Is *SEWING* expensive? + Money Saving Tips!
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- Find out how much I paid to get started with sewing, how expensive some of my sewing projects were and how to save your money on fabric and sewing patterns.
You can subscribe here: bit.ly/3e9EP9g
And you can follow me on Instagram here / alexandra__burnett
If you're a beginner sewist or if you're thinking about sewing, this video is for you.
I know that when I was thinking about sewing I was wondering if sewing is expensive, if it's cheaper to make your own clothes than to buy them, and so I thought I would make a video for anyone like me who has questions and is wondering how expensive is sewing actually?
I share my experience of how I got myself set up for sewing, what I bought, how much I paid for it and how expensive I found sewing in the beginning.
I then talk about discovering ways to save money and I give my best tips on how to save money on sewing projects from my own personal experience.
I hope this video helps beginner sewists make informed decisions about buying things like sewing machines, sewing supplies, sewing scissors, sewing thread, sewing patterns and dressmaking fabric.
Sending lots of love,
Alexandra 
Хобби
Would want to add that clothing at most stores have not paid their factory workers a fair wage, that’s why ready made clothing can be a lot cheaper. if you’re concerned about sustainability, lots of clothing is made of cheap polyester. And of course handmade clothing is better fitted to your own body compared to especially fast fashion!
So even though sewing may be expensive (especially when you first start!), I find that it’s so worth it and it’s helped me be more mindful of my spending as well 💕
100% agree! I also found that sewing made me be more aware of the labour of love that goes into making a garment and how underpaid factory workers must be for a top to be £5! Thank you for watching! X
I am a beginner sewist and my no.1 tip is buy or make a very good basic bodice, pants, sleeves, skirt and trouser sloper for yourself. It can then be modified for so so so many styles without having the need to buy so many patterns.
Great tip! I think I need to do this myself! Thank you! XXX
I second this! Sewing became a lot cheaper when I started to make my own pattens. It's great! I do feel like sewing is cheaper when you want high quality clothing (which would otherwise cost an arm and a leg).
For me, sewing had always been cheaper. I was taught to sew by my mom at a young age, bought a second hand sewing machine, and inherited my grandmothers sewing supplies. When I go to make something it’s because I can’t find what I’m looking to buy. I always use quality fabric so the item will last a long time. It may seem more expensive but the longevity of the piece is much greater bc it fits me perfectly and the quality is better than store bought
I laughed out loud in the beginning of your video! I loved the video!
A tip I found on a French sewing channel that helped as well was to measure how much fabric I was going to need for a project by placing my sewing pattern on an existent fabric and buying only what I needed. Sounds basic but sometimes brands' indicator of how much fabric you need for a project is very off, and when buying expensive fabric, you save quite a lot of money by planning and measuring carefully before hand.
Thanks for the tip Juliette! What is the name of the French sewing channel? :)
Such a great tip! I found that with my trench coat! I bought way too much fabric because the pattern said so!!! I completely agree with this!!! XXX
@@chelseac2490 with pleasure ! It's Raphaëlle Dvn :)
I try to think of sewing as entertainment as well. So sewing a top will entertain me for a whole weekend, skill building plus I get a top at the end. That helps me stomach the cost compared to just buying a top. Also custom fit 😉
Yes - that's why I mentioned the joy element! There's nothing quite like high of finishing a garment that you had in mind and wearing it!!! XXX
You had never sawn before and your first project was a trench coat!?!? I was blown away. I’ve been sewing since I was 12 , now 65 and I still wouldn’t attempt a coat or anything tailored so I think you were very courageous 👋👋👋🏆
I think she said it was her first video; not her first project
My library has a "Library of Things" where you can borrow sewing machines. We're also lucky to have a Tool Library close by that lends machines but ALSO teaches machine repair and maintenance. These may be good options for beginners trying to decide if they like sewing or not. Sewing is a ridiculously expensive hobby for me but worth it. It helps my mental health and I have clothes that actually fit my Tall body. The way I "save" money is that I never buy fabric without a specific pattern in mind for it and I never buy cheap fabric (but I've been sewing a long time.) It works out less expensive for me to buy less fabric but better, costlier fabric that I'll sew slowly and actually wear. Definitely agree with you about patterns. At first I bought every pattern the Big 4 released. Now I think "1)if this was already made and hanging in a shop, would I buy it? 2) is this a timeless piece I can wear for several years at least?"
I love this comment so much! Especially the point you raise about “would I actually buy this if it was hanging in a shop?”
What a great great great perspective!!’ Thank you! And your library sounds amazing btw! X
CoconutKetty, Where do you live ? First time I heard of a library that lends sewing machine and teaches repair and maintenance! I bet you're in the US. We don't have that in the UK.
I did a sewing class for beginners before investing in a machine so i was sure i liked it. I fully support the thrifting tip! I have found great fabrics and they’re usually more unique! Also if you work in an office, sneakily print your pdf patterns there for free ;)
Haha! Great shout about doing a class - like I said in the video I was so nervous about investing in a sewing machine because I wasn't sure I was going to like it - so this is such a great solution to that dilemma! Thank you for sharing!!!! XXX
I sew on a 1964 Singer found at a thrift store for $30.00 15 years ago. Took her in for a tuneup. Back in the day sewing machines had metal innards(gears) and could be serviced. Today's machines are plastic. love sewing
I download gor free and ask hubby to print at work 🤭
I always go to the thrift store first, some even have a fabric section! I check out the fabric and anything else I could use for fabric such as top sheets, pillow cases or curtains. I recently made the Elliot top (by Cool Stitches) out of a cute yellow floral pillow case. And my favorite summer dress was made out of a $2 tan gingham bed sheet! There was enough fabric to make a matching bandana for my dog too :) When searching for fabrics in a store or online, be patient and wait for coupons or sales. Or take your measurements to find out how much material you'll need for your project, and see if there is a remnant piece at a discounted price that would work for you! As for patterns, find a few basic free patterns to print out and cut to your size, then use those as a base or reference for future projects modifying them as needed to make your new creation
Ah I always looks for bedsheets but haven't thought to look at pillow cases! What a great shout!!! Thank you for sharing!! Some very useful tips! X
Fitted sheets too! 😅
Thank you for your video. Enjoyed it as usual.
I started by going through my word robe and sorted out everything I haven't been wearing for a long time or I didn't feel really conformable in. So I got myself a notebook and wrote down my ideas, piece by piece how I want to change it, combine, change completely (jersey blouse becomes a simple skirt) and learn by opening the seams how this specific garment was made. This way you have plenty of opportunities to build up your skills. Totally agree, before cutting into new fabric, make a sample you can wear at home. Learn how to copy your favorite dresses and how to make your own pattern according to your body shape. (I'm using baking paper to draw my patterns) You'll find many videos about this or spend some money for attending a sewing class. Tell friends and family to give you their clothes before they bring it for donation or second hand sale. Make a list with shops you like to get fabric and accessories so people can give you a voucher as a birthday present instead of unnecessary stuff. Plenty of opportunities to sew, creat, design without spending a lot of money.✨
Such gold in here!!!!! I received fabric vouchers or fabric for birthday / Christmas and I have to say it's the best and it makes such a difference!!!! Thank you for sharing and for watching! XXX
Thrift stores are the best place to get fabric and notions! Some small designers also will sell their ends of rolls for cheaper so it's both sustainable and saves money.
Additional tips: Make the same pattern multiple times (with ou without variations), borrow sewing books and patterns from the library (yes, they have patterns too!) and let people around you know that you sew: they will reach out if/when they want to donate supplies.
Great tip! Thank you for sharing!
I was sewing almost all of my clothes and even some of my husband pants a while ago but for a long time I stopped doing this. During Covid I found myself with a lot of free time and returned to my sewing. I love it! The only problem is that i am still working mostly from home and there are very little opportunities to wear all the clothes that I want to make. This is why I am very selective about my sewing projects.
I am always byung my fabric when it is on sale - at least 40% off and I always, always buy the lining fabric from the trift store. When I see a lining fabric that I think that I might need, I always buy it because the price is significally lower. Luckily, the trift store is next to the fabric store where I am shopping and visiting these places is my "Me time". 😇
This is an excellent advice from you - when you are a begginer or trying a dificult pattern, always try it on a cheap fabric first.
fabric from op shops (Australian for Charity or thrift shops) saves me so much money and when I do buy fabric from a store I check remnants and sale section and always wait for them to have sales. I use free patterns or draft my own from clothing I already have. When I first started sewing I practiced by upcycling garments. My favorite thing is when I see something in a shop like a linen dress that is over $200 and I can make it for $40 - 50.
Sadly in my country there are no OP or charity shops so we have to buy fabric from regular shops. And if we want to buy nice prints in my city have to get it online and they charge so so much. So sewing is so expensive here bec of buying good quality fabrics esp natural fabrics. Plus shops here carry mixed fabric and sell it to us saying they are 100% natural fabric.
And Linen I can maybe buy linen for one project only once a year. It is soo expensive here.
Ah such amazing tips!!!! Love the idea to draft from existing clothing! And yes, it’s always a good feeling when you make something for quite cheap in comparison to what it can retail for! Thank you so much for watching!!! 💕
Ah such a shame!!!! Maybe you should start a charity shop!!! Even if it’s online, I bet other people like you would so appreciate it!!! wild thought haha! Thank you so much for watching! X
Maybe there’s some local Facebook groups you could join? X
The remnant bin is the first place I go to in a fabric store. Buy sheet sets table cloths curtain panels etc from thrift store for toile's. Restyle garments from thrift stores can be challenging and fun. Always check out the larger sizes & maternity section to reuse parts into memade projects. Always check out the "free" bins or cheap "last chance bins" for interesting buttons or trim for your button and trim stash. Your seam ripper is your best friend sometimes bahaha.
Check out community libraries, city libraries, university etc libraries for sewing books with free inclosed patterns (Japanese sewing books, Tilly sewing books etc, ask them to order them for their collection. They are usually very grateful for the suggestions). I hate HATE using tracing paper. I bought a HUGE roll off heavy transparent plastic wrap at my hardware store that's used to cover greenhouses and colored sharpies. Copy the pattern and step away for a couple minutes (to dry the ink otherwise it smears but it's permanent in a few minutes). Enough time to refill the coffee or wineglass. Sooooo much better than taping up everything to a window or glass doors to trace. Especially the troublesome multi stacked European pattern magazines. Gahhhhh sooooo annoying easier to trace using transparent plastic.
Tracing paper is such an effort!!!! It takes all the joy! love, love love the idea of taking advantage of the library! I am going to start doing that from now on! Thank you! X
The heavy plastic is an amazing idea! Thank you!
I have been sewing for many years, and so my favourite tip is more about mindset than anything. When you are first making anything, whether it be clothes or whatever, and you are buying expensive fabric, realise that you are putting your money and time into quality pieces that you should absolutely love and will want to take good care of.
Also, if I was just starting out again, I would get cheap mens dress shirts (a godsend in the scrappy quilting community) and cut those up to make pillow cases and samplers and basically good practice for your seaming in straight and curved lines. Trust me, a few dollars and cents to take the time to get to know your sewing machine is going to end up in a better relationship with it than not spending any non clothing sewing time with it.
Yes, I defo agree about looking at sewing as an investment into yourself! Thank you so much for watching!
I live in the Netherlands, so I don't know if this is a Dutch thing. But I buy cheap (and beautiful!) fabric at street markets. They sometimes sell leftover fabrics from factories there.
I realise now how lucky I was to get a sewing machine as a birthday present from my parents when I turned 22. I had given my old MacBook to my mum, so she felt like she owed me something when I refused to take money, and I’m so happy I did! I would never have been able to justify buying that for myself 😳
Ah your parents gave you such a lovely present! Yes, it’s just hard to justify it especially if you just don’t know if you’d like it! X
I 've bought the BYMOTT cairtains from Ikea (apprx 15 Euros in Greece) to make a kaftan for the beach. Hello from Athens.
Hello from Athens! I think curtains and bedsheets are such a great place to start! X
It is so orgasmicly satisfying to find good quality cheap fabric, use free pattern and have and amazing clothing article!!! All you say is so true true true!!! 🔥
Yes, yes, yes!!! Thank you for watching! x
I thrift most of my fabric! Recently make an adorable summer dress from an IKEA “as is” sheet that i tie dyed first !!
I listen to you while sewing a dress from a bed sheet from second hand...
Haha! I love this so much!!!! XXX
I was gifted a Brother machine for Christmas few years ago. I had super basic knowledge and had no clue where to start. I started small, using my own items like old curtains, towels, a oversized sweaters. I would take apart things in my closet that I didn't wear or were old and l loved and draw the pieces on gift wrap paper with a grid. Once I burned through all that I hit up the clearance sections at fabric stores and practiced some more. Then moved on to free patterns. After 5 years of sewing I am now purchasing yards of fabric and make sure to use it all up. It's a process, much like the steps you need to take to construct a garment, take your time, enjoy the wins and learn from the losses.
I need a scone with clotted cream and jam in my life right now!!
You need ittttttttttt!!!! So good!
I REALLY want a scone now! I love making my own clothes, it lovely to go to a wedding and KNOW that no one else will be wearing the same outfit. The pride I feel when people comment on my outfit and I say "oh this, thank you I made it" ;-)
Haha! Scones are so good for you! It’s a fact! Yes, the thing about no one wearing the same as you is soooo spot on! And nothing beats the “ I made it” moment! X
Ok my best tip from over 60 years of sewing......learn how to alter, hack and fit your patterns to your body. There are so many things you can do to a basic pattern to change the look. Also take great care to do a really good job. The best compliment a sewer can get is when people want to know where you bought something because it does not look handmade.
When I was a teen, my nephew was born. It absolutely shocked me that the only clothes available were t-shirts & elasticated trousers.
In order to get anything with functioning buttons or zippers you had to go to a wedding dress shoppe, and spend a months' rent for one outfit!
8 years later, I birthed my daughter, and it was the same thing! T-shirts & elasticated trousers!
That prompted me to learn how to sew. That first baby dress , because of the machine & notions, probably cost a months' rent (which was 7x higher than 8 years before) but the satisfaction was immense!
Then bringing my little one to play dates and having all the other moms gather round exclaiming "where did you find that???" And being able to say "I made it" was over the top satisfying!
Now, 30 years later, I love the fact that I don't have to rely on "fickle fashion" to get new clothes, I can make what feels good and wear something that I like how it looks.
As for reducing the cost, for the last few years, I have literally had people drive over and drop off fabric, notions and even machines. They were relieved to find someone who would put to use "grandmas stuff" . So just put on your social media that you want to learn to sew, or you are looking for fabric to sew more, and make sure you have a place to hoard the gifts!
What a great great story! I love this so much! And yes about not having to rely on fickle fashions and just being able to dress how you want to!!!!!
And so amazing that people have been gifting you their family’s sewing things to put to good use!
Thank you so much for watching and being here! D
Love this video, I will say though that I would have been massively put off by the high price of a good sewing machine. I ended up getting a Janome from Hobbycraft in the sale for £79 and honestly it's served me well! Also IKEA is a great resource for fabric! They do Calico at £2/m which is perfect for toiles and also dyes really easily if you want to switch up the colour. In the IKEA sale I got so much expensive bedding for like £7 and there is a lot of fabric in a double duvet cover!
Leaving the fun aside, sewing is cheaper on the long run and has a lot of other benefits as well. I can choose the fabric based on color, pattern and the fiber content. I can make it fit, something that storebought clothes don't do. I don't have to worry about what poor soul had to make it, because I am my own sewist. And I can made stuff you just can not buy and usually the self made clothes last much longer. I am not a fan of modern fashion, I am a Vintage/Historical Girl and love to wear "old" clothes. Remade Vintageclothes you can buy, but usually the fabric is plastic, they are super expensive and usually don't fit well. My historical clothes are something I have to make myself.
Loved this video as ALWAYS. Great advice and I love how honest you were about how sewing can be expensive and how the truth is, it is to begin with because you need a lot of things to get started. A lot of videos I have watched in the past they and tell people 'it really doesn't have to be expensive'. Like you said.. some bits will be like investing in good tools but the fabric etc you can save yourself some money on. I always check my local charity shops for fabric. Sometimes it's just a plain white sheet for £1 to make a test run of something but sometimes you can find a little gem. I also LOVED that you made afternoon tea while filming this. You're so cute ❤️
Afternoon tea was essential! Yes I have also found people say that it’s not expensive so I went into sewing with a false sense of security and then reality hit and I was shocked.
Thank you so much for watching! Hope new baby life is treating you well and you’re getting plenty of rest! X
@@AlexandraBurnett yeah I was exactly the same so I appreciate you being honest about it. Like you say, it's worth the money because of the joy you get out of it ❤️ Aww you are so sweet. My little girl is doing really well thanks. She's 9 weeks now. Flown by. I hope you and your family are doing well. How old is beautiful Arwen now? X
@@demibevis9551 9 weeks! SO TINY!!!!! Arwen is around 10 months now! Time is flying!!!
Great video as always. I always think that sewing is like any hobby… take golf … how much are sets of golf clubs, greens fees, clothing, sailing.. as a hobby .. you need a boat for heavens sake.. ! I decided to make clothes that fit well. Cheap they are not, but its my hobby and its productive. I think everyone starts off feeling they need to buy anything and everything that is remotely sewing related but we all learn as we go along. Make test garments out of old bed sheets, I have done that for years. One good investment is buy a good book about fitting and learning how to construct garments, garment fitting is quite an art a learned trade and most definitely a skill. My Mother was a skilled seamstress, when I look at some patterns I recall her words about adjusting patterns, then it was all about the shoulders and I can hear her words about the importance of correct shoulder fitting “your shoulders and the hangers for your clothes.. if they do not fit your shoulders why do you think it will fit else where.” I encourage anyone to learn to sew its a wonderful hobby and we get to say things like…. Yes I made it ! … and every sewers favourite…. it has pockets !!! Thank you for taking the time to share.
Haha! Pockets! 100% agree - like all other hobbies it’s something that you invest in for a return of joy and that’s priceless!
Ah amazing advice about the shoulders - I always have to make changes to the shoulders and it’s so good when it fits the way I want it to! X
I am new watcher to your chanel. So appreciate a tip to first learn on cheap materials and then when you learned enough do it with nice fabrics.
I want to learn how sew clothes, adjust things, sew for my home and etc. If I want body fit clothes it is expensive to adjust all clothes,and it is such a waste sometimes to say goodbye for clothes that needs fixing, mending.
Thank you for the tips.
What are your best money saving tips?! Share so that we can bless some people! X
I started sewing again because I was SO fed up having to constantly buy new t-shirts and shirts for myself and my husband 😩 We both have long torsos and the new t-shirt was fine until I washed it……then BOOM 💥 the belly is hanging out the bottom! 🤷♀️😂 So YES making a t-shirt averages about £20 but I KNOW it’s going to last for years and hubbys belly is well covered 😂 So now I refuse to waste money on shop bought 🤷♀️
Yes; such a good feeling when something fits the way you wanted it to!!! Love this so much! X
Yeah, I inherited my machine from my grandma and it felt super cheap to start! I also collected many pieces from her (a bunch of quality pieces, made of quality fabric) and/or thrift stores and altered/completely transformed! Altering makes it less scary to start and the upside is you get clothes that fit you perfectly which you can use to make your own perfect pattern. Small steps.
Small steps indeed!
What a wonderful video! I personally like to save money on patterns by buying them at the fabric store when they have sales! Printing pdf patterns at home are a lot of resources (ink and paper) and print shops are kinda expensive where i live so instead of paying for the pdf+printing, i would rather pay for just the printed pattern during a sale!
OMGosh! Honesty, it’s WONDERFUL! FINALLY Someone (you:) Being Honest about that, SEWING IS EXPENSIVE, Especially Initially… Like you I bought everything new in the beginning. I made my husband a cute quilted coaster recently, and said … “Hey, look what I made you, and it only cost a hundred dollars, lol” That’s how I feel anyway, we both laughed, because there is some truth to it. BUT, it’s about THE CRAFT! THE JOY! THE ART! THE MAKING! THE PROCESS! …THE….HEY LOOK, I MADE THIS, AND THAT….AND, Of Course, The … I’m not buying that….BECAUSE….I CAN MAKE THAT!!! :) Also…. You can, and probably should, find things at thrift shops, and such, to save tons of money…I was just impatient, so my potholders cost $100. 😉
Haha! Sewing is 100% expensive, no one can tell me otherwise! But, like you said, it's so worth it! And after the initial investment things calm down and it becomes a lot about the fabric and the patterns! XX
I really reccomend thrifting! I bought a secondhand (and old) sewing machine for 60€, a secondhand serger 40€ and bought some old sewing supplies (buttons zippers lace) from old people for around 20€. So i reccomend checking eBay,(and your country's equivalent) facebook marketplace, depop, Vinted etc.
Yes, thrifting is a great place to start! X
As long as a used machine works well you can pick one up really cheap online. Take someone with you who can check it out for you because really most sewers use the straight, zigzag, and buttonhole stitches only. The older machines are more robust and easier to repair. Also yes to charity shop fabric and bed sheets in particular. Lots of yardage there. Thanks for the tips.
Yes to all this!
I love your videos!!!
Haha! Thank you so much! X
Just love this video ...
Thank you so much!
I just want to point out that another option is to try hand sewing, as its cheaper to get started in. It takes longer but it can do everything a machine can and more. Then with the money you save you can get an iron, which will make the resulting sewing look a lot better.
Definitely takes a lot of time, but worth considering if you have the patience for it!
It’s worth it 🤩
It really is!!!
I love ebay for fabric and notions. Walmart has some decent prices fabric as well. I am starting to get into using sheets. I am a size 16 us so it's harder to find sheets in a print I like at the thrift store. I actually just bought new sheets but they were on clearance. So hopefully those will be a good middle ground for me.
Hi!! Can you link the pattern to that amazing Blouse you made? It's lovely 😍
I was given my machine, but machines are not so expensive secondhand. I also have spent some money on patterns, but free patterns are awesome. I’ve also borrowed pattern books from the library. Lastly, I get fabric secondhand as well like linen from duvet covers and bedsheets.
Yes! All such great tips!!! I love me some free patterns!!! And secondhand fabric!!!
So excited about 3.5 yards of pale pink linen. Got it for $1.50 us dollars at a thrift store. Now what to do with it?
It depends on your fabric, what you make, and how much you've customized it to yourself. A decent custom built corset, for instance, starts at over 1000. Get it in pure silk and other natural fabrics, instead of rayon or polyester, and you're talking even more expensive.
Even just design matters. I like a very clean, simple design in everything (clothes, furniture, pottery, etc.), and most of the things I like tend to be frustratingly expensive. My favorite clothing reference pin on Pinterest is a simple pair of pleated wide leg pants (trousers) that costs over 2500, and that's off the rack, not tailored or customized.
Yes, very very good point! I think the same about wedding dresses! People can save *soooo* much money by making their own wedding dresses!
Great point!
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your thoughts!
All hobbys are expensive. If you are a into coffee, coffee equipments are expensive. If you do art, art is very very expensive especially good quality ones.
I crochet and knit. Yarns are expensive. You don't realize how much raw material you need until you make it. I try to locally sourced my yarns so that it is cheaper than imported yarns. But very few local yarns are good. Not only yarns are expensive, even the crochet/knitting needles are expensive. Most of my crochet hooks and knitting needles are from japan and it is expensive. I tried a few times to buy cheaper hooks and knitting needle, although usable the quality is different. Unlike the expensive ones that are smooth. Cheap ones are rough and not as nice to use. I personally have to sand my cheap tools myself in order to use it.
The only thing good that comes from making things yourself, sewing or crochet/knit, is that everything is custom and you can make custom fits for yourself. Or when you like something but its wayyyy overpriced to buy.
Te iubesc si ai dreptate
Te iubesc mami!!! multumesc ca vizionezi!
I have a no new fiber rule so I don't buy fabric or clothing. I thrift sheets or get second hand from Craigslist.
Yeah, that's smart!
We would love for you to try one of our patterns, let's get into contact! 😊
It's perfectly tailored to you though 🤷♀️ It costs a lot of $$ for tailoring too
"Free patterns" in the vein of PDF download are NOT Free....They are not as expensive as "Paper Patterns" but they are NOT Free. When you develop to the point you can design, make or alter patterns you already have to make a new design, then you save. When you only want to sew with pure fabrics like linen, $100% cotton, etc., your expense goes up. Plus, not all charity shops have those particular fabrics...at least not in the middle of nowhere in rural America. And, forget buying natural fabrics in the bedding sections...it just isn't there except very rarely. Being 7 decades old and having been sewing for 6 of those decades, I write from experience. Do I love being a seamstress? You bet but it is still expensive when you are particular...
The music is distraction in this video.
I am sorry to hear!
5:17 How perfectly beautiful u are
Thank you!!!