No matter which country you live in, we’ve all be experiencing economic hard times. With the news that “things are going to get worse, before they get better,” I’ve been putting more thought into how I can still enjoy my hobbies (sewing, fashion, new clothes) with spending little to no money. Here’s a few thoughts:
1) Use what you have:
For most sewers, we’ve accumulated fabrics over time – those pieces of material that we couldn’t live without or bargains that screamed our name. Now’s the time to ‘shop our stash’ and use some of those fabrics that are accumulating dust.
This is also a great opportunity to revive patterns that you haven’t used in awhile (or at all) and pull out pattern books and magazines that have sitting lonely on a shelf.
2) Recycle:
Before you throw out clothing that is too small, shows wear, or is out of style, think about how it can be re-purposed. Making a few tweeks to a ‘dated’ shirt or pants can breathe new life into a garment while other clothes can be cut up and used for their material. Zippers, elastics, and buttons can all be recycled for future endeavors.
3) Look for bargains:
Almost every sewing center and website has pattern and fabric sales at one time or another. Take advantage of these times to purchase the designs you’ve been eyeing. Don’t forget to check out bargain and clearance areas for fabric steals!
Visiting your local thrift stores and garage sales can also turn up incredible sewing finds. Just be sure to skip the thread – it can weaken over time and may not produce quality stitches (and there’s nothing worse than having your garment fall apart after all that hard work you put into it).
4) Free is always good:
Don’t forget the internet is a treasure trove of free tutorials and patterns, just as long as you’re willing to hunt for them.
Have any other ways to be thrifty with your sewing? I’d love to hear them!
Dec 8, 2008, 11.22 AMby cakebaker
free is always good! check for a local freecycle group – I’ve received lots of free craft supplies through my group.
Dec 8, 2008, 12.52 PMby Sew4my3
I shop the second hand and thrift shops for sheets/bedding to use as my muslin fitting garments before sinking my scissors into expensive fabric. I can often find sheets for a little over a dollar in these types of stores. I also look for items that have notions I might need to make a garment, such as items with buttons, trims, zippers, etc…and if I shop carefully for these items I can also reuse the item the notions came off of. One more thing I look for are leather purses that I can take apart and repurpose into a garment, like a simple belt or artistic trims and designs on a garment. Many of the items found at these stores are incredibly inexpensive and the money spent in some of them goes for charity. So it’s a win, win situation!
Dec 8, 2008, 02.12 PMby EmilyKate
Fun topic!
Recently just by going thru my stash and organising it better, I was able to get a handle on just how much stuff I ALREADY HAVE- so I don’t go zipping out to the fabric store to pick up odds and ends. Turns out I have a LOT of STUFF already.
I also reuse the zippers/buttons etc that I use for muslins and I also recycle my muslins after I’m done with them by re-cutting pieces from them. If closthes get worn out I salvage the buttons and zips.
A couple of my bras died recently so I saved the wires, rings and closures for when I work up the stamina to make a bra. The bras were brightly coloured and its hard to get bright closures and hooks and things at the shops- they only have white and black and that cacky skin-colour- so I reckon this is better than buying new!
Dec 8, 2008, 05.42 PMby sewcountrymel
I just recycled a skirt ‘found’ in my closet into a formal style top for the latest Christmas party I attended! You never know what you might have already! I also recycled a sweatshirt of mine into some doggie toys to fill my dogs stocking!! Happy hunting!!
Dec 9, 2008, 05.44 AMby Harlekin
After reading this entry, i grabbed an oversized pullover i had already for ages, but never wore, i just finished the seam opening and…tadahhh, this is going to be bolero, i hope to lend a camera soon, so i can post the result, i*m already in love with it ;))
Dec 9, 2008, 07.19 AMby Lala86
well, I live in Argentina and as you may know, as a 3rd world country we live in crisis all the time.. and we have short periods of economical stability. Anyway, the good news that comes with it, is the fact that in times like this one, creativity flows as the result of people being urged to use just what they have. My point is: do not desperate! because using what you already have will bring more identity to your art. Just look at it as a new way of making projects, till you adjust to this new situation.
Dec 9, 2008, 10.46 AMby powerpuffgirl101
This is a simple and probably obvious one, but I have started using paper from the recycle bin at work to print my patterns at home. Just make sure you print on the clean side or you will have a very hard to read pattern! :) I agree with Lala86, tough times force you to be more creative and inventive with what you have. Good Luck!
Dec 9, 2008, 04.08 PMby motozulli
Great post, this is a topic I’m very interested in.
One problem I’ve been unable to solve is t-shirts. The style now is for long shirts (to bunch slightly around the hips). I can’t figure out what to do with all my perfectly good but too-short shirts.
Also, any tips on getting out deodorant stains? I find that this is the quickest way t-shirts and white button-downs die.
Dec 11, 2008, 08.57 AMby stacysews
motozulli: Layered looks are in right now – how about adding another faux shirt underneath your too-short shirt? At the hem of your shirt add a strip of interlock (or left over hem from another shirt), hem it like a ’standard" tee and attach that to your existing top. If the neck is wide enough, you could always add another neckline too.
Dec 17, 2008, 07.50 AMby frau_lau
those are some great ideas, thank you! (: what i did was telling my grandmothers that i love sewing. they don’t sew anymore, so i got lots of material (buttons, fabrics, thread…) from them. of course – that’s the way grandmothers are – they told all their female friends that their grand daughter sews, so i got things from those as well. i guess there are thousands of elderly women in the world who used to sew and who still have tons of material lying around somewhere – you just have to find them. (:those are some great ideas, thank you! (: what i did was telling my grandmothers that i love sewing. they don’t sew anymore, so i got lots of material (buttons, fabrics, thread…) from them. of course – that’s the way grandmothers are – they told all their female friends that their grand daughter sews, so i got things from those as well. i guess there are thousands of elderly women in the world who used to sew and who still have tons of material lying around somewhere – you just have to find them. (:those are some great ideas, thank you! (: what i did was telling my grandmothers that i love sewing. they don’t sew anymore, so i got lots of material (buttons, fabrics, thread…) from them. of course – that’s the way grandmothers are – they told all their female friends that their grand daughter sews, so i got things from those as well. i guess there are thousands of elderly women in the world who used to sew and who still have tons of material lying around somewhere – you just have to find them. (: