I have been trying to learn how to make women's clothing. I have also been trying to learn the colors, shapes, and style that I like and fit my form. I tend to try learning stuff more than buying things (sort of a do-it-yourself girl). I bought a the cosmetology text book, book on color /  style theory vs hair, eyes, skin, and shapes (face, eyes, eyebrow, nose, chin, mouth, body shape, legs, shoulders, waist, hips). I also am trying to learn to make my own various custom clothing, based off of the style knowledge. In short, I am trying to learn to be a fashion stylist [which could lead to fashion designer /  consultant]. There is so much to learn, but I keep making sure I do projects and try applying the principles in practice.

More shots of these are found on my sewing page http://www.geocities.com/wickham_kendra/Sewing.html

Sewing is a physical art. Learning the techiniques and challenges is fun, sometimes frustrating. Here are 2 pictures of my first dress and first (3 piece) skirt, blouse, and jacket.

This one was inspired to be a colorful kitchen 50s dress for dishes, cooking, and looking pretty for when Jo (GF) comes home. I like how flowing and full the skirt part is, yet fit and narrow the top is.



This one Is meant to be a more usable dress suit (in feminine pink) and a very nice thin great feeling blouse. The skirt, not shown, is wrapped around, with a deep slit going up the full front side.



I also made a red shinny maids uniform, my naughty days. Dont have any pics to show in this since I am shy about this. It looks better than both though, I think and turned out best.

Oh here is page I made showing my sewing projects a few months ago. It also shows the room I do these in, and my sewing machine and serger. http://www.geocities.com/wickham_kendra/Sewing.html

that's cool! I would love to get a sewing machine so I can make some pleated skirts. right now all I do is cut up my t-shirts and make them into tanktops or halters. since they're old rock/punk t-shirts I use safety pins instead of sewing. it completes the look.

Hi Kendra,

I've found that with any digital camera if you disengage the auto features you can get better clarity in the pictures. I usually set our to Flash off And select portrait for posed shots. The images are much better.

I do a little sewing myself. I use an antique White sewing machine. No surge or modern stuff but I learned to sew from my grandmother years ago. Her's was a Singer she got when she got married around ohhh, 1900. My Aunt traded it in for a new Singer with all the wiz bang gadgetry and she just hated it. Oh well, good intentions, road to hell and all that.

Back in the bad old days of denial, I joined the SCA(Society for Creative Anachronisms) a medieval culture society and adopted the persona of a sorcerer. My costumes involved kaftans. Basically just a long dress without the tight bodace. It was a great way to wear a dress without people asking questions, they just said, "wow, great costume!". Hah! Little did they know.

My first sewing attempts were not so good but I did get better. I have an old foto, but I'd rather not show it around. I'm sure you'll understand. Haven't sewed in years but I'm thinking of starting up again. My grandmother used to create some wonderful designs using combinations of different patterns. She'd get one pattern for a particular type of ruffle combine it with a different style blouse and voila! new design.

Don't know if you've tried that and I'm sure there is a trick to it but, just an idea. And again, as I said in your guest book, Full body shot, can't really see the whole of the design from the shots you've taken.

Cassie

Pictures are taken from a $19.95 toy. the smaller picture is how it looks when not connected to the computer, the upper one is connected via usb, highest quality it can get. No flash (doesnt have one), and 3 foot cord. All my shots are done with this toy camera/wecam. Beats not having any pictures at all. My site has quite a few pics, more than most. Yes quality isnt that good, but i havent seen very many other pics on this message board. Would love to see these better quality ones from ya Cassandra. Its just that my eyes grew sore of trying to visualize tons of words and descriptions from posts, so I decided to spruce up with some visuals the best I could.

I would love to see others do some sewing. Even if using a basic sewing machine and some basic patterns. I myself have a stack of patterns that fills a box. Currently I am doing a full length appron, white, with pink/purple/red vertical and horizontal lines (makes squares) and added green checkerboard like material for ruffles and pockets. I like the little green on pinks. I saw this on one heart on-top-of heart apron before and loved the color combo.

Started a corset , but ran into problems doing the boning. I still have the material and boning for it. Just waiting till my skill improves to attempt again (silly me for trying it my 2nd project).`

Here is the damage.

Hi Kendra,

My picture was taken using our HP M305 Photosmart. I believe we paid about $180.00 for it.
Comes complete with everything you need. Software, cables etc. It has a 3.2 MP photo quality and 8 MB of built in memory with a slot for memory cards. It also does 30 second movies. My picture was taken in 1MB mode and then reduced for the web. 3MB is best but Susan would kill me if I tried to load that up. If you go to our website 90% of all the images were taken with this camera. I think I gave you the web address in my personal message, if not let me know, I'll PM it to you. I don't want to mention it here, I think that's a rule violation.

Eventually you will want to invest in a good camera to take pictures of your creations for sale. Do you use a sewing manequin? I need one of those but they are expensive. I see the problems with your corset in the picture. I would try something simpler like a bra. If you could make a bra that can really boost your bust without pinching your sternum you could really mop up. Women everywhere would pay through the nose for a comfortable bra that accentuates thier natural attributes. (She says pulling the underwire out of her chest)

Best of luck, keep designing.


Cassie

QuoteI don't want to mention it here, I think that's a rule violation.

there is a place to list your website on you profile Cassie.







beth

As for making a bra, I have several designs in mind, mainly one with a little torso support also (full figure). Will look into ways to maximize lift as I try it. First one will be just to try learning bra making. I may though try focusing on lift vs comfort (pinching) and see what i can come up with. After all, I am all for maximizing and trying tricks with what I have (chest wise). Who knows, might stumble on a patent lol (JK).

Right now I sew for several reasons.

1) It helps me to learn and try applying fashion theory I am studying.

2) As an artistic outlet

3) Challenge to try creating things

4) attempt to make something that comes in my mind or that I see in a pattern

5) to acquire cheaply made and costing clothing items

6) to progress my skills

7) to open possible career

just for the fun of it

None of my items are for sale. I am not either accepting any requests for anything (my skill is just basic anway). I rather am trying to find others doing similar things, and maybe giving ideas to others, in a fashion/hobby way. I do enjoy the comments and further posts. Glad to see others have considered, done, or might be interested in doing this.

Here is the apron pieces so far, and general color scheme. These are the 3 main pieces (middle and 2 sides), not yet joined together (need to finish waist straps, and waist fold). Jo didnt like the color combo that i picked, so will see how it goes. I know its dark and blury, but i didnt feel like dragging more lamps in to light it better. I show  a close up of colors to show more towards real colors. This toy, the further away, the more colors distort in darker light areas.

I actually used the color slider to lighten the hue, to try correcting it, but didnt succeed ( I am not camera savy).

Just finished it. Here is what I was able to create.



and a closer look at the top



Now I have to figure out what the next project is that I will try.

Hey there Kendra

That's really great work.  I wish that I could sew, it sure would help off set the cost of women's cloths that's for sure.  You really seem to enjoy sewing, and for all the right reasons, I imagine that it's very therapeutic as well.  Keep post pics of your creations.

Chat later,

Steph

Get a machine many ways, borrow, buy used, buy cheap, garage sale.
Get some Easy and Quick Patterns (normally are the easiest to make) at the appropriate size
Buy some cheap fabric (patterns tell how many yards are needed (i spend about 1 to 5 dollars per project
Buy any other accessory needed and thread (patterns say such things as buttons, zippers, and lace)
Pattern teaches almost everything you need to know to make the items. There is detailed instructions.
Go for it. Allow mistakes and have some fun.

It's me again.

I guess I was lucky, I learned to sew from my mother when I was young and do have a "decent" sewing machine, although it is old, I bought it from Sears about 35 years ago.

My grandmother taught me to knew and crochee.  My sister taught me to cook, so I learned many of the things other girls did in their youth.

Actually, my father taught me to clean house (he was a "clean" freak) he hated a mess.

Sarah

I know it doesn't totally count as making your own clothing but I recently did a little DIY project where I took a long-sleeve tshirt, made it into short sleeves and dropped the neckline down to something female-like. In a nutshell I just took a pair of scissors to it and here's what I ended up with. Now the happy thing about this project is that the t-shirt is a large. I haven't worn a large in.....a really long time. Not only was I able to fit into it, but it made my boobs look really good.  (please pardon the blurriness and my beard shadowness)

Hey there Allison,

Doesn't look too bad from where I'm sitting.  Is there another budding seamstress in the house  ?  You can save a lot of money by altering old cloths instead of buying new all the time.  I have several items that are really nice but no longer fit.  I was thinking of taking a sewing course so that I could do what you have done, restyle, and reused 

Chat later

Steph

Nice job.

And projects are fun and creative.


Posted at: October 06, 2005, 04:04:51 AM

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Here is my newest project.

I started this long ago, had a few problems. Decided to finish it this morning. The months since I  gave up, I think I fixed the major problem that I had back then and it came out much better than I first thought it would end up. I was just going to finish it, just to finish it, even if unusable. I am very happy with the end results, even without adding the original parts I left out.

It originally had sleeves, but today I decided to leave it sleeveless. Its very spring/summerish, so finishing it is almost a bit to late. So this is the newest sleeveless dress from Kendra, lol. Just kidding. Its something for me to wear around, very light fabric, soft, and makes me feel  happy, with feminine curved patterns.



My next project is weird , in that I will start with one of two really good fabrics I like, and try making something out of the fabric. Normally I start with a design or pattern, then pick a fabric. This I will try letting the fabric inspire the design. One is a silver mesh, the other a navy blue, almost snake skin like heavier patterned material.

That is beautiful, Kendra. I love the colors.

Nero

Allison, you're not the only one who creates clothing by making something out of something else. I can't tell you how many times I've bought a shirt, or pants, or whatever, and modified it to fit my own style more, whether by ripping the sleeves off a shirt, or sewing patches on pants, or whatever. I think that's plenty fashionable, and shows talent... if you have the talent to make something better out of something someone else has made, that's awesome. And keeping your own style, in my opinion, is integral.

Rafe

Ok besides making that post on body shapes, I spent my week off making a silver mesh top. I dont have any pics of it yet. I still need to add the elastic. Being mesh it will be made to wear over some other top. I have a camisole that I plan on using for that purpose. But the pattern is here.