tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post3413652402987176620..comments2024-03-29T03:54:45.048-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: Do I save money sewing?Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-45505655116419975272012-03-20T15:00:46.685-04:002012-03-20T15:00:46.685-04:00I sew because I enjoy the handwork and creating a ...I sew because I enjoy the handwork and creating a great fit. Money isn't all-this from the woman who spent $1000 on a machine to put a professional hem on her RTW knit sleeves!! I just love sewing and having well fitting garments. SheilaSheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03971742638750946437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-13664237856302464792011-06-10T16:58:51.710-04:002011-06-10T16:58:51.710-04:00Catching up on your blog - I really thought this p...Catching up on your blog - I really thought this post and the comments were interesting. I don't sew to save money, although that is a nice side effect. My reason for sewing is to own clothes that fit much better than RTW in better quality fabric. I was never 100% happy with the fit of RTW even after altering it because of my height and body shape. Now I feel like I get the fit pretty close to perfect on my oft-repeated TNT patterns, and that's a great feeling. I'm finally learning what adjustments I need to make to practically every pattern, by pattern company, so that I can get very wearable muslins on the first attempt and refine from there if necessary. I love sewing! I hardly ever knit anymore, which makes me a little sad, but I just need the immediate gratification (and total immersion/mind occupation) of a sewing project.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11133547765222326544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-87861257829413282792011-05-27T12:13:50.954-04:002011-05-27T12:13:50.954-04:00No, I don't sew to save money. We are lucky th...No, I don't sew to save money. We are lucky that I'm able to truly have this as a hobby - one that results in some awesome garments for me, gifts for friends and sometimes even something for my husband. ;) My fabric and pattern stash is far too large and my time too short to really save money doing this. Heh.amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12029076436322883513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-24773623722074518202011-05-10T12:56:08.660-04:002011-05-10T12:56:08.660-04:00I originally started sewing because my daughter go...I originally started sewing because my daughter got into the stage where store bought skirts were too short or too provocative (remember when they had the hankerchief hem for little girls), so I started making her skirts.<br />Now, I sew more for pleasure.<br />However, my husband thinks I am saving money so does that count :)Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16653700178942627323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-29758029436861498402011-05-08T14:06:22.684-04:002011-05-08T14:06:22.684-04:00There are many reasons I sew. Firstly I'm not...There are many reasons I sew. Firstly I'm not a "standard" size and find ready to wear a complete nightmare. I detest clothes shopping (shoes and bags are a totally different story!). My husband is frustrated with the quality and fitting issues I encounter every time I try and buy something for me.<br />Also I love clothes that are priced way above my budget so am working on my skills so I can replicate these at a price I can afford.<br />When it comes to my children I mix high street and supermarket buys with hand made items. I love it that my daughter, who is 3, gets really excited that Mummy is making her something. Children's clothes are also a great way of recycling items from your wardrobe that you no longer wear or are damaged and would otherwise be sent to the charity shop or the recycling bag.<br />Finally, with two children aged 2 and 3, my time in the sewing room, however limited, is a precious haven for me to reconnect to myself and my creativity and contribute something physical to our family and our budget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-9830099704667685282011-05-07T18:27:20.027-04:002011-05-07T18:27:20.027-04:00I sew because I just love to sew and be creative a...I sew because I just love to sew and be creative and have garments - even if it's just a plain black jacket - that is the only one of it's kind. I've felt that way ever since I learned how to sew. I think that it does save me money but that's not why I do it.Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17514929600248371886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-23489054347659929472011-05-07T14:01:03.368-04:002011-05-07T14:01:03.368-04:00I remember when my kids were younger being asked t...I remember when my kids were younger being asked this question by a fincial councelor. At the time he thought sewing was a silly hobby and I should buy second hand. Well to this day I sew because I want too. Some times it saves me $$, other times it is for pure enjoyment. My faric stash and closets consist of everything from second hand, discount to depatment store because it fit not only the budget but the mood I was creating. I guess than I would have to say I sew to be creative.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779961425357975365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-19180595964433836742011-05-07T10:18:04.701-04:002011-05-07T10:18:04.701-04:00I sew to get fit. I would probably spend the same ...I sew to get fit. I would probably spend the same amount of money if I bought everything RTW, but then I wouldn't look nearly as nicely dressed as I do. When you're fat and short, designers ignore you. I can shop in every department from petites, Women's, and misses and find clothes that I can wear but still find nothing that fits me right. Oh, and I need to mention that I just love to sit at my machine and sew. I also love to create and be artistic. Shopping just doesn't feed that side of me.Sherrilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682899485401222209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-26532292400732706272011-05-07T00:10:13.774-04:002011-05-07T00:10:13.774-04:00I sew because I like too. I love to sew childrens ...I sew because I like too. I love to sew childrens clothing. I just wish I had more time.Erlindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597289668805445493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-6899873155517002842011-05-06T20:03:35.604-04:002011-05-06T20:03:35.604-04:00I was a teenager in the 70's. I had five broth...I was a teenager in the 70's. I had five brothers and sisters and money was very tight. It also seems that clothing was more expensive then than it is now. Well, even if there had been less expensive, throwaway clothing available to me when I was growing up in the, my mom and I turned our noses up at badly made RTW. My mom is from Spain and during the 40's and 50's you made your own clothing or had it made for you. Since we couldn't afford the quality we wanted here in the states, we made our own clothing to save money. Nowadays, I'm still disappointed in the quality and ill fit in the stores, but money is not as tight, so I sew for the individual touch I learned to love back when I couldn't afford to buy. I also sew for fun, since I no longer work under the pressure to provide everyday clothing.Elenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13180719418510254201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-54100517752649704832011-05-06T19:09:59.071-04:002011-05-06T19:09:59.071-04:00Simply put, both.Simply put, both.Summersethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00364235843222794829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-2813638912694199092011-05-06T16:29:35.646-04:002011-05-06T16:29:35.646-04:00I don't know. I just plopped down $18 for 6 bu...I don't know. I just plopped down $18 for 6 buttons this morning. Ugh. I know I *can* buy cheap clothing cheaper. But I couldn't afford ready to wear clothing of this quality. Not at all. We're a big family. 9 kids. So sewing saves me a lot, and they dress a lot better (and cooler!) than most of their friends.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06252914447751935731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-8674600045384059622011-05-06T14:56:35.733-04:002011-05-06T14:56:35.733-04:00How about this? Could you afford the quality of cl...How about this? Could you afford the quality of clothes you can sew for yourself? Would you be able to get the fit you get from sewing at any price? I don't like to shop for clothes so don't go in stores much but when I do, even the low to middle level stuff I'm looking at is priced too high for what it is. If time is money, it could take awhile to find something that fits also.<br />Sewing gives me some "thing" as well that I might have to spend money on… therapy, alcohol…Anna R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03900196845196932912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-34980086572658025512011-05-06T13:04:00.269-04:002011-05-06T13:04:00.269-04:00I don't sew to save money. I sew to have cloth...I don't sew to save money. I sew to have clothes that are not what everyone else has. I live in a rural area. Most of us, professional women at work, would shop at the same on-line retailers. Often we would have the exact same outfits. Now I sew most of my work clothes so I don't see myself coming and going. I started sewing as a kid. In college, I did sew to save money.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13282616663639286469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-3953420658549015502011-05-06T11:17:00.661-04:002011-05-06T11:17:00.661-04:00My mom sewed for twin girls so I'm sure she sa...My mom sewed for twin girls so I'm sure she saved money. I remember sewing little doll clothes from the scraps. I have always sewed. I sewed tons of dresses and PJs and play clothes and costumes for my 3 kids, right up until it suddenly wasn't "cool" for your mom to make your clothes anymore. I sewed for other people and I sewed displays for Piece Goods when I worked there. (I miss them, don't you??) <br /><br />Then I took myself off to college and the corporate world and my kids grew up and I didn't sew for YEARS. I started sewing again (for ME!) just this year and I can't believe how much pleasure I take in it again. I sew what I want and what I like. I'm a big thrift shopper, so I'm certainly spending MORE on my clothes that I sew, but the pure pleasure of it is worth every penny to me.2kellymikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00160869518389213775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-18827319711622499102011-05-06T10:51:15.338-04:002011-05-06T10:51:15.338-04:00Sewing today costs me money, but it gives me so mu...Sewing today costs me money, but it gives me so much pleasure. I sew for me and a couple of grands. I like learning new techniques as well as new technology. New machines and new challenges are good for. My mind too! I love to read about sewing too-- lots of inspiration to try new things!<br /><br />I love your blog and I try to check in often to see what you are doing. It expands my horizons!<br /><br />Lynda in LVTeddylynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00216962907654097449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-7408982864304481492011-05-06T10:06:39.533-04:002011-05-06T10:06:39.533-04:00NuJoi and others have said it for me. I started to...NuJoi and others have said it for me. I started to sew to fit a tall skinny kid when I was 12, to save money for a long time, and now I save money by sewing things that are more expensive than I would buy, but spend more money on my sewing than I ever would on clothes.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00589088509970822837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-27622530121397264822011-05-06T09:37:00.849-04:002011-05-06T09:37:00.849-04:00Like you sewed to save money when my five kids wer...Like you sewed to save money when my five kids were young. For the pleasure. Love the creative process.BConkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567728669689070443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-91365366877588787492011-05-06T07:27:08.248-04:002011-05-06T07:27:08.248-04:00I don't sew to save money, but because I love ...I don't sew to save money, but because I love it. I'm happy about the saving money bit though.<br /><br />What other hobby saves you money? <br />Imagine if we were wine connoisseurs! ( well imagine if we were ONLY wine connoisseurs and not sewists as well!). Now that's a hobby that is just a sink for money.<br /><br />SewingelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-4578172866615799202011-05-05T21:59:17.648-04:002011-05-05T21:59:17.648-04:00I sew for the sake of tradition.
It means I ultima...I sew for the sake of tradition.<br />It means I ultimately pay fewer actual dollars for dress-up clothes. I sew gifts for friends, and I think the savings there and the gift of something hand-made are honestly priceless.<br />But the total cost in time... well, it adds up. <br />I sew to get what I want, how I want it, and if I could successfully stay on a fabric diet, it probably would save me money. It certainly saves my sanity to have the creative outlet... so I end up saving money because I don't pay for therapy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07962445987863685289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-69155312601610585282011-05-05T21:34:29.002-04:002011-05-05T21:34:29.002-04:00No. I don't sew to save money. I thrift shop...No. I don't sew to save money. I thrift shop to save money. No, really, I thrift because I enjoy the hunt and shudder at RTW prices. But I DO buy mostly on sale...patterns, fabric, etc., and that involves a little planning. Except when I see that one perfect fabric...Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10611109215853196255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-57418036278413979152011-05-05T21:33:28.505-04:002011-05-05T21:33:28.505-04:00For me, it's an emphatic "no". I sew...For me, it's an emphatic "no". I sew because it's hard to find clothing for my plus-size body that fits and/or isn't a loose peasant shirt that makes me look about 10x bigger than I am. I like the look of clothing that's available for smaller people (sheath dresses, retro flavored clothing) and haven't been able to find it in my size. I'm not a great sewer yet, but I feel like I look good in what I do sew - and that's worth every penny I spend on fabric, patterns, time, etcLaurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06152648055216344272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-9052968051999747222011-05-05T21:30:48.708-04:002011-05-05T21:30:48.708-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06152648055216344272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-86461596495179768662011-05-05T20:59:12.741-04:002011-05-05T20:59:12.741-04:00Like you, in my early sewing days with small child...Like you, in my early sewing days with small children, I sewed to save money. And even now, I like to "think" that I'm saving money, but the reality is that I'm probably not. Now, I seem to endlessly buy patterns and fabric. But it is such a wonderful creative outlet. :DEllenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191713016037761271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-20020647362192499882011-05-05T20:30:16.197-04:002011-05-05T20:30:16.197-04:00I sew to have clothes that fit in fabrics I love. ...I sew to have clothes that fit in fabrics I love. So saving money is not really my goal. Whether or not I save money depends on how you calculate it. If I bought the same fabric and paid someone else to make my clothes, then yes I save money. If I just bought the best I could find at Kohl's and Walmart, then no.reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15046173133453041173noreply@blogger.com