make my own jewelry & clothing?

Question

I want to start making my own clothes and jewelry over the summer.does any one have tips,books,websites any thing that might help me.thanks

Answer 1

DIYnetwork they have lots of different things you can look up on their site. I use them for everything.

Answer 2

Hi! i started doing that very thing myself. But I started with an plain blue jean jacket. What I did was more of a embellishment that started with a pattern and starting from the ground up. What I did was go to ebay, and bought some fox tails, [ red, silver, blue, and crystal fox tails' all natural colors, but you can buy dyed pieces] and using eye hooks so I can remove them for cleaning, and then went to Hobby lobby to buy some prestrung crystal beads to embellish across the yoke of the back side and down the sleeves and across the pockets . Then I added amber beads across the matting of the pre strung crystals. At the same time I'm making sure it all adds to the beauty of the red fox tails I'm using on this particular jacket. Also purchased from ebay, now I'm looking for some silver conchos to go across where I have the tails hanging down on the back side. If I can't find any within a reasonable price range I'll use some large amber pieces I have purchsed from ebay also. everybody who has seen it has fallen in love with it, and I plan to purchase some fur scraps from ebay to eccentuate the front side and back and sleeves. once I have this one done, I'll start on the other different colors of fox tails and fur scraps and crystals to match the natural colors of the fur pieces.
I also work with leather and add detachable feathers and fox tails so cleaning will be easier and no worry about them coming up missing at the dry cleaners. I also embellish jeans and shirts according to the style of shirts and blouses also.
The only draw back is I do most of the sewing either by hand on some of the embellishments and sometimes I can use fabric glues for the perment pieces. It is time consuming, because you have to search ebay for the pieces you want to incorporate into the designs, but you do stand a good chance of paying alot less then say from a wholesaler of furs and stones. right now, I have been offered over 600.00 for the jacket I'm working on as is, and I'm not quit through with it. I have aproximately 75.00 tied up in it so for, so its not a bad turn over for time and materials. But I do have alot of time on my hands because of a back injury I sustained at work and it really helps with my stress and frustration I'm going thru, and I am a bit eccentric, and not afraid to be bold in my designs and people like that, especially when they know its all hand done and no copies out there in the real world. My advice to you is be yourself, if you like what you make, chances are other people will be too and won't mind the price tag on it.
So far, I haven't had any problems with animal rights activists. And I have a great imaginenation to boot. So go to garage sales, scout for what you can work with, and as you go further in it what you have in mind, go for it and happy creating! Robin JGW

Answer 3

Go to a fabric store and get the Simplicity sewing book for beginners. While there, look at their Easy Patterns. They are a good place to start. Look at the back of the pattern package, it will tell you all kinds of information on what you will need to complete the garment. ( fabric types to use. notions etc.)

Answer 4

If you're interested in making your own jewelry, or just beads or buttons, etc, from polymer clay, check out at least these pages of my website:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/beads.htm
.....http://glassattic.com/polymer/beads-holes.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/jewelry.htm (necklaces,bracelets,earrings,hair,etc)
http://glassattic.com/polymer/pendants_cording.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/buttons.htm


Have fun!

Diane B.

Answer 5

There are lots of forum and distributers and you can goole it. I can recommend some for you:
www.beadandbutton.com
jewelrymaking.about.com
www.beadbuddies.co.uk
www.beadcollector.net
www.find-beads.com
beadingplaza.myeglobal.com
forum.beadcharm.com
www.beadartists.org
beadwork.about.com