Become Something You Create!
There are many skills involved in fashion sewing and throughout our journey, I want to introduce key techniques, and challenge you to develop and create what at first may seem like daunting sewing projects.
Because of this, our first projects which we looked at and created, namely -
How to Sew an Easy Capelet, and
How to Sew an Easy Jacket with Sleeves
were designed with the beginner fashion sewer in mind. They were chosen as both garments were unlined and had big, easy to follow sewing pattern pieces.
In my opinion – both were more manageable sewing projects which I hope will now encourage you to continue on this fashion sewing path and keep this wonderful art thriving.
Making your own fashion clothing will give you huge amounts of joy and pride.
Not only will you develop the ability to create professional looking clothes that fit to your body shape perfectly, but the art of fashion sewing allows you to personalise and add your own designer touch.
After all, Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!
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Remember, keep developing those key techniques, demonstrated on my blog in conjunction with FREE online video tutorials at FashionSewingBlogTV and your creations will be professional looking and last for many, many years.
In essence, one general rule always applies -
Each and every sewing pattern can be adapted to become unique. No matter what fashion sewing skills you possess (or don’t), the basics remain constant.
If you learn the basics and learn them well, you can tackle most projects and have some degree of success.
Six Pieces of Fashion Sewing Advice
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1 – Plan – Choose your sewing patterns wisely. Remember your body shape, the type of fabric needed and the notions you use. These all play an important part in getting your project just right.
2 – Measurements – Know your exact body shape and pattern size. Sizes may be a little different dependent on pattern brand. If you get it wrong at this stage, no matter how skilled you are, you will really struggle.
3 – Scissors – You need at least two pairs, (a real must). One pair will be used for cutting fabric, whilst others are needed to cut out paper patterns and threads etc. Never mix and match.
4 - Fitting – Keep trying on the garment as you make it up. This gives confidence, allows you to track your progress and allows you to adjust and alter as you go.
5 - Grains – Do not ignore the grains to your pattern pieces. These are of utmost importance and determine how the garment will hang and fit around your body. (straight grain, fold and cross grain/bias).
6 - Pin and tack – Those of you who are new to fashion sewing should pin and tack your work before attempting to sew, as it aids you in the making up of your garment.
Please don’t worry if some of the above phrases seem alien to you. In time they will become second nature, and after all – There is no rush!
I would highly recommend that you download my FREE workbook found to the right of this post (it contains some really useful information for beginners) along with subscribing to FashionSewingBlogTV.
Oh yes! One more thing -
Take regular breaks away from your sewing project. This aids posture, helps to relieve any frustrations when things start going wrong, and more importantly, builds excitement as you can stand back and see progress.
I do hope this post has been of some help! Please let me know.
If you have any questions or simply want to say hello, then please do not hesitate to contact me. You can also follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
Happy fashion sewing,
Colleen G Lea
(read more about Colleen at linkedin)
