Where to buy all your sewing bits and bobs in London?
Fabrics:
Goldhawk Road, Shepard's Bush - a whole street of shops and there's a few in the market hidden away as well. Great for a cheap find
Berwick street, off Oxford Street - including my favourites, the two Cloth House's, a little more expensive but you get lovely quality fabric and it's arranged so it's easy to find. I also like the sound of the wooden floor boards and paper bags you get with your purchase.
Trimmings:
Mucculloch and Wallis - if they don't have it there no one has it
John Lewis - they have a great selection of trimmings and notions, as well as some fabrics
Liberty's - Their haberdashery section is a little smaller than John Lewis and Muccullock and Wallis, but they have great buttons and obviously a great selection of Liberty print fabrics
Pattern cutting equipment
Moreplan - good for pattern cutting paper although you have to buy a whole roll.
Goldhawk Road, Shepard's Bush - a whole street of shops and there's a few in the market hidden away as well. Great for a cheap find
Berwick street, off Oxford Street - including my favourites, the two Cloth House's, a little more expensive but you get lovely quality fabric and it's arranged so it's easy to find. I also like the sound of the wooden floor boards and paper bags you get with your purchase.
Trimmings:
Mucculloch and Wallis - if they don't have it there no one has it
John Lewis - they have a great selection of trimmings and notions, as well as some fabrics
Liberty's - Their haberdashery section is a little smaller than John Lewis and Muccullock and Wallis, but they have great buttons and obviously a great selection of Liberty print fabrics
Pattern cutting equipment
Moreplan - good for pattern cutting paper although you have to buy a whole roll.
Types of fabrics
. . . coming soon
Sewing tips and tricks I have picked up along the way
Since I can remember I have always sewn (apart from when I couldn't walk but I don't really remember then) so I thought I'd share some little tips I've picked up along the way through a lot of trial and error. Whether my methods are right or wrong I'm not sure but they seem to work. I have been taught a little bit but a lot has been learnt through doing.
Investments:
- Most importantly, just go for it, what's the worst that can happen? People always seem afraid of breaking their machines or doing something wrong, but there's no right or wrong way and like computers sewing machines aren't going to break as soon as you touch them. The worst that can happen is breaking a needle and having to buy another one.
- Threading a needle - always moisten the end of the thread or the needle or both and hold the thread about 2cm from the end (machining or hand sewing)
- Think of everything as straight lines, fabric can be moved and twisted it's not like cardboard.
- Zips - when sewing in any zip always start from the top on both sides, this means the top of the zip will always match.
- Pinning - I always put one pin at the start, end and where any seams match so then you don't pin and realise one sides too short when you get to the end and have to start pinning again. Also all your seams will match perfectly.
- Always press/sew seams to the back or sides depending on where they are.
- Make a toile (a lovely french word for - prototype or 'twill' as my mum once said) try it on and make amendments to the pattern. I know i'd much rather spend £2 on some rubbish fabric for a toile and have a dress which fits than have it as another failed attempt in my wardrobe (I've learnt this the hard way).
- Invisible zips are amazing, don't be afraid of them, they will finish you project off like a dream. (tutorial of 'how to insert a invisible zip' to come)
- Organise your sewing things so you don't waste time losing bits, maybe even sew a fold up bag for them.
- Record where you get your patterns, fabric and trimmings from. What happens if you want to make another one. I also write on my patterns if I have made an alteration and not altered the pattern so I know next time.
- Alter a pattern from the shoulders down. (head, shoulders, knees and toes).
- If things keep going wrong that you know are silly come back to it tomorrow, don't stress yourself out about it, it's meant to be fun.
- If using a slightly sticky fabric, like fake leather or plastics then put some masking tape either side of where you're sewing and your foot won't stick.
- Never sew silk with velvet together, absolute nightmare that's why no one one really does it.
- HAVE FUN and listen to small light music whilst you sew!
Investments:
- Invest in pattern blocks (i.e. standard sized basic pattern pieces) then you can easily make your own patterns, I promise. Pattern cutting is logic, that's all. Even better draw your own blocks which is even better because you can then use your exact measurements. It's like blue peter style instructions, or dot to dot really. I use Metric Pattern Cutting for Womenswear by Aldrich . Once you have made your blocks then you will have them forever and you will save a lot of money on patterns which aren't guaranteed to fit and you will have one of pieces. If you're stuck for design ideas have a little look at pintrest.
- Invest in an overlocker if you make a lot of your own clothes, you will be so much happier with the frayed edges finished and your clothes will be stronger and last longer. I bought a Brother overlocker from eBay for about £130.
- Buy a mannequin, again just a little money on eBay (mine was £30, including delivery) then you can see how your garment drapes without twisting your head this way and that way. You can buy them in any size and pad them out with some wadding to alter to your shape (if you buy a size smaller this is easier). Beware though, I don't mean don't try on your clothes as well.