Is a sewing machine frugal??? - Page 2

[savannah smiles]

I agree with what everyone has said in that it can either save or cost you money. I will also second the advice to have a teacher/take a class in the beginning because written instructions alone will be very frustrating.

I've been sewing since February of this year when I started taking a weekly class. What I love the most about sewing is that I can make things exactly the way I want them, from the fabric to the design to the fit!! I mainly sew clothing for my girls (skirts and dresses are so much fun!) but I've also made curtains for one bedroom.

[grniys]

I haven't read through all the replies, but if the actual machine you're considering getting is the Singer Simple I highly recommend NOT. That was the first machine I owned and it was horrible. The tension would never adjust correctly, and at first I assumed it was user error but it wasn't. I've never known a single person to have a good experience with that machine.

But, to sewing machines in general... it really depends. If you can be frugal about it, then sure. It can be very frugal. I'm not good at not buying beautiful fabric though. And I'm not good at making time to sew. So I have an embroidery machine and an awesome sewing machine and boxes upon boxes of fabric and patterns and snaps and notions... and just no drive to use any of it. I'm actually thinking about selling most of my sewing stuff. But even if I do sell most of it, I'm sure I'll keep my sewing machine because it is handy to have. I just think I went way overboard with my stuff.

I really thought it would save me money, but it cost me a lot. Of course, I'm sure it would be worthwhile if I actually used my stuff, but it's just a hobby that burnt out quickly for me.

[Jayray]

You can also find a lot of free patterns and tutorials online. I've found patterns for lots of cute stuff on various blogs that you can use for free as long as you're not selling whatever you're making.

FWIW, I think Jo-Ann's is pretty cheap as far as fabric goes. I don't know where else you'd find it cheaper other than an outlet. The other fabric stores in my town and the surrounding towns (other than Hancock fabrics which is about the same as JA's) are MUCH more expensive--$10/yard for calico!!!! and higher for fancier fabrics.

There are also great books that have generic patterns in them. I like the book "S.E.W: Sew Everything Workshop." It gives a lot of basics, talks about the machine, notions, fabric, how to cut and lay pattern pieces and comes with simple patterns and instructions. You can probably get a used copy off amazon for cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Everything...3797150&sr=8-1

[laughingfox]

I find sewing to be ridiculously frugal, but that's because I only buy fabric from the fabric store if I absolutely have to.
Thinking outside of the box will save you tons of money. Look for sheets, curtains, tablecloths, etc, in thrift stores, at yard sales, and on clearance racks. I once made a brocade dress for DD2 out of a gorgeous tablecloth I found on clearance at Target.
Repurposing is another huge way to save money. If you have any household items that can no longer be properly used (a futon cover with a broken zipper, curtains that don't fit your windows, etc.), turn it into something else. There are also a million purposes for old t-shirts- cloth diapers, cloth pads, hot pads (use lots of layers and only 100% cotton shirts-polyester can melt), dresses or pants for a baby or toddler, shopping bags, patchwork throw blankets, burp cloths, bibs, placemats, etc.
You can even repurpose elastic, velcro, zippers, and buttons from old clothes.
If you have any interest in patchwork or quilting, you can save all of your scraps from other projects and use those instead of buying more fabric.

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

What do you use for fabric for your wraps and food bags? I would love to make some of these, and get the general idea of how to make them, but can't for the life of me figure out what kind of fabric to use.

I use a little bit of everything for mine. Scraps from leftover projects, old sheets, old t-shirts, etc.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Thanks for all the replies, Ladies!

I read through them all and you gave me some things to think about.

I think I'm going to take Kim up on her offer and try to make some of those easy-pants from fabric I already have.

That will give me an idea if this is something I will actually DO or not.

I had never even set foot in a Jo-Ann's before Saturday, so this is a new world to me.

[HeatherAtHome]

Just seconding all the replies you got about finding items at thrift stores and repurposing items. You can even get bags of buttons, zippers, snaps, elastics etc at thrift stores. (Sometimes they collect them off clothes that are riped or stained beyond repair).

I bought my sewing machine for about $125CAD? 8+ years ago just before I quit my job. I felt sort of bad at the time buying a larger "unnecessary" item just before quitting but it's paid itself off over the years and I don't even use it *that* much. I have plans... they just don't always happen.

I've sewn curtains, pillows, floor mats, quilts, a simple wedding dress, simple clothes, stuffed toys (so cute! found pattern free online somewhere, just start googling) and other misc items.

[confustication]

Well I just made a new pouch sling for less than $1......

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Just wanted to add, I needed a zipper for DS's Halloween costume, and I ripped it out of a backpack that I was about to throw away! Can't beat free zippers!

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Thanks for all the replies, Ladies!

I read through them all and you gave me some things to think about.

I think I'm going to take Kim up on her offer and try to make some of those easy-pants from fabric I already have.

That will give me an idea if this is something I will actually DO or not.

I had never even set foot in a Jo-Ann's before Saturday, so this is a new world to me.

Give me a call and we can get together for some sewing time. I would love to teach you the baby pants pattern. It is insanely easy and so fun. Once you can make them, you can scour the thrift store for $.50 t-shirts and then you have fifty cent pants! Or you can just scour your wardrobe.

[PoetryLover]

Wow, this thread really made me want to invest in a sewing machine!

[natural_mama89]

Originally Posted by Jayray

You can also find a lot of free patterns and tutorials online. I've found patterns for lots of cute stuff on various blogs that you can use for free as long as you're not selling whatever you're making.

What she said. I have been sewing several years and I have found absolutely tons of free patterns and tutorials online and I make a LOT of my children's clothing and toys and such. Children's clothes are simple and can often be made from scraps. I make lot of my own clothing as well, but I really like period clothing, flowy skirts, corset tops, cloaks gothy stuff, etc, that tends to be exceedingly high priced in stores or even online. I am however lucky to have had many scraps given to me byt friends who arent using them. And sometimes you can get lucky and find things to repurpose (like I found 2 wool sweaters at thrift stores for $1 each to make diaper covers with) or you can get fabric when it's on sale. Personally, sewing has saved me tons of money and I have a pretty basic machine. Repairs definately save money too versus replacing items. Got a bit nicer of one but them my ex broke it . i am so happy that I can sew because otherwise I would have like nothing at all for my new little one because i am really broke right now. And if you get good enough, like previously mentioned, you can MAKE money sewing. I made some bridesmaids dresses for a friend of mine and made $100, which isn't a lot, but paid for my machine itself, one project. If you go to church or have churchgoing friends, this could be a lucrative opprtunity as many women want modest clothing, especially formal wear, that is hard to find without spending tons of money. I also made my prom dress which was pricey, but for the quality of dress I'd have spent a lot more versus getting a cheap dress from a random mall store, and it was exactly how I wanted it. hope my 2 cents helped lol.

[GuildJenn]

I would definitely borrow a machine first. I thought I would like sewing. I HATE it. I hate bobbins, I hate straight seams - everything. So it wasn't a good investment for me, although my DH uses the machine enough that we decided it was worth keeping.

[OkiMom]

I have to say it depends.
My girls are terribly hard on clothes and will rip the clothes off the rack (when I can find ones that fit them that is) and I end up spending a TON of time on mending. When I make them dresses they rarely rip them. Also, my girls aren't exactly model perfect sizes, clothes off the rack are either too big around the waist/upper body, to short, doesn't hit them right etc.

If I want something nice I need to make it myself. Right now Im making myself a maternity formal gown, have you ever priced them? I need one with sleeves so I either spend a ton, have it specially made (which costs a LOT) or make it myself. Making it myself Im going to spend around 20 on the pattern and around 60-70 on fabric (DH picked out what he likes and he picks first and prices later.. if I picked the fabric it would be a lot less than that). So Ill save at least 100 on the dress doing it that way. I also make a ton of nursing clothing for myself and alter clothing to make it more nursing easy. For my favorite nursing shirt pattern I spent 12 for the pattern and have make 10 shirts out of it. I spent around 5.00 for fabric for each (again, I only buy fabric on clearance) so around 6.50-7.00 for a nice easy to nurse out of shirt. Ive also deconstructed shirts/night gowns I bought in the store to make them more nursing easy. I just got a very nice night gown for 1.00 on clearance and spent around .50 on velcro so I have a nursing nightgown that cost 1.50 and 10 minutes of my time. Another thing Ive found good deals on that Ive had to do a little work on is diapers. I got 15 fitted diapers that needed new velcro for 15.00, spent 5.00 on velcro, spent an hour sewing now I have 15 fitted diapers for the new baby for 20.00.
That being said, you have to watch what you spend on fabric/patterns. I buy only fabric on sale and I wait for the pattern sales to buy patterns. I probably spend just about as much but the clothing lasts a LOT longer than when I buy it in the store. Also watch what you spend on the machine. I bought my sewing machine when they were going on clearance to make room for the newest model so instead of 200 for it I spent 60. The serger I have came second hand so I would have spent 350 for it in the store, I got it for 100.

Personally I probably do save a ton of money between mending, making clothing for myself, making clothing for others (people will pay you a ton to make the simplest things) and doing simple alterations (it costs 20.00 for the dry cleaners to hem pants over here!!).. however if you just want to make curtains and the like it depends on how much you spend on fabric and the like.

[deditus]

I have saved money by sewing. I sew on an antique Singer that I picked up for $75 - it requires no repairs or servicing that I can't do myself as it is all metal. I made my wedding dress with it. I made dd's fitted diapers and all of her pants when she was a baby/toddler. I made cloth wipes which are now family cloth. I have made myself several skirts. I have modified clothes I found at the thrift shop that I loved but were too big. I have made myself about 6 pairs of pj pants with cotton fabric I got online for about $1/yd. I made a few ring slings and a mei tai. I made dd a Waldorf doll. I don't sew much anymore, except an annual peasant dress for dd's b-day pics with fabric that she picks out (takes $15 in fabric to make a dress that would sell for $50-60 on etsy, with leftovers for accessories or a matching doll outfit). However, if I didn't enjoy sewing as a hobby I don't think I would be motivated to sew just by money.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

Just wanted to add, I needed a zipper for DS's Halloween costume, and I ripped it out of a backpack that I was about to throw away! Can't beat free zippers!

I've all but stopped sewing, but I can't stop keeping notions. My claim to shame, is that I cut the elastic out of under wear and use it for pj's and stuff. if its in good condition.

[kathirynne]

I paid $100 for my sewing machine about 3 years ago, and I know that I have saved at least that much just mending things.

For instance, I make my daughter's summer shorts from her school jeans that got holes in the knees.

I also salvaged 2 pairs of her brothers' jeans this weekend - it's a good thing the "ratty jeans" look is in style, though. You could definately see where I had mended them.

[JudiAU]

It can be either. I save money by repairing things but then when I occasionally decide to make something by hand, I can spend a lot. If you are a regular thrifer you can find "fabric" easily instead.

[celerydunk]

I bought my sewing machine out of the local paper for $25. A college girl had gotten it as a present from her grandmother and didnt want it. It was brand new.

I only sew simple projects like elastic waist skirts and cloth napkins, but I have definitely saved the money I spent on the machine.

As someone else pointed out patterns go on sale for less than $1. You can sometimes find fabric at yard sales. Yard sale sheets are also good to practice with.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

This is making me want to dig my machine out of the garage...My husband thinks it a frivolous hobby. I did the most sewing while he was deployed. However, he's been out of the military for 7 years now.