Any ideas?...

[ShaDoW]

I would really like to start making my own clothes, but I do not know where to start. I can no longer stand how most clothing companies size their pants, I am a fairly slender person ( I weigh about 130 at 5'9") but most clothes one would find in a store pinch, chafe, and ride up most uncomfortably in unmentionable ways. I consider myself to have a very feminine taste for clothes but I like things that are loose and flow, most patterns I see in stores do not fall into what I would consider comfortable as the wastes on pants patterns are the typical granny waste, I like the waste band of any pair of pants I wear to ride comfortably and lightly on my hips. Also I can never seem to find any interesting yet sturdy fabrics to use, perhaps i just do not look in the right stores?
I f I could find a book on how to make patterns that would probably be best, but honestly any input from experienced individuals would be appreciated.
Also, does anybody know of any books that would give instruction as to how to make a djembe? and where would one procure the propper materials for such a project?
:hippie:
-Jess

[lukifer]

Also, does anybody know of any books that would give instruction as to how to make a djembe? and where would one procure the propper materials for such a project?
:hippie:
-Jess


i'd check ebay for that...

[obladiblada]

i've only dabbled in making clothing, but if you're looking for interesting fabric, sometimes strips of old clothing work really well..your own, or something at a thrift store, or flea market..dunno if you checked that out yet or not. and for patterns, its pretty easy to come up with a creative skirt pattern yourself..dunno if you're interested in making skirts though ^^;; anyways, have fun :)

[toman]

Djembes are not hard to make, if you're handy with wood and tools. Basically all you need is a large log of good quality wood, you can use most anything but something a little denser is better. Different woods will sound different. The drum is shaped primarily when the wood is green, so it's easier to work. Then it's seasoned, and finished off. The outside of the shell can be shaped with a variety of tools like drawknives, gouges and chisels, even a good sharp hatchet. Of course power tools will speed things up. The inside is hollowed most easily with a various large drill bits followed by gouges. The top edge, or bearing edge, is important because it's so critical in how the drum sounds and plays. It should be round enough that the head can be tuned easily and it doesn't hurt your hands, but if it's too round it will probably start to soften the sound. There are a few good sites that will give step by step instructions on making, skinning and tuning a drum. PM me if I can offer any more detailed advice, because I've done it.

[ShaDoW]

Thank you guys, always appreciate the advice and ideas people have to offer on this forum.
Toman, I will probably PM you for more info later on, once I have a job the projects I would like to get underway this summer will be a little more tangible. For right now I am proabably going to start work on a physics paper or something that holds equal interest for me, tear some old clothes appart and such. :D
Oh, and the reason I ask about the djembe is because my tai-chi instructors offer a drum birthing workshop and I think that I could do it on my own w/out dropping as much money into the project. I don't know though I guess I'll have to find out when the time is right.
:hippie:
-Jess

[toman]

Unless you really want the experience of building a drum yourself and are pretty good with hand tools allready, I wouldn't reccomend it. You're better off buying a drum from a good shop, because it'll be much more functional. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to learn to play an instrument when the instrument doesn't work right. Take my word on that... Plus, you're still going to spend a fair amount of money to build one, and it's going to take a year or so to do it when you include time to season the wood. The best shop I've come across is right here in Portland, called African Rhythm Traders. They import and set up really good drums at several price levels. I have one myself and it's very nice. Check it out...

[december]

don't know if this helps... but i had the hardest time finding clothes that fit good after i had my two boys.. i'm somewhere in between a size 8 and 10, i'm sort of thin but i have hips and boobs , i'm a curvy mama :)... anyway... one day i discovered J.Jill ... the clothes there are SO comfortable and I feel like they are really good quality and they are made for a woman's body. they have a pretty diverse selection of clothes, too... some really feminine type frilly things and some very simple no-nonsense things... they used to be justa mail order catalog for 50 years or so, but have begun opening up stores in the pacific northwest area...

i also like April Cornell stuff...

i'm pretty sure both J.Jill and April Cornell have websites... but me personally I have to try things on, i don't have the eye for buying out of a catalog or off a website.

[Sacred Space]

A really easy way to make your own clothes is to find pants from thrift stores and turn them into skirts. You can make beautiful flowing feminine skirts. Just unseem the pants(jeans work well) and Add a traingle of material in the front and back or just the front. You can play around with it. Also you can make the jeans bigger by adding some material down the sides. It's super easy and it really transforms an old pair of pants. Ket me know if you have any questions.

[freakyfairy]

i love adding triangles of fabric into jeans to make them into skirts or flares...it looks really pretty...and you can do it in any fabric you like!!!!

[artisticphantom]

but if you're looking for interesting fabric, sometimes strips of old clothing work really well..your own, or something at a thrift store, or flea market , :)

thats right. something like a plato's closet, or a salvation army/good will/ st vincent depaul stores. i dont know if yall have anything like that where you are but thats the first place i always go. though you can't really depend solely on those places aspecially consignment shops cause they'll constantly switch to clothing styles that they think will sell well in the stores. my usual place just started carrying only stuff like fubu, and sean john.

[artisticphantom]

think whatever it is that you wish to think but know that, in all dear honesty i don't smoke anything , i don't do any drugs. as i said in another post, you could test me anyday you want and i will come up completely clean.