I was born 6 feet tall so yes I made my clothes. Well, I wasn't actually born 6 feet tall, of course, but I was 5'10" by sixth grade so my mother taught me how to sew. Altering a pattern was critical, and I seemed to gravitate towards patterns that really didn't lend themselves to altering for a longer torso. But I did it anyway and learned lots. Stay-stitching, bound buttonholes, inset pockets, flannel-backed satin for lining coats, neck bands...many of these techniques have fallen by the wayside, but they all had value and added something to the garment. Making your own clothes is a glorious journey, and I wish you lots of fun along the way. Not to mention some amazing clothes to wear!

Oh how this brings back memories of bygone days, when I needed to sew, if I wanted something new to wear! So often the finished product, did not look like I envisioned - oh the frustration; but looking back, I'm still amazed at the cute cloths I once sewed - and how my wardrobe 'wishes' consisted of Pattern Numbers, not ticked pages in a catalogue :)!

I learned to sew in school and made some lovely cotton dresses for my self. I still sew clothing, mostly shirts for my husband. He loves the novelty prints. It started because we were going on a crafting cruise and he didn't have any Hawaiian shirts. So we selected tropical fish, a manatee, and a lizard print fabrics and a pattern. I quickly made 3 shirts with wild matching buttons and a trend was born. Turned out he loved the shirts for bowling. I've made about 3 dozen shirts using this same pattern in a dizzying array of prints and specialty buttons including penguins and polar bears. I even made 10 shirts all the same fabric for his bowling teams. I've shortened and hemmed a wedding gown for one niece and sewed silky fabric blouses and scrubs for another. It's wonderful to have an item to wear that no one else will have. I hope to make a quilted jacket and a light-weight top using double gauze for the summer, if I can find the time between quilt tops and novelty print shirts :)

Carrie, try patterns from Grainline Studio - the Archer shirt with variations is well thought out and
there are tutorials for some patterns.

I used to make nearly all my kids clothes when they were little & not so little. It's like knitting. For kids the fit isn't crucial. Been wanting to make myself some blouses. Bought some gorgeous fabric last summer in a quilt shop & im going to do it this spring! My mom made all our clothes when we were small out of necessity. 3 boys had the cutest trousers! And my dresses were adorable.

Oh my! I actually made the pink dress on the pattern, back in 1961! I have sewed since I was in 7th grade and took the required "Home Ec" classes. I have made my own clothes for years and graduated to sewing for my hubby and the 3 kids; swimming shorts, p.j.'s, winter jackets, spring coats, Christening gown, wedding dress, prom dress, doll clothes, a Nehru jacket for my young son and the list goes on. There isn't much that I haven't made, but now instead of "saving" money by sewing clothes, I "spend" money on "stashes" of fabric for quilting. (I have been known to store the "overflow" in my car!)

Great post - I was the opposite from Barb - 4 foot 11 inches - everything had to be altered from sleeves to length - so it was much easier to start from scratch. My mother made my skirts and dresses and taught me but they were always simple designs. When I started working, I took a few fitting classes and Nancy Zieman's fitting books were my go to always. I sewed my work wardrobe. When everyone was wearing their Calvins (dating myself) I sewed my first pair of jeans that fit.

I learned to sew in 4-H. I got a couple of blue ribbons due to my mother's perfectionism but it wasn't fun. Started up again when I had babies (TALL BABIES) thinking I could learn as they grew. Lots of long dresses, shorts and Halloween costumes. I did dress up clothes for birthday presents which their friends enjoyed. Alas, they stopped thinking it was cool to wear something Mom made so I started quilting instead. I still get an occasional request from them; baby buntings, crib sheets, curtains for 8 foot windows. My daughter started sewing when she was 7and raided my quilt fabric for her projects. With a little one and a small apartment, she is longing for the day she can sew again. Sewing is such a wonderful enjoyable skill.

I'd been thinking of making a top using quilt fabric and now, you've given me ideas for the prints to use. Sewing clothes was a hobby when I was in high school since I was short. Petite was not a category then. I sewed clothes for my younger sister and my granddaughter. Now it's mostly quilts and crafts that occupy my time. Thanks for the post!

THere is a website where you can download old patterns...Fans of Vintage Patterns

I sewed my own clothing throughout junior high and high school. Other girls would ask me where I bought a cool shirt, and I would smile and say “I made it myself!” As a senior in high school I even made a 3-piece suit for my boyfriend. Years later, I made many of the clothes my 3 daughters wore, especially after I bought a serger. What a time saver! These days, the only garments I make are scrub tops for myself for work.

My mother made all the clothes I wore until junior high. We would sit at her beautiful Singer machine (a meticulously cared-for wedding present) and she would teach me how to use every attachment and follow every construction instruction (or not). Then she turned me loose to make my own wardrobe. I made every article of clothing except undies and socks until I left for college. I even made outerwear, with the challenges of wool, denim, snaps, buttons, lapels, flanges, vents, oh my! I lost interest in sewing with the hustle and bustle of college, not to mention lack of space. I switched to more portable crafts like crochet, knitting and cross stitch. Funny, now that I have time on my hands and grandkids, I have no desire to sew clothing any more. I love making quilts and some home decor items, but even bag making is a labor of love, not something I truly embrace. I'm working on it....

My mother taught me to sew... I am oldest ... she still talks about the button down collared shirt I made when I was 9 oh an cuffed sleeves ... I owe it all to her... I never stopped sewing ... now grandbaby dresses and lots of quilts !!

I used to love making my own clothes from as early as grade seven. I ended up working in a fabric stire which was a fabulous job for me. I even made my own weddind dress. It was beautiful and it cost me $ 100.00 total. I make curtains now when I beed any. I have quite the fabric stash that I plan on making a quilt from and anything that comes to mind. I love sewing! ❤️

I used to sew my own clothing back in junior high and high school, I so loved having unique, one of a kind outfits. Made myself and others many bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses,etc. My kids always had cool Halloween costumes - once my son wanted to be a battery! I had the confidence (that I don’t seem to have now) that I could make beautiful garments that fit . Sewing and designing quilts is more relaxing. They always fit!

Blank Slate Patterns is a good source for garments. I like their simplicity and versatility.

I made all my clothes back in the 70s and 80s mainly because I have long arms and I could never find blouses and shirts to fit, especially important when I lived up north. I slowly gravitated to using my sewing skills to quilt making so I rarely sew clothing anymore, although when my daughter was growing up in the 90s I made all her Halloween costumes.

I have sewn clothes and still do. Don't even get me started on the array of adorable clothes for little people, but I also make costumes for Halloween and period clothing for my son who does Renaissance Fairs, Revolutionary War re-enactments and now Cowboy quick shooting.

I grew to 5' 8", longer torso, adjusted patterns, made my first skirt in 7th grade. Made lots of clothes, sewed with wool, then went through the polyester craze, back to linens, and cottons. I made Russ a couple of sports coats in our early married years when we couldn't afford much extra, because we were always saving. My mom taught me to sew, she was a perfectionist, besides she worked and was not a stay at home mom. Part of sewing was unsewing to do it correctly. Yes to stay stitching and I've made bound buttonholes. I'm so very lucky to have had this journey that finally included quiltmaking, then I got to teach my mom the process. I would like permanent press cotton for shirts now, I never liked to iron, but of course I ironed clothes, we had to then. Great topic!

I'm at the opposite end -- 4'10". Sewed from about 10 years old. From junior high and up (almost) until retirement, made most of my clothes, including evening wear and tailored suits. It was fun at the time, but not now. It's mostly jeans, tees and sweats for retirement! =)

I normally don't sew garments but there are truely some amazing pattern out there.

I am from a family of 6 girls and 1 boy (the youngest) Mom started teaching us all to sew clothing in 1st grade. The 1st store bought item (except sock and underwear) was a Prom Dress from my oldest sister when she was a Junior in High school. Mom was in the Hospital and not able to sew her dress.
A skill I will always treasure. In high school I started working and buying most of my clothing from department stores. I wore a Uniform skirt and white blouse for 2 years in High School which did solve the problem of what to wear today! I've been quilting for 20 years now and have a very large stash of quilting fabrics. I've recently lost 40 lbs and have a pile of store bought clothing that I am going to try my hand at altering these to fit me once again.

I started as a garment sewer, doll garments to be exact. I started sewing garments for me when I was nine. At one time I sewed everything my family wore except underwear. I have done bound button holes, lined jackets, Hong Kong finishes on seams etc etc.. Fit is always the thing and now I love the loose easy fitting garment patterns. The Sewing Workshop has fabulous patterns. Now all I need is time. Does anyone know where we can buy some of that?

I babysat and taught piano lessons in junior high school and high school to get the funds to buy my fabric for sewing my clothes. It was great fun. I loved the kids and I loved sewing. I found bargain bins for little bits of fabric when my children were small to sew their clothes on our tiny budget. The kids looked so great! I even learned how to sew jeans by making a pattern from an existing pair of jeans from the store. I even managed to sew my own finger when making a fake Izod alligator. I decided to get another tetanus shot after that experience. Oh, the fun days! Once we started getting much cheaper clothing from China, I was teaching full time and simply didn't have the time for garment sewing. However, when my daughter was engaged, I sewed all the bridesmaid dresses. I wanted a perfect fit. I got it!

I sometimes yearn to sew for myself again, but so far I only quilt now. Thank you for the very fun read!

I feel quite marginalized by this post. I solely sew garments, but follow Moda. You present garment sewing as if it's quaint and old-fashioned. There is a huge and vibrant online sewing community and it would be good business to reach out to them. This post wasn't the way to go about it, though.