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crafty frugal?  

post #1 of 32
4/27/05 at 12:59am
Thread Starter 
Do you craft/sew/make stuff to avoid buying it?

I have recently learned to sew, but after watching my Granny for years I'm feeling like a seamstress these days... $8 for fabric to make 3 sundresses for me outweighs retail ANY day.

I love love love taking jeans/overalls or stuff from Goodwill or thrift shopping and making it new. My latest thing is heat transfer paper. I don't know if y'all have seen these, but here John Deere is a huge thing. It's now a fashion trend. LOL I copied the John Deere "Country Girl" tshirt with heat transfer paper and my laptop, cut off some jeans from the Goodwill, added some fabric trim, and now I have a new spiffy outfit. I even took some of my older jeans and inserted some stretchy side panels for hopefully early maternity wear... and those 10-20-30 pounds I need to lose. I've made 6 pair of shorts for the boys (grand total: 99c for elastic, $9 for fabric, $1.88 per matching tshirt) So now they have 6 new outfits for about $20. I'm getting into diaper making too... I ripped apart a fuzzi bunz and made a pattern out of it. We'll see how that goes... if you ebay much and have seen the applique overalls that go for over a hundred dollars - you would not believe how easy they are to make!

What do you like to make? Do you like to get crafty?
post #2 of 32
4/27/05 at 7:40am
Absolutely - frugality is a big part of what inspires my craftiness. Your overalls sound fantastic - I have seen appliqued ones on Ebay for $$. Any sort of patchwork/boho things seem to Ebay really well - maybe there's a mini-business there for you ??

I sew a lot to save $$, and because I like to have more interesting, one-of-a-kind things - one thing that helps both is that I get almost all of my fabric secondhand - namely estate sales - great quality, sometimes surprisingly funky fabric that is dirt cheap. I have an amazing fabric stash - one of my biggest supplies came from the dumpster of a local drapery manufacturer - they were having a big sale inside of various remnants, but the real score was outside - rubbish bins full of free, perfectly usable fabric, in amazing designs. At estate sales, I've found massive pieces of raw silk (over 7 yards each) for 50 cents, incredible vintage scores, etc.

So whatever fabric I scrounge up, I use for - clothes, tote bags, small quilts, baby blankets, stuffed animals (really primitive ones with button eyes), pillows, etc. I make these for the family as well as gifts. I've also made diapers, diaper covers, mama pads - things I want but that would really add up $$ to purchase. I've felted old 50 cent thrift store sweaters to make all sorts of things - diaper covers, slippers, little stuffed toys. And I can barely sew - I've just been lucky to find really basic patterns to cover the things I want.

Reluctance to come up with $$ has inspired so many things - I love Weleda products, but just can't afford, so I've found some basic recipes for decent subsitutes. Not having $$ for a decent slipcover led me to improvise with a cheap cotton painter's dropcloth from Lowes. Lusting after a $100 outdoor shower at Target is inspiring me to (somehow) come up with my own (I'm still in the process of figuring that one out).

I think not having much $$ can be a great tool of inspiration & resourcefulness - I try to see being broke as a creative challenge, and not as something to be down about.
post #3 of 32
4/27/05 at 2:03pm
I am getting back into the habit. I knit all of my soakers because I am too cheap to pay for them pre-knit.
Right now, I am working on a pair of shorts for myself (fabric was in a box, no idea what I paid. Zipper is 50c.), a couple pairs of lounge pants and some boxer shorts for DH
Also, any suggestions on what to make out of old jeans? We have tons with big holes that are otherwise ok.
post #4 of 32
4/27/05 at 2:10pm
I've just started getting back into sewing. Right now I'm working on a tshirt dress for me and my two DDs. Also working on a pair of pj's for DS. Oh and am going to try my hand at diaper making.

I also (although more this year than anything) try and make some gifts. This year I will be knitting two purses, crocheting 3 pairs of slippers, and making some pj's.
post #5 of 32
4/27/05 at 4:11pm
I love sewing, and one of my favorite things is to make new things out of old things. I just converted a pair of jeans into a skirt, and I'm likely going to do that with all my pants when the time comes. I'm also like you, liking to take old things and making them new again with a lil tweaking, though I haven't done it very often. I'm just getting into sewing again. I also like buying yarn and knitting hats and scarves for us, but that only works as frugal if you buy the cheap yarn, lol.
post #6 of 32
4/27/05 at 4:16pm
I make some gifts for my son, as much to give him something homemade as to save money. My most ambitious project yet was a teepee tent that turned out pretty well.
post #7 of 32
4/27/05 at 4:38pm
Well, my machine sewing skills are lousy - or is it my cutting skills? But I am serging the edges of some hand made diapers made of hemp terry that I bought from someone online at a terrific price.....

I hand knit and crochet many of my gifts... I do think it is frugal but also hopefully it is nice to receive something handmade.

Most of my decorating is done frugally as well.

Warm wishes,
Tonya
post #8 of 32
4/28/05 at 2:23am
Thread Starter 
I love it because I can tailor things to fit me and the boys a lot better... one has chunky thighs but is short, the other is petite and slender in the waist.

I'll have to post pics to the overalls I've done. They have been really cute so far. My latest "treasure" fabric is flat sheets. I found the cutest spring-y type colored striped flat sheet at the Goodwill that I'm going to make skirts out of. My dh is getting into it too; he said he read about a going out of business fabric store nearby that I "need" to go check out.

I really want to learn to knit and crochet soon... I have been coveting a really expensive shower curtain too. I've decided to make it, spray the back with waterproofing spray, and maybe sew a cheap-o liner to the back of it. That's the plan... at the bottom of the thousands of other projects sitting around.
post #9 of 32
4/28/05 at 2:26am
Thread Starter 
You can make easy curtains or a bedspread out of old jeans. Cut them into squares, sew a straight stitch around the edges a little bit in and then fray to the stitch. Sew together with the frayed sides to the top for a built-in decorative trim. Denim curtains are great in kids rooms b/c they wash well and block out sun really well. (my kids will only nap if its dark).

hmmm... have you seen those new denim skirts with the ruffles on the hem? those are made from old jeans. cut them into capris.... for my two I get huge appliques and applique over the little holes. For bigger knee holes I make them into shorts. Denim squares make good "hot plates" or pot holders too. Just sew two together like a pillow without the stuffing. Somewhere I have a website for how to make tote bags out of the waists and thighs of jeans.
post #10 of 32
4/28/05 at 2:27am
Thread Starter 
tshirt dresses are adorable!! It's hard to sew for boys :-) They're set with shorts and tshirts mostly.. I may try pajamas soon. I haven't sewed with many knits yet - I'm a little afraid of knits. ;-)
post #11 of 32
4/28/05 at 2:29am
Thread Starter 
I love sewing but I hate patterns. ;-) I like to "do my own thing" trial and error. Right now I'm working on my Master's degree at night so I only get to sew a lot on the weekends. My pile of "projects" is piling up in my bedroom!
post #12 of 32
4/28/05 at 2:30am
Thread Starter 
I really wish I had room to do that in my son's room. I think those are so neat! I am going to put one in my classroom next year I think... for "quiet reading time."


Quote:
Originally Posted by sarasprings
My most ambitious project yet was a teepee tent that turned out pretty well.
post #13 of 32
4/28/05 at 2:31am
Thread Starter 
I think sewing and creative arts like that are becoming lost traditions. My mother never learned to sew although my Granny is a fantastic seamstress. I wanted to learn just to carry on a hobby that my Granny did. years from now I hope my boys remember the love that went into their lopsided shorts


Quote:
Originally Posted by knittingmomma

I hand knit and crochet many of my gifts... I do think it is frugal but also hopefully it is nice to receive something handmade.

Most of my decorating is done frugally as well.

Warm wishes,
Tonya
post #14 of 32
4/28/05 at 11:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mama2ElijahNRiley
You can make easy curtains or a bedspread out of old jeans. Cut them into squares, sew a straight stitch around the edges a little bit in and then fray to the stitch. Sew together with the frayed sides to the top for a built-in decorative trim. Denim curtains are great in kids rooms b/c they wash well and block out sun really well. (my kids will only nap if its dark).

hmmm... have you seen those new denim skirts with the ruffles on the hem? those are made from old jeans. cut them into capris.... for my two I get huge appliques and applique over the little holes. For bigger knee holes I make them into shorts. Denim squares make good "hot plates" or pot holders too. Just sew two together like a pillow without the stuffing. Somewhere I have a website for how to make tote bags out of the waists and thighs of jeans.

let me know if you find the website.

I am working FT right now so I ahve not been sewing. But, I do small projects here and there. Recently I made some small rags out of an old shirt & some Mama pads. I read on another board or book that sewing is no longer frugal becasue of the clothign is so cheap to buy or to find in thrift stores. But, projects using what you have already or finding fabric cheap is very earth friendly IMHO.
post #15 of 32
4/28/05 at 12:17pm
i would love to learnt o sew...

i have been wanting to for quite awhile...
post #16 of 32
4/28/05 at 6:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by opally
Your overalls sound fantastic - I have seen appliqued ones on Ebay for $$. Any sort of patchwork/boho things seem to Ebay really well - maybe there's a mini-business there for you ??
i think i might be able to do that. but i actually have not seen it, so i'm not sure. could you post a couple of ebay links to the sort of thing you mean? crafting to earn cash sounds like the best of both worlds!
post #17 of 32
4/28/05 at 6:48pm
Well, it's not Ebay, but this is what I was imagining when you were talking about the overalls: http://www.laniepaige.com/store/WsDe...at=InfantGirls

I have this website saved as inspiration.
post #18 of 32
4/28/05 at 7:12pm
Wow, well I was making capris for myself b/c there was a sale on fabric, and $6. worth of fabric is cheaper than $15 capris. I already had the pattern (I buy them when they're .99 in bundles of 10). So the girls saw my capris and wanted some, so I shortened a kid pants pattern, and bought pink floral for one girl and princess stuff for the other. With that 1 yard of princess fabric, we got:

1 pair princess capris
2 t shirts (already had) with princess appliques on them (covered one very big stain )
6 little princess pillow dolls (about 6 inches high) and practice sewing for little girls.

Dd's princess outfit was just as cute as the third one down on the webpage you posted. It wasn't as ornate, but super cute. And the lot cost $4--would have been cheaper if it were on sale, but it wasn't just had to get that princess stuff!

I also have set aside a few princesses to make bibs for friends' baby girls

Now I'm back to other projects: one more pair of capris for me, a new sling made out of some really pretty batik (SALE, SALE), and designing and making an outfit that is nursing friendly to wear to a wedding in May, b/c all the nursing dresses I saw online are 1 not that great or 2 around $90. I think I can make something that will work for less than $30. I'm also making matching aprons for said bride and groom :LOL . I love to sew all this stuff, I don't just do it b/c I have to. I also have a train print fabric and shortalls pattern for toddler shorts for ds. I also want to make matching pants and t shirts with appliques. I've got lots of ideas, and my house is suffering! :LOL
post #19 of 32
4/28/05 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Persephone
Well, it's not Ebay, but this is what I was imagining when you were talking about the overalls: http://www.laniepaige.com/store/WsDe...at=InfantGirls

I have this website saved as inspiration.
oh my goodness! i can't do anything that elaborate. actually, i don't know how to do applique at all.
post #20 of 32
4/28/05 at 8:26pm
Here's one - these are pretty incredible !!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...720839158&rd=1
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