Knowing the measurements of your hands can be a great help. I know my hand is 7 inches from fingertip to wrist crease. My middle finger is 3 inches and the end joint is 1 inch. Very helpful if you have to just guess with a pinch!
Take an existing article of clothing which fits you properly and use it as a pattern/template for what you are making/altering. i.e.: hemming a pair of pants: measure the inseam of a pair where the length suits you and go from there. The same works for sleeve length. Keep in mind that different types of fabrics may give different results, but I find this technique works as a basic "rule of thumb". Evelyn, I like the inside out technique, thanks for that.
I do this all the time. I'm just starting to feel comfortable with the idea of learning to draft my own things from my own measurements, before now I've made patterns from things I already own.
I saw the title of this video and genuinely thought you had heard me cursing over pinning princess seams for a #garmentrenovation yesterday 😅 another thing I find helpful is using clothes pegs or quilting clips to do the initial shaping of the garment, then removing it, pinning the changes securely and evenly, and putting it on again. This works especially well for back seams, as it requires a lot less effort and twisting to get a good placement. You can apply a lot more pegs along seams than you can needles, and it saves the weird misaligned pins you have to figure out once it's off you - not to mention waaay less pinsticks during those awkward moments when you realise you've pinned yourself in, and try to ease yourself out without getting scratches all over!! Love your channel, your skills and your style - hopefully I'll get my butt up to Brisbane one of these days for a workshop! All the best x
I was reading the comments about mannequins. I brought a mannequin that was a size small and used a product called Fabulous Fit. Fabulous Fit is a product that has different pads so that you can make a mannequin fit your size. It really works. And, I love the navy tassels on you “new” blouse.
I added an old swimsuit top to my mannequin, and added padding underneath using old shoulder pads at the bust - she now has my “ shape” nearly exactly. The photo idea is great also for detecting drag lines on the back, how useful is a hubby!
So good 👍 In school we made a waist band out of muslin that we pinned around our waist, always handy to have, for measuring or pinning unfinished skirts or pants on to your waist 😊
Last year I grew tired of the Laundry Goblin stealing my single socks, so while I was shopping I bought a pile of old-style nappy pins (for terry towelling nappies) to pin the pairs together, while laundering. Not only did it solve the problem, but the giant pins found many uses in my sewing kit; the best is that the length & the pink (or blue) plastic cap has made them handy for pinning garments while wearing them, without being stabbed by dressmaking pins when taking the item off.
I used to do this with socks but after I ruined too many pairs of socks from the pins ripping holes I decided that lost socks were easier to deal with. (I buy the bags full of the same kind of socks so everyone is the mate of the others.)
I love the tip with guessing! I knew how to make darts for 6 years, I would always read about them and watch videos but never did it myself because I had such a hard time making them even and getting them just right. Just 2 years ago I said screw it, I can buy fabric whenever I want to! And I guessed darts. Of course they were not perfect but that was the very first step in my learning curve. Now my darts are crisp and perfect!
Me: I need to go to gym today Evelyn: Just do pinning without a mannequin for that full body workout. Ready.... Take Off, Turn Inside, Put Back On, Chicken Dance!, Turn Head Right Around, Twist, and Back, Lean, Stand up Straight, Hands Up your Back, Keep Going Up, Dodge the Pins, Bend Down, Hands on Thighs...Pin, Take Off, Check, Re Pin, Put Back ON and...Repeat 157 times. 😂😂😂
Cool tips which I will use. On a seperate note, could you give tips on reconstructing garments that are too small; such as tips to make something bigger. Thanks in advance.
From my costuming days, I used large safety pins for fittings on others. The downside is that you can damage the fabric! I also measured the sections of my fingers, to help estimate small distances while fitting alone. Great tutorial❤❤❤
Make your own body form by bootstrap patterns. I did and it’s a exact representation of my body. I think I only spent, about 25$ for the custom body pattern. Well worth the money and time.
This comment is worth its weight in gold. I've always wanted to sew for myself. I've always felt like a round peg in a square hole. $25 seems like nothing to be able to drape on something shaped like me. I live alone and this is going to be a lifesaver.
Lol! I had to chuckle at 'inside out', because that's how I take in the waist line of my cotton khaki trousers when I buy them! I usually buy 3 or 4 pairs at once, 4" larger waist, flip, mark, rip and stitch; adjust back belt loops and I am done. If I have to hem the legs, same thing, just fold up until 'right', and stitch! I always liked the full cut fit of men's trousers, from the 30's to the 50's. Nice seat, little higher waist, no binding, and comfy!! Flat front, and no pleats! Thanks Evelyn, I love these tips!!
ThAt blouse looks wonderful. What a difference the blue tassels make. I wouldn’t have thought of it but it just shows what the right extras can do 😀. Thank you for all the tips. That was the first thing I learned in your refashioning course and it was a game changer
Yay!! Pinning on yourself is a thing you don't realize you have learn! 🤣 I'm glad I've been able to help you nail it! And the blouse is just perfect now!! It's always the little details! 😘
Yes, even if you have a manequin, you still need to use your own body for the final fittings. I can't wait to see that day suit . I would love one myself !
It has been tricky! There's a lot to think about in the jacket! But it is coming along well and I think you would look fabulous in a similar refashion!
I am so with you on the repeat trying on, alter pinning, alter again, and rinse and repeat. All day long. I do a lot of reverse selfies in the mirror to see the back, a lot ot trial and error and experience and knowing your desired design lines/seams helps too....
And the NAVY TASSELS! They are lovely. And I also have to keep in mind that sides are flipped when I'm fitting wrong side out. Like insert a zipper on the right side so it will be on the left side at the end.
Thank you!!! THIS is the video I was needing and couldn't find, not a native speaker, didn't know what to search for...it just showed up in my recommendations! Amazing!
Good luck with the men's refashioning- Sure it will be wonderful. For me I use full length mirrors in a well lit room -have to see front and back together. And yes, the on off, on off and when I think the fit is good I use basting stitches first before the final sewing of the seam. Thanks for your videos-you're a hoot, wished you lived down the road from me.
It helped me work out my back fitting when I got my husband to photograph me in my muslin so I could see the drag lines. Fixed my pants fit really well. Then I deleted the photos!
Sometimes I dangle a measure tape to where I want my hem to be and see where it lines up with the top of the pants/skirt then I have a measurement to pin the hem to. Then try it on of course.
Fantastic video 👌🏽. Have always pinned clothes on myself, but needed to learn to do it properly. I'm plus size, so mannequins for me are a little more expensive. For now I pin on myself.
I tend to often basically top stitch darts. Basically I don't sew them on the inside, I just make the dart, I fold the excess away and just make sure I have a nice stitch. If the stich is nice and even it can look professional. I also do that a lot with princess seams when I fit them directly on my body
One of my old/vintage sewing books recommends using 2 thumb tacks to secure a piece of string (which you've covered in chalk) at the right height for your hems and then you can slowly walk into it and it marks your hem. Much cheaper and general works well (I also have very little storage space and it works better for that too!)
Very helpful thanks. They do self self hemming chalkers which are cheaper and smaller than a mannequin. I also recently read an article that said that by 2022 more people would be buying 2nd hand than fast fashion!
Can you please please make a video on choosing a dress making form ,adjustable or not etc ,,,thank you for your videos ,they have renewed my interest in sewing ,
I have to do this all the time! So necessary with retro fitted clothing. I have a mannequin, but it is not exactly my size. Thanks for these tips Evelyn :)
this is the kind of vid that you see the title and you just know you NEED to watch it! Thanks Early on in my adult sewing journey I bought quilting pins by accident - I have never regretted that, sure I probably have to be a bit more careful about how I use them but the extra length really works for me on the whole.
Great tips Evelyn! I really look forward to your refashions! I agree that the florist pins are incredibly useful, I’ve used them myself as well. However, the pinning on myself is a hard thing to do, so what I’ve done is used a large hanger to pin in place of a dress form. I wish you well on your refashions!! Happy sewing! 🧵✂️👗
I immediately noticed your lovely navy tassels that look fantastic. I also noticed you have very flexible shoulders! You reach so easily to the back seam. Lots of great tips as usual.
I love your skirt hem trick. Holding the skirt down is brilliant. I use a tape measure and drop it with the 1" (US) where I want the the finished hem to fall; it is a matter of checking the length from hem to waistline. I also cheat and use my sloper tracing to make and neaten adjustments.
8:38 this is why i always cut the fabric a bit bigger than i think it should be… you can always take away excess fabric but its a LOT harder to add it back without it looking all wonky
Instead of using pins, you could also use clips, get those big and wide ones that clamp down really hard. They are easier to move around and adjust than pins and won't prick you accidentally.
Thank you so much Evelyn - I have a couple of items that need refitting for myself and was struggling with how to do it without a dress form (I wish I had space for one!). This is so helpful- especially about the LONG pins! Thanks!
Hi Evelyn. I did this too, but got few new tips by watching this video. Thank you! I will definitely try it next time. Pinning and getting on and off a pinned work can be painful, so I use paper binder clips and laundry clips instead of pins. I find that if the fabric is not that slippery, clips will hold the darts in place just as well.
I was just wondering how I could start working on the hem of a dress I’m making. Ty for these tips. Going to save me some time. I love how those tassels worked out. What a score. Awesome when makers help out, and what a coincidence that she had just what you needed.
This video was really helpful. Not only did it answer questions about pinning on myself, while watching I saw a place where I would add a dart if I were altering a menswear suit for myself. Thank you for both teaching me something, and activating my brain.
that holding down the fabric while bending over is a lifesaver. I tried adjusting the lower part of a some bootcut pants on myself and wound up going back and forth adjusting, it was about as effective as a dog chasing it's tail
158 times, I thought I was the only one!! llol Thanks for injecting a little humour into that frustrating regime. I will remember these tips for pinning myself and perhaps get it down to half the above number - on off, on off, only 79 times. ha ha! I must laugh at myself in that situation (while keeping my body straight).
@@Evelyn__Wood and if you keep taking in fabric you don't even have to rip the basting out. Just tuck a little more in and when you cut the extra fabric away voila the basting stitches are gone. You waste thread but you don't turn your torso into a pincushion trying on and removing the item 158 times! :-)
I notice you have your navy tassels on your blouse! Much better. Thanks for these tips. I do have a mannequin but still find I need to do most of the fitting on myself. I wrote about the tassel before you mentioned it!
Great tips! Doing it inside out is something I haven´t thought of before, thanks! I wanted to ask if you could do some tips on putting in darts while fitting with a refashion or alteration. I usually have to do a lot around the armhole, neck and chest area (gaping is a problem) because I´m petite and never quite know whether I´m putting the darts in the right place in case they look "ugly" or someone can tell I haven´t put them in the right place! Any tips appreciated.
Thanks for watching! As for darts being in the right place, just study well made clothing and patterns, they will all have darted in the same places, as that's what looks 'right' 😉
Hypatia - I always try to put the darts where the material is at its baggiest, and usually I do four, two front and two back. Because of the shape of my back I usually take slightly more at the back than the front (maybe I just need to eat less cake!). Then you try it on and take it off and adjust it slightly for the 158 times to make it your best guess, before tacking just a smidge outside the sewing line and removing all the pins for the final best guess, and then you can confidently sew your perfect darts and it fits like a dream and you vow to never wear ‘off the peg’ clothes ever again! (...also, try to practice on a cheap thrifted dress or shirt before you have a go at your expensive or beautiful project because you’ll get much better at it with experience.)
Mine has kept its shape for soon 15 years - but I haven't! Not hoping for store bought one, though, as it wouldn't be _my_ shape anyway (nothing ready-made ever is).
I do this a lot! Still plugging away at my to-be-taken-in pile; keeping finding more that’s too big! Keeping buying things a bit too small in charity shops! Not complaining, honest! 🥳
I find it best when doing self pinning 2 mirrors at the front and the back work best for keeping your posture good and making sure your getting a better line placement. I keep telling my husband I need a third one. That or I should spend the money and make a body form but I just started so not yet xD I can make slopers and blocks and I am trying to convert myself to the metric system. Since all books use it thank you crap american schools for nothing
Hi Evelyn! I'm so inspired by all your video's but some are a little to advanced for me. You make everything look like a breeze! I bought a mens blouse in the thriftstore last month to make that awesome top with the bow you did, but i got completely stuck when i got to the arm pit part. I would love love love to follow your online course for altering clothes at your online sewing school but the one i need isn't available. Do you have any idea if it will go back online? Kind regards from the Netherlands from a fellow thrift enthousiast.
I've just changed over to a new website and school structure!! It now has everything you need!! If you have any questions email me! www.vintagsewingschool.com
Yes you can, and you can pad it up to closer to your size... but it's still not your body and you'll still need to fit it on your body! But a manniquin helps alot!!
I would say all you need is safety pins, normal pins, a mirror (full-length is preferable) and a lot of guesses. For the hem of a skirt, I would say that you need 2 chairs, yarn and chalk, then you don't have to do any bending.
Gaping arm holes. Cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. Can’t figure out if it is due to too much ease in the sides, too large armhole, or placement of darts (being large chested). None of the many books, modern or vintage are helping. I’m sure that we each have one sewing “bane.” Perhaps an episode on the most common problems that we run into....
Without seeing it it is very hard to tell! But if it is gaping at the front armhole (above the underarm on the front) it is likley because you need bigger darts and to allow more shaping/room at the bust. Have a look 'full bust adjustments' a version of this might help you!
I wonder if you could mark the pin lines with chalk or a marker, take the pins out before you take off the garment, but you still have your seam lines without stabbing yourself?
There is a way to get a mannequin that is fitted to an individual body using duct tape and plastic wrap. I made one for a friend of mine and it's a pain in the behind to do, but does work. Pus, it's really inexpensive. I'm sure there are instructional videos on youtube.
That was nice of you to do! Yes there are many 'duck tape manniquin' tutorials for sure and I've heard of lot's of people making them. I wouldn't personally like this solution as you couldn't pin through the tape, and if you do you get glue over all your pins!!
Safety pins! I keep a tin of small safety pins for the purpose. No more picking yourself as you put it on and take it off when adjusting garment. I start with just a few, take it off, fill in the gaps, and try on again. Lastly I baste, if necessary, or chalk on the lines for sewing.
I use safety pins with fittings so not only am I less likely to stab people, it’s also less likely to lose the pins while shuffling with try ons and alterations
another way to mark your hemline by yourself....it's a little weird, but use chalk string that is used to mark long pieces of wood. String it up across a doorframe at the height you want the hemline to be. Afterwards, with the garment on, rub the skirt next to it and it will leave a chalk mark on the fabric which will be level on you when you were the garment.
Knowing the measurements of your hands can be a great help. I know my hand is 7 inches from fingertip to wrist crease. My middle finger is 3 inches and the end joint is 1 inch. Very helpful if you have to just guess with a pinch!
Julie that's a good one!! I often say 'a pinky length' or 'hand width', knowing he actual length would be helpful!
Genius
REALLY! That is so helpful. Thanks for that Julie D!
I always make sure I wear the bra I'm planning on wearing with the dress and always make adjustments while wearing the same one.
Oh yes, definetly the right undergarments!!
Yes!
A long basting stitch with a vibrant contrasting color before the final step is nice.
That's a great idea!!
That's what I do as well.
I did the basting the same color.. Omg well... seam ripper n I became besties..
Just seeing that it is awkward for a professional too is very helpful, I don't feel quite so hopeless at the fittings LOL. Awkward is normal. :)
Awkward is absolutely normal! Your not doing it wrong! 😀
I use quilting pins in my sewing. They're much longer than regular dress making pins.
Thanks for the hemming tip. That was great.
I'm so glad you got something to try next time!
I do the same thing too!!
Quilting pins, oh yes, me too. Much better than those wimpy little pins they sell for dress making.
Take an existing article of clothing which fits you properly and use it as a pattern/template for what you are making/altering. i.e.: hemming a pair of pants: measure the inseam of a pair where the length suits you and go from there. The same works for sleeve length. Keep in mind that different types of fabrics may give different results, but I find this technique works as a basic "rule of thumb". Evelyn, I like the inside out technique, thanks for that.
I do this all the time.
I'm just starting to feel comfortable with the idea of learning to draft my own things from my own measurements, before now I've made patterns from things I already own.
I did that when I made my own jeans. Now I have a perfect pants/jeans sloper. No more off the rack jeans with bad fit and bad fabric!!!! HURRAY!!!
I saw the title of this video and genuinely thought you had heard me cursing over pinning princess seams for a #garmentrenovation yesterday 😅 another thing I find helpful is using clothes pegs or quilting clips to do the initial shaping of the garment, then removing it, pinning the changes securely and evenly, and putting it on again. This works especially well for back seams, as it requires a lot less effort and twisting to get a good placement. You can apply a lot more pegs along seams than you can needles, and it saves the weird misaligned pins you have to figure out once it's off you - not to mention waaay less pinsticks during those awkward moments when you realise you've pinned yourself in, and try to ease yourself out without getting scratches all over!! Love your channel, your skills and your style - hopefully I'll get my butt up to Brisbane one of these days for a workshop! All the best x
😄😄 Yes! I made this just for you! 😉 Yes this method with pegs could definetly be useful for some people I bet!
Heather Elise love the idea of quilting clips! Hard to stab yurself with those! 🤣
Binder clips might work too.
This sound great, I will definitely try it, Thanks 😊
Got to try it with pegs
I was reading the comments about mannequins. I brought a mannequin that was a size small and used a product called Fabulous Fit. Fabulous Fit is a product that has different pads so that you can make a mannequin fit your size. It really works.
And, I love the navy tassels on you “new” blouse.
Excellent! I pad up all my mannequins!
What a great tip! I’ve never her of this product but plan to purchase it. Thanks a million billion!!
Well, Icant pad my mannequin down. Illness has caused major wt. loss and new ones are so expensive.
I added an old swimsuit top to my mannequin, and added padding underneath using old shoulder pads at the bust - she now has my “ shape” nearly exactly. The photo idea is great also for detecting drag lines on the back, how useful is a hubby!
So good 👍 In school we made a waist band out of muslin that we pinned around our waist, always handy to have, for measuring or pinning unfinished skirts or pants on to your waist 😊
Last year I grew tired of the Laundry Goblin stealing my single socks, so while I was shopping I bought a pile of old-style nappy pins (for terry towelling nappies) to pin the pairs together, while laundering. Not only did it solve the problem, but the giant pins found many uses in my sewing kit; the best is that the length & the pink (or blue) plastic cap has made them handy for pinning garments while wearing them, without being stabbed by dressmaking pins when taking the item off.
Oh they are the 'big pin' version for safety pins! Great idea! And I love the idea of keeping them together in the wash!
I was trying to figure out how to attach pairs of socks before putting them in the laundry. Thanks for the great idea.
I used to do this with socks but after I ruined too many pairs of socks from the pins ripping holes I decided that lost socks were easier to deal with. (I buy the bags full of the same kind of socks so everyone is the mate of the others.)
@@sometimessnarky1642 I did that for child. One less bit of stress
@@d.rabbitwhite sometimes every little bit helps.
I've never had such a lesson. Thanks so much, Evelyn!
You are one of my favorite seamstresses on RUclips. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!
Aww thankyou so much! This makes my day!
Setting up a camera with a timer to photograph the back & sides helps prevent distortion from twisting & looking!
Great idea!!
I hope it gives you a few ideas If you've always struggled! I'd love to know your own tips managing this challenging task of fitting on your self??
Just have to say: love the new navy tassels!!
I love the tip with guessing! I knew how to make darts for 6 years, I would always read about them and watch videos but never did it myself because I had such a hard time making them even and getting them just right. Just 2 years ago I said screw it, I can buy fabric whenever I want to! And I guessed darts. Of course they were not perfect but that was the very first step in my learning curve. Now my darts are crisp and perfect!
😄😄 Yes!!! It's just fabric right! What's the worst that can happen! I love your ambition to figure it out! No fear! And you won! ❤
@@Evelyn__Wood Yes, yes, yes.
Oh my, how many times I've done this. So true - pin, take it off, put it back on, pin... Yep, been there, done that.
Me: I need to go to gym today
Evelyn: Just do pinning without a mannequin for that full body workout. Ready....
Take Off, Turn Inside, Put Back On, Chicken Dance!, Turn Head Right Around, Twist, and Back, Lean, Stand up Straight, Hands Up your Back, Keep Going Up, Dodge the Pins, Bend Down, Hands on Thighs...Pin, Take Off, Check, Re Pin, Put Back ON and...Repeat 157 times. 😂😂😂
Bha ha ha ha 😂😂😂 We could call it 'The Dressmaker Workout' !
@@Evelyn__Wood Definitely involves Advanced Yoga 😂
That zipper test from PE paid off
so glad to see I am not the only one to use the "guess,pin,try on repeat" method
Cool tips which I will use. On a seperate note, could you give tips on reconstructing garments that are too small; such as tips to make something bigger. Thanks in advance.
From my costuming days, I used large safety pins for fittings on others. The downside is that you can damage the fabric!
I also measured the sections of my fingers, to help estimate small distances while fitting alone.
Great tutorial❤❤❤
Make your own body form by bootstrap patterns. I did and it’s a exact representation of my body. I think I only spent, about 25$ for the custom body pattern. Well worth the money and time.
This comment is worth its weight in gold. I've always wanted to sew for myself. I've always felt like a round peg in a square hole. $25 seems like nothing to be able to drape on something shaped like me. I live alone and this is going to be a lifesaver.
I just want to say,that this pattern is not a beginners pattern. It is at least for intermediates.
Thank you Evelyn. I realise now that the process I followed was correct and it took a long time because there are no shortcuts to a good fit!
Lol! I had to chuckle at 'inside out', because that's how I take in the waist line of my cotton khaki trousers when I buy them! I usually buy 3 or 4 pairs at once, 4" larger waist, flip, mark, rip and stitch; adjust back belt loops and I am done. If I have to hem the legs, same thing, just fold up until 'right', and stitch!
I always liked the full cut fit of men's trousers, from the 30's to the 50's. Nice seat, little higher waist, no binding, and comfy!! Flat front, and no pleats!
Thanks Evelyn, I love these tips!!
ThAt blouse looks wonderful. What a difference the blue tassels make. I wouldn’t have thought of it but it just shows what the right extras can do 😀. Thank you for all the tips. That was the first thing I learned in your refashioning course and it was a game changer
Yay!! Pinning on yourself is a thing you don't realize you have learn! 🤣 I'm glad I've been able to help you nail it! And the blouse is just perfect now!! It's always the little details! 😘
You are absolutely awesome 👏 ❤
Yes, even if you have a manequin, you still need to use your own body for the final fittings.
I can't wait to see that day suit . I would love one myself !
It has been tricky! There's a lot to think about in the jacket! But it is coming along well and I think you would look fabulous in a similar refashion!
I am so with you on the repeat trying on, alter pinning, alter again, and rinse and repeat. All day long. I do a lot of reverse selfies in the mirror to see the back, a lot ot trial and error and experience and knowing your desired design lines/seams helps too....
Thank you so much for this! Happy healing ❤
And the NAVY TASSELS! They are lovely.
And I also have to keep in mind that sides are flipped when I'm fitting wrong side out. Like insert a zipper on the right side so it will be on the left side at the end.
Thank you!!! THIS is the video I was needing and couldn't find, not a native speaker, didn't know what to search for...it just showed up in my recommendations! Amazing!
Perfect!! I'm glad you found the answers!
Good luck with the men's refashioning- Sure it will be wonderful. For me I use full length mirrors in a well lit room -have to see front and back together. And yes, the on off, on off and when I think the fit is good I use basting stitches first before the final sewing of the seam. Thanks for your videos-you're a hoot, wished you lived down the road from me.
It helped me work out my back fitting when I got my husband to photograph me in my muslin so I could see the drag lines. Fixed my pants fit really well. Then I deleted the photos!
Sometimes I dangle a measure tape to where I want my hem to be and see where it lines up with the top of the pants/skirt then I have a measurement to pin the hem to. Then try it on of course.
Great idea!
Fantastic video 👌🏽. Have always pinned clothes on myself, but needed to learn to do it properly. I'm plus size, so mannequins for me are a little more expensive. For now I pin on myself.
You can do it!! A mannequin helps alot, but you still need to pin on your own body! A good skill to have!
I tend to often basically top stitch darts. Basically I don't sew them on the inside, I just make the dart, I fold the excess away and just make sure I have a nice stitch. If the stich is nice and even it can look professional. I also do that a lot with princess seams when I fit them directly on my body
Sneeky! I actually ended up fitting one of these seams as a lapped seam as I thought it sat better!
Good to know that my gut instinct of trial and error is pretty much the best. So good to have that validated by a pro!
What about those hem measures that stand on the floor as you turn. then a bulb with chalk spritzes chalk line. My mom had one in the early 1970s.
Yes! They are great! And definitely what yoy should use to mark an actual hem line all the way around!
I need to get one of those. I saw one in a video for vintage sewing. However i need to find one now. Any tips on good ones.
I was lucky and found one of these on a flea market (and it was unused and I paid only 2€ ❤️)
You can get them from Ebay or Janome Sewing centres. I saw them in Lincraft a few months ago.
One of my old/vintage sewing books recommends using 2 thumb tacks to secure a piece of string (which you've covered in chalk) at the right height for your hems and then you can slowly walk into it and it marks your hem. Much cheaper and general works well (I also have very little storage space and it works better for that too!)
Very helpful thanks.
They do self self hemming chalkers which are cheaper and smaller than a mannequin.
I also recently read an article that said that by 2022 more people would be buying 2nd hand than fast fashion!
I hope so! 🤞🤞
Can you please please make a video on choosing a dress making form ,adjustable or not etc ,,,thank you for your videos ,they have renewed my interest in sewing ,
Thank you. You were right the navy tassels do look nicer than the other color.
I have to do this all the time! So necessary with retro fitted clothing. I have a mannequin, but it is not exactly my size. Thanks for these tips Evelyn :)
Thanks for watching! 😙 Even it it is your size, it's a mannequin and not really the same as your body so I will always still fit on my body too!
this is the kind of vid that you see the title and you just know you NEED to watch it! Thanks
Early on in my adult sewing journey I bought quilting pins by accident - I have never regretted that, sure I probably have to be a bit more careful about how I use them but the extra length really works for me on the whole.
😀 The long pins are so useful right!!
Great tips Evelyn! I really look forward to your refashions! I agree that the florist pins are incredibly useful, I’ve used them myself as well. However, the pinning on myself is a hard thing to do, so what I’ve done is used a large hanger to pin in place of a dress form. I wish you well on your refashions!! Happy sewing! 🧵✂️👗
Oh yes! Hanging on a hanger to pin I have done before and a great tip to share!
Thanks for the helpful tips
I immediately noticed your lovely navy tassels that look fantastic. I also noticed you have very flexible shoulders! You reach so easily to the back seam. Lots of great tips as usual.
I love your skirt hem trick. Holding the skirt down is brilliant. I use a tape measure and drop it with the 1" (US) where I want the the finished hem to fall; it is a matter of checking the length from hem to waistline. I also cheat and use my sloper tracing to make and neaten adjustments.
8:38 this is why i always cut the fabric a bit bigger than i think it should be… you can always take away excess fabric but its a LOT harder to add it back without it looking all wonky
I Lovebyour accent and ive always thought that the clothes Looked better inside out
That’s really helpful and thanks! The peasant blouse looks fabulous, by the way.
Instead of using pins, you could also use clips, get those big and wide ones that clamp down really hard. They are easier to move around and adjust than pins and won't prick you accidentally.
Thank you so much Evelyn - I have a couple of items that need refitting for myself and was struggling with how to do it without a dress form (I wish I had space for one!). This is so helpful- especially about the LONG pins! Thanks!
Give then a try! They might be just right for you!
This is great. I don't see myself getting a manquin for at least another year, so this is helpful.
Thanks, Evelyn
That blouse refashion turned out so cute. I am looking forward to seeing how this refashion turns out.
Hi Evelyn. I did this too, but got few new tips by watching this video. Thank you! I will definitely try it next time. Pinning and getting on and off a pinned work can be painful, so I use paper binder clips and laundry clips instead of pins. I find that if the fabric is not that slippery, clips will hold the darts in place just as well.
First of all, you look fabulous in your refasion.
Thank you for sharing your valuable tips with us.
Aww thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it useful!
This was wonderful
Thank you so much for these tips, 'cause it' s not easy to fit without mannequin 😊. So as always, bisous from France et à bientôt 😘.
😄 I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
you made me feel better about how long its taking me to do this dress lol it is a LOT of off and on and frustration
I was just wondering how I could start working on the hem of a dress I’m making. Ty for these tips. Going to save me some time.
I love how those tassels worked out. What a score. Awesome when makers help out, and what a coincidence that she had just what you needed.
It was perfect timing and meant to be I think with the tassels!!
This video was really helpful. Not only did it answer questions about pinning on myself, while watching I saw a place where I would add a dart if I were altering a menswear suit for myself. Thank you for both teaching me something, and activating my brain.
that holding down the fabric while bending over is a lifesaver. I tried adjusting the lower part of a some bootcut pants on myself and wound up going back and forth adjusting, it was about as effective as a dog chasing it's tail
158 times, I thought I was the only one!! llol Thanks for injecting a little humour into that frustrating regime.
I will remember these tips for pinning myself and perhaps get it down to half the above number - on off, on off, only 79 times. ha ha! I must laugh at myself in that situation (while keeping my body straight).
hahaha I dare not actually count the amount of times for this refashion! I think 158 might not be an exaggeration😅!
I thought this was the only way to do this. Occasionally I even baste stitch and try on and rip out baste and repeat.
That is a good plan sometimes!
@@Evelyn__Wood and if you keep taking in fabric you don't even have to rip the basting out. Just tuck a little more in and when you cut the extra fabric away voila the basting stitches are gone. You waste thread but you don't turn your torso into a pincushion trying on and removing the item 158 times!
:-)
Helpful ideas for a common frustration! Thanks 😊
Thanks for watching!! 😙
Excellent tips, thanks!! By the way, your blouse looks beautiful with the blue tassles!!!
Thankyou!!
I was so hoping for a great tip lol. I guess I have been doing it right for years. Thanks Evelyn, love your videos.
Great tips! Thank you! Love the navy tassels, too.
thought it was just me who did this, I have been doing this for years when fitting myself thank you
I notice you have your navy tassels on your blouse! Much better. Thanks for these tips. I do have a mannequin but still find I need to do most of the fitting on myself. I wrote about the tassel before you mentioned it!
Thank you! Great tips as usual. Good luck with your runway refashion!!
Thankyou!!
Fantastic tips thank you . I pinned some lace around a blouse neck band it was very scary trying the blouse on lol
Love the hem trick!
Great tips! Doing it inside out is something I haven´t thought of before, thanks! I wanted to ask if you could do some tips on putting in darts while fitting with a refashion or alteration. I usually have to do a lot around the armhole, neck and chest area (gaping is a problem) because I´m petite and never quite know whether I´m putting the darts in the right place in case they look "ugly" or someone can tell I haven´t put them in the right place! Any tips appreciated.
Thanks for watching! As for darts being in the right place, just study well made clothing and patterns, they will all have darted in the same places, as that's what looks 'right' 😉
Hypatia - I always try to put the darts where the material is at its baggiest, and usually I do four, two front and two back. Because of the shape of my back I usually take slightly more at the back than the front (maybe I just need to eat less cake!).
Then you try it on and take it off and adjust it slightly for the 158 times to make it your best guess, before tacking just a smidge outside the sewing line and removing all the pins for the final best guess, and then you can confidently sew your perfect darts and it fits like a dream and you vow to never wear ‘off the peg’ clothes ever again!
(...also, try to practice on a cheap thrifted dress or shirt before you have a go at your expensive or beautiful project because you’ll get much better at it with experience.)
Great info, Evelyn. Thank you!
I made a mannequin out of duck tape and stuffing worked for awhile but it's lost it's shape now I'm hoping santa will bring me a real one lol
A real purpose build mannequin will be so much better!! 🤞🤞
Mine has kept its shape for soon 15 years - but I haven't! Not hoping for store bought one, though, as it wouldn't be _my_ shape anyway (nothing ready-made ever is).
This video is SO helpful. Thank you Evelyn❣️ 🥰
Very useful tips!
The first thing I noticed were your tassels! :)
😀😀😀
I have nothing but to say thank you 💪
I do this a lot! Still plugging away at my to-be-taken-in pile; keeping finding more that’s too big! Keeping buying things a bit too small in charity shops! Not complaining, honest! 🥳
Wonderful!! You have so many more options when you know how to sew right!
as always very helpful, thank you
This was so helpful, thanks so much!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
I find it best when doing self pinning 2 mirrors at the front and the back work best for keeping your posture good and making sure your getting a better line placement. I keep telling my husband I need a third one. That or I should spend the money and make a body form but I just started so not yet xD I can make slopers and blocks and I am trying to convert myself to the metric system. Since all books use it thank you crap american schools for nothing
Those were some great tips!
Hi Evelyn! I'm so inspired by all your video's but some are a little to advanced for me. You make everything look like a breeze! I bought a mens blouse in the thriftstore last month to make that awesome top with the bow you did, but i got completely stuck when i got to the arm pit part. I would love love love to follow your online course for altering clothes at your online sewing school but the one i need isn't available. Do you have any idea if it will go back online? Kind regards from the Netherlands from a fellow thrift enthousiast.
I've just changed over to a new website and school structure!! It now has everything you need!! If you have any questions email me! www.vintagsewingschool.com
This was really helpful thank you!!
I learn a lot today thank you
OMG This video had convinced me to invest in a mannequin that fits me. Can I get one that is adjusts?
Yes you can, and you can pad it up to closer to your size... but it's still not your body and you'll still need to fit it on your body! But a manniquin helps alot!!
I would say all you need is safety pins, normal pins, a mirror (full-length is preferable) and a lot of guesses. For the hem of a skirt, I would say that you need 2 chairs, yarn and chalk, then you don't have to do any bending.
Yes!!!!
Thank you. Great tips!
Thank you! Learned a lot.
Gaping arm holes. Cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. Can’t figure out if it is due to too much ease in the sides, too large armhole, or placement of darts (being large chested). None of the many books, modern or vintage are helping. I’m sure that we each have one sewing “bane.” Perhaps an episode on the most common problems that we run into....
Without seeing it it is very hard to tell! But if it is gaping at the front armhole (above the underarm on the front) it is likley because you need bigger darts and to allow more shaping/room at the bust. Have a look 'full bust adjustments' a version of this might help you!
I have 'pinned myself' before. You have to be careful getting it off and back on.
Oh nooo 😟!!!
And also not to accidentally pin everything through your clothes
Offering to the sewing gods. They demand blood.
I wonder if you could mark the pin lines with chalk or a marker, take the pins out before you take off the garment, but you still have your seam lines without stabbing yourself?
Thank you !
There is a way to get a mannequin that is fitted to an individual body using duct tape and plastic wrap. I made one for a friend of mine and it's a pain in the behind to do, but does work. Pus, it's really inexpensive. I'm sure there are instructional videos on youtube.
That was nice of you to do! Yes there are many 'duck tape manniquin' tutorials for sure and I've heard of lot's of people making them. I wouldn't personally like this solution as you couldn't pin through the tape, and if you do you get glue over all your pins!!
@@Evelyn__Wood I love ALL your videos, thank you!
You can cover the duct tape mannequin with 2-3 T shirts and pin onto that.
Safety pins! I keep a tin of small safety pins for the purpose. No more picking yourself as you put it on and take it off when adjusting garment. I start with just a few, take it off, fill in the gaps, and try on again. Lastly I baste, if necessary, or chalk on the lines for sewing.
I use safety pins with fittings so not only am I less likely to stab people, it’s also less likely to lose the pins while shuffling with try ons and alterations
I like the skirt tip it's hard to explain to my 6 size year old lol😂
🤣🤣
another way to mark your hemline by yourself....it's a little weird, but use chalk string that is used to mark long pieces of wood. String it up across a doorframe at the height you want the hemline to be. Afterwards, with the garment on, rub the skirt next to it and it will leave a chalk mark on the fabric which will be level on you when you were the garment.