STEPS TO START SEWING your first garment using the pattern
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert. I don't believe in expertise in constantly developing areas, but I believe in learning and sharing knowledge. Actually, when you learn, you want to share and want to learn even more, because if you think you are an expert you have nothing to learn, right? But there is always something to learn. So even if I would like to be an expert someday, I don't want to stop learning, because I want to continue learning and developing, so any extra information from you is welcome. Welcome to my blog!
So, you decided to try sewing but what to start with.
1. Decide design and fabric which you want for this garment. Take into consideration the purpose, the season, preferred usual style and a budget. Look at your wardrobe to see how this garment will match to it. Capsule wardrobe is very popular but may be you want to add something new, don't be afraid but still have ideas what you want this garment to wear with and when.
2. Take measurements, make prototype. Measure yourself. Knowing yourself well will help to incorporate the physical characteristics of your body into your pattern. Not all people are the same. When you buy clothes at the shop you just try to find what will fit you, but when you sew you can fit the pattern and make perfectly-fitted garment. Sewing prototype will help you to incorporate your personality, I mean your personal physical characteristics. Adjust your prototype and prepare a revised prototype. (See videos)
3. Cut fabric. When you printed and cut your pattern in your size, cut fabric making adding 1 - 1.5 cm of seam-allowance.
4. Baste. Hand basting is necessary for trying and fitting. It is easy to remove if something should be adjusted.
5. Fit garment and adjust. Fitting and adjusting is a normal step in garment creation. If you see that your bust darts are too low you can make them higher etc. Fit the garment comfortably.
6. Sew. Sewing has different steps depending on the fabric and garment type, but you have all explained in the pattern step-by-step. Be sure you fully understand the characteristics of the fabric before sewing, and sew the garment accordingly. This means that if you have thin fabric you will probably need to use interfacing on some parts like cuffs, collar etc.
7. Intermediate basting. Check sleeves or length and width etc. on the way. Remember sewing is a process, sometimes you need a short break to have a rest and look with a fresh eye! It is normal!
8. Completion. Fitting and inspecting. Fit finally. Decide on buttons and other decorative accessories.
WHEN YOU FINISH YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT! EVEN IF SOMETHING IS NOT PERFECT, BE PROUD OF YOURSELF, THIS WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS NEXT PERFECTLY SEWN GARMENTS OF YOUR LIFE! WEAR IT!
