Replies

1. 
   lou19 | Dec 07, 2010 01:15pm | #1

   I've sewn for over 30 years. Made mostly wedding dresses and evening wear. But also mens shirts and waistcoats etc. Very little difference. Items  for men button the other way around and some fitting differences-  but more similiarities.

   All sewers, whatever age, or sex, or experience are welcome here!

2. 
   lou19 | Dec 07, 2010 01:16pm | #2

   Forgot to mention I also run a ebay shop.............I sell alot of sewing stuff to men so I know you are not alone.

1. 
   RobertBishop | Dec 09, 2010 11:01am | #3

   I've sewn for nearly fifty years - theatrical costumes, clothes for the family (especially when we were poor), tailored suits when I was showing horses, upholstry, drapes - whatever needs to get done.  The concept is not so different than carpentry - planning, selecting materials, learning techniques for construction, etc.  My 35 year-old Kenmore warhorse with four stitches and zig-zag still serves me well.  Current project is a lace wedding gown for our daughter.  Figuring out and fitting a built-in bra presents unique challenges for a guy, but she's a good sport.  We're few and far between, but my wife likes to boast, and her friends are suitably impressed!

3. 
   lou19 | Jan 05, 2011 03:16pm | #4

   Have not looked at this site myself, but have read about this  blog from male sewer....malepatternboldness.blogspot.com

4. 
   Stitcher75 | May 02, 2011 11:58am | #5

   Agreement from a woman

   I agree we need pattern help for men...for that matter, we need PATTERNS for men.  I'm trying to get my husband interested in sewing (we have 4 machines, so there's no conflict!), but it's not easy given there are no patterns he likes.

1. 
   lou19 | May 02, 2011 03:48pm | #6

   Few patterns for boys either! Really disappointing when pattern catalogues are full of dresses for girls! I have 3 boys!

5. 
   sunnycenter | Jan 17, 2012 05:54am | #7

   I too was disappointed when I first started sewing to see not too many mens patterns in the catologues. I like burda's patterns for men. One thing I think we have to do is just take some of these basic patterns we are offered in the catalogs and just style them up to match some of what we see on ready to wear clothes. There are so many details that can be added or changed easily. But it would also be nice if some of those little options or details would be shown in the patterns. It's sometimes not the easiest thing to figure out some of these details I see on Mens clothes.  It's probably overly wishful thinking to hope that McCall's or Simplicity will come out with some treatments in their instructions that are not so old fashioned and clunky. Case in point... how about the facing pieces they put in the shirts, all big and goofy and bulky. If you look at ready to wear they don't use all that, and they also don't throw enough ease into a mens

   sleeve cap to make him look like he's wearing a Disney princess dress! I learned I can make easier narrower facings, simpler zipper installs, and take most of the crazy ease out of the mens sleeve caps while altering the pattern.  I found Islander and Sandra Betzina to be helpful references. Margaret Islanders shirt making video is really good.

6. 
   sunnycenter | Jan 17, 2012 05:59am | #8

   I too was disappointed when I first started sewing to see not too many mens patterns in the catologues. I like burda's patterns for men. One thing I think we have to do is just take some of these basic patterns we are offered in the catalogs and just style them up to match some of what we see on ready to wear clothes. There are so many details that can be added or changed easily. But it would also be nice if some of those little options or details would be shown in the patterns. It's sometimes not the easiest thing to figure out some of these details I see on Mens clothes.  It's probably overly wishful thinking to hope that McCall's or Simplicity will come out with some treatments in their instructions that are not so old fashioned and clunky. Case in point... how about the facing pieces they put in the shirts, all big and goofy and bulky. If you look at ready to wear they don't use all that, and they also don't throw enough ease into a mens

   sleeve cap to make him look like he's wearing a Disney princess dress Or how about the McCalls boxer shorts pattern I got a few years ago. Maybe they have changed it by now, but then it was actually a mock fly! What's a guy to do? ! I learned I can make easier narrower facings, simpler zipper installs, and take most of the crazy ease out of the mens sleeve caps while altering the pattern.  I found Islander and Sandra Betzina to be helpful references. Margaret Islanders shirt making video is really good. And of course Threads is a good magazine and you find some real gems of tutorials in there that can be transferred to mens clothes.  One of my favorites is the topstitched side seam pocket technique they had in a jean jacket article a year ago

7. 
   kmegamom | Mar 09, 2012 04:24pm | #9

   Men sewing

   I have been sewing for over 40 years, and have the pleasure of having FOUR adult sons (yes daughters too) and 4 grandsons.  I taught each of my kids, including the boys, to sew and am now teaching my grandsons.  My 30 year old son and my 25 year old son have been having just the problem you are talking about. There is not a lot out there geared towards men sewers.  I have even wrtten to famous men who sew (I have heard back from some, still waiting on others) and still not much out there.  It seems like each man asks the same question but them pretty much fends for themselves.  My boys are pretty good with coming up with the items they need and use the sewing skills they have learned.  My older son is pretty busy right now with a full time job and also college, but he is keeping pictures diaries along with his own notes and as soon as he can find the time he will be starting a blog for Men who sew.  Yes, you can use "traditional" patterns by just changing them up a bit, but what man really wants to do that?  I advised my son that he may just be the right one to start some type of self help type booklet for men who sew.  He has the outlook of the man sewer and I have the typing skills to help him put it to paper (or screen in this case).  So, with the advent of so MANY men who sew now days, Us WOMEN need to stop taking such a nonchalant attitude about most sewers are women, and start respecting the fact that this is a new time and new era and many many men DO sew now days, and for any number of reasons!  I have spent hours searching the web for info, both blogs and books without much luck.  When my son starts up his blog, I will post the link to this web site and I hope that all of you other men out there that sew will join his blog and have lots of input as well!  I am going to try to attach a picture or two of some of his sewn items.  I don't have

1. 
   lou19 | Mar 09, 2012 05:09pm | #10

   Look forward to the photos.

   Traditionally many men have been involved with crafts- not just tailors - think fishermen with their nets, and sailors often did /do? knitting/sewing etc at sea.

2. 
   BlueRoses | Mar 21, 2012 02:20pm | #11

   men sewing

   I think it's great men can sew. I taught my husband to sew & now he's took over with the quilting. He makes perfect points on his quilts.  he also made 1 shirt for himself & he did a good job. He used a western shirt pattern, & we had to cut it down some. He made our dd 2 pair of elestic waist blue jeans.. He's  interested in pattern making & altering pattern's. we have the 2 books by David Coffin on shirt making & trouser making..

   what ever we can imagine we can sew...

   happy sewing 

8. 
   user-1139451 | Aug 18, 2012 01:41am | #12

   Men Sewing and Lack of patterns

   The Practical Guide to Patternmaking for Fashion Designers: Menswear by Lori A. Knowles – this book is filled with illustrations and instructions. This book will probably help you to make your own designs or copy ready-wear.  I had always been disappointed in the lack of men’s and boy’s patterns and used to sew my son’s clothes and even taught him to sew.   You can probably find a used book online from etsy.com or amazon.com. 

    

9. 
   Pattiann42 | Aug 18, 2012 03:00pm | #13

   Evedently, men who sew

   don't chat online or blog. 

   Men's pants take a lot of tailoring and I believe I made one pair when money was short.

   The boys, another story as they didn't care if the waist was elastic.   At least not until around the age of 8!  Then they had to be taught to unzip and not pull down when going to the toilet.  

   Come to think of it.....just who taught all those men how to eat, go potty!   A man may work from sun to sun, but a women's work is never done.  

   Ask and we will guide you in the right direction.  Look for articles and publications by David Coffin and maybe Kenneth King.