Stitches

want to make clothing but need to learn how?

I was wondering what sort of places i can go to learn stitching, how to use the sowing machine and be able to make clothing either on the web or around Northern Chicago or South eastern Wisconsin *i live in Round Lake* I think i would like to make Renaissance clothing and be able to sell them for a hobby. I want to make them right not cheap fabric and stitching job so i need something that will teach me right any suggestions?

Public Comments

1. Have you tried going to the public library to the reference section and looking to see if they have any books on the subject? It's free and you can copy pages or check out books if you need to. EDIT: If you have little or no knowledge of sewing, I would suggest you go to the dollar a yard rack at WalMart. Fabric can be very expensive and to ruin it would be a waste. Try to find a fabric that is easy to work with(cotton is a good start). Slinky or thick materials can be frustrating if you are a beginner. Once you master this, you can use your "original" design as an example of your work, or you can use it to make modifications. Sewing, be it easy or hard patterns, takes time, practice and patience to learn. Don't expect to be a pro overnight. You will get easily frustrated.
2. Check if there is a Sewing Center or Shop which sells Sewing Materials in your area. Most Sewing Centers have frequently lessons which teach just about anything. Also some High Schools and Colleges offer evening classes teaching sewing etc. You should have a lot of fun with your creations. I wish you success. Ingrid
3. I am here to help. You really need to take lessons in Sewing 101. You have a good idea, you need to see if there is a market for this type of clothing. You don't want to invest in expensive fabric that won't sell. The actual sewing is not as simple as that. Some fabrics sew well, where others are hard to sew. There are ticklers to sewing, like certain needles with certain fabrics, certain feet to certain tasks, and special settings for all of these also. A store that sells sewing machines would have these instructional books and sewing machines also. Sewing machine Mfrs. are: Singer, Brother, Phaff, Bernina, and Nechhi. These Mfrs. would show you the comparison of each sewing machine. Good Luck with your endeavors!
4. Check out your local community college for continuing educations classes ;)))
5. In addition to machine classes like at Joanns, you might want to try hooking up with your local SCA group and their clothiers guild to learn the peculiarities of not just sewing but sewing period clothing. Plus it'd give you an excuse to wear some of what you make! This website http://www.vertetsable.com/index.html may interest you, lots of 'how to's on it. There are also several yahoo groups on the subject once you get started.