Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Save Money By Catching The Sewing

Clothing is expensive. Those fashionable designer pieces can cost hundreds of dollars a pop. Even a simple t-shirt often costs more than going out to eat. Department store offerings are slightly easier on the budget, but even they seem to get more expensive each season.

There is a way around the high price of getting dressed. You can sew your own clothes. There was a time when almost everyone made clothes for her own family. Learning to sew takes some dedication, but it isn’t difficult. You can learn to make simple pieces in no time.

For those with a unique sense of style, sewing one’s own clothes is the perfect answer. Fabrics of all types can be found at your local craft shop or online. And there are tons of patterns to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste. If not, you can always make adjustments to make each piece truly unique.

Your kids may be stuck on the designer fashions that their friends are wearing. But you can find patterns similar to almost anything out there. Let your child pick out the fabric, and when he sees the end result, he’ll likely change his mind. He may even be the envy of his friends, because they can’t find anything like it in stores!

Sewing also makes gift giving less expensive. You can sew a piece that matches the recipient’s personal style for much less than you would pay for a store-bought gift. And a handmade article of clothing is sure to be appreciated more.

Sewing is one hobby that has lots of money-saving potential. You can get started with nothing more than some fabric, a needle and some thread. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can move on to an inexpensive sewing machine. Patterns can be pricey, but you can find many online for free. Most craft stores also have patterns at very low prices, sometimes as little as a dollar. And by using different fabrics and making minor modifications, you can create an infinite number of pieces from one pattern.

Fabric can also be expensive. But if you shop at the end of each season for the following year, you can find some great deals. You may be able to find some for a dollar or two per yard. It’s important to examine fabric for flaws before you buy, but minor ones will make very little difference in the finished product.

If you’ve never sewn before, the thought of starting can be intimidating. But if you start out with simple patterns, you can boost your confidence and work your way up to more complex ones. Sewing does take time, but the money you save makes it well worth the effort.

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