pattern I have https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LOOK-SEWING-PATTERN-Misses-Dresses-EASY-SIZE-6-16-6567/361995270818 the poll is for which would be a good challenge but not leave me crying in a corner too often. Also if anyone has used this pattern before any honest reviews are welcome. Thank you all!
Abbie x
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Good luck! I made a skirt and top entirely by hand many years ago (about 30!) It was a simple gathered skirt and (I think) a cap-sleeved (dolman) top, but there was applique around the hem of the skirt and on one shoulder of the top. Your dress will have rather more in the way of long seams and fine detail, but it should be no problem if you enjoy hand sewing.
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I like them all but you may find the square neckline easier.
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Which neckline looks best on you? It would be a shame if you put so much effort into the dress with the easiest neckline and then find that it doesn't flatter you.
I am keen to follow your progress as I have been toying with the idea of hand making a garment.
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I was just wondering why you want to hand sew a dress?
Sorry if I am being nosey ;)
lizzy
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I have made version H by machine.
It was actually the first dress I made after coming back to sewing via the darkside and is just about ready for the bin now! I always wear clothes thin at the back at bra strap level and the fold of the fabric beside the zip has worn through, and also the zip is sticking.
I did it with conventional pressed open seams, but with hindsight the curved seams of any princess line dress are better with a narrower finish - overlocking usually, but by hand I'd do French seams. I also did a self fabric bias bound neckline rather than facings, but that would only work for view H.
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The notched neckline on F is unusual and pretty.
It shouldn't actually take much longer than machine sewing it- I've made things by hand [delicate fabrics etc] and just remember you do not need to backstitch all the way- too bulky, just small, even running stitch with the occasional back stitch to stabilise.
Ready, steady, GO!
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I've made things by hand [delicate fabrics etc]
Yes, I was thinking that maybe some hand stitching for smaller delicate items or some tailoring etc would be good. Or a special item of some kind. I just didn't understand the attraction of hand stitching a dress tbh?
Nothing wrong with doing it, am just curious as to why the dress if it isn't being too nosey lol :)
lizzy
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@ambro0 they all flatter my neckline the ones I've picked, can't go too high up on the neck or I give ET a run for his money :D and oh lord I'm sorry for all the mental breakdowns I'm going to have over this - hopefully won't put you off
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Hi @Lizzy777 two reasons really, 1 I don't have my sewing machine serviced yet and the timing and F/S is off so wouldn't want to ruin it and I'm itching to sew again. Cross-stitch isn't cutting it, other reason is to see if I can do it so a bit of a personal goal for me
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@DementedFairy thank you I'll bear your advice in mind! 0_0
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Good luck! I made a skirt and top entirely by hand many years ago (about 30!) It was a simple gathered skirt and (I think) a cap-sleeved (dolman) top, but there was applique around the hem of the skirt and on one shoulder of the top. Your dress will have rather more in the way of long seams and fine detail, but it should be no problem if you enjoy hand sewing.
Oh cool, did you use a dress form or risk sticking yourself with pins to adjust the paper pattern (if you used one that is) @Acorn
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I definitely didn't use a dress form - we'd only just got married and had very little stuff (hence no sewing machine). I think I made the skirt by measuring and guessing, and the top by tracing another top (no tracing paper, material to material!) The applique was hand drawn flowers.
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Hi @Lizzy777 two reasons really, 1 I don't have my sewing machine serviced yet and the timing and F/S is off so wouldn't want to ruin it and I'm itching to sew again. Cross-stitch isn't cutting it, other reason is to see if I can do it so a bit of a personal goal for me
hi country gal, thanks for the reply, that's a great idea then. I've seen the pattern on Amazon for £5.95 if that helps.
I once sewed a pair of curtains by hand a long time ago when I moved house as I didn't have access to a sewing machine at the time and I quite enjoyed making them by hand, even though it took some time. They weren't long ones and weren't lined and were for a kitchen. So I can understand how you feel.
Have you chosen the fabric for it yet?
lizzy
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hi country gal, thanks for the reply, that's a great idea then. I've seen the pattern on Amazon for £5.95 if that helps.
Have you chosen the fabric for it yet?
lizzy
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Oh thank you - I already have the pattern just used the link as can't post pictures unless you are a subscribed member. Always a bit heart breaking to see when you could of saved money though ><
I've got my eye on a cotton silk blend in either a dusty pink or emerald green but haven't fully made up my mind - I have learnt to not ask the OH for his opinion however 0_0 What style of curtains did you make? Never attempted home furnishings
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This is a dress I made for a client all hand sewn as it was very heavy beaded
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@Stitches oh wow that is beautiful! :frock: <3 Must of taken ages but I hope she was happy with it!
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@Stitches that is amazing! What patience you must have. How long did it take?
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Hand sew a whole dress! I usually hand sew a hem because I find it therapeutic, but a whole dress, I'd sooner borrow a machine, unless of course with the beading, then probably essential.
Thank goodness I've four sewing machine. Mind you I do have a lazy streak in me.
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I've voted for D as I think it looks a bit different to the usual round ones. And I think F looks a bit old-fashioned, but take no notice of me, I have a weird taste in clothing 0_0
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Oh thank you - I already have the pattern just used the link as can't post pictures unless you are a subscribed member. Always a bit heart breaking to see when you could of saved money though ><
I've got my eye on a cotton silk blend in either a dusty pink or emerald green but haven't fully made up my mind - I have learnt to not ask the OH for his opinion however 0_0 What style of curtains did you make? Never attempted home furnishings
Oh sorry about the pattern, I didn't realise you had already bought it. The dusty pink colour sounds lovely too.
I don't tend to go for green colours but it will be quite striking in emerald green too.
I had bought some fabric for a roller blind (cotton fabric) and then made some pencil pleat curtains to match. Was a bit time consuming but I enjoyed doing it. I don't really sew curtains now, either ready made or custom made is what I would get normally.
I do sew but just not curtains.
lizzy
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Sounds complicated @Lizzy777 but I just googled and they look quite nice from what pops up. What do you mainly sew now?
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Sounds complicated @Lizzy777 but I just googled and they look quite nice from what pops up. What do you mainly sew now?
Anything really. Just not curtains as they can be quite heavy and am not a curtain maker type person lol. :)
I did my City & Guilds in Fashion/Design quite a few years back for interest really, so can sew most things. My Mum was a pattern designer and tailoress so have always been interested since I was quite young.
Like everyone else, I collect fabrics and patterns even though I am able to design my own patterns.
lizzy
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I did my City & Guilds in Fashion/Design quite a few years back for interest really, so can sew most things. My Mum was a pattern designer and tailoress so have always been interested since I was quite young.
Like everyone else, I collect fabrics and patterns even though I am able to design my own patterns.
lizzy
Now that is so brill! I don't think I'll ever be able to design patterns - not gifted in drawing at all. Have you ever made anything from a pattern you've drafted?
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If you're hand sewing the whole dress, get a thimble if you don't already have one. Seams of just 2 pieces of fabric are fine but when you have to push your needle through a few layers, such as where seams intersect, you'll be glad of a thimble rather than digging a hole into whichever finger you normally use to push the needle through.
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Now that is so brill! I don't think I'll ever be able to design patterns - not gifted in drawing at all. Have you ever made anything from a pattern you've drafted?
You make up a set of blocks when you are on the C&G Fashion course at level one in the first year. You're then shown how to use them. I did used to use them a fair bit but I have put weight on since I first made the blocks. Could do with making up a new set sometime. It can be quite time consuming designing your own pattern. So it's ok to use a commercial pattern too (quicker). I did the courses for interest. It wasn't something I used in my career. Its a hobby so to speak.
I don't think it is a matter of being gifted. You just need the right training and that's not too hard to seek out. You could do it. Sorry I am a bit brief. Fighting off a sickness bug the last two and a half days.
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I don't think I'll ever be able to design patterns - not gifted in drawing at all.
Pattern drafting is technical drawing, akin to geometry, with measured lines; very different to freehand artistic drawing.
Sketching what the finished garment should look like - so that others know what is intended - is artistic drawing, but there are lots of body templates that you can work from and if you only need to tell yourself what is intended the quality of the drawing doesn't really matter.
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Sorry I am a bit brief. Fighting off a sickness bug the last two and a half days.
Ooh get better soon!
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@countrygal
..thank you.