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Nope, I don't sew clothes from scratch anymore. I can find better prices on the clearance racks. When DD needed capri's and shorts for summer we found jeans and pants on clearance for $2.24. We bought enough to cut up and make what she needed for summer and some extra pairs to keep long for school next year. I couldn't find fabric and notions for that price (assuming I already had a pattern).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gandalara
Being able to sew helps you fix the stuff you buy at the thrift store that doesn't fit quite right.
Yes, this is mostly the kind of garment sewing I do now and I still think sewing is an important frugal skill even if we aren't sewing from scratch. DD is petite so something always needs to be taken in, taken up, etc.
I miss sewing clothes but the fabric and patterns are just too much. I still sew home decor items, crafty stuff....right now DD and I are making sock monkeys.
I'm not a talented seamstress, but I like making old things new again with a twist. Mittens from old felted sweaters, that sort of thing. If you snatch them up for free or really cheap, I think used clothes and other cloth (sheets, etc.) could be a great way to make your own and save some money.
A few years ago, out of boredom, I taught myself to sew; and I made quite a few simple, but quite nice, dresses, skirts and cover ups. Even made a couple of dresses for a friend. Unfortunately, the cost of fabric has gone up so much, that, now I mostly rework garments I pick up at thrift stores.
Every now and then, if I see a nice piece of fabric on sale, I will buy it, but that's so rare these days.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaw1972
I'm not a talented seamstress, but I like making old things new again with a twist. Mittens from old felted sweaters, that sort of thing. If you snatch them up for free or really cheap, I think used clothes and other cloth (sheets, etc.) could be a great way to make your own and save some money.
yes! sewing with goods from thrift store / free-cycle.
Saw these this week in Portland, OR craft store:
Very cute skirts made from men's ties, handbags from denim shirts, tailored slacks with insets from vintage materials, really cute kid's clothes (patchwork)... all very nice
Nope. And you don't even need a sewing machine for a lot of these fixes. Certain things won't look right after a repair, so you'll have to remake it or cover it. I can't mend a t shirt without it getting all stretched out, so often, if it's a t-shirt I love, I'll hand sew the tear (always get it before washing and as soon as possible!!!) to seal it up, and then toss some light weight cute buttons over the shirt and sew them where they land, and one to cover the mend. Tossing really does give the feeling of ease -- I can't plan a freeform organic button toss.
Nope. And you don't even need a sewing machine for a lot of these fixes. Certain things won't look right after a repair, so you'll have to remake it or cover it. I can't mend a t shirt without it getting all stretched out, so often, if it's a t-shirt I love, I'll hand sew the tear (always get it before washing and as soon as possible!!!) to seal it up, and then toss some light weight cute buttons over the shirt and sew them where they land, and one to cover the mend. Tossing really does give the feeling of ease -- I can't plan a freeform organic button toss.
It is expensive to have someone else do it.
Good to know. I'm a believer in wearing things until there's absolutely no life left in them.
Nope. And you don't even need a sewing machine for a lot of these fixes. Certain things won't look right after a repair, so you'll have to remake it or cover it. I can't mend a t shirt without it getting all stretched out, so often, if it's a t-shirt I love, I'll hand sew the tear (always get it before washing and as soon as possible!!!) to seal it up, and then toss some light weight cute buttons over the shirt and sew them where they land, and one to cover the mend. Tossing really does give the feeling of ease -- I can't plan a freeform organic button toss.
It is expensive to have someone else do it.
I can't even imagine the amount of dresses I could have made if I had a sewing machine. Every thing I made was hand sewn. I think sewing machine will have to be on my wish list for birthday or Christmas, if anyone wants to be so generous.
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I couldn't find fabric and notions for that price (assuming I already had a pattern). 
