What is your experience with homemade clothes? Have you ever sewn your own styles, or used a pattern (Butterick or some other brand)?
My Mother, God rest her soul, made me take a Singer sewing course when I was in my teens. I hated every minute of it. Therefore, while I appreciate the fact that the Mary and her friends loved design and creation as a career, their choice never fully resonated with me. My fault, not theirs.
I have not made clothes from scratch or from a pattern, but during the 60s/early 70s, I adapted or embellished many garments
Yes, I have sewn my own clothes using Butterick and other patterns. It was a way to have stylish clothes that I couldn’t afford to buy ready-made. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a great seamstress, but my mother-in-law was an skilled sewer and helped me a lot.
I loved the Mary Quant clothes back in the day and made some of them with the Butterick patterns. I admire Mary Quant for wanting to make her clothes accessible, not snobbish.
I learned to sew, both from my mother and in high school home economics classes. I loved fashion and found it was a way to make clothes personally mine. One of my priorities as a young adult was buying my own Singer sewing machine. I used Butterick and other patterns - some were McCalls, I think. Shopping at fabric stores was always a favorite activity! I have not sewn clothes in many years, but this brought back wonderful memories of sewing.
My mother made most of my clothes as I was growing up, and I learned to sew as a teenager and took over the job. As a young mother I also made clothes for my kids. I enjoyed the sewing and also learned to smock when I Had kids, so did some decorative hand-sewing as well.
Yes, I sewed clothes because I din not have the funds to buy clothes, starting in high school and college, and went on the make children’s clothes for my kids, curtains, pillow cases and all. I remember all the patterns, Butterick, Vogue, Simplicity, McCall’s and loved them. The pattern was the basic design, then you could add your own flair. I had to learn the differnece between a cute dress pattern, and what might really look right on me.
I have made a few things, mostly by using existing clothing as a pattern. I have not had any luck trying to read actual patterns, probably because I took band instead of Home Economics when I was in school. I keep buying patterns thinking I’ll eventually figure out how to use them, but I am almost 50 and still haven’t, so it is unlikely that it will ever happen. lol
Yes, I made some of my clothes using Simplicity and Butterick patterns. The “sack” dress was easy to sew and you could make it as short as you wanted!
I have not sewn clothes myself but my mother made quite a few of my clothes when I was little. I have fond memories of sitting on the tall stools at the fabric store, selecting patterns for her to use. I think clothes making is something of a lost art among most people today. Many don’t even know how to sew on a button!
Not since 7th grade home ec which I failed miserably!
My grandmother taught everything I know about sewing. However, I was not always successful when sewing for myself. When my girls were small, I often made their play clothes but found making doll clothes more fun than sewing for people. I know my way around the older model sewing machines but now they do everything but cook your dinner and wash your clothes. And quite frankly they are a bit scary for me.
When I was in high school in the sixties the girls took Home Ec. We had to learn to sew using patterns. Not my favorite thing to do. When I graduated from high school I never made an outfit again.
Yes, I sewed most of my wardrobe (including Butterick Patterns) when I was in my 20’s and 30’s. I was a 20 something when Mary Quant was designing and worn some of her styles. I even had two “paper” dresses from that time period. I don’t remember if they were MQ’s designs or not, but they were very hip. They only lasted for a couple wearings and you sure didn’t want to get caught in the rain!
I have not had success with sewing my own clothes and I greatly admire those who can.
I had the most beautiful homemade clothes my great Mom created for me all through school. She found patterns for items we liked, even Halloween costumes. My Mom was an artist and sewing was another of her artistic expressions. I will never forget the poodle skirt she made for me in the early 60s. It was my favorite until it finally fell apart. As for my own venture into sewing, I was never that successful although inheriting three sewing machines. Quilting was more my style.
My mother told me to take Home Economics as an elective when I was in high school, even though I was going to college. I took my portable Singer sewing machine to college and made my own clothes all through college and even into the beginning of my work life. I made clothes using Buttterick, Simplicity, McCall’s and Vogue patterns. I learned how to alter the patterns for my figure. I loved going into fabric stores that were everywhere during those times. I don’t have my Singer portable machine anymore but I do have my grandmother’s 1920’s Singer sewing maching.
I learned to sew in college with a Home Ec roommate. I made my own clothes for several years until I got too busy with my children. I used both Butterrick adn SImplicity patterns. Do they make them anymore??
Holly_K, Yep it was a required course in 7th grade. We made an apron and a skirt, and neither one was a great success.
My girlfriend’s mother was so talented to made elaborate Barbie clothes!
I made many of my clothes for years & also sewed for my children when they were little. Currently, I make quilts.