That title is a controversial subject in the Sewing Community. Probably because the prevailing wisdom is that you do not save money sewing for yourself. So how did this become a thought expressed by many non-sewists.
That answer is easy, because in my generation, sewing did save you money. Sewing machines were prevalent in all households and clothing and home goods were repaired until they couldn't be. Then and only then did you venture out to purchase new. Clothing for both adults and children were altered to hand down or reuse...and since new clothing was expensive, it was cheaper to make your own instead of buying new.
Back when sewing was a part of every junior and high school curriculum and valued as a life skill, there were no H&Ms, no Century 21s, Walmart's, Amazon or any of the other current places where fast fashion is sold. You either paid hard earned money for it, made it yourself or had it made for you.
Most small towns had a local fabric store...not Walmart's. Where you went and purchased a pattern, fabric and notions to take home and make your garment. Simplicity, McCalls & Vogue were the patterns offered. Simplicity was the easiest to use and Vogue Patterns more advanced with designer offerings. As an aside, I remember how proud I was when I purchased my first Vogue Pattern and the clerk at the store asking me if I was ready. I was 17 at the time and it was Diane Von Furstenberg pattern. Back in those days, you could purchase fabric from the major department stores like Macy's and Marshall Fields...because as a young working woman I did!
For years, well into my middle age, sewing did save me money on clothing for me and my girls. Yes, I did own a sewing machine (mid-range that I saved for) and a serger (a Christmas gift from my Father), a very small stash of fabric and patterns (because 99cent pattern sales hadn't been marketed yet) and a few notions. Dayum I remember when our local fabric/craft chain, The Rag Shop, put patterns on sale 2 for $5 and you could only buy 4 at a time. I would make one purchase, go out to the car settle my stuff in and then head back in to buy 4 more. That was big savings in those days!
And Lord when I found a Fabric Mart ad in the back of a Threads Magazine which I didn't subscribe to because it was too expensive an output for a year's subscription - well at least my ex-husband thought so! So I bought them bimonthly as I could afford them. Anyway Fabric Mart had an ad for a mail subscription service where they sent you FREE fabric samples and the last page was the bargain page. Yards of quality fabric for $1 a yard. Y'all my work clothing came from those back page for YEARS!
All this to say that I understand where the thought comes from AND I do believe even now you can sew to save money. It's a lot smaller than what presently consumes our lives. We didn't own a multitude of tools and honestly you don't need to. You don't need several patterns from EVERY pattern collection that drops from the Big4 or several of the Indie patterns. You don't need thread in every hue, yards of stabilizer in every weight, a multitude of pressing tools to create beautiful garments. You don't even need a collection of fabric to sew ~ yes, I'm pointing at myself with that one.
You need the basics:
- A good medium priced sewing machine and if you can afford it a medium priced serger
- A good pair of scissors or rotary cutter
- A good cutting mat IF you go the rotary cutter route
- 1 package of good hand sewing needles
- 1 multi package of sewing machine needles
- A tape measure, seam gauge, pkg. of multi purpose pins, pin cushion, some marking tools
- A package of basic thread (the collections they sell now)
- 4 spools each of black, grey, white serger thread
- A good sewing book and access to You-Tube for other sewing videos
- A couple of yards of fabric
You can create quite comfortably this way. I did for years minus the YouTube portion. I had an Iron and Ironing board and got creative with towels and dowels (leftover from my Father's workshop) to use for pressing. I had no sewing room and kept my tools in a plastic bin (not even a sewing box because the plastic bin was cheaper) under a folding table that was put up in the corner of my dining room. Everything was stored under that table and the sewing machines were covered so they weren't noticeable. Probably why I can't bring myself to cover my machines now...but I digress.
All of this to say, that you can't sew to save money is a point of view. Like many things in the Sewing Community...it's just a point of view...whether you agree or disagree. BTW, I did write about this 11 years ago on the blog. Linking to the blog post here if you want to see a cute picture of my youngest daughter. Interesting that this is still a discussion in the sewing community, though.
So thoughts? Stories to share about how you learned to sew vs. how you sew now? Do you have a lot of tools or do you take a more sparse approach? Have you always had a sewing room? Finally do you need all the bells and whistles to create? This is the Question of the Day so talk back to me...
...as always more later!
Very good points. To this day I use my grandma's newspaper strips as stabilizer, and selvages as twill tape, and hack patterns more and more. I don't feel deprived from not owning every gadget. But last week I saw an ad for a lovely coat, one I know very well I can do myself, and it was $950. Of course I can save money, even with really good fabric. And I can save quite a bit on swimsuits and underwear and home stuff.. But mostly I save money (and the environment) by making fewer things using good quality materials
ReplyDeleteVery thought-provoking post. I'll answer the last question first. "Do you need all of the bells and whistles to create? Um, at this point in my sewing I kinda do. The biggest bells being the heavy-hitters of my Bernina and my BabyLock air thread serger. Eyes ain't what they used to be, and I greatly appreciate the assist of not having to spend copious amounts of time trying to get my beloved Juki serger threaded. I still use it, mind, but not as much, at this point.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the Bernina. I got her used, off'n Craigslist. Had to drive about 2.5-3 hrs. one way. It was one of the BEST sewing purchases I've ever made. She wasn't the current TOL at the time I bought her, but the original owner has ALL the bells & whistles, including the embroidery unit that I don't think that she ever used, as she was a quilter. She dropped a tidy sum on that machine new, and I (gratefully) got it for a song.
I've not done nearly all the things my baby can do, probably won't ever get to all the functions the machine is capable of, but it'll be fun trying. Now, I'll go into why I feel as though I have to have the bells and whistles.
Besides the eyesight thing, I SO love the convenience of being able to manipulate the stitches via the computer/electronics. I thought I wanted an Necchi sewing machine (totally mechanical, but well respected) until I realized that I didn't want to fool with having to manipulate settings myself. See, my first machine was a Singer 640 Touch 'N Sew. I never could get that machine to co-operate. I thought that it was operator error, but after having read another sewists' lament about growing up with one, I came to realize that it was indeed the machine. Now, I don't HAVE to have a computerized machine....well, who am I kidding...I kinda do...I could do nicely with an industrial model...that would be my pick if I needed another machine....but honestly? Bells and Whistles on a sewing machine are (as my middle DD is wont to say) "what's up"!
Next, I've never had a dedicated sewing room. Maybe there's one in my future, though.
I've been sewing for decades now, so yeah, I have a lot of tools. And I'm grateful for each and every one.
Hmmm. "How I learned to sew vs. how I sew now." Well, it's gotten better, but that's sort of what is (hopefully) supposed to happen? How about this: The thing is, at this stage of the game, the main difference is in my approach. I take garment construction extremely seriously, reasearching, muslining (I really like making them...but not for each and every garment...depends on what it is) and making samples of techniques, even if I've done them before. So, I'm saying all this to say that along with getting better at making clothes, the way in which I view the subject has changed. Not to mention the fact that it has given me patience, whereas before, I'd be anxious when starting a new project, all tied up in knots having to do new techniques that I was afraid would end in disaster. Now, if I make a mistake, oh well, learnt what not to do. On to the next.
Just have to make a comment about my fabric stash (or "collection", as it were). I've been buying fabric since like...forever. There was a time when I felt badly about having so much, but I gave that up long ago. Now, I don't purchase with the fever and frequency that I used to, but I do still go on fabric shopping sprees, but with the intent of sewing the goods rather than stashing them. (Doesn't always work...but hey). And as for saving money sewing, I always think I've saved tons making garments, as the rtw that I gravitate towards, brands like Talbots, Lafayette 148, and the "designer houses" all charge small and large fortunes respectively, for their goods. So for me, it's a win-win-win.
I wanted to post a few more thoughts about "sewing to save money". In my initial post, I had to delete some things as it ran over the word count. Let me say that I agree with others here in that sewing allows me to choose how I want the garment to look. And some have mentioned that the fit is waaaay better when one sews. Definitely agree with that.
DeleteGetting back to the notion of sewing to save money. Well, that's not why I sew. Honestly, I sew because I really love sewing clothes. It may seem like crowing a bit, but now I think of it, sewing garments is a part of who I am. Being able to do things with my hands (like Theresa stated about she and her families' approach to life) helps me navigate how I approach life, and that "diy" spirit permeates other things as well.
Saving money sewing clothes isn't the objective, it's a by-product. And I don't equate my sewing to the stuff that's sold in Walmart or any of the fast fashion places. That's not comparing apples to apples. I compare my garments to (as I stated) the manufacturers that I gravitate towards. NOT that I think my skills can be held up against, say, the premier main at Chanel. BUT I'll bet that I can turn out a comparable looking garment for a fraction of the cost and have great fun in the process.
I think it very much depends on what you want to sew. If you want trendy items that you could get in a box store, but want to sew using pricey small batch printed specialty fabrics, you will spend more to make than to purchase rtw. But if you have champagne taste and a beer budget, you can make what you want for a fraction of the retail price. And if, like many of us, alterations are required for most rtw, that further increases the advantages of sewing. As for tools, I've collected many over the years, and continue to do so--while I can work with just the basics, it's a pleasure to have just the right tool on hand when I need it.
ReplyDeleteI think if you are starting out, the initial outlay for a machine and accessories may take awhile to recoup, but for a long term outlook, they will eventually pay for themselves. I used to buy for a project (until I got more money and started buying because I lusted after a fabric) which cuts down on your costs because one is buying just what one needs.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I learned to fit. Which is why I sew now. Nothing in the stores comes close to fitting as it should unless I am looking at buying a nightgown. FBA's were a revelation as was draping.
And then I learned about couture methods. Lots of hand sewing but the finish on garments was amazing.
And then there are the fabrics themselves. I still shop the sales and use coupons religiously. I am a snob, I admit it. Love me some wool, silk, linen and good cotton fabric. And then I discovered Linton. So now I am making my own. Which has brought on another monster as I now collect yarns to feed my newest habit.
So, to answer the topic; sewing may or may not be cheaper but is that why we sew? Or do we sew to get quality items made from unique fabrics and that fit our exact needs?
The latter! I sew to get quality items from unique fabrics that fit my exact shape, size, and color/style preferences. Well said.
DeleteCould you explain about Linton, and making your own fabric? I take it you've begun weaving. Is Linton a make of looms?
DeleteNot Renee, but Linton is the company that makes the boucle fabrics used in Chanel jackets. Their weaves are amazing, using lots of different yarns and fibers. They sell to the public. And usually if you make such a jacket, you weave the trim to edge the jacket. Gorgeous.
DeleteThey are in the North West of England, and if you're ever in the region the shop is delightful. They also sell pre-cut lengths of fabrics at much reduced prices.
DeleteSewing for myself now does not save me money but it allows me to clothe a body not in tune with standard ready to wear. I grew up without money (late 60s to mid 70s) to buy clothes and sewing did save me money I did not have. I sew things I cannot buy in my size or that RTW does not make (I'm looking at you, jeans industry, and your inability to make anything other than stretch). And I wholeheartedly agree with Renee; I sew for quality and to get what exactly fits my needs. It's also a creative outlet. In my family we make things, whether it is furniture, iron work, houses, gardens, or clothing, it's who we are. I have an embarrassing (to me) amount of patterns, fabric and machines but the contents of the sewing room give me joy. That by itself is reason enough to sew.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson
I agree that, for the most part, fast fashion is cheaper than sewing, but fast fashion comes with all sorts of ethical and environmental problems. When I was first working, post college, I'd wander the fabric department at Marshall Fields, not that I could afford any of it. I still wander fabric stores just to look. When I started sewing, there were no Indie patterns and fabric was 36" wide. Store staff retrieved your pattern and often took the bolt off the shelf for you as well. Now I sometimes go to a fabric warehouse near Minneapolis where I get out the bolt, cut the fabric, and put the bolt back. P.S. I've been reading your blog posts for a long time and always pull yours up first. Thanks for sharing your sewing self.
ReplyDeleteMy beloved SR Harris! :)
DeleteYes,SR Harris is awesome.
DeleteI just got knit print fabric on sale for $6.80 a yard. I can make a lovely tee for that. You can't even get tees at Walmart for that price. And they wouldn't fit me the way I like. Everything (I haven't made bras yet) I wear fits ME the way I like. Commercial pants that go around me crawl up my rear, or come up to my bra band. Why would I wear that? That's a real waste of money.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my sewing machine cost less than $200 at Walmart. I do have a serger - 20 years old, but still works.
Yes! I think you can save money sewing your own clothes. as someone above stated if you have champagne taste and a beer budget then even more so. As an example I can make a wool coat for about $90-$100 and that same coat would cost me anywhere from $ 200-1000 at Nordstrom. I don't include my time in the cost figures as when I make something for myself it's a pastime/hobby so I would be doing something else with that time, or even nothing. For me the sewing machine is almost the least important tool, as long as it sews straight seams that's fine with me, the machine stitching is a small component of making a garment, I feel that the fitting, cutting, marking and pressing contribute to the quality of the finished item, so I use a relatively basic Singer that's about 6 years old plus I have some vintage Singers which also sew beautifully. I tend to buy very few patterns these days and use my Burda magazine which I subscribe to, it's about $ 120/year so at $12 per month and I make at least 2 patterns and sometimes up to 5 or 6 per issue so it's a very good value. It's also a timesaver as I know what size to start with and what fit adjustments to make for my size so I don't need to extensively revisit fit for each new item I want to sew. Lastly if you are sewing for fun and willing to go with the randomness, I have found some amazing fabrics at garage sales, thrift stores, ASG stash sales. I will buy a fabric piece for up to $ 20 and then it stays in my stash until I decide what to make.
ReplyDeleteAAAAh the good old days. I am your age and can identify with all you wrote. I loved going into our local department store and touching all the expensive wool and silk fabrics. I couldn't afford most of them but touching was free. I think one of the few ways that to save money now, is when you duplicate either a couture look or something from one of the more expensive department stores.
ReplyDeleteI found that as sewing / fabric stores closed down in my city, the prices in the remaining shops rose significantly. It didn't matter what kind of fabric, I watched fabric prices increase ten fold. And this is pre-pandemic supply chain issue rhetoric we're hearing price increases blamed on. I also noticed the quality of fabric offered now-a-days in no where near the quality of fabric I have sitting in my stash. Thank goodness for fabric stashes!
ReplyDeleteYou make some great points that I completely agree with. I'd add two things.
ReplyDeleteFirst, don't forget to add the "fun, time-occupying, time spent well" factor into any calculation of the value of sewing as a hobby. You could collect coins, or buy, ride and repair motorcycles as a hobby (ahem the guy I'm married to) and spend a lot of money, and entertain yourself well--but never have a useful, enjoyable end product from the hobby (well--some people can use the motorcycle as transportation during certain times of the year, but do they???).
Secondly, on a project by project basis, people do save money sewing. My daughter is currently a VISTA volunteer who (as a volunteer) makes less than minimum wage. She sews with the old Kenmore I received as a college graduation present in 1980. She literally couldn't afford a new dress for the wedding she went to in December. She made a dress, using a thrifted tablecloth, a zipper that was in her Christmas stocking, and two patterns she already had that she Frankenpatterned. She had to buy thread and lining fabric. She spent less than $15 on a dress that looks beautiful and fits like a glove--she got lots of compliments, and people were shocked to learn that she made it herself.
Laura--I totally agree with your point about hobbies. My Prince Charming recently bought a backhoe ("I've always wanted one!"). And he doesn't even work construction! My most recent big tool was a janome sewing machine in 2007.--Anne
DeleteI love the blog conversations!
ReplyDeleteI've only been sewing for 9 years now (10 year sewing anniversary next year! Woohoo!), but have seen some shifts in how I sew and use resources in my sewing. But I did start at the time of $.99 pattern sales! And I learned about Fabric Mart (and Wawak!) early on from wonderful bloggers like you! And I had blogs and You Tube and more options to help me dive into the deep end of sewing early on :)
I did not take home ec in high school (I took auto shop and wood shop). My mom sewed some (but didn't make or mend our clothes) but I was never really interested in learning back then. I do remember seeing fabric in a Marshall Fields though!! I also used to buy bits of fabric (now I wonder if they were fat quarters??) from Walgreens and hand sew clothes for my Barbie dolls.
I started working corporate jobs pretty early on, at about age 20, and would get RTW garments tailored...but still it never occurred to me to sew my own clothes! I was about 27/28, and was going on a date with my now husband, and my jumpsuit was way too long. I remember my mom looking at me like I was crazy and telling me, “just go get it hemmed” and I was flabbergasted that they were able to “make it look the same”, when I got the pants hemmed. Haha!! In 2013, my husband asked if I wanted my (late) Christmas gift to be a KitchenAid or a Sewing machine, and I chose the machine. The rest is history! It was a basic model that we picked up at the Big Box Store, for like $120.
I used to sew in our dining room when I first started, and have had a dedicated room a few months in. Right now, a spare bedrooms has been my sewing room ever since, with fabric and pattern storage in the basement.
A couple years later, when I would get together with my local sewing group, I'd fantasize about a new machine (I was sewing on a ~$180 Singer at the time) and they would tell me to "buy the machine, you deserve it!" Well, that sounds really nice, and I know they meant well, but our (combined) 5 kids were 15, 14, 13, 13, and 8 at the time and "deserving" had nothing to do with it! I also do not believe in 'never' being off the hook with kids. I did my job raising you to be a productive, contributing member of society. You've got this! LOL! And now, after all this time, while I love those people dearly, both my money and my time are Mine. And I am enjoying it.
I decided, after my son became of age, that I would treat myself to one "big" sewing expenditure a year. Honestly, after the 2018 Sew Camp, I thought that would be IT every year :-p Then 2019 I went to San Francisco to take the jacket making course at Hello Stitch. In 2020, I treated myself to the BabyLock serger. For 2021, I splurged on the Beatrice Dressform. And I’m excited to go to Sew Camp for 2022.
To finish my book :)
ReplyDeleteAs to the other aspect of the post…
I'm a technical person and will always buy any tools that aid in getting the job done (kitchen gadgets, household tools, storage/organization bits, whatever!). If there is a tool that exists and I think I will get use from it, I will buy it. Period. I grew up in a low-income/working class family with too many mouths to feed, then a single mom, then a blended family of 7...there is no medal for struggle!
I am right there with you that fast fashion means the average person probably would not save money sewing their own clothes. But some still can…and especially anyone with champagne tastes, those who are outside of standard sizing, those who have really specific fit needs. It’s been awhile since I’ve sewn new t-shirts, but inevitably, someone tells me they don’t sew them because they can get them cheap. Well, I am spoiled now! Yes, I can buy a $8 t-shirt and I’m going to have the same issues I have with other clothing…if it fits my body, the biceps are probably too tight, but if I go up in size the neckline and shoulder will be wrong. The length is probably too long. And I’m stuck choosing whatever colors someone else decided were ‘right’. So am I really saving?? (I personally don’t think so!)
First time commenter here, as this topic is close to my heart! I don't think my style is particularly unusual, but I do want what I wear to be what I truly want to wear, not what I have to wear because that's what's available. I grew up in the tail end years of sewing in high school as a given, and my mum sewed quite a bit, particularly our special occasion outfits. She is much more of a perfectionist than I, so I definitely really learned to sew in high school (the pressure was off!) Eventually I pursued costuming professionally, and I did not sew for myself in the years that sewing 8 hours a day was my job. Now I'm in more of a management role, I have the "labour hours" back for sewing for myself. I still use the 20 year old almost bottom of the line Kenmore machine I bought fresh out of university. That machine has paid my rent (in the early years) and given me hours of fun and fashions. Sometimes I think of getting something new, but I KNOW that machine so well, it's like a part of my body now, even with the broken bobbin winder! I would recommend that new sewers start with a machine that is a couple of steps up from the $100 Walmart models, but if that's what you can afford, that's what you can afford. Since my professional training was all on an industrial straight stitch, and we were expected to eyeball topstitching and get it right, I'm used to bare bones. I have a few gadgets that I like, and ways to save my hands are becoming more attractive now, but I still don't "need" a lot. I have a dedicated sewing space, though it's not fancy, but I do appreciate that I don't have to put my machines fully away when I'm not sewing. I do wish that sewing was both appreciated and more commonplace than it seems to be now. I live in a big city, and there are very few places to buy patterns, which I do remember getting from department stores as a kid. I've always loved paging through the catalogues, and online pattern shopping doesn't give me the same thrill! Thanks for the space to ramble, your topics and the comments are a great read.
ReplyDeleteMy mother learned to sew when I was in high school. There wasn't a lot of money floating around, so she made all of my senior outfits including my prom dress. After we started working, she quit sewing because it was no longer a necessity. She taught me to sew, and I remember her famous words "take it out". The seam ripper was my best friend. I hated hearing those words. I remember going to the department store and touching the expensive fabric as we walked back to the bargain area. In Baltimore you went to Epstein's or Shocketts to buy bargain fabric.
ReplyDeleteAs I got older, I started sewing more and buying all kinds of sewing goodies. Sewing kept me clothed during lean times. I have acquired an extensive fabric collection which allows me to shop at home. During my fabric acquisitions, I discovered that I'm a stress and impulsive shopper. I've since learned to control those impulses (most of the time :).
Several months ago, I needed new scrubs in a hurry. I went to the uniform store and spent over 200 bucks. I was irritated because I knew that the pants wouldn't fit, and I don't like wearing the same thing as everyone else. I'm changing jobs and moving into a hospital setting. More scrubs are required. I will potentially be taking care of Covid patients, so I decided to make scrub caps to match my scrub tops. I started looking through the fabric shelves and pulled out some black fabric. Black bottoms go with almost everything. I made 4 pairs of pants and tested a pattern for a scrub top. I have a bunch of shirting fabrics and other fabrics to make scrub tops. I will need to purchase some fabric to make scrub pants. Last night, I was pricing some broadcloth. I found prices from $4/yd to $8/yd If I buy 4 yards, I'll spend 32 bucks at the most. The average scrub top and pants are about $50 bucks so I will be saving money. I found some novelty fabrics that will make interesting tops.
Most of the benefits of sewing can't be measured in terms of cost. Sewing allows me to use my problem-solving skills and keeps my brain busy. It is relaxing and serves as a therapy session. It soothes my soul during stressful times. Some people are alive and uninjured because I can retreat to my sewing room. There is a sense of satisfaction when an outfit that turns out how you envisioned it. I can't imagine not sewing.
This last paragraph. The other comments here as well, but this right here. Thanks Towanda for saying this so well.
DeleteSo agree! This last paragraph is everything!
DeleteThanks for the forum for this topic. I think your list of beginning sewing supplies was a great for a new sewer. The only thing missing was a seam ripper. It is probably my most used tool. I did an experiment a few months ago. I took all my sewing notions out of the drawer where they were a cluttery mess, and put them in a carry bag under the sewing table. I retrieved each one as I needed it and put it back in the drawer. Seventy five percent of the tools are still in the carry bag. After a few more months, I will probably donate the ones I really don't use to a local store that resells craft and sewing items.
ReplyDeleteI think I do save money by sewing. I wear the more expensive items I've made for years because I like classic lines in clothes. I have a middle of the line Janome that I bought as a retirement gift to myself. I also use my grandmother's black singer that she gave to me when I got married. Both have different color thread in them because I also make quilts, so I have 2 projects going at the same time. I don't buy a lot of patterns. I usually can take the patterns I have and adapt them for different styles. I've learned a lot from your blog about how to change sleeves, collars etc. on a good well fitting basic pattern.
I think during the pandemic we have all learned to 'shop our stash' both for fabric and notions. Thank goodness for that stash. We've also gone back to the idea of using what we have instead of running to the store because we need 1/8 of a yard more of interfacing to start a project.
A few years back, the only pants one could buy RTW were low rise. That's when I started to make my own natural waist pants, because that's what I wanted to wear.
Lots of commenters have mentioned that they don't factor in the cost of labor in sewing because it is a hobby. I feel the same way. The satisfaction I get from pressing a seam, and turning it over and seeing that the stripes match exactly, or finishing and wearing a new garment is my reward. (At the same time, a little part of me is thinking that our time has value, and that traditionally womanly pursuits have not been valued in our culture).
Carol - you're so right! I did omit the seam ripper and that is truly important!
DeleteWhat wonderful comments here today. Like you, I began when very young with Simplicity patterns, and from age 14 made all my own clothes. This was over 60 years ago. I wanted pretty dresses to go dancing, and it really was cheaper at our local drapery store, to buy your fabric, notions and pattern. By age 17 I was working in the city, and graduated to Vogue. Oh, what a wonderful discovery, and I loved the designers. My first was a pale blue linen sheath dress and matching jacket (can't remember the Paris designer, but they were all there). Wore that for years, so classic. My sewing equipment is simple, and has barely changed. Toiles as needed for my increasingly difficult to fit shape. Tape measures in both metric and imperial measure, good scissors, rotary cutter and board, and a serger. My Janome is 15 years old, recently serviced and still sews beautifully. Always a back-up machine for emergencies, currently a darling Elna Lotus vintage machine, fantastic for zips. This week I made Vogue V1723 party dress, a great style for the mature body. Thank you for your blog, always so happy when you post :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where you are coming from. In my case sewing was an absolute necessity. I started sewing things as a very young girl, maybe 10/12 years old. I made simple little skirts, tops and dresses for myself and my two sister.I also altered clothes that were given to us by wellmeaning people who knew that we had very little money. In order to have something "newish" I simply had no choice but to improvise big time. Only after I finished my apprenticeship and earned a salary was I able to buy something new. The other thing I had to do was mending anything and everything. Even shirtcollars for the 3 males in our family had to be turned or covered. As you can see I had a steep learning courve, hardly any patterns and definitely no mod cons in sight. But overall it served me really well to hit the ground running!
ReplyDeleteMy mother sewed for us, and then I sewed for me. There were decades of just altering and refashioning RTW, as the Full Butt Adjustment Pattern was still in my pattern future (instead learning how to take in the waist so that I'd want to wear it more than once). Now every piece of clothing I own was either made from scratch or thrifted and altered considerably. Even the down vest I'm wearing.
ReplyDeleteI want my clothes to fit me and be comfortable. It's a pleasure to be able to do so for myself.
I learned to love sewing at a very young age, influenced by my mother and her friends. We spent Saturdays going to the local fabric stores; I remember how the fabrics made my eyes burn! I continued to sew as a teenager, because the clothing styles that I preferred were too expensive to buy ready-made. Later, as a young mother with a budget, I sewed for my children, once again duplicating the more expensive styles, and more recently, I have sewn for my two grand-daughters. In my early days, I sewed with a basic Singer, followed by a Pfaff, and then a Janome 4800. Just last year, my husband gifted me with a Janome 9450, which I absolutely love, and I now have a sewing room. Most of my clothing is hand-made, as I prefer the quality and fit to fast fashion. My sewing journey is far from over!
ReplyDeletedwortman - hello Janome Sewing Sistah! I love my 9450QCP and as someone else stated at my age having a top of the line sewing machine definitely makes sewing functions easier. Especially all of the extra light!
DeleteI agree, we did sew to save money but we were also much 'smore conscious of quality. There were lower costs clothing stores like Ormond's, Lerner's, Kresge's, Newberry's but mostly the clothing was made of cheap fabrics and didn't have matching seams, etc. We sewed to have quality clothing at affordable prices. I still do this. I don't sew to save money on something that I could buy at Target! Instead I sew to save money on clothing one would purchase at Talbots or Ann Taylor. I am very happy that you posted this and hope that it inspires more people to sew rather than accept lower quality.
ReplyDeleteIMO You can sew to save money once your skills are to a level where you can make things to the equivalent of high-end RTW. Example: I can make a lovely wool coat for less than I can buy one. Or a tailored suit (that fits!). I cannot compare with fast fashion - but then I wouldn't be caught dead sewing with those fabrics either.
ReplyDeleteWow. I've always sewed. First, doll clothes from scraps of material from my grandmother, all done by hand. I could not even duplicate those tiny stitches today. Little fingers, I guess. I graduated to using my mother's sewing machine by the time I was twelve. Sewed a plaid wool stitched down pleated skirt with no pattern, simply a tape measure and some math skills. It was good enough that my mom asked to borrow it to wear. From then on there was no stopping me. And, yes, today, if you want a quality garment, it is still cheaper to sew it yourself. No, you don't need a raft of tools. However, with the internet, it is very tempting to indulge in every new gadget that comes around. So, I guess I just have to practice self control.
ReplyDeleteI used to be the Queen of the fabric department at Macy's in the very early 1970's. Ahh. The fabric! The patterns! The notions! Heaven! Fond memories!
ReplyDeleteI loved Macy's fabric store in the 34th Street in the 80s/early 90s. I use to go there to touch fabric and when I had a few extra dollars to purchase a piece or two. Macy's back then was totally amazing and I spent many an evening on the fabric floor and in the Cellar buying things for dinner.
DeleteI had a "twang" reading your reply... Remembering Herald Square (and Mood Fabrics) in "The Before Times".
Deletethe things you write are all right. Often, even today, creating things yourself or fixing it does not have positive connotations. your blog is wonderful
ReplyDeleteI have sewn clothes since I was 12 years old. I am now 66 and I still have to sew for myself when I can't find ready to wear that fits or that I would even consider wearing. If I find something nice that doesn't cost an arm or a leg, yes, I will buy it. We just had a grandaughter get married and I couldn't for the life of me find anything that I would even consider wearing. They all had very low necklines and see through sleeves (which in Minnesota in January doesn't work). I finally ended up in the fabric store. Made a dress from a crepe knit and a jacket to match. Cost me $40. Got many compliments on it. I don't take in to consideration my sewing machine and whatever else I used. Those are things I have because I love to quilt also. I do not work outside the home and have never had to. I think that makes a big difference. I have had time to sew. Sewing takes time and I realize for people who are working full-time and come home tired after a long day at work it really isn't possible. But I will say when you have time it still pays to sew.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I would buy so many clothes that just weren't right. Now that I sew almost everything, I know I'll get the fabric, fit and design that I'm happy to wear. So yes, it saves.
ReplyDeleteIf one goes into sewing to save money over the dismal foreign wages and cheap thin fabrics of fast fashion and chain store garments, they will be sorely disappointed. Don't forget to factor in your own time - it's not worth zero! The reason to make a basic t-shirt is for better fit, better fabrics, and learning to sew knits.
ReplyDeleteWhere you can save - recreating mid to high end fashion garments, mending to extend the life of garments, making custom fit garments, altering RTW garments for better fit, remaking old garments into new, making garments of fabric that lasts longer than 6 months, etc.
Sorry if this was mentioned before - I haven't read the other comments yet. I think an iron is missing from your list? You mention it in the following paragraph though. An ironing board is optional, a towel on foil (to save whatever is below from steam) is a good stand in.
I remember when JC Penney and Petersen Harned von Mauer had fabric and notions in their basements. Petersen's had those fabric meters where the fabric was slid through and a snip was made. Most woven fabrics were ripped, the few knits were cut. Woolworth also had a small fabrics department. I don't know that there was an independent fabric store where I grew up, if there was Mom never went there. Thanks for sharing your memories of how it was back then.
I forgot to answer the other questions -
ReplyDeleteI went to high school in the days when there was still Home Ec. Mom sewed, but I don’t recall being allowed to use her machine. She was awfully protective of the Necchi. Now that I have it, I can see why - tank of a machine, but it demands respect and lots of oiling. No worries, as it wasn’t until after I was out on my own that I had much interest in sewing anyway. So I’m mostly self taught with books, and then internet when that came along (SO happy to learn those garment fails were NOT all my fault!). DH bought me a Singer machine (late 70s) for Christmas that served me well until the plastic bits decided holding settings wasn’t their mission in life any more. Since then, I’ve had a Bernina, a Viking (still have), another Bernina (still have), and Mom’s Necchi. Also in the herd are some vintage & antique straight stitch only machines, waiting for restoration.
I do have lots of tools, but find myself reaching for the same ones if for no other reason than they are close at hand. All anyone really *needs* is needle, thread and scissors for tools, but the rest make it so much easier and faster. I sewed in corners of rooms or basements until we built this house. That cold damp dark basement corner pretty much squashed my desire to sew. So I said there *will* be a designated room for me in this house. Best move ever, except for the @#$%!!! carpet.
Oh - while thinking back on my sewing over the years, I remembered one way sewing can save money - home dec items. Especially curtain/draperies and recovering chair and sofa cushions. I’d say upholstery, but not sure that really qualifies as sewing?
You can save money sewing children's clothes. Summer shorts and tee shirts; winter skirts, slacks and blouses...throw in a hand knit sweater and you had a workable school wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteNow I could afford their cult Jean's and party dresses.
These days I play with textiles (all for ME!)
Vicki - I agree about the children's clothing. I definitely saved money making my girls clothing every year.
DeleteI too started sewing in school. My mom had a big ole anchor weight of a sewing machine that she would let me use now and then. It was sooo heavy that although it had been put into a case type box, it was far from portable. So it was used on a card table in mom/dads bedroom... not all that convenient. I bought my first Singer sewing machine (still have it)while I was in the Navy stationed in Japan at the base shop next door to the commissary for all of $60. The gal who sold it to me looked like she doubted I would ever use. I proved her wrong time and time again. I made clothes for myself, a silly sock quilt for my husband (you would have had to see it!) and from there it seemed like everything! The kids came and as they came clothes were made. And it did save us lots of money at the time. I altered my first wedding dress (for a client)when my kids were still in school. My husband asked me to call the insurance man to make sure we were covered in case something happened to the dress... It was the early 90's the dress was bought for $800 (which really wasn't much back then). I ended up altering it twice cause she wanted to loose more weight.
ReplyDeleteMade all three of my girls prom dresses and wedding dresses, quilts for their weddings. And a velvet cape for one daughter and a daughter in law because their weddings were in Winter... when their wedding were 3 weeks apart.
I worked at Hancock Fabrics for a number of years we got 20% off of all the fabrics and also the sale prices... so fabric was much more economical... but then time was hard to find. Sewing now for grandchildren and myself, quilts for friends/wedding presents.
Just want those who think they can's sew to save... depends on what you are sewing. And what you spend on clothing. Thank you so much for all you do, have loved reading your posts and have been doing it for years.
Ooh this has been such an interesting blog post Carolyn! I've loved reading everyone's comments. I'm a newbie to sewing my own clothes (only the past 4 years), although I've made my own curtains since I was in my twenties (now in my 50's). YouTube and blogs are my teachers. Being a wheelchair user, my Husqvarna machine has a stop/start button as I can't use a foot pedal, and I've so far made tops, skirts, dresses and knickers! I make clothes because it's so much easier for me to make the clothes that fit me and are comfortable, without having to trawl round clothes stores or order online, only to have to return them because they're not suitable or don't fit. So for me, sewing saves my energy and money. I envy you all having sewing rooms, all my sewing has been done from my bed - I have my sewing machine on an overbed table and I do my cutting out on an upturned jigsaw board! Needs must! *Lol
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew in home ec in junior high school. Stopped sewing for decades then came back to it because I was tired of the dull/drab clothing that didn't fit me quite right. Sewing my own clothes cost me more than buying retail, that said, I'd rather sew my own clothes. I also know others can save money buy making their own clothing.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I do long for the old days a few years after learning to sew. I had 1 sewing machine, a serger, and only bought fabric when I was ready to sew it. I sewed on a wood tv tray amd had to put things up when I finished sewing for the day.
Now I have many, many, many sewing machines, way too much fabric, and a dedicated sewing (or two). I love the higher end machines - do I need that - absolutely not. I have way too many tools also.
I thank God for home ec - otherwise I might have never known the joy and pain of sewing.
I've had a love affair with fabric all my life. My mother made all my clothes and I started sewing for myself at the age of 12-13. I loved the satisfaction of wearing something I made myself. I could decide on the sleeve length, neck line, etc. Sewing came in handy when I married and became a Army wife. My husband surprised me with a sewing machine our first Christmas - a Singer Featherweight!. I was a little disappointed, but wouldn't let him know - so small and only a straight stitch. But that little machine made lots of formal wear, home dec, and everyday clothing. It didn't take up much space when we moved and we moved often. Our household items went with the movers, but my Featherweight went in the car with me!. Later I graduated to a Singer Golden Touch and Sew. I continued to sew for myself and our 2 daughters. I didn't buy much rtw until the girls became teenagers and preferred rtw. Daughter #1 fell in love with a prom dress from Macy's. I offered to make one like it, but no she wanted "that one". That was the last off the rack prom dress - seems there were 3 other girls wearing the same dress. I made many prom/party dresses - by now I was sewing on a Pfaff. I remember one dress in particular - a black velvet with a hand picked zipper under the arm that I thought I would go blind sewing! Black thread disappears into black velvet! When the girls went off to college, I discovered quilting and sewing clothing stopped. After reading all the comments, I realize I miss sewing for myself. However, I love quilting more. I now have 2 Bernina's, the latest "big girl" is a 770qe and I've added a longarm to quilt my own quilts. My quilting stash is too large, but came in handy during the pandemic. The fabric love affair continues. It's so refreshing to read all the comments and know that there are still many that love to sew their own clothes! If only there were more hours in a day and I was a bit younger.
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew clothing in Home Ec in the mid to late 70's. My mom mended our clothes, but she didn't make any clothing for us (7 children). I did inherit her black Singer 66 when she died. All 5 of us girls learned to sew on that machine. It only did straight stitches. I bought my first machine, a Singer, my senior year in high school. I used it to make most of my clothes, my wedding dress and my children's clothes. I bought a serger and another Singer in the 90's and then a Husqvarna in the early 2000's. I just bought a Janome 9450 QCP in December and love it. I've made several wedding dresses and have done sewing repairs and alterations for people and businesses for the last 30 years. I don't make much of my clothing anymore. I have been doing more quilting in the last few years. I love fabric. I too have a large stash. I remember buying fabric at J.C. Penney's, So Fo Fabrics, T.G.&Y., and Spurgeons when I was a teenager and in my early twenties. Now those stores are out of business or no longer sell fabric. Now I buy fabric at quilt stores or JoAnn's as that's what's available where I live.
ReplyDeleteWhen people find out I made what I'm wearing, they ask if sewing is cheaper than buying and then I laugh. Sewing my own clothes is so much more expensive than the prices I see in the shops. As someone who is plus-size, I would struggle to clothe myself adequately if I didn't sew and I love the creativity of it. I enjoy wearing something that is comfortable because it is well-fitted. My mother taught me to sew and made clothes for us when I was young. I do get asked about recommendations for sewing machines and what features to look for and I tell people that straight stitch, zig zag and buttonhole hole is all you really need. I have the same My-style Janome that I bought 30 odd years ago. I do love having a large ironing board and a good steam iron. I find having a fabric collection helps my inspiration. I would say the internet is an essential sewing tool for me. I love searching for inspiration, techniques and seeing and reading what other sewists are up to.
ReplyDeleteI usually don’t comment on the blogs I follow but this is such a topical post for me.
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew when it was less expensive to make something and it really helped that my aunt worked for a fabric company that had their corporate offices in NYC (lots of free fabric) and a family friend worked for the Elizabeth Arden couture house until it closed. They were both horrified the first time I used fusible interfacing. I have always been hard to fit (large bust, petite torso, long limbs) so sewing for myself in my corporate job was the way to go. I sewed for my daughter so she got very used to a good fit.
She is much more conscious of fit than many that I see including many of the younger sewing bloggers. She is the one who will comment “that is a cool pattern and nice fabric but it doesn’t fit right”. Or the alternative, “there is something wrong with the way it is made, it looks weird” She outgrew the Forever 21 mindset really early and now it has to fit, be good quality fabric and well made or she won’t wear it.
She sews and also buys more sustainable items. Those items are in the price range of what many of us experienced when it was less expensive to sew. And she cares about fit. So for her it is less expensive than purchasing from Everlane.
We were discussing the 3rd muslin for a top that she is trying to make that pulls away from the back neck. Unfortunately the fitting is over FaceTime and I pointed out yesterday that although it was not perfect it was a heck of a lot better than what most people buy and wear then I offered another solution. And she will try it since she took home a bolt of really cheap fabric to “play” with. And she (mostly) purchases her fabrics from Fabric Mart (on-sale) so she is getting better quality at a cheaper price. And she knows to save the 50% off Joann coupons for all her notions.
On Reddit, I commented on a question about how it is not cheaper to sew. I used an LLBean cotton flannel robe compared to the cotton flannel robe I just made as an example. Retail on the robe about $80. Me made about $25 (fabric on sale at Fabric Mart, pattern $0.99, notions in stash). But if I had bought all the components at full price then no it would not have been cheaper. But it still fit better than the LLBean version and it was only a robe.
So where am I going with this? Good fit has been forgotten and good construction out the window. Having something that is what you actually want and will wear often is better than OK for now and sending to goodwill or the rag bag (do people still have rag bags?) after a few wears. If you care about fit, construction and quality it is still less expensive to sew and it is a creative outlet that we all value.
My sister and I started sewing in junior high. My family made an investment in a sturdy Kenmore sewing machine with cams for fancy stitches. I'm still using it. Getting slowly back into sewing after not having the time or energy for many years. The city I grew up in had multiple fabric stores. So different these days.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Carolyn. I lived pretty much the same sewing experience that you did. Instead of Fabric Mart, I subscribed to Natural Fashion Fabrics Club throughout the 80's. How excited I was to get those quarterly mailings of beautiful fabrics. I've never been able to find that quality of fabric again.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking post. I still think sewing saves money on clothes. Kids clothes especially. If you are a savvy shopper you can save on fabrics, patterns even tools and machines.
ReplyDeleteI do remember the sewing scenario you describe. It was my Saturday afternoon treat.I sewed on a basic Singer in the diningroom. These days I do own all the tools, fabrics and high end machines. Sewing is my happy place so I support it with the best I can afford.
I think we sew because it gives us personal satisfaction whether we save $$$ or not.
Because of the skills/knowledge I have developed over the years item to item I am saving money compared to my RTW quality equal. Tools and the fancy machine allow me to save time on production and allows me more time for technique. (This has been a must of mine since the beginning) Its the addiction to the stuff that’s taking my money!
ReplyDeleteI like to view my clothing myself as cheaper than buying...the reason for this is that I can combine what I would otherwise spend on a hobby, plus my clothing budget and make far more and much nicer clothes than I would have if I was buying r.t.w. I bought a tshirting remnant this past weekend for $10, I'll be able to make myself and at least one maybe both of my kids a shirt out of it...so it's certainly possible. Mostly though, it's the joy of making clothes that I feel so good wearing. I love sewing!!
ReplyDeleteI am the same vintage, Carolyn, and grew up in the NYC suburbs. I remember going to Gimbels fabric department and Orchard Street with my grandmother. My grandmother sewed beautifully and taught me, but I also took home ec in school (mostly because I could sew for a grade, woohoo). I don’t think cost motivates the people who start sewing now, because many clothes are inexpensive new and even expensive brands can be had affordably in the secondhand market. Sewing has always been self expression, too, even back when we were motivated by a desire to save money. Another motivation to sew is that many body shapes are ignored by the garment industry. This is one of my biggest motivations now. I can’t get the kind of clothes I want in my size. But ultimately I sew, have always sewn, because it gives me joy. I have had many women express disdain for sewing to me. One women recently said to me, “that is the last way I would want to spend my time.” That is fine. I am glad she doesn’t need to sew. We are a special tribe, sewists. We have vision, can think in 3 dimensions, and plan accordingly. It is a gift. Thank you for providing such a wonderful place for us to gather.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same age, Carolyn. I grew up in Syracuse and we have fabric is the basement of JC Penney's. Oddly enough, we had grocery stores with fabric. Wegmans, the upstate NY grocery chain, had a great fabric department. I bought the Pendleton wool for my first interview suit at Wegmans! I don't sew to save money, although you can as some have mentioned. If I have to go to something fancy or black tie, I will always make my outfit. Because I do have expensive taste. When I wore suits, I made them because it was less expensive, but only if you didn't count my time. Now I sew for the enjoyment and the challenge. I love seeing something and knowing I can make it better. BTW, in a previous job, we all had to have our personality types determined, so we could know how to work together effectively as a team. The analyst couldn't figure me out. She said I didn't fit in a specific type because I was very creative but also very orderly and step by step, traits that don't usually go together. I told her it was because of sewing. You can be creative, but if you don't follow an orderly process, the garment won't work. I like not fitting in to a particular mold.
ReplyDeleteFor many years I sewed my children’s clothes as we could not afford even the small cost of bought clothes. I bought fabric from resellers and ‘op’ shops and any bargain fabric that was available. It was a great saving and helped us purchase our first property. Nowadays I have more bells and whistles, but still sew more than I make. I treasure the time I spent making the kids clothes as it was there I learnt all my dressmaking skills. Over the last 10 years I have bought a lot of fabric and thread, luckily I did this as we now have come full circle and have little disposable income. Sewing is my passion and I have everything I need to make fashion forward garments. Thanks to people like you I am now venturing more and more into making a pattern more custom.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Beth I do think that I save money sewing. I love copying very expensive coats that I could never afford. Even really expensive coats often don't have the silk linings that my coats have. I copy expensive clothing and even in good fabric they cost far less than the original. I started out with my grandmother's Singer sewing machine back when they were all metal and it came in a cabinet. I sewed in small bedrooms and cut out on the floor or my dining room table. I've graduated to a large, well equipped sewing room with lots of tools and a large cutting table. I still don't have a TOL machine. They all seem to come with embroidery, which I am not interested in, or they are aimed at quilters, which I am really not interested in. But, it's a very nice Bernina 740 which had the TOL features I did want and great buttonholes. I love sewing with it, but I have yet to use any of the decorative stitches.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I don't understand is why people think that we should save money on what is, for most of us,a hobby. When did a man ever have to justify saving money on his hobby?
I think this will always be a relevant topic in the sewing community - partially because of the historical reasons which you outlined in your posts, and partly because I think there will always be some sort of societal expectations around the cost of clothing and how society values (or doesn't value) sewing as a skill. I also think that probably the ability to save money by sewing gets easier over time as a new sewist learns more and gains new skills. When someone is new and still learning, probably they will need to spend more money on tools and equipment (even the basics!), and they may not have found their go-to places for fabrics and notions yet, and they certainly haven't developed a lot of TNT patterns. They also probably don't really know what sort of sewing they may even like to do, and some early projects will probably be "fails" as part of the learning process. I think as skills and practiced and gained, it's a lot easier to use that to make something of quality that will last and also to know what sort of sewing projects will work for you. Being able to find that perfect intersection of quality fabric, quality sewing, and personal style that will make something last in the long-term is really when there is monetary savings, because you don't feel the need to replace the item and will enjoy using it over a long period of time.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely been frustrating to see fabric prices skyrocket in the last ten years--before that, there were a lot of basic projects I could do for cheaper than buying premade, but now even basic printed cottons are at the top edge of what I want to spend in the physical store. Sometimes there are much better deals online, but trying to shop online is deeply frustrating, as Spoonflower has taken over search results (and I find their fabrics low-quality and outrageously expensive).
ReplyDeleteAt this point the only item I sew for savings (vs. sewing because I want something specific that I can't buy, or isn't in my size) is underwear. Even then the initial output is about the same as buying the same number of pairs in a Hanes multi-pack, but my homemade ones last longer, and are more consistently sized (why is it I buy two packs of the same brand and same size and one pack doesn't fit?)
What a wonderful post! I definitely sewed to save money, being one of eight children. I had a Mom who squeezed enough money out of her grocery budget to rarely get a Vogue magazine while at the supermarket. She would come home from shopping, throw it on my bed and say, "just give it to me when your are done with it." all at the age of 12 and on. My grandmother was an exquisitely dressed woman and an amazing seamstress. The stories I could tell from being at her side. I spent every summer with her as far back as I can remember until she passed. In the South at that time that meant from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We would get "dressed", go downtown in New Orleans, and hit all the big department store, Maison Blanche and such. We did "lady's lunch" and toured all the fabric departments. She would teach me about the fabric, make me feel them, drape them, give me their names. Then we would go in the children's department, just for girls, high end, and we would go thru the clothes, discussing what I liked, trying things on. She would turn them inside out and there would be lessons on why they were or were not quality, all at a very tender age, 6, 7, 8 and on. It was magnificent spoiling of a child who belonged to a tribe where there really was not much money to spend on frivolities. My parents were unusual however. We did without a lot BUT, they were very creative individuals and it was VERY inportant that our creativity be nurtured and they did that. My mom put me in Singer classes at age ten. She fought with the store manager to get me in as you had to be 12 to take them. She walked out the store on the sale of a top of the line machine over it. He ran after her, let me in the classes and she got her machine. Years later, when we moved back to the US, she bought a Rocketeer. God, I loved that machine! It was fabulous and I made some amazing things on it, every thing I wore from when I was fourteen. I was blessed to live in probably the biggest textile city in the country and could go to the back door of a lot of these mills, ask for the right person and get in to shop leftover piece goods. It was incredible. It cost next to nothing for me to sew great fabrics. Our neighbor was a textile designer at one of the mills and I agreed to swish and swipe her house once a week and she would bring me bags and bags of the most amazing fabrics to sew. We both were extremely pleased with our deal. I shopped the thrifts and remade garments into clothes I found in Vogue. I have fond memories of an alpaca coat I made in high school. So my history is one of sewing with passion for very very little money. Today it is a bit different as those resources, sadly aren't there but I still search. I am still thrifty. I still recognize a great sewing opportunity and bring it home and sew it. BUT, time and the bank have allowed me to become far more discerning when I want to do a "real purchase" of fabric. I seek out the nicer purveyors on line that I can trust. I pay amounts that I never would have dreamed of paying years back. My passion, my skills and I will give them the best. I buy this way for specific projects, never to stash fabrics, not for sheer accumulation. I don't do that anymore. I buy far less but far better. It's far more enjoyable. I love giving my skills a workout on really nice fabric. It's pedigree really isn't important but quality is everything now and I will pay for it or bump into it and take it home if I am lucky.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful topic. I learned to sew from my mother and only recently realized I have no idea how she learned because her mother did not sew. She sewed beautiful clothes, but no quilting. She also only ever had the exact amount of fabric for the garment under construction (with fabric stores around, she could do that).
ReplyDeleteBut I had to learn pattern alteration myself as she didn't know how. I needed FBA and narrow shoulder on everything. I also taught myself quilting and to this day alternate between garment sewing and quilt piecing. I also gave myself a longarm quilting machine a few years ago. And I turned the master bedroom into my dedicated sewing room. I've had several TOL machines but my favorite is my vintage Singer 201 plus my Babylock serger. My last 2 TOL machines (a Viking followed by a Babylock) have both died by needing an expensive motherboard replaced. I am done with these super expensive machines. I'm very happy with my vintage one.
I sew for the joy of the creativity and because RTW never fits - always too big in neck and shoulders in order to cover the bust and hips. I have several TNT patterns and copy off design elements that I want and morph onto my TNTs. I also sew for my daughter, now grown with kids of her own. When she was young she was an ice skater and I knew I had passed her "picky" test when she was willing to let me sew skating outfits for her as the store ones were absurdly expensive. I found a basic skating pattern and learned to chop it up to change the design. They came out really nice.
Now as an adult she is very grateful for the tops I make for her to wear to work. I have a couple of basic TNTs for her, one in woven and one in knit. I've also made a number of dresses for her and maternity pants. The hardest part is getting her approval for fabric choices as I find whatever I like she almost never agrees. And of course all fabric has to be bought online except for an occasional fabric I can find at JoAnns.
I've read Caroline's blog for a long time and I'm so grateful she's willing to continue with it. So many bloggers have given it up or migrated to facebook or instagram (or whatever), none of which I'm on. Keep it up Caroline!
My sister-in-law, a non-sewist, has said to me, "But you don't really save money when you sew, do you?" I replied that it depends on what you're comparing. I'm not going to be able to make a garment less expensively than I can buy one at a fast-fashion store or maybe even some garments at Nordstrom on sale. But if I'm making a high-quality jacket from high-quality fabric, then yes, I save money by sewing. Still, I see the question as moot. I'm no longer sewing to save money as I did in high school and college (in the '70s). I'm sewing because I enjoy it! I think non-sewists ask about sewing and saving as a way to tell themselves it's OK that they don't sew. A generation or more ago, sewing was part of being a "good homemaker," to the point that my own grandmother was disappointed when she gave birth to twin daughters, thinking, "What am I going to do? I don't sew!" This kind of thinking is no longer relevant, but my sister-in-law must be feeling insecure that she no longer sews or she wouldn't raise the question.
ReplyDeleteYou can save money by sewing for yourself depending upon how you do it.
ReplyDeleteYou can get inexpensive antique or vintage sewing machines - I got a 1951 Singer 51 model for $52 and it works a treat. Purchase XXXL clothes at garage sales or thrift stores, take them apart and use that fabric to make new clothing. Old prom dresses can be had for inexpensive and then you have lining material (and zippers).
When it comes to quilting you can save the most over buying them. Sheet sets from garage sales become backings for quilts. Old blankets become the batting.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and am always trying to find the next best thing to help enable me to keep sewing for a few more years until my hands won't let me anymore. So, I have accumulated many notions and thingys over the years. Some help for awhile then stop helping so I have to go on the hunt once again. Those without disabilities will have a less expensive journey.
Use good quality fabric, fashion patterns that stay in style, and learn how to mend, and you can create a wardrobe that will last decades meaning it will save money in the long run.
I've sewed since I was 12 and made my clothes in sewing class. I shopped the sale items but mostly sewed things, I only had my babysitting money to spend. When my kids were little it was easier than looking all over and trying to find what was needed. I didn't have a seewing room for many years and for a while my sewing machine was on a tv stand on wheels that rolled around and I hunched over to sew. The material back then was better quality and easier to find. Joann's ran out all the fabric stores in our area, then went totally to polyester fleece.
ReplyDeleteGood article Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Sewing is a hobby that pays you back - directly or indirectly.
I make almost all of my household items like curtains, bedspreads, table linens, son's shirts, shorts, my clothes. I make and sell a lot of items like baby items etc. And when I have gifts for baby showers, birthdays, Christmas presents, I make almost all of these, it saves a lot of money.
Over the last decades I have made most of the clothes, pjs and bibs for my handicapped daughter. Regular clothes just do not work on her. Pants that are the right in length, are too small in the diaper area. And she has one leg longer than the other so pants were difficult until the style of elastic around the ankle area came into fashion in the 80s. that worked great for her. I often make her pjs and bibs from thrifted bed sheets so it probably is a lot cheaper than buying them from a store. I'd probably have to alter them anyway. I made a pattern from a tee shirt so that I can make all kinds of tops just right for her. Again cheaper than buying.
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed to have been taught to sew at the knee of my mother and grandmother about 55 years ago. My sewing training was quite complete - I hand pad stiched a wool jacket for myself at around 13 (why?? I ask myself now) and learned to do flat pattern adjusting on my Barbie doll. Sewing was a family thing - Easter we sewed our winter wardrobes - At our long Anniversary weekend we made summer clothes. I have always sewed mostly to have different clothes that fit and sit right. When I moved away from living in the bigger cities I discovered that options to buy "nice" fabric is so much less. The natural fabrics I prefer are just not available here so I shop for fabric and patterns at my local second hand shops. I have tried internet/postal fabric purchasing and its not for me. even with swatches I can't get a sense of the drape and hand of the fabric. I have been lucky to have worn out many a sewing machine and over locker in my time. Right now I'm using original vintage patterns from the 40's 50's to make garments for a local theatre company. Is sewing cheaper than buying? Yes - if you have it all here. I can make a tshirt from walking to the room in around 1 hr. However 1) I have a sewing space and have had a set up one in every place Ive lived in since I left home. 2) I adjusted my tshirt pattern to a perfect fit in 2004 and don't use any thing else 3) I have a BIG stash and lots of habedashery. It would take me longer to get to a store to make a purchase.
ReplyDeleteEnvious!
DeleteThere was a time, in my early 20s, when I could get a full wardrobe of clothing for $25 if I chose to sew it myself and shopped from the sale racks. As someone who doesn’t fit the fashion norm in height, I could not afford the then $150 per pair of fitting pants. The jackets never fit. If I wanted it to fit, I needed to make it myself.
ReplyDeleteI don’t find the same sales very often any more but what I can say is that what I sew lasts longer than the things I can purchase, even second hand. And there is joy in creating that really brushes off the dire hurt of shopping for hours and finding not a single item of clothing to fit. Both of those things are not measured by money saved but by sanity saved. And that is worth far more.