How to make your own clothes with DIY Couture

By Alana McVerry

If you're are like most then you have probably uttered the phrase, 'I'd love to make my own clothes' followed by no attempt to actually do so because it seems, well, hard. Whether it's because your still looking for that illusive pair of trousers that only exist in your head, or you feel betrayed by the mark ups on high street goods, or you just feel nostalgic for the days where people actually made stuff, then I have the site for you. DIY couture offers a way for all us to be our own Stella Macartneys on our own fantasy fashion label produced just for ourselves. Further, it supports the creation of precious items, that we keep, rather than throw away with the fall of each fashion fad. With primark promoting disposable fashion and labels tellling us to change the shapes, styles and colours of our clothes every 6 months, it is long overdue for someone to stop us traveling through this treacherous terrain of trends. Long gone are the days where people bought clothes for life, and they lasted. DIY couture, not only want to reverse the trend of third world exploitation for ever cheaper clothes to suit our disposable styles, but they also want to produce a counter-revolution to the very idea of this fast fashion.

So, how does it work I hear you ask?
Well, rather than involving a number of designers, pattern cutters, various echelons of office workers and a factory (of probably severely underpaid third world patrons), you simply purchase a book containing sets of simple, visual instructions, to help you make the garment yourselves. Gone are the headaches and temper tantrums in trying to grapple with complex sewing patterns without instruction, replaced by a fool proof picture guide that even I could follow. And like it's couture counterpart, the items are your own sculpture, created to the perfect size. The collection includes high waisted shorts, lace tops, long skirts, bandeau dresses, scoop neck tops and much more. Also, when you have mastered the basics of the collection, you can endlessly reinvent them. Give a girl a dress, she's clothed for one day, give her the skills to make a dress and she has a wardrobe to rival even the most frivolous of fashion followers.