How to Save Money by Making Clothing Yourself

During this time of financial uncertainty, we are all looking for ways to make our hard-earned dollars work even harder for us. In order to have money for the necessities, we need to cut back our spending in areas of luxuries. Most of us must have gasoline and an automobile to get us to a job in order to earn a living. But, do we really need that SUV that is burning more than its share of fuel? We all must have food in order to survive. But, is it necessary that we eat out more than in? Clothes rank on the list of the three basic needs, but do we have to spend exorbitant amounts of money on our wardrobes?

One of the easiest places to find ways to cut spending is in our closets. Americans have become slaves to fashion and quantity in exchange for style and quality. With our dollars being pulled in more directions these days, we can begin our quest for painless frugality in the closet. There are many ways to save money on clothes not only for the adults in the family, but also for the teens, children and babies. One of the most rewarding ways to cut spending on clothing is to learn simple sewing skills.

The most frequent argument for not learning to sew is the lack of time. It does take some prior planning and preparation to put together an article of clothing. But, when compared to the amount of time it takes most of us to go from store to store and mall to mall looking for a piece of clothing that is flattering, is the right color and is in our price range, time is actually saved by making our own clothes. Fabric stores are stocked with hundreds of fabric types and colors, as well as all the notions needed to put together a nice-looking garment. The sales people at these fabric stores are knowledgeable and more than willing to help novices learn how to choose what is needed for specific types of outfits.

If you are a beginning aspiring seamstress, here are some suggestions:

Start simple.

Simple patterns can be found in the least expensive lines of major pattern companies. For example, about $3.00 will buy a Simplicity It's So Easy or a McCall's Stitch and Save pattern. Compare this price to the usual $15-16 retail price of a pattern, and you can see how much you can save by using the simple and less expensive versions. Choose a pattern with a limited number of pieces, such as pajama pants with an elastic or drawstring waist. Kids and teens love PJ pants made from lively fabric, so you can get lots of practice by sewing some for everybody in the family! It won't matter if your first attempts look less than professional--your family will be appreciate of your efforts. After you've made two or three of the same item, your confidence will increase, and you will be proud of the money you have saved by being creative.

Try cotton.

Cotton is easy to sew, comfortable, and it comes in thousands of patterns and colors. Keep in mind that 100 per cent cotton will shrink when washed and dried, so put it through the washer and dryer before cutting out your garment. It is best to use cotton thread and a size 10 or 12 needle when sewing with cotton fabric. Choose a thread just a little darker than the dominant color in the fabric for a good match.

Ask for help.

More than likely, there is someone in your social network who would love to share her sewing skills with you--if not Grandma or Mom, it might be a neighbor or someone you know through work or at church. Those who have sewn for years know tricks and shortcuts that will save time and frustration. Someone taught them, and they are more than happy to pass on the art of sewing. Maybe a group of friends could ask an experienced seamstress to teach a few classes in her home. It's fun to learn something new with friends who can share your sense of accomplishment.

Don't give up!

Any new endeavor has a learning curve. Even those of us who have sewn for years still get befuddled occasionally when trying to decipher a new pattern. Just because you "hit a snag" in the process, it doesn't mean you aren't making progress. Search the Internet or find a book (or friend) to help you work through what you don't quite understand. (Those folks at the fabric store are a great resource of stitching wisdom.) When that problem or process is conquered, you will have gained the confidence to go on to more difficult projects.

By learning to sew beginning with simple patterns and novice-friendly fabric, you will begin to see your clothing dollars stretch farther. But, saving money is only one benefit of sewing. Imagine how proud you will be to say, "I made this myself!"