I know that I'm making about 95% of what I wear...jeans and some sweaters being the exception...but it made me wonder. How many sewists aim to sew EVERYTHING that they wear? How many sewists sew more than half of what they wear? And if you don't sew the majority of what you wear, what percentage do you sew? Finally, how many of you strive to sew your entire wardrobe? Is this a pie in the sky dream since retail is so easily purchased? Or do we as sewists use our bodies as a canvas to showcase our work and our talent?
This is the Question of the Day people, so talk back to me!
...as always, more later!
I don't sew fast enough for all of my clothing to be me-made, but I could see over time that it ends up either me-made or a gift. It isn't often that I buy RTW and when I do it is either price driven or something that I don't feel the itch/confidence to sew yet myself. For example, long, drawn out, tailored projects just don't fit my sewing style right now so I'd buy a jacket if I needed one. But I have put the time into making bras and panties, items that are often on other peoples "will always purchase" list.
ReplyDeleteI probably sew 50% of what I wear, with the rest being purchased RTW. It depends on what's in the stores also. Work pants I almost always sew anymore, since the ones I really like go for around $120 at Macy's. I can make a whole wardrobe of unlined pants for that much. Right now the stores are barren of wearable clothing in plus sizes. Everything seems to be large rectangular pieces of fabric sewn together. I can do that for far less than $60 to $80. Last summer I made a couple pair of jeans and a few light weight tops for my summer at home clothes. This year I will probably add to it.
ReplyDeleteJeans, cardigans and sweaters I buy RTW. I probably sew 10% of what I wear. I don't sew fast enough to make all my clothes. My goal is to sew more of my work clothes and casual clothes, hopefuly that will increase that number to 25%.
ReplyDeleteI'm about 50/50
ReplyDeleteI don't strive to sew all my clothes. But I'm finding that I have more and more pieces in the closet that I made. And now that I'm almost done taking a fit class with Linda Maynard, I'm definately making plans on making coordinated suits, as well as dresses for work. I buy jeans, sweaters (which I rarely wear), and warm jackets, but everything else I'm learning to make by myself.
ReplyDeleteMuch like Seraphinalina, it is mostly time that keeps me from having more of my own sewing in my wardrobe. I used to have many more me-made garments in the regular rotation but as they wore out (or when I lost weight & they no longer fit) I didn't have the time to replace them with handmade. I would love to have about 90% of my garments handmade by me but for right now, until I can find space in my monetary and temporal budgets, I'll live with the secondhand items in my closet that currently fill that percentage.
ReplyDeleteWhen my boys were kids I mades some of their clothing, like jean jackets with all those flat-felled seams, shorts and some eton suits. Once in the working world with young sons and working in retail I chose to make my own clothing using the RTW I sold as a guideline for my fashions. This allowed me to spend my money on all the sale and clearance name brand clothing for the boys. Years went by and I'm an empty-nester for years now. I was glad to stop making things that I had to fit, so I began to purchase all of my clothes which meant I had fewer clothes because of price and the poor quality of the things I could afford to buy. After making quilts for 15 or more years and some clothes, I'm happy to say I'm excited about making clothes again and still do quilts as art.
ReplyDeleteI strive to make my whole wardrobe. So far I'm at about 85%. I haven't made any jeans (not successfully anyway) and I haven't made a coat or PJ's yet. I am an avid knitter though, so all of my sweaters are made by me, just not sewn.
ReplyDeleteWell, I haven't been sewing clothes for myself long enough to have a full wardrobe, so I still mostly wear RTW, but I am starting to see that shift as I am sewing more. I definitely do not buy as much clothing now. I don't think I would ever make my own underwear or socks, but I think I would at least attempt making any other item of clothing. Eventually I hope to have a mostly me-made wardrobe, but I sew slower than the rate that I wear clothes, so I am sure that won't happen for quite a few years, at least.
ReplyDeleteThe only clothes I buy is socks,stockings and sometimes cardigans because I don't knit that fast. So I'd say I make 95% of my clothes and that includes lingerie.
ReplyDeleteDag I wanted to be the first to respond! Anywho, while I don't strive to make my entire wardrobe, I am making about 95% give or take. I do enjoy the ability to purchase rtw but quite often it ends up a disappointment because of fit of quality. I love shopping as much as most other females, but hate picking through left over sales racks and clutter in stores. I sew to get what I want to wear, for fit and for the love of the game. Of course I do think that I can make most anything ha ha. And of course as my skills have grown, like the thrill of showcasing my results. Matter of fact can't wait to get in front of the machine this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI made a deal with myself last year after donating several large bags of clothing I had not worn in over a year. Btw, 100% of it was rtw. So far this year, I've not purchased one piece of rtw. I make all of my jeans and am learning to tailor. It's suprising how few clothes you really need to get through a week! LOL. But since I'm retired and teach beginning sewing and machine embroidery at our local Babylock dealer, I don't need as extensive a wardrobe. And when I do walk in with a new item on I've made, they ask when are we going to make that? It's very gratifying.
ReplyDeleteGreat question! I'm pretty close to 100% - the only recent purchase (like, in the last year) was a pair of jeans, but I aspire to sew those as well (my one attempt ended in abject failure.) Bras - I've never felt the desire to sew - looks really, really complicated, so I do buy those.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I need to retire my RTW cardigans and some very sad and holey panties (TMI, I know!) and so, those are in the sewing queue (I'm really not even thinking of buying them.)
I make most of what I wear now but I've not been doing it for so long that much of my wardrobe isn't still store bought. I'd say half of what I wear is hand made. Eventually, I imagine I'll get to 80-90%. I do want to leave some room for fun purchases!
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to make everything I wear, not including undergarments, socks or stockings. I'd say I've already accomplished that. I do have a few RTW things in my closet but none have been purchased in the last three years. While it's certainly not cheaper to sew my own clothes, it's certainly more satisfying to have garments that actually fit like I want! Great question to get some conversation going.
ReplyDeleteI try to sew everything I wear. But in case emergency, or for some specific fabrics that I don't like sewing, I prefer buying clothes. And usually, this leads to an intensive sewing session, because even though I don't sew very fast, it's still faster than running from shop to shop to find THE piece I want and that suits me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I participated in the Wardrobe Refashion challenge, I started keeping track.
ReplyDeletehttp://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/the_pledge.html
At first, I bought more RTW than I made. Now, I make much more than I purchase RTW. What I do buy tends to be things that I can't make easily like jeans, shoes, belts and fine gauge sweater twinsets. I knit many sweaters, but nothing at that small a gauge. ;-)
I'm so impressed by those who make so much of their wardrobes! My time is too limited and my sewing speed is too slow. So, instead I try to focus on the statement or unique pieces that I would never be able to find in RTW. I'd love to sew more but I can't ever see myself sewing basics - I like projects that excite my creativity as well as jazz up my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI make make all of my clothing except underwear, socks etc. I've made several coats in the past and probably will again. Years ago I made jeans. When my daughters were young, I made everything for them. So it's probably 95% for me too. Like Faye, I like to go shopping with the girls but I won't be trying on anything. Too much trouble. And I like to be able to have whatever I want.
ReplyDeleteI break my sewing up into two groups, work and relax. For work I make 95% of what I wear, the only thing that I don’t sew are undies and tights. I do have two soft blazers that I bought from a store going out of business and wear them quite a bit over my dresses but only because I don’t really feel like investing all the time a blazer needs right now, especially because there are so many dresses that I want to make. I now have quite a large collection of dresses, the odd thing is that I didn’t start wearing dresses until I started making them for myself. For relax time I probably am somewhere closer to 85% home designed and 15% store bought. I have made jeans but I feel like I am hurting my machine when I make it sew through denim, especially the rubbish denim you find in my city, so now I buy jeans. I also find that because I am mostly sewing work clothes I hardly ever sew casual clothes, I will usually go on a sewing bender for casual clothing and then make that last for as long as possible. I just finished a shirt making bender and now have 6 new weekend shirts, just cotton
ReplyDeletet-shirts. I think that I have tried my hand at making everything, including compression underwear, but some things I am just going to buy, why would I make something that can’t be seen when I could be making a new fabulous dress.
Also not to sound like a creeper, but I have been a long time reader (lurker ) of your blog and I got to say that I love everything you sew and you have inspired me to have a TNT.
I think I make 90% of what I wear now - it has been slowing increasing. I now find it difficult to bring myself to buy RTW clothing. I have jeans and bras on my "to-do" list and have even just ordered some patterns to make my own running clothing too. I used to have a knitting machine, and would love to get another one (disappeared during my divorce period). I could add bags to the list, but I guess shoes will still have to be a must buy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I'm in the 95% camp. I do not have any plans to sew my own underwear (I love seamless undies and molded bras), knit socks or sweaters, or sports specific clothing. The rest of it is fair game!
ReplyDeleteThe only RTW clothes I have are those which are from 2003 or before. I have a cami pattern which is perfect, top patterns which are perfect and can be varied for sleeves, a few skirts which I love, and several dresses I also love. As time and inspiration permit, I keep adding more me made clothes to the repertoire, so now virtually everything I wear is "me made".
ReplyDeleteI don't sew everything, but I sew most. I don't sew underwear (undies occasionally but never bras or camisoles or slips etc) and most of my pants are purchased. I am a big "sale" shopper though so I very rarely pay full price for anything, and many of my bought items are from the op shop or are hand-me-downs. I buy knitwear, but crochet a lot of it myself as well. Taking a daily outfit photo has been an interesting way to determine how many of my clothes are me-made and how many purchased. I don't actually need any more clothes, but enjoy sewing them. It's my hobby and I'll keep on doing it!
ReplyDeleteI did not start out wanting to sew my own wardrobe but rather to make a few pretty things to wear. I have found that I love what I make and find myself reaching for something I made a couple of times a week.
ReplyDeleteI would like to make more of my wardrobe and think it will happen over time. I do sew slowly and always have outfits I need to make for special events also slows me down.
Although I am striving to get to the point where 80 percent of my clothes are made by me. I realisticly don't see it happening any time soon. I have to say though I have made some improvement and I own maybe 10 percent of clothes that I made. YaY?!
ReplyDeleteI used to strive to make everything. I'm an RN so for many years I just wore uniforms to work. I made all of other clothing. Now I think I sew 40%. I enjoy wearing the things I make more then the store bought. It's much harder to fit myself now with age and spread.
ReplyDeleteUntil this past year, I hadn't sewn for myself since high school. RTW doesn't fit me at all, so I'm switching to making my own clothes. I'm aiming for 100%, but it is going to take some time- it's hard to sew with all these kids in the house.
ReplyDeleteRight now I don't possess either the time or the skill to make all my own clothes. Sewing is something I do because I enjoy, so I don't even necessarily make things I need, but whatever tickles my fancy. As life changes, that may change as well, but that's where I am right now. I've less than 10% of my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI sew most of my clothing. I have old RTW things I still wear, but I haven't bought a new garment in about 7 years. I do buy from op shops when I see something that fills a gap. One of my local op shops has a 3 garments for $2 rack and I often buy things for restyling or sleeping. Another local op shop has a $2 special rack each day. I bought a hot pink knee length coat the other day - couldn't make it for $2! I would like to sew bras and I will get there eventually. I sew some knickers but I haven't got a perfect enough pattern to make me really want to do it. Every time I go to the US I buy from the 6 for $30 specials at Fredericks of Hollywood or Victoria's Secret and that keeps me stocked between visits. I hadn't set out to sew everything, but when I can whip up a skirt for free from leftovers, why would I bother buying things? All my clothes fit my shape and are different from anything anyone else has and it makes me feel creativitely fulfilled. I've enjoyed reading what the other commenters have to say, as well. Good topic!
ReplyDeleteI would love to sew most of my own clothing. But I've been sucked into the bottomless pit of children's theater costuming, alas -- talk about something that can suck up all your sewing time!
ReplyDeleteIf I had your talent, I would be happy to sew all my clothes. As.it is, I'm about 50/50. My resolution is to not buy RTW and replace clothing with my own versions, including underwear. Socks, and sweaters are the exception.
ReplyDeleteFIESTA 99.9% here! I have left the stores many of times in the pass with headaches because the garment wasn't long enough or I just couldn't find the vision I had in mind. I love being able to make what I want in whatever color I choose and not be limited to the stores selections. What pure pleasure in wearing what you made yourself. I am SEW HAPPY!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I sewed most of my wardrobe, but I've worn something I've made nearly every day since I started working at Mood.
ReplyDeleteGreat question! It was never my intention to sew all of my clothes, sewing is something that I really enjoy and it's totally different to what I do at work. But - I've realised that I pretty much sew everything I wear now (with a few minor exceptions). I like quality and a good fit and in Australia it costs big $$ for those two so it's partly a financial decision, but I just love sewing so it's also about pleasure. It makes me happy :)
ReplyDeleteI don't strive to sew all my own clothes but I'm finding it harder and harder to part with my cash in stores that it is heading this way - probably 80%? Generally when shopping things are either too expensive for what they are or made from horrible fabrics (and I am not a fabric snob by any means) and I always find myself saying "I could make that". Of course I usually leave the store and promptly forget all about it!
ReplyDeleteI sew less than 1 percent of my clothes. I don't sew fast enough and I'm still learning to fit my body. My goal is to sew most of my skirts this year and when I learn how to fit my pants, it's on! 100 percent of all my pants next year.
ReplyDeleteI.am.impressed.
ReplyDeleteWow I just loved reading all these comments!
Carolyn, great post and thanks for the shout-out. Back atcha!
Me too-- loved reading the responses! I make about 50% of what I wear. I do not make exercise wear or jeans. I buy cardigans because I like unique knits I seem to find only in RTW. But I can be picky about what I wear!!!
ReplyDeleteLynda in LV
I use to sew much more for myself than I do now. I have several daughters who are enjoying all my sewing, so my time is greatly divided. School is out in 2-1/2 weeks which means the end of subbing, so more time!
ReplyDeleteI'd say I sew about 98% of my wardrobe (that doesn't include lingere) as RTW either doesn't fit me or the $$ for the garment is far more than I can produce myself, in the colour and fit for me. I made my first jeans last year and won't go back to RTW and have started knitting again. My last RTW purchase was a cute cardigan that fitted me, can't source the fabric here in Australia so it came home with me.
ReplyDeleteTalk back to you. Hmmm. Do you want the regular sass or the sassafras? LOL
ReplyDeleteLet's just say that I do NOT aspire to making ALL my clothes. Only about 1/4 (or less) of my non-undies clothes were made by me or altered to fit. Huh! That would be mostly shortening skirts that I "rescued" from thrift stores.
I'm working on sewing more of what I wear. I'm aiming for most trousers, skirts and dresses to be by me! I'm also starting to make my own t-shirts. The only thing I'm having problems with is a blouse block. Every blouse I sew is a massive fail.
ReplyDeleteI do love shopping, though. Something about browsing through the racks is meditative. It also gives me a chance to try styles I wouldn't think of sewing, so even if the fit isn't great, I love the inspiration.
I sew 45% of my "outside the house" clothes which for job and social stuff. My unmentionables and "home" are RTW stuff that I don't mind them getting messed up. Now since I'm learning make patterns, I pretty much just want to make my own clothes. Atleast I get the fit and design I want.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that about 70% of my wardrove is me-made. I've sewn jeans for the kids but not for myself. In the past I've sewn much more for the kids than for myself. I've recently gained quite a bit of weight so I suppose this percentage will increase as I HAVE to sew because I have little to wear that fits. I've just recenlty started making underware for the whole family but haven't tackled bras yet.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and had fun reading the responses to this question! Found some fun new blogs to follow too :-)
I started making my work gear so 50% is made by me. Another 30% of weekend wear is made by me. My special occasion dress are 90% made by me. That's when I really don't want to see anyone wear my outfit better than me;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I sewed everything. Not so much any more. I have to make so many alterations in the pattern to get a good fit now that I just did not need to do when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteHowever, one of the things I do sew is blue jeans. I do not like today's fit and want my jeans to fit at the waist, not under the waist. - I used a pair of jeans that fit the way I want for the pattern.
Great topic, Carolyn! Most of my sewing for the past ten years or so has been on my quilts and some home dec items. When I worked in an office, I made all my pants and skirts using TNT patterns, though I didn't know that's what they were called until I started reading your blog! I also made some tops and dresses. Now, I live mostly in jeans and knit tops and my goal is to start making those, too. I've put it off too long hoping to lose weight first. RTW tops are all too short for me and too wide in the neckline and shoulders. You and your blog have been a huge inspiration to me. I love that you sew consistently, regardless of what else is going on in your life! And, I really want to do a SWAP. I hope you do another one soon; maybe I will sew along with you!
ReplyDeleteI didn't intend to sew most of my clothes when I started sewing, but then I realised I was wearing the me-mades much more than the RTW because they're so much more comfortable. Now I sew everything except t-shirts and undies. And when fashion swings back to t-shirts that stop at the navel I'll be sewing those too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting discussion. I could make all my clothes - but no way. I buy jeans and pants, instant gratification instead of painstaking fitting. Funky T-shirts,I buy those all the time. I make most of my coats and jackets, but do buy sports clothes, no way I am spending my sewing time on that. As for dresses, I think I have bought only 1 in the last 5 years. I always joked with friends that what I really wish I could make are shoes!
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic :-)
ReplyDeleteI am a working Mom with a young child and a disabled husband. Therefore I sew 80% of his wardrobe - longsleeved tshirts and loosefitting, comfy/relaxed pants. For my daughter I mainly sew dresses and tshirts. That is economybased because relatively speaking they are too expensive to buy.
For myself I dont sew that much as I am hard to fit. What I DO sew for myself tend to be complicated things like princessseamed jackets. But at the moment I really, really want to get to the TNT-stage with a thsirt pattern for myself: Watch my sewing take off :-)
I would actually love to sew all of my clothing but my constant problem is that I don't have nearly enough time. I probably sew about 20% of what I wear, more in the Summer than the other seasons. I definitely hope to increase that this year and am certainly well on my way.
ReplyDeleteIf I find something in retail that fits wonderfully ( not always easy) and has a great price, in the cart it goes. I don't have to prove anything to anyone. I know I can sew just about anything. When it comes to my wardrobe I sew what I want, not what I need, and find that is much more the "fun-ner" way for me. I may have far off events in mind but not necessarily. Eventually it all gets worn.
ReplyDeleteRecently I found some jeans and pants I really like in retail at a great price. So why bother? I'll save my sewing time for things that have more technique and uniqueness than what is found in general retail. So I guess this means I don't sew everything completely that I wear, but a heck of a lot. It's all about where I want to put my time. Do I want to make a pair of perfectly fitting pants I can get for 24.99 at JC Penney's or work on a highly tailored jacket or hand smocked and embroidered children's garment? I think you know the answer.
I sew more than half of what I wear. I used to sew almost all of my wardrobe in past years. However, I have to admit my wardrobe is not big.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started sewing it was because I was tired of going.to the mall and coming home empty handed. I remember one day coming home crying because I was so tired of shopping for much needed clothes and finding nothing. When I got home I made the decision to make all of my clothes. Well then I learned its a skill to it. It took me while before I produced a wearable garment, then I started making my girls some things to work on my skills. I since started making my own clothes and learning to fit myself. Its been 10 years since I made my choice to sew in that time it turned from a job to a passion and love for sewing. But in that time I have had a lot of obstcales that have hindered my progression, but I think now I'm finally a bit more stable and now able to focus, I think for me I would love to be able to sew 100% of my clothes and buy my undergarments and socks. I also I want to hand draft all my patterns I use for my clothes. Right now I think of what I wear is 40% made by me and hope to change that to a much higher% quickly.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a dress, for the first time in several years. I wore it to work today and said '"I bought this dress!" My coworkers were amazed LOL
ReplyDeleteI sew the majority of my clothes, and most of what I buy is from thrift stores (except for socks and underwear, obviously!) I've bought very few RTW things new over the past several years, and have ended up being very unsatisfied with the fit of almost all of the things I've bought--all of the pants shrank in the wash and are now obviously too short for me, and the couple of dresses I've bought were too short for comfort too. I recently chopped one off to make a top, and I think I'll get much more use out of it now. I'm also in the process of a Craftsy class to learn how to fit jeans and pants from what I already have (I do have one perfectly-fitting pair of thrifted jeans), so I can use that to make pants from here on out once I get the pattern made up!
ReplyDeleteI sew about 75% of what I wear. I'm not aiming for 100% but it's rare for me to find something that fits me well. Petite t-shirts maybe. Elastic waisted skirts maybe. Anything fitted or full length - forget it. Finding jeans is an all day affair. Often it's less time, less stress, to simply sew.
ReplyDeleteAt this moment, no. Not because I do not want to but due to so many time constraints and sometimes sewing for others. Although I don't so for others as much as I have in the past. I am done with my two classes as of today and will not begin again until September. I plan on sewing a great deal for myself everything including jeans. When I was younger before Life really took over I always made everything I wore. I like the way the things I make fit me perfectly and they are just for me. I Love It that I can sew and do it well.
ReplyDeleteI don't sew underpants. (I could, but I don't.) I am beginning to replace all my rtw bras with me-mades. I buy pantyhose. I buy a few rtw garments at thrift stores. I buy shoes. I buy some purses at thrift stores. I have bought a rtw winter coat in the last decade. Otherwise, I sew everything.
ReplyDeleteI didn't set out to sew all my own clothes, but soon after I started I realized I needed to find a way to afford all the fabric I now wanted to buy. The easiest way seemed to be swearing off buying clothing. Other than socks and underwear, I've only bought a handful of items (all second hand) since I started seriously sewing about two years ago. I still have a fair amount of RTW in my regular closet (maybe half) but as it wears out it's largely being replaced by me-mades. Wearing stuff I made makes me feel happy in a way wearing store bought doesn't.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was stay-at-home-wife I made everything from bathing suits to my husband's overcoats, to fancy home dec. Then when I went to a full time job out of the home I couldn't keep up the all me made wardrobe so made the wrench to RTW and only made unique, one of a kind sort of outfits. Now that I have taken early retirement I will be back to 100% me made. Although, as I was exiting a mall last week a sweater made me buy it!
ReplyDeleteI have neither the time nor the inclination to make all my clothing. I make my skirts, my jackets (most of them), and my dresses. I buy sweters, tops, some dresses, some jackets, and all specialty items such as nightwear, underwear, and swimware. But I'm not hard to fit, so that might make a difference. I do occasionally alter a shoulder, at the shoulder. As the sleeves are usually too long, it's a simple matter to adjust the shoulder line and shorten the sleeve at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThat shoud be "sweater!"
ReplyDeleteI'm getting there. I decided not to buy any clothing at the beginning of the year and I don't think I will ever buy RTW again. Obviously I still own some good pieces and I'm wearing them but they will eventually all be replaced by MeMade clothes. I learned to make my own bras and swimsuits and I also started knitting my socks . I've been knitting sweaters and cardis for a while too.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment all my dresses are either self-sewn or altered. I have a break from university in summer and I'm going to resurect some of my favourite RTW clothing from my childhood then. Beeing a student at university I don't know how many pieces of clothing I'll be able to sew as I would naturally have to buy the fabric beforehand. But for the past year or so I sewed all my clothes myself. And owning only clothes I made myself is my ultimate goal. Especially since I don't fit into sizing charts. My measurements are everywhere between size 6 and size 16!
ReplyDeleteI would guess I sew about 85% of my clothes. I don't sew my at home wardrobe - jeans and knit tops - but I sew most of my work wardrobe. I sew even more of the dresses I own. My daughter once remarked that she didn't own a dress that I didn't make for her! That's no longer true. Some things are easier to buy, so it isn't my intention to sew everything.
ReplyDeleteGreat question and so interesting to see what people have to say. I am new(ish) to sewing and have so much to learn. But I do have a fair number of garments I've made and wear regularly, and I love this. Someday I hope to have a nearly entirely me-made wardrobe. But for the moment, I think of the clothes I make myself as "fast fashion", the homemade equivalent of H&M or Gap, because I am still making many mistakes and working on mastering basic skills. And I'm at a time in my life (young kids, full time job) where I can't devote that much time to my sewing projects. So I try to whip up simple things, using inexpensive fabrics, and wear what I make without worrying too much about whether it's "perfect".
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI do not sew any under garment, pj's(pj's are for houswork)workout clothes(sadly, not much wear latley)and jeans. Sew all my clothes for work. The standard attire for most of the women at my office is fleece sweatshirt with the company logo and kahki's! I wear dresses and pant suits. This makes me feel better as this is the worse job and company I ever worked for. :) And I have been working for a very long time! LOL! :) ~Valerie
ReplyDeleteFor the moment I sew especially accessories like bags, pockets for women
ReplyDeleteAnd some clothes for my daughter...
I sew about 90 percent of my wardrobe. Fit and comfort is very important to me and I've often found that I must sacrifice one or the other with "off the rack" plus size clothing.
ReplyDeletethank you brother cs 600i
ReplyDeleteThis is really inspiring to see how much clothing we are all making ourselves! At the start of the year I challenged myself to just making my clothes (http://emiliabird.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/new-year-no-fear.html) for as long as i can as a way to really push me in my dressmaking. So far i have not missed shopping at all! I will be interested to see how i continue - if i ever go back to the shops, or if a time comes i get desperate! I am so pleased to see this is not a lone attempt though and actually quite a common goal amongst home sewists.
ReplyDeleteEmily xxx
Im a fashionista so i love buying clothes, Its not a sew or buy.. I sew items I love hand my wardrobe is a mix match of both and these balance makes me happy
ReplyDeleteI detest shopping (except for fabric and now yarn) and am more and more picky about fit. So my wardrobe is probably at least 95% me-made. That includes undies and some bras though I need to work on my perfect pattern. Some days the only purchased item I'm wearing is my hose. It makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to go back and read all these comments. So inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteI make almost all my tops, skirts and dresses. I am just starting to make pants - I find them quite boring! I buy most of my jackets - I'm not really sure why. I guess they seem to take longer than I want to spend.
I have no interest in making bathing suits or bras. I do have some cute elastic for undies but haven't gotten around to it.
I don't enjoy shopping very much so this works for me!
Great question, Carolyn!
I sew because I enjoy the process and also because of how poorly some RTW stuff fits me. This has led me to sew quite a bit of my wardrobe. I also haven't bought anything new in quite a long time, mostly knit jumpers that I wouldn't be able to sew and underwear. I would be happy to buy more clothes rather than make them, but as my sewing skill improves my fussiness has increased as well - why would I buy something that doesn't quite fit if i could make one that does? If it does fit I will buy it though. Not that I spend much time in clothes stores these days...
ReplyDeleteGreat survey, I'm sure you're getting a great response.
ReplyDeleteHomecoming Dresses
Homecoming Dresses
What messes up the pie for me are many-fold: Here, in no particular order . . .
ReplyDelete1) I love shopping.
2) Too many second hand shop; i.e., Goodwill, Salvation Army finds to let them stay in the store.
That being said, several years ago I set out on a journey to recreate my wardrobe from that of a modern day woman to vintage style 1930-1959. I have been way side-tracked with the venues above (so sad). The journey also included not wearing pants and recreating the lady-like looks of the past. They dressed like ladies, were treated like ladies and I believe from the bottom of my heart the way we present ourselves in public determine the respect that we receive.