frugal or no?
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frugal or no?
| Tue, 01-05-2010 - 7:10am |
I never took home ec in high school, but am teaching myself to sew.
I found some cute patterns for summer dresses for the grandkids, but haven't gone to buy the fabric yet....do I haven't added up all the costs.
Does anyone make their kids' clothes? I'm thinking it will be more for some items than picking them up second hard...but less than buying brand new, especially things like holiday outfits....is that about right?
any experience/suggestions?
Sherry
happily married since 2003...a blended family with 4 kids, 2 beautiful granddaughters
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well it will probably be more expensive making some of the clothes than buying second hand... But gram's dresses will be more special!
Have fun!
I am just learning to sew myself.
A lot depends.
Annette
Annette
Sewing for children can be frugal--especially summer dresses. What was a dress one summer can be paired with shorts or leggings the next for a cute top! And simple summer dresses don't use expensive, heavy fabric or a lot of embellishments.
If you have JoAnn fabrics, sign up for their circular. That way you will know when patterns go on sale for a dollar or two. You will also know when fabrics are on sale and will get a coupon each month for when something you like isn't on sale (I sometimes wait if a fabric is 30% off to go back to regular price so I can use my 40% off coupon).
Start simple, with no sleeves (an maybe no zipper) and make a few of the same dress using different materials and the pattern's variations. If you think you will use a pattern again and again, buy some lightweight fusible interfacing and fuse it to the back of the pattern pieces. It will make them stronger and less likely to rip.
It is when you decide to start sewing for yourself that things get pricey!! But little girls' dresses often take about a yard of fabric. And you are not limited to apparel fabrics. Quilting fabrics are great for summer dresses and often cheaper. Plus, they are often in a "set" of coordinating fabrics which makes it easy if you want the girls to nearly match (but not exactly) or you want to make the top different than the bottom.
have fun!
I also like to shop thrift stores for fabric. This can be larger size dresses and shirts that I can take apart or sheets, towels, or even table cloths depending on what it is I am making. Yard sales are good places to get supplies as well. I take apart worn out clothing for buttons, zippers and even use the labels from clothing to sew on for decorations.
Check your local library for books on recycling adult clothing into childrens clothes.
I dont make clothes, but I make curtains, pillows, decorative things. I only buy fabric when its on the clearance racks. walmart always has clearance racks with $1 and $2 yard fabrics.