Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Take Measurements
Using a measuring tape, measure around the neck of the person you are making the suit for where a buttoned collar would be. Take the measurement just below the Adams apple with the tape touching the skin, but not held tight. You should be able to insert your finger between the tape and his neck. For all measurements write them down in inches to the nearest one-quarter inch.
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of the chest, under the armpits, with the person's arms at their sides. Instruct him to take a normal breath and hold it, but to stand normally without over-inflating his chest. Hold the tape snug, but not tight enough to hinder breathing.
Measure the shoulder width from the end of one shoulder to the end of the other. The end of the shoulder is where the shoulder intersects the arm. This measurement needs to be the same as the width you want for the suit jacket's shoulders.
To measure the jacket waist, wrap the tape around his stomach where he is widest, just below the ribcage. Hold the tape tight but leave room to breathe.
Measure the widest point of the hips and buttocks. The person being measured should be wearing well-fitting pants that are not jeans for this measurement. Pockets must be empty and the tape should not be held too tight.
Obtain the front jacket length measurement by stretching the tape vertically down his chest from the neck base on one side to where he wants the jacket to end, usually at the line level to his thumb knuckle. Some suit jackets are shorter, so discuss with the person who will be wearing the suit what style he wants.
Measure from the top of the waistband to the base of the neck to get the half back length.
Have him remove his shoes and measure the full back, from the base of the back of the neck to the floor.
Preparation
Look for a simple pattern with few seams if you are not experienced at sewing. Look through pattern books at a craft or fabric store. Catalogs often have a limited amount of patterns for men, so look through several of them to find one that will work.
Select a black suit fabric such as wool or gabardine for the pants and jacket. If you are sewing a lining, buy a fabric such as polyester or satin. Consider when the suit will be worn to select the proper weight of the material. Consult the pattern to determine whether you need 45-inch or 60-inch fabric.
Wash the fabric to keep it from shrinking after it is sewn. Dry clean it if necessary or wash it in a machine If possible.
Press the fabric after washing it so it will be easier to place the pattern on it. Make sure your iron is on the correct setting for the fabric.
Consult the pattern to see what notions are required. Buy those listed, including matching thread, buttons, a zipper and any interfacing. Check that you have all the necessary tools such as sewing scissors, pins, a marking pencil and seam ripper. Verify that your sewing machine is in proper working order.
Sewing a Suit
Read all the instructions in the pattern before you begin. The pattern envelope will likely include different layouts for different jacket sizes. Select the one you need according to the measurements you took. Find all the pattern pieces you need and determine which are the correct cutting lines for the right size.
Set your iron to a low temperature and smooth out the pattern to eliminate any wrinkles.
Pin the pattern to the fabric, following the guidelines printed on the pattern. Be sure to only use the pattern pieces you need.
Cut along the appropriate size lines printed on the pattern to cut out the fabric. If sewing both a jacket and pants, cut out one entire piece before starting on the next.
Use a basic stitch first to sew each suit piece and have the person who will be wearing the suit try it on. Make any adjustments before using a finishing stitch. Divide the work into at least two stages to be completed over the course of a few days.