😎 0. Pick something you want to make!
I'm going to clone this tank top. Because it costs $125.00, which is more than I'd pay for a nice dress. And because I love the challenge.
📰 1. Buy and prep the pattern pieces
Paper patterns Pros Folds up neatly and fits into the envelope Tissue paper is soft, and you can pin it to fabric easily Cons Only one copy! If you lose it, you have to buy the pattern again PDF Patterns Pros You never have to worry about losing the original pattern so long as you have a soft copy Cons Time consuming to print and assemble If you print at the wrong scale, you could end up wasting a lot of paper and fabric Uses a LOT of paper if you print at home ✏️ Trace the pattern pieces & make alterations Typically you don't want to cut the master templates in case you grow or want to make clothes for your friends This is also a good time to make alterations!
📄 2. Optional: Sew a muslin
A muslin is a "draft" of a pattern made out of cheap fabric. Helps you see if you need to make alterations. If you don't like it, you can give it away! These are some early prototypes I made. Made with Ikea upholstery fabric. I gave this to a friend. Made with quilting fabric (pro tip: quilting fabric is meant for quilting, not garments 🤦♀️ )
🛍️ 3. Buy your fabric
What kind of fabric do you want to use? Knit vs Woven Knit Woven Source Quiz: Knit or woven? Natural vs. Synthetic Description Examples Advantages Disadvantages Natural Fibers made from plants, animals, or minerals Cotton, linen, silk, wool, jute 🛏️ Absorbent (good for bed sheets, towels) 🍃 Eco-friendly (smaller environmental impact) 💪 Durable Some are not vegan (silk, wool) Synthetic Fibers made through chemical processes Polyester, rayon, Spandex, microfibers 🤑 Cheaper, easier to mass produce 🩸 Stain resistant 🚰 Waterproof and water resistant (which is why your athletic and raingear are made of it) Vegan Terrible for the environment (extraction of raw materials, wastewater from dyes, microplastics - 35% of them are in the ocean, not biodegradable) Less durable Source Quiz: Natural or synthetic? JK there is no quiz but I will teach you how to figure out if a fabric is synthetic or natural: DO A BURN TEST! 🔥 Plant based fibers 🔥 Generally ignite quickly and burn easily 👃 Smell like burnt paper, leaves, wood 🗑️ Leave behind ashes Synthetics 🔥 MELT 👃 Smell like chemicals/plastic 🗑️ Leave behind a shiny, plastic-y bead Source Where to buy Brick & mortar stores in your area Online 🎲 These are definitely more of a dice roll. Creative reuse shops like ScrapSF!
💧 4. Wash, dry, and press your fabric
Have you ever bought a shirt in a store, worn it, and washed it, only to find that it didn't fit any more? 🚨 Fabric shrinks in the wash 🚨 🤦🏻♀️ 🙈 😱 🙀 ! Wash fabric on the hottest temperature possible to preshrink your fabric so u don't end up with a tiny lil doll shirt afterwards Source: Seamingly Badass
✂️ 5. Cut the fabric
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE!!!!! Always cut flat Cutting tools First, some funny fabric scissors memes. Rotary mat + rotary cutter
🧵 6. Sew it all together
(With a sewing machine) Basic entry-level sewing machine Serger (for knit fabrics) Did you know, sewing machines became the new tulipmania in 2020? See also: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/13/business/sewing-machines-demand/index.html
📸 7. Admire your work!
And add ruffles to it!
💰 8. Think about how much money you saved!*
As you'll recall, the inspiration top cost $125. Although I could probably find a second hand one online, or buy something synthetic from a fast fashion outlet COST: 1 yard fabric = $10.85 1 sewing pattern = $12.00 4 hrs x $15.00 (California minimum wage) = $60.00 TOTAL: $82.85* *this doesn't include the cost of the sewing machine, cutting materials, thread, sewing machine maintenance, etc. *also doesn't include the time I spent modifying the pattern
🥺 It gives me a deeper appreciation for how things are made!
and their externalities (environmental impact, exploitation, pollution)
👭 There's a wonderful community!
You can join a local sewing meetup group You can meet sewing friends at various classes You can also go to sleep-away sewing camp! I did this in 2019 and it was life affirming! The instagram community is also thriving and a great way to learn!
💝 Giving handmade gifts is awesome!
💝 Giving handmade gifts is awesome!
🧞♂️ I can make whatever I want to wear to fancy events!
*like, stuff that I would never in a million years buy in a store!
📖 I'm always learning something new..
and trying to share it, too! Sewing Tutorial: How to add ruffles to your favorite top There are so many directions to take it in: Fashion design and pattern making! Natural dyes! Halloween costumes! Pop quiz: What were these dyed with?
🌏 It's a very cool lens through which to understand the world around me
FABRIC MARKET | SHAM SHUI PO | HONG KONG When I have the chance to visit a new city, I love checking out local fabric stores and pawing at all the trims.
Tire Fire
Chris put my clothes in the dryer. On high heat. My hand sewn attire! My work is all shrunk! He’s now in a funk, “The yards of fabric I’ll have to buy her.” August 18, 2020 Based on true events, except for the bit about replenishing the author’s fabric supply
Attachment Issues
I’ve discovered, of late, that my carpet Is stickier than a tarpit Snipped threads love to cling— And pins, buttons, that kind of thing! (Good thing this doesn’t afflict my armpit). September 8, 2020
