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DD is having a rough time lately. Some of it I will be posting about in D/S soon. In the meantime, I am stumped on how to help her with an idea she had. She is into fashion, sketching clothes, etc... She wanted to have 3 or 4 of her designs made for a school talent show. Unfortunately, the 1 seamstress I know (who is amazing) does not sew from sketch or pattern anymore. Does anyone have any idea on how to find one that does? I've been asking/looking around, but not having luck. The idea of having a few outfits made has been lifting her spirits. I hate to crush them.

Do you live in a populated area?

Maybe try an "ad" on Craigslist asking for experienced Seamstress? They'll be able to provide photos/examples of their work if they are.

It seems to be a dying breed/talent.

Those that I know are in my Mom/Grandmom's generation. But they are both fantastic!

Cragislist of course, and I would recommend going around to the local Churches and posting signs that say Seamstress needed.

Any chance your Daughter can do the sewing herself?

Oh and call the school and talk to the home ec teacher. She may be able to do it, or know someone who does.

Go to your local sewing store (Joanne Fabrics?) and ask them there. What a nice gesture for your DD, hope it lifts her up.

Are there local theaters in your town? Every theater has someone in charge of costumes, and they are usually wonderful, creative seamstresses who can make magic happen - or have connections to the same.

PM coming.

Wow! So many terrific ideas.

DD is just learning to sew. I really need to find her a sewing class or someone to teach her.

Craigslist is a great idea. I'm going to check it out. I'll email her school's home ec/family & consumer science teacher. She has religious prep tomorrow, so while she's in class I'll ask in the pastoral center. I completely forgot we have a cultural arts center about 4 minutes from us (my brain is a wee bit fried today ). I'll reach out to them. I know there used to be a Joann's fabric about 20min from us. Hopefully, it's still there. I am definitely going to check into the everyone's ideas.

Thank you.

[This message edited by SI Staff at 5:19 PM, April 4th (Friday)]

Hobby Lobby has sewing classes! Do you know where it is?

DD would LOVE sewing classes! My mom shops there, but I've never been there. I'll see if she wants to go for a ride.

As a former seamstress, I would collect patterns that had interesting "parts". If I saw a really cool sleeve, neckline, etc... I would buy the pattern and use certain pieces to come up with my concept. Maybe your seamstress could modify a pattern piece into what your DD needs.

I learned to do this working with the seamstress that made my wedding dress, she used 3 different patterns to come up with my dress. Let's just say after that, I didn't hire anything out again.

I have been a professional tailor and seamstress in the past, and I am currently an apparel developer for a large manufacturer, and I think you will have a hard time finding someone to do this without it costing major $$.

Here's why. Creating clothing from sketches, even the sketches of highly trained professionals, is extremely labor intensive and time consuming. What you can draw on a page far exceeds what can actually be made into a 3 dimensional garment in reality. Most times the process involves many fittings and revisions based on the limitations of fit, sewing techniques and fabrics. No seamstress or tailor will quote you a price for a job like that, they will probably only work hourly because they know the time it takes to develop a design to the satisfaction of the customer. In very short order, those hours add up.

Most people have little knowledge of what is involved in garment construction and fit, so they can't foresee all the issues that will arise in developing a garment's design.

If you provide patterns that have already been tested for fit, fabric, and 100% complete instructions- you may be able to get someone to make them exactly as the pattern is. More than that, and you're into custom work and garment development for which good experienced seamstresses (who are the only people capable of such a project) will charge upwards of $30/hour.

I think your best bet is to have your daughter learn to sew her designs herself. Buy her an adjustable dress form and a machine and then she will learn garment construction and fit, and how both of those affect what you can and can't design in the real world. Learning to sew her own stuff will teach her HOW to design clothing. You can't design clothing without knowing the ins and outs of sewing and construction, fabrics, trims, fit, etc.

It might not be impossible to find someone to do this, but it's going to be incredibly hard. Most seamstresses have plenty of work without taking on a project that runs the risk of costing more than the customer is willing to pay, or having the customer be unhappy with the final result. This kind of job risks both.

JoAnns offers sewing classes for teens.

My BF's mom was a seamstress, she taught me how to sew and to make patterns from existing clothing for her to use to make the clothes others were paying her for. She did a lot of work for the local theatre groups.

If you know a seamstress who is willing to teach in exchange for help, it could be a good exchange of talent. I became an excellent seam ripper and could do a mean hem. Both jobs my instructor hated doing.

[This message edited by Kajem at 1:16 PM, April 6th (Sunday)]

I appreciate everyone's advice.

It sounds like collect patterns and merging them, is the way to go. I can only do hems, sew buttons, and make sleeping bags for Barbies. I can't imagine how much work and talent goes into sewing from sketches.

She seems pretty serious about learning to sew. So I see classes in her future.