How to Make a Suit

Women’s suits can include a skirt or pants and a jacket. You may also want to make your own shirt, or purchase one. Some patterns offer several different style options, such both a skirt or pants and a choice of tops or collar styles. You might also choose to mix and match patterns for the various pieces to get the styles you like. You can find a wide variety of women’s suit patterns in most catalogs in the fabric store (or online). Some suit patterns are easier to sew than others, so be sure to choose a pattern appropriate for your sewing skills. In general, very fitted suits with lots of pattern pieces are more difficult to sew than loose fitting jackets and simple skirts.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patterns
• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Buttons
• Pants zipper (optional)
• Interfacing
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine

Make a Women’s Suit

1. Choose a suit pattern that you like, and that comes in the size you need. There are many styles of women’s suits, including different jacket and shirt styles, and skirts that are short, long, flared or pleated. Make sure the suit pattern includes all the features you need, such as pockets.

2. Pick out gabardine, twill or other suiting fabrics for the jacket and pants or skirt, following the guidelines on the pattern envelope. Select cotton, polyester blends, rayon or silk for the shirt, if you’re making one. Buy lining fabric for the jacket and shirt, if needed.

3. Buy any notions you need to make each piece of the suit, such as matching thread, interfacing, buttons, a pants zipper and ribbon or trim. You may also need shoulder pads or bra cups, which are available in most fabric stores.

4. Cut out the patterns for suit using the line for the size you need. If the patterns you’ve chosen have several style options, make sure to cut out only the pieces you need. You may want to leave the patterns pinned to the fabric until you’re ready to sew them, so that each piece of fabric is labeled.

5. Smooth out any wrinkles in the patterns. To make the patterns as accurate as possible, gently press them with a very low-temperature iron.

6. Adjust the patterns as needed to make them taller or shorter, making sure to leave enough extra length for hems. You may also need to adjust the length of the sleeves, and the darts or seams for the bust.

7. Follow the guidelines in the pattern directions to pin the patterns to the fabric and cut out the pieces. Follow the pattern directions to sew each piece of the suit.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to use good quality matching thread when sewing the suit, and press each seam after you sew it. This will help make your sewing look professional.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines. Attempt sewing projects appropriate for your skill level.

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