So, you’ve been invited to a party. Great, who’s going? Most importantly, what are you going to wear? You flick through your mental wardrobe looking for that perfect outfit. You know what styles and colours suit you, you know what looks good. And then out of blue it comes to you, the outfit! You know exactly what you want to wear. You may already have the shoes or the bag but not that perfect dress. So it’s off out in search of that wardrobe essential. You go out thinking that every single shop will have it, imagining that you are going to be spoilt for choice. Disappointed, you find out ‘the dress’ simply does not exist. Not one shop has it, or even anything similar. So what do you do? Do you accept defeat and start looking for something else? Or do you design and create your own?

If your skills are up to it, then making your own designs is absolutely possible. You get to design the piece, choose the style, the fabric- it’s all up to you. Have you ever seen something in a magazine that you know would look perfect on you, but is way out of your price range? Of course, but did it ever occur to you that you could make it yourself? Making your own clothes really could bring your ideas to life. Besides there is the added beauty of knowing no-one else is going to be wearing the same as you. With your sewing machine, the right materials and the skill-set any design that you dream up is achievable.

The only question is – are you up for it? Making your own clothing doesn’t just require material, it also requires patience. There may be alterations required, things might not go quite to plan. It could even end up costing you the same as buying something from the high street. It is also time consuming but if you enjoy it, its time well spent on something productive and fun. It is also very important that you don’t rush your design, as skipping steps and cutting corners won’t give you the look that you are aiming for. So is it all worth it? For the perfect dress that fits you like a glove, of course it is. For a designer style for a fraction of the cost, yes please.

You may not have been able to find the exact dress that you wanted when you went shopping, but there has never been more choice when it comes to finding clothing. Whether you are looking on the high street, the internet or even for designer labels; there is a range out there for every taste and budget. Let’s face it, if you love clothes, you love shopping. Even if you’re just looking for ideas, or popping in after work- there is always something that catches your attention (and often ends up in your wardrobe). It’s so easy seeing something on the hanger and buying it, ready to wear. And what if you need something in a hurry- and you don’t have the time to be sorting through fabrics and spending hours at your sewing machine? If you aren’t that confident with your sewing skills, putting pleats and darts into your design could become a bit of a nightmare. Whereas you can buy a beautifully made dress on the high street with no effort, just money required..

However do you get the same feeling of satisfaction from ready to wear clothing than if you had made it yourself? And can you really afford it every time you need a high quality dress? Quality, fashionable clothing does comes at a price, which just isn’t affordable for everyone. Finding something that fits you as perfectly as something made just for you is rare, seeing as sizing varies so much between different retailers. Armed with your measurements and the time you can create something that fits just right and flatters your body shape and your sewing talent.

So next time you are imagining the perfect outfit, and there is a piece missing are you going to hurry out to buy it or are you going to take the time to make it?