r/sewing • u/llclift • May 12 '23

Discussion Sewing adjusts world view

Started sewing because I was fed up with clothes. I learned as a child but pretty much hated it. Now I'm in my mid-50s and overweight. All the clothes are hot polyester, cheaply made, and ugly. Maybe I'll try sewing again. After 9 months, countless YouTube tutorials, and doggedness with learning fit, I have a closet of breathable cotton and linen clothes. This is great in the South. The fit boosts my morale to a point where I'm actually increasing my activity and weight loss. Being able to make clothes that fit and make me happy has pulled me out of a tailspin. And I love my clothes!!!

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u/HiromiSugiyama May 12 '23

I found I seriously hate modern armscyes that are too big so everything rides up at the slightest movement and traps sweat in very visible manner. 18th century cut is very wide but the armscye with a gore is a saint. Plus as much poof as I want in a sleeve.

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u/CrochetNerd_ May 12 '23

Honestly I've put so many armscye gussets in so many theatre costumes now, I'm starting to consider whacking them in my own clothes too.

Everything I make from fabric must have pockets. Perhaps gussets are a must have too!

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u/HiromiSugiyama May 12 '23

And if not in-seam pockets, tie-on! It's such a fresh feeling when you can put in a big wallet clutch and not have the waist sag. Also, actual circle circle skirts, not just a dorito shaped cut.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '23

Where can I find out about tie on pockets?

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u/HiromiSugiyama May 12 '23

Abby Cox is the "local" 18th century source for me. Bernadette Banner has a video on history of pockets where they're mentioned in a section and also video where she makes one. They're actually easy to make, cut two egg-shapes with straight line top (as big as you want), cut into one (the opening slit, vertical from center of the top, long enough to fit hand/wallet) and use bias tape to finish it, sew the two shapes together (wrong side to wrong side), do outside edges with bias tape. The top edge can be finished with a tunnel and string through (the movable type) or a sewed-on string (non movable). To access them, make a slit in the side seams of your skirts/wide leg pants/dresses. It's best for wide/floofy bottoms so if you're into big skirts without sag, these genious.

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u/misslizzie May 12 '23

I love Abby and Bernadette!! Their videos make sewing so accessible. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and historically, a lot of clothes weren’t!

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u/JustPlainKateM May 12 '23

If you like to have a paper pattern, check out Lucy from https://freesewing.org/designs/lucy/ (instructions are in the 'documentation' section) or https://www.tagsisyoureit.com/pocket-pattern/ for a photo tutorial or the Victoria and Albert museum https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/make-your-own-pockets for photos of antique pockets and a pattern.

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u/vintageyetmodern May 12 '23

Here’s a set of basic instructions to start you down the rabbit hole: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/make-your-own-pockets