How to spend LESS and sew MORE in 2024! 7 useful tips

Dear Sewing Friends, in this video I would like to share with you a few useful steps that you can take in order to spend less and sew more!

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Thank You for being here and I hope that this channel encourages you to sew and make beautiful things!

xxx, Alisa

[ThoughtfulCreativity]

What's your favorite way to spend less and sew more? Let us know below :)

[judymarkel]

I met a woman at a thrift store once. She had an arm load of beautiful clothes, all different sizes. I asked her what she planned to do. She told me she was a sewer and made her clothes from clothes. The fabrics were beautiful. I wish I could have seen the finished products.
I enjoy your videos. Thank you

[jennifercorl]

I wanted to address those of us who have had a fabric collection problem. I used to say, "My husband, let's me have all the fabric I can hide." But when we moved to a much smaller house 6 years ago, I realized I had been hiding a lot of fabric. I would buy more for each project and then grab some for future projects. I used the large Rubbermaid tubs and found out I had 23 full, pluse extra fabric that didn't fit. Now, I was too overwhelmed to even try to use it.

I did two things. I made 3 piles. 1. What I love, or know my grands would really like. 2. Hideous, I can't believe I bought this fabric. 3. Nice fabric that isn't my favorite, but my young sewing friends might like. I then called those who I thought could use some fabric and let them "shop" my fabric stash from piles 2 and 3. Funny when the piles were all messy they took more. Then with what remained after 2 weeks, I found a local 4H group that was working on sewing skills. And I gave them all that was left.

The 2nd thing I did. I filled one tub with my absolute favorite fabrics and put the rest away. I sewed from that tub and rarely bought any fabric. As it got low, I would go through other tubs and fill up my working tub again. That way, I always had a selection, and I was reminded of what was in my stash.

It has been 6 years, and I am down to 4 tubs of fabric. The stash is not so overwhelming now. Hope this helps someone.

[elainejudd]

Great advice! I do not sew garments, but quilt. Every bit of this information is applicable, starting with “Why?” My quilting friend and I both realized after some great hauls from estate sales that we are overwhelmed with fabrics and are now downsizing our stashes. I keep trying to tell myself that owning the fabric should not cause me any discomfort because I do a lot of charity quilts — but it does! I think it saps creativity and makes me feel obligated to churn out quilts faster. It is supposed to be a hobby, not a production cycle. I am sure the charity sewing groups in town would love to have free fabric so I am working on culling mine out for donation.

[downtoearthsewing]

100% sewing what I have in 2024! I have stopped watching fabric and pattern hauls too, hahaha. I almost find it irritating that people keep posting haul after haul, but very few makes?
I took the time to inventory my patterns and fabric and like you said, I have enough to sew for a while. Also realizing most patterns fall within a few variations, and for me it's easier to hack a pattern I already know fits well (plus I already know how the style works for me).
One thing I must avoid is shopping for fabric online, as half my stash is made up of cuts that were not exactly what I was hoping for.
I am ambitiously hoping to make 24 garments in 2024! By then I will have gotten my stash down significantly 😊

[roshandachark]

Yes, Knowing how to lay out the pattern in the most optimal way helps with the cost. A lot of times, I can save on fabric just with how I lay it out. Even when cutting on the fold because you do not have to fold the entire fabric in half. Only fold what's needed.

[juanitar.miller]

Thank you so much for encouraging us to flip our own wardrobe! In the last couple of years, my health has changed so that I am now connected to an I.V. through a port-a-cath in my chest, 24 hours each day. So now I need a skirt and blouse to let the tubing out under the blouse, and a pocket to put the rolled up length of tubing into. I took your advice to restructure my old one piece dresses into a skirt here and a blouse there. So empowering to do that and gain some control over how my life has changed! :)
Thank you, again, Alisa❤.

[CarolGoff-jz]

This is so timely for me! My mom is now in memory care plus has gone done 2 sizes in clothing. My sister and I just went through all her clothes, choosing some for ourselves but most were slated for Goodwill until we both realized how many we could use as fabric! We then went through the piles again and now both of us have plans for projects that will have special meaning for us as we repurpose some of her beloved outfits. A little bright spot in a very sad situation.

[blufaerie]

These are excellent suggestions. I recently decluttered my sewing space and didn’t have to let go of much. All of my fabric has a pattern planned!

[nicksokoloff]

Buying less fabric and having a closer look at what i already have has saved me much money. As a matter of fact i have developed a useful habit of picking 10 different calling my name fabrics from my stash and putting it nicely somewhere i can always see. Usually i would do that at the beginning of every season. And i know that probably not all of it is going to be used, but still i would use most of it, and the rest can go back to the stash at the beginning of the next season and wait for its turn next year. And so on and on.

[jankerslake]

You are sooo right, Alisa ! Fabric buying becomes an obsession that soon runs out of control. It takes the joy out of sewing for me and I’m actively working on reducing/eliminating my stash. I’ve stopped watching any YouTube videos that have fabric hauls. I want the actual space and head space to create and sew - not just store fabrics. Being honest with myself was the very first step. Thank you so much for this vlog and all the other tips you share. You’re an inspiration 😄

[trudyberry]

Charity shops are my favourite resource. I've purchased sewing patterns, brand new and current, for 50c to $1 as well as new fabrics for as little as $4 to $8 for several metres of fabric. Items of clothing can always be a great purchase to cut up and reuse the fabric. Recently I purchased a gorgeous brand new rayon viscose maxi dress for $5 that I wil seldom wear but I will cut up to make a blouse. Last week I cut up a rayon viscose skirt and made a lovely, flowing, loose summer camisole, total cost $5. Sewing can be as economical or as expensive as we make it. Love your tips.❤

[nadajaklic]

Thank you so much for this content, which is getting more relevant as time goes on. The only thing I can add to it is getting fabric at thrift stores in the form of larger clothes can be helpful. You can find some superior fabric for far less than it would cost at a sewing store, though you still need to be judicious in your decision.
Thank you again for sharing your insights and enthusiasm.

[kellyjames]

I have been making an annual list of what I want to make in a year to use the stash I have. This has greatly reduced my fabric stash, has brought me joy in my makes and gifting them. Surprisingly it took away the feeling I had that there was so much to make and I only had limited time. When I review the list at the end of the year, I feel great and have a more organized sewing area. Of course I get the urge to purchase during the year. However, my plan helps me make an informed choice vs an impulsive purchase. I so enjoy your channel.

[pavlal.]

I have the same book 😊 and I also bought it second hand.
I love to watch fabric hauls, but just for an inspiration or when I'm ordering from a new place and need to see the quality of the fabrics.
I'm definitely guilty of "let me buy these zippers on special so i can save money" 😆 and "just in case", guess what, "just in case" usually never come 😆.

[parisacarlborg]

This video was really helpful! You mentioned almost all aspects I will remember them when I crave or tempt to buy more fabrics or accessories. The only thing I would like to add in places we really need a fabric but not so expensive is to buy from another country such as Turkey. I myself live in Sweden but in different occassions I traveled for other reasons but also bought some fabrics which were at least 1/3 of the price in Sweden. Happy sewing🥰

[Julia-xfps]

Super advice! Getting realistic about what I actually wear, pattern hacking and staying off social media (fabric hauls, etc) are points that really resonate with me. Thank you! 💜

[mariav]

Fabric Savvy is a great resource book. I have had this book for about20 years!

[katwitanruna]

Way back in 1975 the Home Ec teacher told me my skirt wouldn’t lay right if I didn’t follow the layouts on the pattern. I may or may not have rolled my eyes and done it to save the most fabric. Turned out fine as has everything I’ve sewn before or since.

[allsquaredup]

When I learned how to make rag quilts, my friend who taught me was an upcycler. So that is how I learned to make them.
Clothes and jeans and fabric either from the thrift store or from friends who are decluttering. I’ve made so many quilts and shockingly sold them!
The whole upcycling thing is what makes them appealing for people who are into that type of living. It would be easier to use brand new fabric, but not nearly as rewarding, or as cheap. 🤫