Alright, it's a well documented FACT that some of you are absolutely amazing at sewing/costuming.

I am not. At all. But I would really, REALLY like to be. The long-term goals are pretty lofty, but I'd be pleased as punch to just be able to follow a pattern for now.

So, what are some good basic resources (books/links/CC classes?) to get a novice up and running? I'm preferrential to things like outdated textbooks or reference books that I can refer back to easily while I'm working, but any starting point would be worth looking into.

PAGING MEGINDIAMANDA

well my mom studied costume making and patterns in college and that has served her quite well over the years. Indestructables and YouTube have tons of sewing tutorials etc. as well. I'd also say just start out with something small just hand stitching. Maybe make yourself a little cellphone holder or a doll or something?

I just got some fabric to make a dress. I am super excited!

Singer's Sewing Essentials book is a good resource. Also, join a continuing education class to get some hands-on help reading patterns, getting instruction, learning to use a machine, and create an actual finished product. After you get comfortable with basics, make simple shit like an apron, or a pillowcase, or a curtain. As you make stuff, you'll learn more and more! Also, the magazine Thread has some online video tutorials that are nice and helpful.

Once you move on to clothes, it helps to go through your closet and look at the construction of your own clothes to help you see what a flat pattern turns into when assemble the pieces a certain way, and in a certain order. It can show you what looks tidy and logical construction-wise.

Blood and time are the best teachers, all kidding aside trial and error have been the best way for me to learn. That and just getting some scrap fabric and just hashing something together, I gives that sense of accomplishment that you made something all on your own, I have logged un told hours in front of a sewing machine just making whatever popped into my mind. And like Hil said, check out your own clothes, make some mods on em or repairs if they need it. Go to good will and buy some cheap ass sweater or a pair of pants and take them apart, then see if you can put em back together.

This book is pretty badass. Everything from beginner to advanced stuff.

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I agree with everything Hil said! Also look for the Reader's Digest Complete Guide To Sewing. That book is amazing!

Gnarly Sheen also brought up a good point of starting with reworking, repairing, or altering existing clothes. Don't like your pant length? Look up hem stitch techniques and shorten them! Or turn a long dress into a cute minidress! Chop shit up and have fun reworking it!

The Reader's Digest guide to sewing is super duper good for in-hand reference!

Great advice, everyone! Thank you so much.

like hilary said, an awesome first project is an apron! you can make it out of trash, scraps and leftover clothes, and no matter how badly you fuck it up, its still gonna keep flour off your clothes while you're baking!

you can do it without a pattern, and try out all sorts of sewing techniques on the different parts.

its true, amanda's right, just gotta mess it up a few times to figure out how to do it the way that works for you! if you're worried about wasting money learning, then just don't invest in fabric, use scraps and thrift store finds until your skills are where you want them to be. you can find patterns in thrift stores too so you don't have to sink money into that part either.

it does seem cliched to try, try again, but i didn't have any training or anything. i just kept at it until it started to all come together! ask questions of everyone you know if you get stuck somewhere. (thanks my stitching bitches india and amanda!)

I'm glad to see what everyone is posting here! I'll be honest, I'm a lot more helpful for specifics than general how-tos, so if you have any specific questions, ask away!

Aside from that, the biggest help to me has always been actually watching somebody do things in person. I got started by watching my mom when I was a kid, and having somebody to show you and walk you through things is the best. If you have any friends or relatives nearby who sew, see if they wouldn't mind you shadowing them while they work on something, or helping you along with a project.

Also, like everyone said, altering your own clothes is a great learning experience, not to mention super useful and rewarding. Getting more familiar with how clothes are put together is very helpful!

I have a question. I will try to word it the best I can.


What is the best and easiest way to make a simple school uniform (for cosplay, pleated skirt with the shirt and big collar)? I am not sure if I should always use premade patterns, and if so which is the closest pattern to what I am looking for? And any tips or tricks for making the uniform? What would be the best fabric to use as well?

as far as fabric, just get a buncha swatches at your store and see which ones hold a good press (i.e. you can iron a crease in them that STAYS PUT). Pretty necessary for the items you want to make.

I would normally say stay away from quilting fabric but for the skirt, it might be appropriate. Best thing to do here is just go look and touch fabrics to see what would hang off your body like clothes.

pleated skirts are hard if that's the first thing you're making you should probably allow yourself time and money for at least three tries. or just buy it.

I don't sew much save some weird pillow animals and drawstring pouches, but both are an excellent start if you're a novice. I made a really pretty satin-lined velvet pouch for my Oracle cards that I had no pattern for. I just traced the outline of the cards and went from there! Experimenting is a lot of fun since it allows you to figure out what works and what doesn't. I can't read a pattern to save my life, but instead look at existing things for ideas. That's already been suggested in here, though.

Krissytokyo said:
What is the best and easiest way to make a simple school uniform (for cosplay, pleated skirt with the shirt and big collar)? I am not sure if I should always use premade patterns, and...

I say to look through every pattern brand's catalog first because patternmaking is a tricky thing unless you've taken a class. I'm pretty sure just about everyone has a pleated skirt pattern (possibly in the costume or kids' sections), but the top will be tricky.

For the body of the top straight cotton would work, but a poly blend would be better to avoid wrinkles. For the collar I imagine it to be a thicker, bottom weight cotton with maybe twill tape for stripes. For a skirt I'd say a thicker polyester or poly blend because it'll hold a crease better and have a little more weight to it. Personally though I'd buy the skirt, but I buy pieces for cosplay whenever I can to avoid sewing them.

Krissytokyo said:
I have a question. I will try to word it the best I can.


What is the best and easiest way to make a simple school uniform (for cosplay, pleated skirt with the shirt and big collar)? I am not sure if I should always use premade patterns, and...

Seriously, just buy one on eBay. If you're brand new to sewing, it's probably not worth the trouble. Buy a school uniform and then try cutting your teeth sewing something less involved. That's my feeling, anyway.

SUE MILLS