dressmaking skills have changed

Auntieflo - that must have been Hansons then!

I live near there. Brilliant shop. I could browse for hours. I wait for the sales before I buy though - they do 20% off everything from time to time - well worth waiting for. Their workshops are good too.

I used to sew a lot when the children were small. I suppose I learned a lot from my Mum, but was also lucky in having a Domestic Science dept at school that was very good. My own first sewing machine was really a child's toy, doing a chain stitch. Mum even made curtains on it, and it certainly was sturdy. I still have it. Then I was bought a machine for my 21st, an old Singer that had been updated and electrified? with a foot pedal. I made matching outfits for me and DD when my brother was married, and a friend once said if I had half a yard of material I would cover a three piece suite. ( I did do that once) many moons ago. Now though it is usually small items or repairs. I visited a beautiful shop in Sturminster Newton, on holiday, that was a treasure trove of fabric, but don't know if it is still there. Sewing is a lovely hobby and you can lose yourself in it.

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Ilovecheese I have been using modes4u for over 4 years now and I have never been disappointed with their fabrics, they are excellent quality.

Wow Antonia those sites look great!

Sorry the last link should have been www.ohsewcrafty.co.uk

I used to sew nearly all my daughters' clothes but that was nearly 40 years ago, when making clothes was cheaper than buying them. I sew now for a hobby, and sell some of the items in my Etsy shop (pm me if you want to look). If you are into patchwork or quilting then a good site is www.modes4u.com They are not cheap but have really beautiful fabrics, plus free shipping over 60 euros. For dressmaking I use www.ohsocrafty.co.uk
They stock all types of fabric and generally the higher the price the better the quality, but I suppose that's true wherever you shop for fabrics.

They do have a large selection here

..http://www.dunelm.com/category/home-and-furniture/fabric-and-haberdashery/fabrics

Dunelm Mill do a large selection of materials.

Unless you're going to make something special, material just seems so horribly expensive. It's fine if you're a skilled dressmaker, but I haven't done any for years and got enthusiastic after watching the BBC competition, but then I went to look at material and got quite a shock.

Although we live in London getting material that isn't of Asian type is nye on impossible.

I used to make my childrens clothes, my own and curtains etc.

It all drifted through the years and now the problem is trying to get the material to make things. Even John Lewis in Oxford Street has an abysmal range of cloth, unlike the old days and it costs a fortune.

Added to this I seem to have lost the skill to a certain extent. I have made my DGD a couple of dresses and done bits and pieces but nowhere near the amount I used to do.

I've just treated myself to a new sewing machine, I used to make dresses and skirts for myself and all curtains (self- taught as 'A' streamers had to take latin, no DS, in my so-called Comprehensive in the 50s and 60s). Rather like you Tanith. I'm hoping to make a few cotton dresses (fed up of failing to buy cool cotton 'frocks' as they are mostly lined in a man-made fibre, which defeats the object!

I also used to make my own and childrens clothes when they were small, also soft furnishing, curtains etc. I do still alter some things but really lost my love of sewing clothes a long time ago. Now it all seems to much trouble. I once made a beautiful smocked nightdress for my new baby girl I so wish I'd kept it.

I used to sew a lot, including bridesmaids' dresses for the DC; from the age of about 14 I made my own dresses and then made clothes for the DC because it was so much cheaper. One thing I dislike is altering something and I'm afraid I haven't made anything for myself for very many years, although I have made soft furnishings for the house.

I still have a dress in the wardrobe which I made from a Vogue pattern, all finished off inside although I didn't have an oversewer, a shirtwaister in silk with covered buttons and a proper belt, very Dynasty with padded shoulders! I just can't bear to throw it out.

2 of my sister's DGDs have shown an interest in sewing and she has bought each of them a basic sewing machine.
This revived my interest and I've resurrected mum's dormant Singer.
My DGD and I are now planning a simple circular skirt for summer which will be made by 'both of us'!
The 3 girls are 9, 8 and 6 so wish us luck!
May call back here for advice if these projects take off!

It certainly has suzied what was once a thriving British industry has now been decimated. We are losing our skill base. What was once a good, quite well paid job for a woman (and a few men) has gone. Sewing is now just a hobby, and not a cheap one. I don't know if you have ever asked those people who would like to to make things for them, how much they would pay you? or would they say "But I could buy it ready made for less than that!" And don't get me started on alterations!
Having said that it is 'just a hobby' I must add that it is the best hobby ever, and so therapeutic and relaxing it could save the health service thousands.

I have been a keen dressmaker since I was a teenager many moons ago, and it's only since I retired 4 years ago, that I've been able to spend more time on my erstwhile hobby. I now go to college in London one day a week doing couture dressmaking and pattern cutting. So many people ask me to make/ alter things that I could make a new career but that's not what I'm looking for. I am currently making 4 bridesmaids dresses and an outfit for myself for my sons summer wedding and loving every minute. Textiles is an expensive subject for schools to run and children today are less likely to be taught sewing skills. A great pity. France and Italy have a thriving high end fashion and textiles industry , our seems ago have disappeared with construction in the Far East,