Making clothes from scratch is all about experience and imagination. Before i get one of those pattern packs, i use mostly common sense to figure out how to make it work. Deconstructing helps me understand what are the pieces needed to form a top, reading and researching also give me a lot of helpful tips. Here’s 5 simple but basic guidelines for making clothes from scratch.
1. Get your measurements ready because you will need these basic information. Measure the major joins of your body, neck, bust, waist, lower waist, hips, tights, arm, length for sleeve, length from neck to waist and length from waist to feet.
2. Draw the design on paper so you can easily see how to lay them out on fabric. The strategic way to achieve the maximum result with minimum resources is proper layout for the usage of your fabric. Use your measurements and draw out simple pattern on newspaper. Tape them together if you need bigger surface. Save the patterns because you might be able to re use them later.
3. Remember to leave extra on the sides of each pattern for connecting the pieces together. Once you draw the pattern and transfer them onto the fabric, always expend the sides at least for 1 to 2 cm when you cut them out.
4. Start with stretchy materials so if it’s too small you can just wear it as tights. Be smart when choosing your material. Normal fabric will need extra skill set on the pattern making and sewing in order to make things perfect when stretchy ones usually give you a bit extra room for accidentally cutting it too close.
5. Try the outfit on when you are making it to minimize chances of huge mistake from happening. I found it extremely helpful to try the garment on yourself to ensure better fitting. Although it is annoying to do this but that’s the only way to find out what needs to be done when you are a beginner, and it definitely pays because it’ll help your finishing product look more custom made.
My DIY Clothes Gallery
