Thread: Desperately trying to learn to sew!

Okay, so I went out and bought a decent sewing machine this weekend, read lots of threads on here about sewing tips and scoured the fabric store today for ideas and possible patterns to use and I have a few questions. I would also love any tips you can give.

A bit 'o background - I do have basic machine sewing knowledge and can make things like straight and circle skirts (although I haven't tried the lettuce hem thing yet) and embellish. I'm looking to make some costumes and costume items for myself though and possibly try my hand at one or two design items and so the hand sewing is just not good for time constraints and I'd like to start working with patterns for the big items so I can actually create what I imagine.

Goal #1 is to make a mermaid skirt

Goal #2 is to take the super cool fabric I found at the store today and make a miniskirt costume.

And now on to the questions:

1. Which patterns are your favorites for mermaid skirts? I have a longer torso, shorter legs, hips and a booty in case that makes a difference in the recommendation. I had been looking at trying to modify Simplicity 4401, but I wasn't sure if that was a good one to use.

2. Can you design your own pattern even if you're not all that good at drawing straight lines?

3. What other patterns do you recommend for different costume items?

4. Where can I find directions to make flat waistbands like on yoga pants?

Any other tips are wonderfully appreciated regarding fabric or general design... I'm reading through old threads as well, but if you remember one that may be particularly helpful, please feel free to point it out. :be:

If you have a mermaid skirt use it to make a pattern. There's a number of excellent patterns on the market that would give you a headstart. I think Artemis Imports sells them, I believe her site is Artemis Imports. I cannot recall others that sell patterns although I know there are others. Good luck and happy sewing.

Simplicity 4401 looks like a good place to start. It looks like it has a fitted facing based waist band, which may not last very long. I would recommend applying a waist band to it. Look for a pants pattern with applied waist band for instructions on how to do this, and be sure to interface the waistband fabric. I would also make the godets (triangular inserts at the bottom) wider, to give more swing and swish while dancing.

Absolutely you can design your own patterns. Look to the DIY Belly dance group on tribe.net. Lots of links to how tos for making patterns. Get a good ruler (at least 18 inches, preferably 24, metal ruler or a quilting ruler for use with rotary cutters) and a french curve, and your line-drawing delimmas will be solved.

There are tons of commercial sewing patterns for yoga-type pants. I recommend you start from there and make a pair, and then modify as you see fit for the next pair. Be sure to get good quality cotton interlock (knit) fabric, or jersey knit. It really will make a difference in how the pants last. Double sew the erm... crotch... and down the inside leg seams and then zig zag the raw edges. Once again, it will make a difference in how long the pants last. Be sure to get a pattern that specifies knit fabrics if that is what you will use, or for non-knit fabrics, if you want to make harems or some such.

Feel free to PM me with specific pattern drafting questions, I have experience.

Is this the kind of flat band pants you're looking for?

kwiksew.org - Catalogue

photo isn't showing up in the link, so type in 3115 in the box to the left. Hopefully the pic will come up.

I love the Simplicity pattern you chose!

This is a pretty good resource for understanding your machine and fabrics and how to use a pattern. If I recall, it tend to favor woven natural fabrics, which is not what we dancers are all about, but it does give you a good base knowledge.

Sew U | Built by Wendy

It also looks like she's come out with one for knits.

I put together the links below last December for this thread: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/7460-maj...tml#post102721

I'm sure there's more to add, but these might help.

General costume sewing links:
Nadya's sewing hints for belly dance / oriental dance costumes;
Dina's Bellydance Costume Galleries
Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian
Belly Dancing: Costume Corner

Bra links:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/4917-spi...ormal-bra.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/7317-mak...-question.html
Bellydance by Anthea: Costumes
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/5993-how-cover-bra.html

Belt links:
Sugar Petals Dance Bra & Belt Forms


Circle Skirt:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/6864-mak...fon-skirt.html


Trumpet/Mermaid Skirt:
Update: Photos! Trumpet skirt for Great Loop question (includes discussion of Simplicity 4401)
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...g-dummies.html

Straight Skirt:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/5420-str...t-pattern.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/3447-i-n...ing-skirt.html

Caftan/Cover Up:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/6135-any...n-pattern.html

What You Are Working On threads:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/1076-wha...ng-thread.html
*New* 'What are you working on?' thread.

Originally Posted by gothique

Is this the kind of flat band pants you're looking for?

kwiksew.org - Catalogue

photo isn't showing up in the link, so type in 3115 in the box to the left. Hopefully the pic will come up.

I love the Simplicity pattern you chose!

Yeah... the waistband I'm looking to make is something like that. I just want to avoid the kind that's gathered over elastic. I don't think it makes for a flattering body line on me and it would drive the perfectionist in my crazy if it didn't look as good without a belt on as with one, especially since many of the designs I'm thinking of don't have a belt and I'd like to make some class-wear skirts as well.

---

One more question... where is a good place to get a dress form relatively inexpensively?

I am anxious to use the links, so anxious I have already viewed several. A few were busted for some strange reason. Bhuz is such a wonderful wealth of information. Thank you Bhuz and members for sharing.

Busted links that I noticed:
Trumpet/Mermaid Skirt:
Update: Photos! Trumpet skirt for Great Loop question
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...g-dummies.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...ormal-bra.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...ing-skirt.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-question.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...fon-skirt.html

ETA: Fixed the links above! Let me know if any of them still don't work.

Must be because I did a copy/paste for them. They *should* work from the original thread http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/7460-maj...tml#post102721. I'll try to fix my post above.

Originally Posted by txchic

I am anxious to use the links, so anxious I have already viewed several. A few were busted for some strange reason.

Thank you so much!

I'm taking notes on the links above and I'm going to pick up some fabric today and put some items together in the next 2 weeks. Pics will come when done. :)