simple sewing patterns dress
The Dress Code - Five Steps To A Greener Wardrobe
In the last few weeks, we've discussed a number of healthy ways to live, ranging from proper diet and skin care to the values of recycling and green living. The message of a green lifestyle is simple: We care about our planet, and want to leave it as good as we found it and even better, for our children and for everyone. The wonderful thing about this is that there are countless ways to live green.
For example, consider the budding green and organic clothing movement. While the idea of organic clothing might sound a bit unusual at first, it really is an extension of the idea of organic food. Clothes are often made from plant materials like cotton, and these can be grown under organic conditions just like food products. With that in mind, here are five ways you can start dressing green.
Dress Code #1 - Shop Organic
The most straightforward and quickest way to get into some green attire is to find green and organic clothing outlets. There are literally dozens of such stores online, for a start. A quick Google search for 'Green Clothing' comes up with a number of promising hits, such as http://fashionandearth(dot)com/us/, and http://whiteapricot(dot)com, both of which have significant green-oriented fashion sections.
When it comes to local stores there are sometimes fewer choices. Clothing retail markets can be dominated by chain stores or specialized stores catering to specific body types or enthusiast niches. This doesn't mean there aren't any such places; just that they may take a bit more digging to find than the online options might call for. However, some chain stores are responding to consumer demands by offering Organic items.
Dress Code #2 - Make the Most of What You Have
An important theme in sustainable living is longevity. Buying a new set of organically made shirts for school is a wonderful step, but if it leads you to throw out perfectly usable shirts that you already have available, then how much good has actually been done? Clothes that you already own are a wonderful way to focus on sustainable fashion. They don't cost you anything extra to buy or require any new materials to make.
Of course if the clothes don't fit anyone in the house, there isn't a great deal of sense in keeping them around just in case. However, there are alternatives to simply scrapping them. If they're in good condition, consider donating them to a charitable organization. Or, if they're worn out past the point of decency, they make great scrap material for clothing patches, art projects, or even just washrags.
Dress Code #3 - Watch How You Wash
It takes a lot of resources to wash clothes. Apart from the water itself, there's the energy needed to power the washing machine and dryer, and if you're doing a hot-water wash that will take up still more electricity. These are resources generated in most cases by fossil fuels, and easing our dependence on these is an important part of living sustainably.
When shopping for clothes, pick out ones you can run through a cold water wash cycle. During warmer months, air-dry your clothes on clotheslines instead of relying on the dryer. As for the clothes you already have, consider replacing or repurposing the ones that require warm washes first, rather than the cold-wash friendly ones. Also, try to avoid or at least limit the number of outfits that need dry cleaning.
Dress Code #4 - Shop Smart, Save Money
We can save and reuse what outfits we already have, but we're eventually going to need to get new clothes. If we want to choose green fashions, it sometimes can cost a pretty penny. This is one of the toughest limiting factors on many green choices, and clothing is no exception.
Fortunately, there are always sales. Check with the online companies and watch for weekly discounts and special bargains. Do some research, bide your time, and buy when you can get the very best deals for your dollars.
Dress Code #5 - The Web is Your Friend
In addition to the many online shopping opportunities, the Web has an abundance of purely informative websites, with numerous articles available for just about any curiosity that strikes your mind. This includes information on sustainable living in all stripes, clothing choices included. One really great resource that some people just don't seem to be aware of is the Internet discussion group.
There are dozens of forums, blogs, and other kinds of communities where like-minded people gather together and find relevant things to talk about, green living included. See if there's a community that you're interested in and join up. You may find a great deal on clothing, or learn a cheap way to make patterns for home sewing attempts. The information is out there, ready for the taking.
Dressing green is about much more than making sure your clothing is made from all-natural, fair-trade materials - though these are very important, too. It's about a big picture mindset, and about taking many small steps to make the best of everything you have available to you. There is no one step that will make the world green, but rather many small, easy steps that we can all start taking right now.
About the Author
Janet Davis is a health and nutrition entrepreneur. For healthy news and tips and FREE vitamin and skin care samplers join http://www.MarkandJanet.com MarkandJanet.com or visit our blog at http://www.MarkAndJanetBlog.com
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Simplicity 7064 Child's Dress Apron Pants pattern, UNCUT, Size 3, simple-to-sew $6.00 |
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BUTTERICK SIMPLE DRESS PATTERN SIZE 12, 14 OR 16, UNCUT $3.50 |
The rear-end of the dress I'm sewing slouches, how can I fix?
I made a dress without a pattern and it's all great, except that the part that hangs over my caboose hangs and drapes unflattering.
The dress is a simple summer dress made of white cotton knit fabric-- like a soft sport knit. It's a sheath shape that stops above my knees. The shoulder straps go through a folded hem at the top, so it's gathered at the top in the front and back. At the waist, on the sides, there are two bands that tie in the back to give the dress shape. The problem with this is that when tied, the fabric in the back of the dress gathers and drapes in a "U" shape across my bum. A picture of the dress is at the link below. Only the front is shown, sorry.
http://tyoh-tyoh.blogspot.com/2008/08/tank-top-part-2.html
How can I fix this? Do I need to add a pleat? A something else?
It'd be nice to have a view of the rear of the dress... but here are some suggestions:
1) back fisheye darts to give it some shape. Dump the ties.
2) reshape the side seams; dump the ties.
3) draw a chalk line parallel to the floor across the widest part of your backside while you try on the dress (yes, this is what sewing buddies are especially good for!) See if the courses (the "crossgrain" of a knit) are following this line at least in the center back. If not, take the side seams out and pin out a tuck across the width of the back to bring the grainline up properly-- this is the amount you'll need to take out of the back shoulder seamline to get it to hang properly.
#1 is probably the easier option, if it'll work for this dress.
Sometime when you've got a wiling model around, cut a front and back neckline shape out of a couple of pieces of knit. Pin the shoulder "seams" together and then the side seams. Watch what happens when you make the front side seam more angled out than the back. Watch what happens if you don't keep the crossgrain parallel to the floor. Watch what happens when you change the angle of the shoulder seams.... the lessons you learn from "doing it wrong" while draping will help you later fix what's going on in other garments.
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Alex Toys My First Sewing Kit $17.00 A case full of everything you need to learn how to sew and create fantastic art and fashions. This sewing set inculdes precut patterns for quick and easy projects, eight colors of embroidery floss, stuffing fabric, ric-rac, needles, scissors, a measuring tape, straight pins, thimble, pin cushion, buttons, and a pom-pom strip.... |
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Renaissance Dress Pattern in 2 Sizes: For 18 American Girl Dolls and for 18 Slim Dolls $9.95 Doll Clothes Pattern - Renaissance Ensemble, Chemise and Dress ~ Includes all components in 2 sizes: for 18" American Girl dolls and for 18" Slim Dolls ~ Made in USA... |
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One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric! $13.45 WORKMAN PUBLISHING-Storey Publishing: One Yard Wonders. One-Yard wonders will delight anyone who has ever fallen for fabric: from the novice to the lifelong seamstress. This book features a delightful array of simple yet stylish projects that can be made with just a single yard of fabric: from apparel to accessories; plush toys to pet beds; baby items to bags and home decor projects; have a hip co... |
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The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook $18.05 RANDOM HOUSE-Potter Craft Books: The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook. DIY fashion is at your fingertips with this collection of projects that embody the quintessence of the BurdaStyle philosophy! This book gives you the basic building blocks to begin sewing and the tools you need to move beyond the basics to designing and customizing your own wardrobe. Packed with easy-to-follow tutorials; five adaptab... |
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How to Make Sewing Patterns $24.95 Solve the mysteries of pattern drafting with this instructional book. Simple and easy step-by-step instructions with clear understandable line drawings.... |
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Simplicity 7064 Child's Dress Apron Pants pattern, UNCUT, Size 3, simple-to-sew $6.00 |
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BUTTERICK SIMPLE DRESS PATTERN SIZE 12, 14 OR 16, UNCUT $3.50 |
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Simplicity Sewing Pattern 7886 Misses bridal & bridesmaid dresses simple to sew $9.99 |
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1969 SIMPLE A-LINE DRESS IN THREE VERSIONS - McCall's 2056, Girl's 5 $4.50 |
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misses bridesmaid 2pc dress gown pattern 20 22 24 skirt top lots options simple $8.50 |
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misses bridesmaid 2pc dress gown pattern 14 16 18 skirt top lots options simple $8.50 |
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misses bridesmaid 2pc dress gown pattern 8 10 12 skirt top lots options simple $8.50 |
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simple strapless WEDDING BRIDAL GOWN DRESS 6 8 10 12 princess lines ELEGANT soft $8.00 |
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simple strapless WEDDING BRIDAL GOWN DRESS 14 16 18 20 22 princess lines ELEGANT $8.00 |
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Pattern for EVENING DRESS Simple, Elegant 8-10-12 UNCUT $2.99 |
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Simplicity 8825 Size 14 Bust 36 Jiffy Front Wrap Dress 2 Pieces Simple To Sew $3.00 |
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S7962 1977 UNCUT VINTAGE SEWING PATTERN SIMPLE DRESS 14 $14.66 |
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Simple Ceremony Dresses　- Japanese Book $33.99 |
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McCALL'S 2767 easy simple dress & jacket pattern uncut size 14-18 $2.49 |
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OOP! GIRLS SIMPLE SUMMER DRESS BRIDESMAID GOWN SEWING PATTERN 3-6 McCalls 5309 $7.99 |
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OOP! VERY EZ MISS PULLOVER A-LINE DRESS SIMPLE SEWING PATTERN 8-16 McCalls 5785 $7.99 |
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Simple V-Neck Dress Pattern from McCalls 10-12-14-16 $2.00 |
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Simple A-line Dress TUNIC pattern xsm s m L xLg size 3-16 color block yoke nice $8.50 |
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SIMPLE DRESS w/ TWO NECKLINES - Vogue 9958, Girls 2-3-4-5 $13.75 |
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VINTAGE Simplicity Sewing Pattern 6385 JIFFY Summer Halter Dress SIMPLE TO SEW $3.54 |
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SIMPLE CHIC DRESS PATTERNS - Japanese Craft Book $32.99 |
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Simplicity 1979 EASY Sew Simple American Girl 18" DOLL CLOTHES PATTERN Dress NEW $4.99 |
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RETRO 1969 SIMPLICITY #8366 LADIES -SIMPLE TO MAKE- WINTER MINI DRESS PATTERN-12 $4.99 |
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Maternity Expecting easy wear PATTERN simple jumper tunic pants dress 12 14 16 $7.50 |
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Pattern McCalls 2486 1 Hour Girls Dress Simple, 4 pieces per dress size 12-16 $3.50 |
How to Make a Simple Child's Dress pt 1