SCHOOL SHORTS : Well Jo-Ann's had this huge sewing sale this past weekend, and sinceI'm learning to sew, I managed to buy my basic supplies at 50% off.Yay!Ok, I'm wondering... is it really cheaper to make your own clothesthan to buy in the store? I can sometimes get clothes for my toddlerat gymboree for less than $10 (for a shirt or pants, maybe even anoutfit). Can I make them for less?Also, can anyone recommend a good first project for a newbie like me?I'd like to learn to make garments from patterns.It depends, I like the quality of what I make versus some store bought. Ilike lined skirts, many of the less expensive skirts are not lined. I alsolike the feeling that I can make something. I find it relaxing.DebiOn a few rare occasions it may be cheaper. Most of the time it is not. Thereason I do the sewing is for style and it is great to create something. If youlive near a fabric outlet or a Wal-Mart you might save money by getting some $1per yard fabric. Then you would save money. Don't forget to add in the timeyou spend sewing.I guess it depends. I like to make something for myself so that I am the onlyone with that item.
SCHOOL SHORTS : Cheaper depends on what you make and the bargains you get for yourfabrics. For example, I never bother to make basic T-shirts, pj's, etc.as I can buy them far cheaper, but I DO make things like suits: abespoke suit for my husband would cost £2000 from my father's tailors,and I made one for him for £72! THAT'S a saving worth having! A RTWoutfit of jacket, trousers and two different skirts, all lined, wouldcost me in excess of £600 to buy in a decent make: I made mine for about£12! I manage to do this with skirt and suit fabrics because of whereand how I buy them, and even costing in my time (I also work as adressmaker part time), It's cheaper than buying these items.I make the stuff for the posh end of the wardrobe because that's wherethe savings are. If I get a bargain in the right sort of fabric, I'llmake school shorts and other bits for my son, or special request stuff,but I don't do the ordinary bits because, as you say, it's hard to beatsome shop prices! Five school shirts for £10? Buy 'em! Five schoolshirts for £10 EACH - make 'em! The other week I bought my son 3 poloshirts and 2 pairs of shorts, plus a pair of PJ's, for £14. The fabricwould cost the same, so I'd make no saving.
SCHOOL SHORTS : Good starter projects are simple garments. Even if you CAN buy a readymade skirt for the same or less, you need to start with simpler things. Elastic waisted skirts and trousers, simple tops and so forth will teachyou the skills to make greater savings on posh frock stuff later. Agood place to look for simple patterns is Kwik Sew: they even do a fewspecially for learners.This is a very helpful and friendly board! Thanks for all the repliesand encouragements! I will look into the Kwik-Sew book for toddlers. Ibought a pattern from Simplicity ('easy to sew' line) for a fairlysimple skirt and am about to start on it. I finished cutting thepattern out - how precisely on the black line do I need to cut?You need to cut as precisely as you can, as this is your guide for seamallowances. If you don't cut it smoothly on the cutting line, the seamswill be wiggly and the garment may not fit. I always cut the patternout first with paper scissors, and then cut fabric only with clothsheers or rotary cutter. This makes the whole cutting process mucheasier.
SCHOOL SHORTS : For cutting and sewing garments, IGNORE the size you usually take, andcut the pattern on the size indicated by your measurements.For your own clothes, the answer is "sometimes"--depends on the pattern, thecost of the fabric, whether you already have notions on hand or not, etc.However, for a toddler or small child, the anwer is almost always, since thetiny garments use such a small amount of fabric, so unless you are usingfabric that costs an *awful* lot, you can definitely save there.For a beginner garment for yourself, look for something that doesn't have alot of seams, a pullover with no buttons or zippers. Most of the majorpattern companies will have patterns rated for beginners, and that say "makein two hours" -- don't believe *that*, of course 8-).BarbaraI make a lot of clothes for my son and if I buy bales of fabric fromCroft Mill (a factory outlet) I can make a whole winter wardrobe for£4 plus notions. Thats about $6 I think.Normally, cheap clothes are less expensive than home made, but not aswell made (If you take your time and sew carefully) or as interesting.
SCHOOL SHORTS : I'm not sure how old your toddler is, but homemade clothes that my sonhas 'helped' to make (mostly putting pins in a pincushion for me) area lot easier to get on to him in the morning...I'd recommend the Kwik Sew sewing for toddlers book, full of greatpatterns and really easy to follow instructions. Its good value too,and fits children up to age 4. Then start on the sewing for childrenbook!Generally no. Sometimes I hit a real bargin and do an incredible dress forless than $10.00 but most of them time I spend more on fabric than I could buya finished garment for.I like lovely fabrics. Sewing is a hobby/business, not an economy.First of all, I heartily agree with Kate's post on this.Also, the clothing I make would match the best clothing linesat really good stores; it would be very pricey if purchasedat such a place. I personally have saved tons of money for years by sewing; everything from home dec to wedding gowns.I made all my daughters' prom & homecoming gowns, special outfits etc. Saved hundreds on those items &the girls got exactly what they wanted. I also made lots of their clothing when they were tiny, using cheaper fabrics since I knew they'd quickly outgrow them. I was also given tons of fabric& the cost of many projects was just thread & notions.Made OD a swing skirt, which was selling for $60 apiece on the net (just plain & unlined cotton), I made it inliquid black leather on the outside & lined it with a soft polyroyal blue sparkle type fabric inside. She was the belleof the dance & all her friends wanted to know where she bought it. :) It cost $25 to make including pattern & notions.
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