General Chat

Hi Guinevere I used to make nearly all my own clothes, many moons ago, but these days I can buy them ready made for less than I would have to pay for the fabric, let alone cotton, zips etc. I still love sewing, though, so now I make quilts instead. Much more fun and gives you the excuse to buy lots and lots and lots of lovely fabric, as of course, you never have quite the right piece for what you are making at the time! Tina

Hi Guinevere I used to be able to knit most things but then hated sewing them up. I am only short and most things have to be taken up I recently brought a skirt for 11.99 and it has cost me 15.25 to have it shortened at the waist. My daughter has shown an interest in sewing and got a machine but lives to far away to do these jobs for me also needs a lot more confidence julia

Yes I used to make all my own clothes when I was younger, and some for friends too, sometimes. Now I make all my curtains, duvet covers sometimes, and anything else I need in that line. I have loads of lovely material that I buy as remnants, or bits at charity shops, and I love the Fabric Warehouse bundles of remnants - it's like Christmas when I open the bag and see what is in there. My machine for the past 46 years has been my great aunt's old Singer hand machine. She was housekeeper for Sir Henry Wood and I imagine used to mend all his things on it too. I really want to make a sewing/craft room so I can leave things out - might start making cushions from the remnants to sell at fairs etc, one of these days.

I used to make almost everything that my children wore and did lots and lots of knitting too. Like others, I've found the price of patterns more and more prohibitive and as the children grew I sewed less and less. I've just started sewing again for the grandchildren though, which is fun, and I still knit lots of toys and baby clothes. When she retired, my Nana took a different evening class each winter and did tailoring, glove-making, millinery, basket-making and all sorts of things. She gave me a beautiful sewing basket that she made and lined and I had it for years.

It's good to see that some people are keeping dressmaking and sewing alive. I also used to knit and crochet like others, plus I was addicted to cross stich for many years. I even tried out lacemaking but never knew what to do with the bits that I'd made. Thanks to those who responded. Gwynne

Gwynne, My gran up until she died last March, was a seamstress, making curtains mostly. When we were younger she would let us look through catalogues and pick what we liked. She would order it, cut it up to get a pattern, sew it back together and send it back saying it didnt fit!!!! We had the best clothes in any colour we liked!!! My mam used to make my gym leotards and still would for her gym club if she wasnt so busy with her business. I on the other hand, am useless with a sewing machine. No go area Natalia x

I used to do loads of dressmaking and knotting when the children were young but they are now all grown so no more just do make do and mend, because as you have been saying the price of patterns, cloth and wool are so exspensive. I have recently made myself a suit for a family wedding the total cost was £55 and the material was not that exspensive. I have to say though I did have good coments on my new suit. Josieanne

Hated sewing at school and was hopeless at it. When my first child was born and I was at home all day, there was a lunchtime sewing programme on the telly and it looked so easy, I pinched my Mums trusty old Singer Treadle machine. I carefully followed the instructions on the telly and was soon making all my own clothes and the kids clothes too. My Mum was so impressed, she paid for the old treadle to have a motor put on it, which speeded things up no end. She lived near a fantastic street market and on her twice yearly visits to us would bring me several suitcases full of remnants, such as five yards of vyella for ten bob! I do next to no sewing now, for the reasons already given - patterns too dear (although its easy to adapt the ones you already have) - but mainly the cost and quality of fabric. When I came to live here 33 years ago, there were over a dozen shops selling a huge range of fabrics. Now there are none. My greatest success ever though, was when I went to a jumble sale and bought a huge pair of velvet curtains for two shillings. They were faded in streaks but I managed to cut out enough good stuff to make my daughter aged 5 then, a coat with matching hat. There was enough left over for a pair of velvet hipsters for me and a natty beret thingy - it was the 60s by the way, before anyone starts to laugh. A neighbour was so impressed with all this haute couture that she gave me a fun fur coat to cut up and I made coats for her daughter and mine. They were the envy of the neighbourhood! Actually, I cannot imagine any child willingly wearing home made clothes now. I do think its rather sad. My ex-MIL worked for an extremely posh dress shop in London and told me that you should be able to wear clothes inside out if they have been properly made. Olde Crone