Hey there.

I've been looking for places where you can get free patterns to make your own clothing, since I'm too small.
I've tried burdastyle but whatever I like is only in big sizes, like the Andrew cardigan. Is there anyone here who makes their own clothing who knows how to make patterns, or who knows a good place to get patterns from?

thankee
Also, I posted this here because the fashion forum here is very empty and I think most of the posters there are MtF.

Have you ever tried to draft your own pattern? I'm only average at sewing clothes, but even I can make simple ones.

What would help is if you looked at other patterns, see how they piece together. Using that as a base, you can start small scale, using your measurements to get the basic shapes of your pattern drawn out in a smaller ratio. Sew together your smaller pattern on some test fabric. If that looks alright, draw it out larger.

You can search online for methods to draft your own patterns. I'm not the best at explaining my methods.

One of the best insults I've ever head was from a Southern Sorority belle who said: That's a darling outfit, y'all make it yourself.

My mom can sew I've never done it before.
You think I can just copy the pattern but downsize it, scaling it down properly?

Have you tried buying the closest size and having it tailored?

Quote from: Forum Admin on April 10, 2011, 03:32:48 PM
Have you tried buying the closest size and having it tailored?

Yeah, you could do this.

Like have your clothes let in(make them smaller).

But topic creator. You sound like a FTM, yet the symbol that you have by your avatar is female.

I have no idea how big you are, but if your really tiny couldn't you wear kids clothes?

Quote from: Sharky on April 10, 2011, 04:35:10 PM
I have no idea how big you are, but if your really tiny couldn't you wear kids clothes?

That's what I did before gaining weight. Plus boys clothes are cheaper Sorry Nezhi I'm not very good at sewing (two left thumbs I think) haha so I don't have much imput. My uncle is a small guy and he wears a lot of Ambercrombie, old navy, and such because they are made for smaller guys. Good luck

I've always found Old Navy's clothes to run a little bigger. I usually get a large but I've got some mediums from there.
Edit: Just checked. Most are large there's 2 mediums and they are button ups. Maybe just their button ups run a little bigger.

Most patterns have cutouts for the various sizes. S M L XL.. If the small on the pattern is too big still, just take however much off of it that you need. Patterns are really versatile that way.

As far as shops that sell small clothing, American Eagle's XS are very small, and are sometimes too small for me, at 100-110lbs. I shop there for shirts almost exclusively.

I don't live in the USA and shipping costs for Abercrombie and Hollister are already 40 dollars
XS men here is way too big for me and it doesn't look good when it's cut off. It goes all saggy.
The kids clothing here sucks, it's low quality and ugly. We only have H&M here. You can already see loose seams etc when you look around in the shop

Quote from: -CRaSH- on April 10, 2011, 03:36:21 PM

But topic creator. You sound like a FTM, yet the symbol that you have by your avatar is female.

so? What does something I put in 3 years ago matter? I never even look at these things

hey I am one of those "smaller guys" I have gained 14LBS since starting T and I still find most clothing to be to big..have you tried the store EXPRESS...Their stuff is a little pricey sometimes but it is tailored to fit us "smaller guys"

hope that helps

Hehe, I'm afraid even that's too big lol. I think I'll look for children's patterns then.
Just so you know, I wear an M in boys sizes.. lol. But the children sizes have stupid childish things and not the things I like.

How do you start learning to sew? I don't know where to start. Do you just start sewing something easy and gradually sew harder things?

Quote from: Nezhi on April 11, 2011, 01:02:08 AM

so? What does something I put in 3 years ago matter? I never even look at these things

It doesn't matter except that a lot of people look at that to know how to address users or to better understand their posts. Sometimes it helps to know what direction one's headed (ftm, mtf, or androgyne, etc) when responding to their posts.
I can change it if you'd like. Only options are male, female, or blank at this time. Or you can just leave it as is.

Hey, a bit late to this topic, but I'm currently staring at my shrunk pattern sitting on my floor. You can choose patterns that are in sizes closest to your own (which might be Men's S -- usually 36 or 38, or Boys L or XL, usually ranging from 29-32) and scale them, I'm told adding length is easier than adjusting width. Getting clothes tailored can be expensive, especially for smaller guys.

If you're looking for off the rack clothing I've found that Land's End Big Boy's L is a perfect fit, torso, chest and sleeve length wise. Gap XS works in coats, but their shirts are too long in the torso for me. Wearing kid's clothes can be hard since the length and chest size can be so variant, then I have the added trouble of having arms that are too long.  Always seems like a no win. I have no experience sewing, really, so I'll let you know how easy it is to scale down after this project.