Let's begin

There are very few requirements to be able to start your own DIY fashion. My recommended approach would be to collect the tools as you go. As your confidence improves, you can experiment with more things. However, if you're the type of person that likes to be kitted out, A Pair & a Spare has a good list of the essentials.

A good starting point would be a selection of needle sizes, thread colours, a good pair of craft scissors and an unpick for any errors. I keep mine in a little sewing box.

In terms of materials needed, just get into the habit of hoarding. Keep hold of old and broken jewellery, scrap fabric, even decorations from fancy Christmas presents!

If you want to get serious about custom clothing and dressmaking, you might want to make yourself a little studio.

Sewing machine: if what you want to do is too complicated for hand sewing, or you simply want to produce something more quickly or neatly, invest in a sewing machine. I alternate between this and an Overlocker, which is used for more advanced sewing as it sews four stitches, as seen in the hem of clothes.

Brother LS-2125 (Sewing Machine)

Janome 9300 DX (Overlocker)

 Storage: somewhere to put your bits and bobs. I have ribbons, string, lace, cotton wool, scrap fabric, old underwear and damaged clothes, so when I fancy getting creative, I have somewhere to start.

Space: tables are ideal, but I usually just use the floor. Try to keep the room tidy; there has been many an occasion when I have put stuff down without thinking and the next thing I know, there's a needle in my foot!



Dressmaker's mannequin: only worth the investment if you're considering making clothes from scratch. You can adjust the measurements to match your own. She's my own little twin!