Can you SEW and SAVE money??? Is it even possible?

Dear Sewing Friends, I know that sewing can be expensive.... but as many of you know, I was raised with a belief that sewing should save money, and although times have changed - I still feel that way. Saving money with sewing and saving money on sewing often goes hand in hand, so it in this video we will talk about both of these together. These are my personal thing, personal tips, they might not work for everyone - but they might give you some ideas. Thank you for watching, all mentioned links below:

MY FAVORITE SEWING TOOLS:

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• PLEASE NOTE: these are not patterns for clothes and garments included in the Membership
• Instruction sheets are a step-by-step written instruction on how I drafted this or that project, so that you can follow along. Instruction Sheets are available as a back catalogue, but there are no new Instruction sheets for projects starting with July 2022.
• The templates are ONLY for the small projects, like a basket, or coaster, or towel wrap and etc.
• I have also created sewing reference sheets and practice sheets, as well as sketches that you can use and some small-scale garment parts that you can use to practice "slash and spread" techniques and dart manipulations. Instruction sheets are focused on the drafting process and less on the sewing sequence as that is shown in the video. Sewing steps can be sometimes written out, and sometimes referenced back to the original video.
• Members Extra videos go into fabric selection, extra tips and tricks, best practices and some additional ideas from me
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Thank You for being here and see you soon!
xxx, Alisa

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Thank You for Watching!

[ThoughtfulCreativity]

Dear Sewing Friends, I get asked this question a lot, therefore I hope this video helped and answered some of the questions. What are YOUR tips on sewing and saving money? :) and THANK YOU for watching!

[christinetangeman]

I buy my fabric as needed for each garment as required. When you follow the fabric requirements set out in the patterns, there always seems to be lots left over, some companies more than others. When my children were younger, I made them clothes. When my grandchildren were younger, I made them clothes. Now l make clothes for people in need, like the women's shelters, in our local area. This way I am using up my leftovers and helping the community as well as getting fabric out of my stash. I also make toys for needy kids that have left everything behind when they left their homes, for whatever reason. Australia is very beautiful but we often have people in need because of natural disasters, floods, fires, storms, and droughts. My new, pretty clothing is very appealing in a sea of second hand clothes for the needy. Regards Christine 🙋‍♀️🇦🇺👍🏻😍🤩😊🤗

[kathleenmacdonald]

I have a great $$ saving tip. I put an ad in the paper asking if anyone had any fabric they did not want. I have so much fabric and sewing notions now (tons of buttons) that cost me nothing but a trip to their house to pick it up. Tons of people are hoarding fabric they will never use.

[Sew-web]

I love to take old clothes and turn them into new things like bags, quilts, teddies and cushions.

[askthefrog]

I've actually found something that really both saves me money and makes me happy:
I have a condition which makes me extremely sensitive to pressure. I'm also autistic so I have sensory issues. This means that I can only wear soft clothes, so joggers and sweat pants are staple garments in my wardrobe. And although those kind of pants can be quite cheap if they're really basic, they actually tend to be a bit pricey if they have a cool design and/or pattern. By sewing my own, I can not only get really unique pants with patterns and colors that I like, I also save money because the total cost for sewing them is lower than ready-to-wear pants. I haven't sewn hoodies yet but that will also save me money. 🥰

[dsego]

Not only do I buy fabric on sale (with coupons ) I also like going to the thrift store and buying a garment made out of the material I need (that you can’t find in the fabric store anymore) for a project I want to make, I’ve also bought clothes on the clearance rack that were super cheap because they were a size they couldn’t get rid of, taken them home and cut them down.

[impatientclothing]

my biggest money saver is thrifting fabric and materials! I’ve bought so many great fabrics at the thrift store and my local one charges $1 a piece so it’s an incredible money saver and very unique patterns and prints! :)

[h.esther]

I borrow sewing books from the library, especially for bags or home stuff. A lot have patterns you can trace, and some have no-pattern projects, like cell phone holders and such. Lots of free video tutorials also show how to make your own items without a pattern.

[ibelieveinpandas]

A good tip I learned from quilters is to use light/medium gray thread. It will work for a multitude of projects!

[Orpilorp]

Hi! Jane here. This is a fun topic.
We are a thrifting family, and I search out the great quality items that they have at thrift stores, hosp auxiliary sales, garage sales, and auctions. I like to buy XL men's shirts in 100% cotton and use the pieces to make blouses. I used a lovely gauze baby blanket to make your 2 seam blouse. It was perfect for those hot days here in the midwest. I will refashion slightly larger women's blouses by cutting off the collar, finishing the edge, and then crocheting a delicate lace edging around it.
Those are just three sewing ideas I have to save money, and be creative. I also have about 6 patterns and I use them over and over.
Thanks for another lovely video.

[ibelieveinpandas]

I do thrift and refashion quite a bit. Also, I save buttons and zippers from items that are worn out.
I do need to get better at using the fabric I already have. It's not that I buy without a project in mind, but often I don't get around to sewing all the projects I planned, and sometimes so much times passes that in the end the perfect no longer makes sense.

[annaogin]

I like your point of view. These tips can also be applied in other aspects of life. I am a big believer in fixing, not throwing away. We just need to slow down when possible and give some thought before buying or doing something. I am still learning and such films help me a lot. Thank you and best wishes from Poland

[daxxydog]

Funny you mention using leftover clothing fabric for home decor. My MIL (god love her) made me some maternity outfits when I was pregnant. I wore one of them to her house one Sunday and realized that she had new curtains in her den... and that I matched them, LOL!!! I never wore that outfit again. I just couldn’t get over matching her den decor.

[helenparker]

I agree about the impulse sewing. There are plenty of people who sew dresses but then realise that they need to be ironed before every use, because they used a linen, cotton or rayon fabric that shows every crease. They then realise that they usually wear jeans and stretch fabrics!

[siglindeweber]

Thank you for your tips! You are a very clever young woman! I am a grandmother and I am glad that there are young people who think like you! 👍 Greetings from Germany 😻🐾🐾

[pamelahill]

I save all my cotton scraps and make scrappy quilts for my grandkids and each one gets a quilt for Christmas. I try to use their favorite colors in them. I also. Quilt my scraps together and make quilted jackets.

[bettysheleny]

Alisa, I wish you would do a video on knits sometime, like what knit to use for tops and which ones to use for pants. I have not sewn with
Knits and am really intimidated by them. Thanks 🥰

[jenni]

Thank you for the tips. One way I save money is by going to estate and yard sales. I have come upon some incredible amounts and types of material. My stash was started this way. These are my favorite to make muslins from because if I mess up, the mistake costs little to nothing.

[bunnydannels]

I keep a laundry basket in my sewing room. I just toss my scraps (big & small) in it. If I need a small piece to make something, I don’t cut a big piece because I just look in my basket. When I need interfacing, I take fabric from my basket and use it.
And, I made your coaster pattern using towel scraps (leftover from your head wrap pattern) and a piece of natural fiber fabric. I see them (minus the batting). Voila! Face clothes and makeup removal pads! 😁 That saved me $$, and they are eco friendly!

[sewgirl]

This video was full of practical tips ....thanks so much Alisa. Now that I'm retired, I don't need so many clothes. My favorite way to try a new pattern (usually a free or very low cost one) is with thrifted clothing. If it doesn't turn out so great, I haven't lost too much $. We have a great private thrift store (not Goodwill or Salvation Army type) where prices are incredibly low and lots of clothing still have tags on them! I recently purchased a very large size pair of dungarees that were in great condition for remade them to my small size. I used a pretty floral cotton from my stash for the inner pocket bag and did a flat front/elastic back...I'm real happy with how they turned out.