I need encouragement

[Ninjasquirrel]

So I've been quilting and sewing for quite a while now. Ive made a pet bed, 4 quilts and a purse. I found a pattern for a 50s era dress that I just HAD to have. The only problem is I've never made clothes. I also have only used a pattern twice in my entire life. The first time was in middle school home ec. I made pants...they ended up as capris because I did it wrong. I picked up this pattern took one look at it and I hit a wall. I'm afraid I'm gonna screw it up. I'm too scared to buy the fabric. Anyone have this happen? Any words of encouragement? I'm gonna force myself to the fabric store tomorrow and pray someone can help me read the dang thing.

 

[MountainGaurdian]

This is probably going to seem very strange, but I sew, as does my little (6ft1 250 pound) brother.

We grew up on ranches and farms and it was common to be assigned to helping the older women with their sewing projects, we would stand at the ready to fetch things for them thread needles etc. Watching all of the sewing seemed to rub off on us and as adults we both sew ourselves.

The OP mentioned concern with wasting fabric to make cloths, you could do what I do. I go to all these used clothes stores and pick up a lot of the stuff that they can't sell, especially jeans pants. They call me regularly and ask me if I can come in a pick up boxes of them. One can use old jeans and whatnot to practice with. I designed a series of jeans jackets utilizing old jeans and made all six of my kids jeans jackets one year. I went through and sewed patches and whatnot on them and made them kind of cool almost like a biker style jacket. Old Ted wore that jacket for years, it must have been 3 sizes too small but he still had to wear that thing everywhere..lol

Nice new fabric is expensive, but check out the used clothes stores and let them know that you are sewing and would be interested in some of the cloth and clothes that they cannot sell due to damage or stains etc. This stuff is a bit more difficult to work with but is a cheap source of cloth for learning with. Excess material can always be used for quilting, I have made a number of very nice jeans material quilts over the years.

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

You could make it out of muslin first to see if it fits right.

 

[Ayam Cemani Mommy]

Is muslin cheap? I'm not sure what that is. Ive only ever worked with cotton fabrics and interfacing. Maybe I'm taking a leap Im not ready for

I often find myself with a project I am scared to start yet excited about. I have found that once I make myself start the project I feel a bit better. Nothing to it but to do it. Lol If the fabric is expensive I suggest buying some on clearance maybe some precut that someone changed their mind on. That way it is cheaper. Let me know how it goes. I am excited for you!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I often find myself with a project I am scared to start yet excited about. I have found that once I make myself start the project I feel a bit better. Nothing to it but to do it. Lol If the fabric is expensive I suggest buying some on clearance maybe some precut that someone changed their mind on. That way it is cheaper. Let me know how it goes. I am excited for you!

I saw some on clearance for 3 bucks a yard that would be perfect but that was weeks ago. I was buying fabric for a quilt I was doing. I always buy too much and then I feel silly. If I buy too little its just annoying because now I have to go back. The process of buying fabric is more stressful than starting the project

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

Is muslin cheap? I'm not sure what that is. Ive only ever worked with cotton fabrics and interfacing. Maybe I'm taking a leap Im not ready for

Muslin is a very cheap cotton fabric. I agree with trumpeting angel. It doesn't look too hard. I think you should give it a try! If you're worried, you could just do the top in muslin or any really cheap fabric to make sure you know how to do it and it fits right.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Muslin is a very cheap cotton fabric. I agree with trumpeting angel. It doesn't look too hard. I think you should give it a try! If you're worried, you could just do the top in muslin or any really cheap fabric to make sure you know how to do it and it fits right.

Ok good. I am scared but i think i might get over it once i buy or start. Im just worried ill make something that wont fit. Ill update when ive got something

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I bit the bullet and bought the fabric. I cut out all my pieces and I'm ready to start. The muslin was actually more expensive than the fabric so I skipped it and just bought an extra yard in case I screw up. I think if its too small I can just use the scrap to let it out an inch or two. I can see why they dont make dresses this way anymore. That netting was awful to cut!!!

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

Thanks for that post. That was a really good perspective.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

This is probably going to seem very strange, but I sew, as does my little (6ft1 250 pound) brother.

We grew up on ranches and farms and it was common to be assigned to helping the older women with their sewing projects, we would stand at the ready to fetch things for them thread needles etc. Watching all of the sewing seemed to rub off on us and as adults we both sew ourselves.

The OP mentioned concern with wasting fabric to make cloths, you could do what I do. I go to all these used clothes stores and pick up a lot of the stuff that they can't sell, especially jeans pants. They call me regularly and ask me if I can come in a pick up boxes of them. One can use old jeans and whatnot to practice with. I designed a series of jeans jackets utilizing old jeans and made all six of my kids jeans jackets one year. I went through and sewed patches and whatnot on them and made them kind of cool almost like a biker style jacket. Old Ted wore that jacket for years, it must have been 3 sizes too small but he still had to wear that thing everywhere..lol

Nice new fabric is expensive, but check out the used clothes stores and let them know that you are sewing and would be interested in some of the cloth and clothes that they cannot sell due to damage or stains etc. This stuff is a bit more difficult to work with but is a cheap source of cloth for learning with. Excess material can always be used for quilting, I have made a number of very nice jeans material quilts over the years.

For quilting i use sheets from goodwill. Its a lot of fabric and it's cheap. We save everything here so extra scraps arent hard to come by. We hope to eventually make our own stuff from yarn to fabric to clothes. I know how to knit and I'm decent at it. I'm better with the sewing machine and I get more joy out of it. I figure if I can make something for myself that I love and can wear I can give myself the confidence to make clothes for other people.