Over a Year of Handmade Clothes: How It Started

It’s been a hot minute, yeah? And check out who’s sewing her own clothes now? 😉 Of course, this is no surprise to anyone following me on Instagram, where I shared a lot of my “makes” from the past year.

Since COVID, my crafty side went overboard. I made everything from bags, hair accessories, pouches, cat bow ties, and hundreds of face masks that launched a pandemic side hustle. However, I was not keen on sewing my own clothes until a year later and after being inspired by other sewists I follow on Instagram. They are creating stylish clothes that fit. The thought of having clothes sewn to one’s exact measurements is absolutely exciting for someone who finds clothes shopping a chore.

Before “everything went down” I did treat myself to a custom made crisp white shirt as an experiment. I wanted to check what the fuss was about and if it was worth keeping as an option for very special occasions. After my measurements were taken, they were sent for production. I went in for the first fitting and had a couple of adjustments made. Even after that, the shirt was too long. My short waist is underrepresented in pattern blocks used by custom-clothing stores and therefore, this was not going to be how I wanted it. They did say at the beginning that there were certain limitations. Lesson learned.

After that custom shirt experience, I was drawn to the allure of sewing my own me-size clothing even more. Aside from being an extension of a craft that I was already quite good at, it aligns with my efforts towards mindful consumption that is sustainable, ethical, and eco-friendly. It checked all the right boxes and when there was a lull in my mask-making, it just made sense to give it a go.

It was not the first time I’ve sewn clothes. My introduction to sewing garments was making a Snow White gown for a cosplay (and it wasn’t even for me) a decade ago. While it was a huge success, it took weeks to make and I put away my sewing machine to recover from it. It was not until I made the Farrow Dress dress in 2020 when I dusted off my machine again.

A decade ago there was not a lot of information to help a beginner. It’s a whole other story now, especially since Covid. There is an abundance of helpful tutorials, with both photos and videos, plus patterns for every skill level and fashion taste. Downloadable patterns (fast, easy, doesn’t require mailing) have become so popular during the pandemic that some indie companies have switched to 100% digital offerings.

This v-neck mustard dress is a digital download and my first attempt towards creating a Me-Made Wardrobe, as the cool sewing kids on Instagram call it. As you can see, it is a simple caftan design. It reminds me of the “daster” (i.e. “dahs-tehr” as we used to call it in the Philippines or “duster”), a light and flowy house dress that was popular among the women when I was growing up.

There is “no waste” during the construction of the dress, which really really appealed to me. You do not cut off any piece of fabric that will not be used. Very cool, right? Cris Wood is one of the better known zero-waste “no-pattern” and size-inclusive sewing designers out there. There is no pattern to print and you can follow the instructions from your screen.

This is easily doable even for a timid beginner. I am pretty sure this can be sewn completely by hand, too.

Cris Wood’s Envelope Dress instructions include a few variations. A little belt? Sure. Cute little slit at the bottom of the skirt? You got it. I updated mine to have a slit in the middle to make it easier to walk up the stairs. Once you get the hang of the construction, the possibilities for hacking this dress are endless.

This project proved to be an encouraging springboard to a months-long obsession with garment sewing. It has been a humbling experience to say the least, and I have learned to be kinder to myself and my efforts. I quickly moved on to other styles and more complex designs, from layered summer dresses and puffy blouses, to sweaters and jackets; from outerwear to underwear. I loooove the challenge and gratification of being able to wear what I make.

There is so much to explore and learn, and the more I get into it, the more it feels like this most fun and fulfilling journey has just begun.

As for shopping, I have not purchased clothes since the beginning of 2020, except for one shirt designed by a friend. I have also started sewing for others. Wild. I never would have thought.

What about you? Did you start a pandemic hobby that took over your life?

• Pattern: Zero-Waste No-Pattern Envelope Dress by Cris Wood Sews. The directions are detailed and easy to follow. Great for absolute beginners.
• Pattern Skill Level: Beginner / Easy
• Sizing: custom-sizing / inclusive sizing — the dress is made exactly according to your size
• Fabric: cotton voile Verona Print from Dressew
• Fabric Yardage: 1 meter for my 5-foot frame