| Make 'designer clothes or 'haute couture' for yourself! | | | | carefully at where the waist it, is it in the right position |
| Do you have a wardrobe that has clothes that don't | | | | for you? Is it the length that you want? Are the darts, |
| quite fit? Here are some tips to make your own | | | | if any, in the right position? Are the sleeves too long for |
| clothes. The advantages of making your own tops are | | | | your arms? Are the shoulders hanging off? Once you |
| many. | | | | have checked these you can begin to make |
| 1 You save money | | | | adjustments. Many well fitted dresses do not even |
| 2 You select the fabric and design that you like | | | | need darts. It may help to compare it to your best |
| 3 It will fit your shape rather than you trying to fit into a | | | | fitting dress to see if it the shape you want it. |
| set 'high street' shape. | | | | 7. Now you can adjust your top according to how you |
| Steps to making your own top/dress/tunic/t shirt | | | | want it. You can do this by unpicking the top you have |
| 1. You will need to make a template pattern of your | | | | made and then carrying out the adjustments. You may |
| size that you can use again and again. In the long run | | | | find if there are significant changes that it is worth |
| this will save you time and as you gain confidence in | | | | making up a new top with fresh fabric so as to get |
| using it, you will be able to adapt it and adjust it for | | | | the fit right. Then again it again and see how it fits. |
| different styles. | | | | Tailors chalk is good for marking hemlines and other |
| 2. The simplest way to make a template of your own | | | | marks. A friend and/or a long mirror is ideal for helping |
| size is to buy a readymade pattern and then to tweak | | | | to you to adjust your top and a tape measure for |
| it so that it fits your shape. For example, you may | | | | getting your size is handy. Once you feel entirely |
| have a higher waist or bigger hips and a smaller bust. It | | | | comfortable in it, you are ready to cut out your |
| is worth putting the time into making up a pattern that | | | | customised paper pattern which will serve as your |
| fits your body shape exactly as you can use it again | | | | pattern for all the tops you make. |
| and again later on. | | | | 8. You can use baking greaseproof paper for your |
| 3. Buy a simple pattern that is as close to your shape | | | | pattern as it is strong and does not rip easily. If it is too |
| as possible, eg a shift dress with sleeves so that you | | | | narrow you can tape too strips together. .Undo the |
| have a basic shape to work with. You can always | | | | seams that you basted by hand. Put the dress pieces |
| add features like cuffs or fancy necklines as your skills | | | | onto the paper and cut around it as exactly as |
| develop. | | | | possible. Use plenty of pins to hold it down onto the |
| 4. Buy some inexpensive cotton or muslin fabric and | | | | paper. |
| cut out your fabric by laying it on the pattern you have | | | | 9. Transfer any basic markings onto your paper |
| bought. (Simplicity, easy Vogue do many basic | | | | pattern. These are the hem lines or other points (eg on |
| patterns). | | | | sleeves, zip position etc) that you need with a felt pen. |
| 5. Once you have cut out the basic pattern which | | | | 10. Now you have a basic pattern that you know will fit |
| should be just three pieces (sleeve, front and back plus | | | | every time. There are many website that give simple |
| facing), sew it up. It is important to sew (tack) this part | | | | short sewing instructions for basic sewing skills eg |
| up by hand as you will be undoing it later on. | | | | hems, zips, buttonholes etc.see for example or |
| 6. Once you have sewn it up then try it on. Look very | | | | HAPPY SEWING! |