How do I make my own clothes. Please help?

Question

I have never found a style that was just right for me. None of the stores have anything I like. I am a lesbian and right now, 99 precent of my clothes are guy clothes. I want to have guy looking clothes but I want it to fit differently and look a little more me. I have decided to make my own clothes. I have no idea where to start. I draw lots of designs that I want to put on shirts but I do not know how to do that. How would I go about making my own clothes. How do I put the designs on shirts. Please help

Answer 1

First buy a sewing maching. A good quality but not too many fancy stitches, Husky by Huskervana makes some really reliable models.

Second, take sewing lessons....your local sewing maching dealer usually will offer beginner courses. You can also check with JoAnns Fabrics, they usually hold sewing classes as well.

Third, start slowly. Try easy patterns like Simplisity brand. Follow the instructions and be careful NOT to cut the darts off the pattern when cutting your fabric.
Try to choose a fabric that doesn't have too much stretch...at least with beginning patterns. Until you know your machine and what it can do and have become confident with that, then you can move on to bigger stuff.

I'm a costume designer for Period Reenactments, Elizabethan Renaissance and American Civil War. I make a lot of my own clothes as well.
I've been sewing for about ten years, but I'll confess, I failed middle school sewing class. I sewed threw my thumb!! LOL

True story.

Anyway...feel free to send a message to me if you want some "one on one" tips.

Answer 2

Best advice is to just start trying things. Begin with some old stuff, you dont mind if you mess up on, or go to a thrift store and get some stuff to practice on. One thing to do is put on whatever it is inside out and have someone help you pin it into the shape you want, carefully remove then sew the new seems/darts accordingly. Dont try to do this yourself, twisting and reaching throws everything off. Another method is to find a woman's shirt that fits you just right and use this as a template for designs and fabrics that you find more appealing.

Don't worry about messing up, each time you mess up you have learned something, as you go on with it, you will get the knack. The more you do it, the easier it gets and the more you will figure out. Don't be afraid to experiment.

You might want to consider taking a sewing class, though most of these do seem to be impractical, hobbyist approaches, it may give you some basic pointers on how to go about things.

There are some basic books about sewing out there, I would check with your local library instead of buying one until you found one that was really useful. The Vogue Sewing Book (probably out of print-mine's old) is a great basic reference to how to go about things.

Good luck.

Answer 3

The only thing I can suggest is to take sewing classes. Once you have become proficient in following a pattern, you will be able to customize the pattern to your taste. It's not all that hard, really. As far as the designs on shirts go, perhaps a silk-screening class would help, or learn how to use the fabric paint available in sewing departments and craft stores. They would also have books for beginners.

Answer 4

I would go to a sewing shop like Hancock fabrics, JoAnn fabrics, etc, and look at their patterns. You can find things that have more feminine lines, but make them in fabrics that appeal to you. That way they won't be men's or women's clothes, but yours. Also, they have lots of patches and sew on embroidery and extras that are easy to add to what you already have. Most of the people who work in fabric stores are very knowledgeable about those kinds of things and could help you. They have all sorts of patterns from goth to pretty girls so go have a look!

Answer 5

Check out some courses at a fashion institute near you, or even the local community ed courses. You can even go to Michaels or Joanne fabrics to see if they have classes available. You will need to learn how to make a pattern, fit it to your measurements and learn how to use a sewing machine. You may also want to take a course in textiles and design as well. Good luck!

Answer 6

Whats a sewing machine?

Answer 7

you can try to study fashion design... after that you can just wear and make what you wanted... and also the fashion market may need your design too~ cheers =)

Answer 8

buy a sewing maching

Answer 9

sounds like your ready for project runway!

Answer 10

craigslist