How did you get started sewing?
 

So here is my question what made you want to sew doggie clothes was your furbaby your inspiration? I am definetly considering it although i have no prior experience i have never sat at a sewing machine in my life. But this is a big business and i think i might want to take part in it. I know you all wont give me your secrets on sewing but are there any specific websites that you went to or classes that you took what kind of machine is best. Any help would be awesome! :thumbup:

I am completely self-taught. I got my sewing machine like 17 or 18 years ago (I still use the same one!).

I am totally motivated by saving money. I do that with all kinds of things around the house--building things, painting, sewing, even putting in our sprinkler system in the backyard! There is very little that I won't take on if I think I can do it.

I primarily sewed things around the house--curtains, toss pillows, then when we moved into the house, I sewed my entire bedroom. I made it in waverly red country toile--40 yards of fabric!! I made the duvet cover for my down comforter, valances, curtains, a roman shade, euro shams, regular shams, and toss pillows. I said that bedroom was my third child for a month! (this was before I got Chloe). If I ever get my house clean (the shame of it all) I'll post a picture of it.

So when it came to dog clothes, I thought I try it out.

Wow that's awesome! i would like to start learning because like you said it does save you money. I bought some curtains at Ikea for like 6.99 2pc sets i got three packs and when i took it to the cleaners the lady wanted to charge me $30 to sew them i was like that's more than what i paid for the curtain all she had to do was hem them up.

So i totally understand where you are coming from i have to do my homework with this and read into everything before i start buying things you know thanks for your post and you go girl installing a sprinkler system woooohoooooo:D

Grab the sewing machine, grab a pattern (there are a bunch out there) Simplicity has a nice one. Get some $1.00 a yard fabric and practice, practise.
The ladies on here that do it for a living have some awesome clothes and they are true artist. I have ordered for Sasha from Little Dog Heaven two dresses that are just beautiful, and I am waiting for an order from Tinkerbells Closet. It is not easy (I think)
You might save a little money but by the time you get everything you need, time spent, (I work fulltime) I think it is about the same amount of money.
Good Luck, Happy sewing:D

Thank you soo much im sure it's not easy, but hey it's worth a try right!

go for it...kekek...i am thinking about this very subject also...kekek..

Wow! What a handy-girl! Impressive!

I started sewing with my Grandmother making doll clothes. I made my prom dresses and other dresses for friends in school.I have had my own shop,beside my house, for about 10 years and business keep me very busy.
I do alterations and whatever really they need except I don't make dresses anymore,because the alt. keep me busy enough.

Sewing was a mandatory class in Jr. High when I was in school. My mom always sewed and made clothes for my sisters and I when we were young. When I had my children and wanted matching brother/sister outfits, there were no such thing in the early 80's, so I pulled out my machine and just started. I never was very good with a pattern, but I could devise things from looking at other stuff.

For my doggie business, it began because I wanted a nightgown for Sissy and refused to pay over $30 for one and she hates anything with sleeves. So after searching and searching for what I was looking for to no avail, I pulled out my machine, but a few yards of cheap flannel and just sewed till I got what I was looking for. I was fortunate that another former storeowner who was discontinuing gave me permission to use a couple of her designs that I have modified a bit and the other products I have were just inspirations after playing around.

BTW, it isn't inexpensive to start sewing. There is just so much you need to get that it costs a small fortune to have supplies and unless you have a huge volume of orders, you really don't make much money - but it is fun!!!!

My sweet Mother taught me when I was 10 years old! I still have the Pfaff sewing machine that she taught me to sew on and that was over 54 years ago! I suppose my Pfaff is an antique now? And me?!? The last time I sewed on it ... it still sewed better than my new Bernina!! ;)

I had tried to sew and given up on it a couple of times over the years. When I got Gizmo and saw all of the cute clothes out there (that I couldn't afford) I decided to give it a try. I discovered that "fat quarters" or fabric remnants were cheap and plenty for dog clothing, I decided to try it again. Dog clothes are a LOT less intimidating than people clothes. Gizmo won't complain if my seams aren't exactly straight. I also like the ability to pick my own colors and fabric. I'm just having fun! Enjoy yourself!

OMG...I hate making people clothes. I made a little dress for my niece (who now lives in Kentucky--I miss that baby :( ). I have also made a dog dress to match. Before I made the baby dress, I thought...hmmm, maybe I could sell the two together. Nope!!! I'd rather swallow nails. People clothes are way harder than the dog clothes.
Here are the matching dresses though...

Wow thank you all for your advice so now im giving it second thoughts since i dont have a small fortune to spend on supplies and machines maybee if i do a craigslist search and find someone selling a machine i will get it. If not i will see what i could do what machines do you all recomend i live in a apt so i cant get a big one something that will get the job done would be great.

I always enjoyed sewing, I started in home ec in the 7th grade. I remember I made a photo frame heart pillow. That was my very 1st project.

After school was over, I went on with my life and never sewed with a machine again, probably cause I did not have one.

When I was married in 2003 my husband bought me my very 1st machine. I played with it for awhile, but never made anything really, I think I made a pillow or something like that. I put it up in a closet and that's where it sat for a few years.

I got my 1st Yorkie Kloey in 2005 and I started hand making her jean panties. I did not use my machine, I did it all by hand.

After Lillie came, she was so tiny that I got the idea to start making her some dresses, I made up a pattern and again stitched it all by hand!

I played and played with the pattern till I finally liked it and it fit well. I had a friend who sewed and she told me that it would be so much easier to make them with the machine.

I took the machine out of the closet and took it to her house, she showed me how to thread it cause I had forgotten lol

Now I can whip up a vest or dress in a hour!

My machine was a little less than $100. It wasn't the cheapest, but it does zippers and several stiches. Very basic starter machine. We have a free little newspaper here called American Classifieds and it lists things people are selling locally. That might be a good way to find one also.

Other supplies....go easy, that's where most of your expense will be. Bias tape, zippers, lace, etc... I suggest looking at garage sales, etc... Also, look at clothes you are planning to discard because of stains, etc.. Sometimes the fabric or trim may be salvaged.That's my two cents...but I just sew for my own puppy.

I started sewing for my fur babies because I just have always wanted to design and sew things ( I went to school for fashion merchandising/design)... but I'd never actually taken sewing classes.

I started sewing my little girl Emma some things by hand and then progressed to buying a machine from Walmart and I just kept sewing for months, until I finally got something that worked. I'm 100% self taught, and I have to say that after 6 months I an produce a very high quality item.

It wasn't easy because in my case, it took a lot of patience and practice, but I love it so much that it was fun even when it was frustrating. I'm so glad I stuck with it though, because I'm so proud of the items I'm making now.

My advice if you truly want to get started is to buy or check a book out from the library on sewing (preferably one that has a lot of pictures).

Get familiar w/the different "sewing terms" or the lingo and read the book, or at least the sections that apply to what you're doing.

Also, I'd get the best quality machine you can afford if you really want to do it long term. I was working on a 75 dollar brother, and just last weekend purchased an 800 dollar machine and I have to say that it is worth every penny. The efficiency is so much better. (I'm not saying you have to go that expensive at all, but I'd get the best one you are willing to pay for).

Buy cheap fabric to practice on, and just work on it! It is a huge market to get into, and I'd love to build my small business into something bigger eventually, but a lot of it is knowing how and where to market your items :)

I wish you the best of luck w/it.. sewing is definitely FUN! :)

I have been sewing since I was about 7-8 years old, My mom worked for Buttrick patterns for many moons, and every thursday night, My dad would take my brother bowling with him, and mom would sit us girls down and teach us to sew, I tell ya I hated it then, I was a big tom-boy, hated having to sit still like that! LOL anyhow when I got into my teens I realized I liked it, and have been sewing since, I taught myself alot, and alot came form my mother, she is good! I have never seen her come across anything she couldnt do! who ever was talking about machines was so very right. get the best machine and the machine with the best stitching your going to need as you can, If you KNOW for a fact your going to be sewing for long term, If you have a itch that says this may not work out, then get a cheaper model to start with, I spend anywhere from 15- 20 thousand on machines. we sew and embroidery pet clothing, so we have to have a high end commercial machines, But I do rember back in the days when we used the smaller home machines,
Also one of the best ways to get training and teaching on sewing is at the fabric stores, Most have classes on assorted different types of sewing, I think one of the hardest things I had to learn was patience, It takes time, But it is so fun!
Rena

Around a year ago I bought my first sewing machine. Never before had I sat at a sewing machine. The first time I sewed I was like going really fast.. then really slow. I thought I will never get a good speed to sew this. Then I was like I will never get it down. But as I kept and kept practicing my items were getting better and better... I LOVE doing it now and finally I am selling them. ;)

Here are some samples of my sewing :)

I also like to make matching bows and panties. If I had known sewing would be so much fun, I would have done this so much sooner. :p

I agree!!! This is NOT a cheap hobby!!!!! I have TONS and TONS of money wrapped into all my supplies!

This summer I'm going to finally have time to get into it. A few years ago I got this really really nice sewing machine from my aun because the antique one that we have kept getting messed up so I was going to start and I was all excited then I realized someone forgot to put the instructions in my box. I spent weeks trying to figure it out and eventually I gave up. I would love to start again. My mom used to work at a place where they made bridal gowns and stuff (House of Bianchi incase you have ever heard of it =]) So when they closed we got to keep alot of fabric and now we I have the fabric and lace and everything its just getting into. Hopefully in the near future I can start up my own little business. I learned how to sew by hand (and machine), crochet, knit, needle point, latch hook, and cross sticht all before 5th grade. My mom was into the makeing sure we were well rounded and all that. My biggest tip is use fabric you already have.. Old jeans are great to use as well as old dress.