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Is Sewing Clothes Cheaper than Buying them?
davidxy887 Member since 9/28/12 Posts: 23	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/2/12 10:09 PM Hello, A beginner here. I was thinking on learning how to sew in order to save money. I would sew my own pants, jeans, formal shirts, t-shirts, do my own alterations for clothes that I buy. Now that I'm really looking into it I'm not sure any more. Do you really save money by learning how to sew? Thanks
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1379	Login to reply to this post In reply to davidxy887 << Like this post Date: 10/2/12 10:19 PM It used to be that you could save alot of money sewing. Not so much now. You can save some though and there are some bargains out there. The big advantage is that you can make clothes that actually fit and you get the joy of wearing things that you know you made-there is an enjoyment factor for me. Have you checked out the Sewing For Men Thread? There are quite a few men who sew on here.
AliceM Advanced IL USA Member since 4/30/05 Posts: 1550	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/2/12 10:22 PM Depends on where you buy your clothes. If you like high end clothing you will save money sewing. On the other hand, if you mostly shop discount stores your sewn clothes will cost more. The good thing is that they will fit better and be the style and colors that YOU want instead of what the stores buyers think is in style.
NhiHuynh   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/4/11 Posts: 593	Login to reply to this post In reply to davidxy887 << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/2/12 10:23 PM It really depends on what type of clothing you normally buy and how your source your materials and how your value your time. I shop for fabric at the LA garment district so I can get quality fabric and notions fairly inexpensively. I also buy patterns on sale and don't make muslins. In most cases I'd say that I save money. I use to spend $70 for a pair of pants, I can make a pair for $20. I used to spend $50-$100 on a swim suit, I recent one I made cost less than $15. I use to spend $40 on a blouse, the last one I made cost less than $10. I don't count my time because I love making things. If I weren't sewing I'd be doing some other crafts.
hazelnut   Beginner USA Member since 1/7/09 Posts: 2286	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/2/12 10:33 PM For me, definitely, yes!
Fruzzle Intermediate Member since 1/26/07 Posts: 382	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/2/12 10:55 PM For me the answer is yes, but only on big-ticket items. And there was a longish learning curve to get there. I can buy a simple t-shirt for $20. The fabric plus notions plus pattern for that would be more than $20. On the other hand, I just spent $150 on really fancy silk for a skirt for a formal occasion. To buy in a store what I plan to make out of the fabric I'm using would probably run me $400.
Mikgirl Member since 2/24/10 Posts: 299	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 10/2/12 11:06 PM To me it does save money. If I buy something that is in my price range at the store, it falls apart really fast. But you can buy quality fabric for less, and make something that fits me better. That was my first reason to start sewing, but now I can't buy anything from the store because I notice the ill-fit. My recent acomplishment was a pair of jeans. I could never find RTW jeans that fits me, but now I made one and can't go back! I love making something that fits me perfectly.
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 652	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/2/12 11:41 PM I believe in the long run it really does save you big money. The garments we make will be worn more and last longer so that is a definate savings. There's alot to be said for the quality we put into the clothes we make, compared to what's in the stores, unless you shop designer.
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2474	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/2/12 11:42 PM Not for me--and if I factor in my time, DEFINITELY not. Which is why I sew only specialty items (historical costumes) and gifts--NOT my regular wardrobe. Frex, the prices that NhiHuynh cited for her RTW clothes are more than I personally prefer to spend.I remember looking for a special item of clothing for a very special event (an awards ceremony for an award that I won), and looking at prices on satin blouses--around $70. My mom suggested that I make one, and I entertained the idea--and very quickly realized that at the pace that I sew, even at the scandalously low rate of $10/hour, there was no way I could make the blouse for less than $70--and that was just for my labor! For a second example, I just decided to buy an apron I liked for $12, because I knew I couldn't make one for less than that. :) YMMV, however! ------ ~Gem in the prairie
colormefun Intermediate FL USA Member since 11/30/06 Posts: 132	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 10/2/12 11:45 PM Well, you can definitely save money by learning how to do your own alterations. Hemming is super easy to learn and places charge a lot for it in my opinion. If you only want to save money and you're not in it because you want to learn to sew to make unique items then you'd definitely be better off just being a bargain shopper at the mall. With everything being mass-produced and outsourced to other countries lower end clothes are cheaper than you can make yourself. Have you ever been to the website www.slickdeals.net ? My friend trolls there all the time and lets me know if he sees something good. Their users post ridiculous deals with stacked coupons, etc. I went to town the other day at limited.com and was getting like $3 blouses, etc. with all the coupons. ------ http://sewcolormefun.blogspot.com/

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