Make Your Own Fancy Dress Costumes and Save Money

Sewing is a very underrated skill, but has recently made a come back due to the need for people to save money. Many people would think about making day to day clothes, maybe a t-shirt or a skirt, but often costumes are still brought from the shops, and there is no need for this.

Most costumes are often simpler to make than normal clothing, as they usually need to fit more than one size. The things that make costumes special is the fabrics they are made of and the trims and embellishments used to create special effect. Most people wouldn't wear a dress made of red velvet covered in feathers, sequins and trims out for a normal day, but take those off and make the dress out of a plainer fabric and all of a sudden you have day wear.

Sewing costumes and fancy dress is nothing to be scared of. If you have patience you don't even need to own a sewing machine (although it's much faster if you do). The first thing you need to find is your sewing pattern. There are plenty about, patterns normally come in two forms printed or digital, a printed pattern you cut out and use as is, where as a digital pattern you print at home (you can re-print if you make any mistakes), there are the main pattern companies who products are pretty similar or if you search the internet a bit you'll find an array of smaller independent pattern producers who can provide you with more variety.

Once you've brought your costume sewing pattern, it will contain a few instructions on how to make your costume, as well as what you'll need to make it. Check the requirements against your size and then pop down to your local fabric store and purchase your fabric, don't worry if you're stuck ask the shop assistant for some help. If you want to save even more money on your costume then purchase your fabric from online auction sites for a bargain.

Then cut out your fabric and follow the instructions to sew it all together. And you'll have a finished costume ready for you to add all your trims and other embellishments, to make it unique.

Not only will you have saved money from not having to purchase from high-priced costume retailers, you'll have something that fits you perfectly, and it's uniquely yours, no one else will turn up to a party wearing the same costume!

If you get a bit stuck with stitching techniques, pop down to your local library and you'll find plenty of beginners sewing books to get you started.

Written by Laura Marsh. Did you find this information on sewing patterns useful? For more sewing patterns and information visit http://www.lauramarshdesigns.co.uk/e-patterns.htm

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