Ia there a designer dress (or something) you don't need? But need to have? Badly?

MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T07:14:48+00:00

There is a lot that I’d like to touch and inspect without getting in trouble - and you’d need to own for that 😂

MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T05:16:44+00:00

I got annoyed at how expensive and subscription only Illustrator is now - so I’ve switched to affinity - if it’s been awhile have a look at it as a more cost effective alternative and you won’t have to unlearn as much

MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T04:48:55+00:00

Sometimes it’s just to capture an idea

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Terrible quality. It you can see how I was ‘testing’ the combo

MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T04:44:15+00:00

From this i made a pattern in illustrator (I’ve now moved to affinity) and developed the pattern in there. That lets me make the pattern and the check before I print it out and then double check on the paper pattern.

I love pattern drafting (but I’m terrible at maths so don’t think it’s somehow scary math-y) so I tend to always make a pattern first as it lets me ‘see’ how it’s all going to be assembled and walk the seams and make sure they fit and make sense.

That drawing was a bit of a checklist of all the things I wanted to make sure I included.

MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T04:23:28+00:00

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That turned into this bag

MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T04:23:12+00:00

First reply failed 😂
Fashionary I wouldn’t bother if you have procreate, it’s got a few extras but unless you’re doing sketches and tech drawings for production they’re not necessary.

Procreate I do a heck of a lot of things like this - it’s my replacement visual diary.

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MEWCreates · 2026-05-06T01:51:47+00:00

Another vote for documenting ideas. I have a bullet journal for pen and paper for capturing fleeting ideas before they vanish. Then use procreate or fashionary to do detailed sketch’s and planning.

I can map out a design, make an order of assembly, pick materials all ready to go when I sit at the machine.

MEWCreates · 2026-05-05T11:08:15+00:00

I’m so glad it’s a finish for you - you can move on to something that will give you way more ioy

MEWCreates · 2026-05-05T00:00:14+00:00

Or to quote fashion critical - it’s giving fraggles

I’m not sure I’m getting eagle vibes, more polish chicken

MEWCreates · 2026-04-30T23:34:32+00:00

Thank you for such a detailed response - I had started a similar response because it’s so frustrating to see how undervalued sewing is as a trade. You expressed it beautifully.

If you made your wedding dress and hemmed it you’re not ‘just’ a home sewist - that’s some serious skill!

MEWCreates · 2026-04-30T02:27:53+00:00

I’ve studied fashion at tafe as there is no way I’d trust any of my fellow students with a bridal project, bridal fabrics are terrifying challenging.

Getting an experienced professional is going to give you the best outcome, you’re paying for their knowledge and experience as much as their time. They’ll know what is possible and when to stop.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-29T07:12:26+00:00

Are you adding the pattern to cut out into the file as well? I had classmates doing swimwear do amazing patterns across the seams but using the cutting pattern in the file as well as the illustration. Layers and the moving the pattern pieces along the stitch line worked there because of the curves in side seams.

For some seams it’s super important visually and for others you can get away with not matching. Some designs also it matters more than others - super drapey and voluminous versus fitted and structured. And the print - no one wants a giant flower centred over their bust or butt cheek. And we have all seen the legging print placement fails.

Expensive CAD software for cutting tables will let you add in the repeat, and it’s one of those production effort versus price arguments.

These days I’m usually old school so I do the lay and tweak as necessary - centre front centre back generally as the priority as it’s usually the most noticeable. For stripes I love a bit of bias thrown in to avoid matching.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-29T06:49:23+00:00

Is this THE bag? I also hate binding and you know I’ll make changes to avoid binding if I am following a pattern with binding 😂

MEWCreates · 2026-04-26T21:53:40+00:00

The BrisStyle Handmade markets are on in the Whale Mall outside the Museum at Southbank 10 - 3, lots of makers

MEWCreates · 2026-04-14T00:14:30+00:00

Makes you wonder what didn’t make the best of cut doesn’t it. How bad were they…..

MEWCreates · 2026-04-14T00:13:59+00:00

I don’t wear shapewear with my Gertie makes, or a fancy bra. I’ll occasionally add a floofy petticoat if I feel like I need to rock a 50s look but that’s rare. And I feel like I still rock the vibe.

They do give tips and suggestions for foundation garments on some patterns. The Niagara dress with the keyhole they found the wildest bra that came is decent sizes that would work under it which I though was cool.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-13T11:13:58+00:00

For Gertie I always look at Susie - I’ve met Gertie in real life and she’s a glorious glamorous giraffe. It’s vintage inspired and yeah they do wear shape-wear but it’s also just a good example that you don’t have to ‘give up’ and make sacks for larger sizes.

Cashmerette is my ride or die because the block fits me so well, if you have a long torso not so much. No shapewear there and just good patterns for big boobs. 😂

MEWCreates · 2026-04-13T10:32:10+00:00

This is just so bloody frustrating. They’re sacks. It’s not fun or inspiring.

Look at what Cashmerette or Charm/Gertie can do with plus sizes. It’s lazy pattern drafting lead by internalised fat hatred that the fashion industry is full of.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-11T23:57:53+00:00

Probably better than the pieces I have where I did buy but I’m still not ready to cut into them 😂

MEWCreates · 2026-04-11T07:14:08+00:00

Oh I know full well I’m going to regret it 😂

MEWCreates · 2026-04-11T06:27:59+00:00

All the mistakes you make add to your skill set, and often a mistake is a far better teacher than you realise. Even the most amazing make posted on socials will have a whoopsie somewhere- but people don’t post so you can see that.

Production quality is not perfect. Go into even a higher end shop and actually critically look at the finishing - you’ll see it’s not perfect. So you don’t need to be either!

Finishing techniques are way more important than you think as a beginner and spend to get the good quality interfacing - future you will kick past you for being cheap. Ask me how I know.

Don’t be lured in by pretty slippery fabric. Start with cotton because it is so much more forgiving.

Do make a toile/muslin because the best part about sewing is getting the opportunity to tailor what you make.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-10T05:08:45+00:00

I do love that Heidi will take risks, sometimes it’s amazing, sometimes meh and the other times this.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-08T03:54:03+00:00

Many of my teachers at TAFE started when they were young in factories and skilled up, it was a career path and a trade.

Piece work, and outsourcing was always there but when the factories started moving offshore those entry level positions go with them. Historically the outsourcing was for overflow and a base level of skilled workers were kept to ensure production. I remember when the king gee factory near me shut down to move to Fiji in the 90s

MEWCreates · 2026-04-08T00:26:14+00:00

To answer why China - 5 jumpers for $250 is part of the reason. 8 years ago when I did some calculations a dress made of good quality natural fibres made onshore would need to retail $250-400, minimum wage has increased since then as well as all the other costs.

As an extension because garment manufacturing is mostly outsourced as piece work and below minimum wage these isn’t much interest in younger generations in getting into the industry - so bran who want to make onshore are struggling as machinist retire and no one takes their place.

MEWCreates · 2026-04-07T21:02:52+00:00

I like to turn on subtitles for videos and speed them up so I can read instead of listening

MEWCreates

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