Although it’s a well known fact that many long-established shops in all types of business have disappeared from the UK’s high streets, there are still a huge number of traditional and online shops that survive on selling dressmaking supplies. A fair number of sewing skills must be mastered before being able to make a dress, and many local shops organise dress making courses to teach the basics.
Whilst it’s easy to pop into the local John Lewis, M&S, Top Shop or Zara for the latest fashion outfit, there’s no doubt that a handmade dress for a special occasion is still highly desirable from a uniqueness point of view, as well as making considerable cost savings. Dressmaking suppliers will all keep a terrific selection of patterns, fabrics, linings plus general haberdashery, and some will even sell sewing machines and accessories.
Once you get into dressmaking there’s often no looking back with many modern accessories to help with getting the final garment just right. Pattern cutting boards, adjustable dress form dummies, hem markers, pressing aids and DVD sewing tutorials all help in the dressmaking process; the acquired skills can then be transferred to making curtains, cushion covers or any other home soft furnishing requirements.
