Author Topic: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?  (Read 15494 times)

igthebold

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Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« on: July 30, 2012, 08:27:20 AM »
There are many DIY projects that just aren't worth doing on a regular basis. I've heard the expression, "Make the bread, buy the butter," indicating that it's not worth making your own butter from grocery store milk.

I'm just now starting to get into sewing with a mind mostly to frugality (repair, alterations, Warm Window shades, etc), but like many things that involve learning (learning is fun!) I predict I will start obsessing and want to make my own bow ties, and maybe even pants and shirts.

For those of you who sew, what projects just aren't worth it? I've already heard that a men's blazer/jacket isn't worth it due to the sheer difficulty and finickiness. What other projects are 1) definitely worth it, you'll never go back to buying from the store, and 2) definitely not worth it, just buy it already made?

velocistar237

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2012, 09:59:23 AM »
Alterations and repair will take you the farthest. They will transform a cheap, high-quality thrift garment into something in great condition that fits with minimal difficulty and time.

Bow ties, napkins, and curtains are all straightforward. Baby clothing is not too bad, I've heard. A dress shirt, pair of jeans, or slip cover would take quite a bit of work. If you can reuse cloth from existing items, the cost would be much lower than if you buy new fabric, even on sale.

(The phrase you used comes from the title of this book.)

mugwump

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2012, 10:14:54 AM »
I used to sew a lot of things, and I have pretty much stopped sewing clothes.  It's not worth it, unless you can get the fabric very cheap and are trying to make things that can't be found in the stores now.

It is still worth it to make things like curtains, and slipcovers, and for repairs. One good way to practice repairs is to buy things from the thrift shop and alter them.  You can learn a lot without spending too much.

Welmoed

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2012, 12:00:21 PM »
Clothing quality in the stores has declined tremendously over the past years. For a great read, check out "Overdressed: the high cost of cheap fashion."

I sew for several reasons. First, I don't like what's in the stores. It looks awful and doesn't fit well, and the workmanship is terrible. I like to have my clothes fit the way they're supposed to. High-quality clothes are well-fitted and well-finished. Not something you find at Target or Old Navy these days, for sure!

Probably the only things I don't sew myself are underwear and basic T shirts. Everything else is fair game. I've made everything from bathing suits to ballgowns. Yes, there was an investment in machines, although they don't have to be Cadillacs: my favorite is a used industrial straight stitch I picked up for a few hundred dollars (it's worth about $1500), and an old mechanical Bernina in a cabinet that I got at an estate sale for $150 (also worth about $1500). I get tremendous satisfaction from my sewing, and love that I can often make a shirt in less time than it would take to go out and buy one. I've built up my fabric stash over the years through sales and swaps and could probably sew an entire wardrobe without setting foot in a fabric store. It's the only area in my life where I do quite honestly have too much stuff. But it's my hobby, my passion and my stress relief. I've also entered a few items in the County Fair and won ribbons, so it gives me lots of warm fuzzies (and a small premium check!).

Learn how to get good fit. Jackets are actually not that difficult!! I used to think they were, but now I realize I was just intimidated. There's just something so satisfying about wearing an article of clothing that is unique and fits well.

One area where you really CAN go broke is on patterns. I don't buy them anymore, even when they're on sale. Instead, I invested in a computer program that lets you design and print out your own patterns, so there's no need for fussy alterations. It's not that expensive (I think it's $225 now), when you consider that you can draft just about anything you can imagine (like I said, bathing suits to ballgowns!). I recommend checking it out at www.wildginger.com. I'm not affiliated with the company in any way; I just love their product. And their customer service is excellent.

If you want to see the stuff I make with it, you can check out my blog at http://thereshesews.blogspot.com.

--Welmoed

kisserofsinners

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2012, 02:24:11 PM »
Yeah, with time you can make anything.

2nd on patterns being the big budget breaker. The pattern maker is a great tip!!! *yoink*

Also 2nd on that American clothes are crap! Buy some t-shirts from amazon.co.uk to understand what i'm talking about. We make our clothes to be disposable these days. You can make better clothes. It might not be cheaper, but i'll last you many times longer. :)

I exist in a very costume heavy group. Many prioritize burning man spending over their rent. Without making it yourself, the habit could break you very fast.

ultrarunner

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2012, 04:08:31 PM »
I'm (very) new to sewing... my first project was napkins, after reading MMM's article on it.  They were surprisingly easy, even for a guy who's never used a sewing machine.  I figured it was a good learning experience (and I bought WAY too much fabric) so I made nearly 200 of them.  :-)

Now I'm working on exterior shades for my east and south-facing windows... to help keep the house cool in the summer.  The sun is brutally intense in Colorado, so hoping that will help cut my electric bills.  Again...another insanely easy project with a good ROI. 

I also replaced a zipper in a fleece jacket.  It was cheap and the new one works.  Looks 'ok', but it's definitely not a professional level job... but it was confidence building. 

I'd like to make some of those warm window covering for winter.  Sewing clothing is a bit intimidating... I'm afraid I'll wind up with 3-armed shirts or something. 

strider3700

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2012, 04:28:26 PM »
My wife sews.  Last year she went to do curtains for our bedroom.   She came home from the fabric store with prepackaged curtain panels.    They worked out to be almost half the price of buying the fabric to make equivalent...

Welmoed

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2012, 07:10:51 PM »
My wife sews.  Last year she went to do curtains for our bedroom.   She came home from the fabric store with prepackaged curtain panels.    They worked out to be almost half the price of buying the fabric to make equivalent...

But those pre-made panels are almost certainly going to fade and deteriorate faster than well-made custom panels. I used to own a drapery workroom, and it astounded me to see the horrendous quality of ready-made. People were buying them cheap with the full knowledge that they were, in essence, disposable. Well-made panels will last decades, and will do a better job of protecting the furniture, carpets and floors from sun damage. And they're really not hard to make at all.
So I would argue that the store-bought curtains were not really "equivalent" -- they served the same function of covering the windows, but that's not the same. They were probably not lined either (an important step to long life).
Well-made curtains fall under "Commander Vimes' Boot Theory". You'll spend more for a good product up front, but you'll probably never have to buy curtains again.
--Welmoed

Lark3

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2012, 06:19:42 AM »
Fabric can get pretty pricey! To me, that's definitely one of the downsides to sewing. Like a couple of other people said though, once you learn how to sew, the stuff you make will most likely last a lot longer than a cheaper alternative from the store.

I usually buy my fabric when it's on sale. If you have a Joann's craft store nearby, you can buy fabric there at discounted prices. They have a fabric clearance section where I have found some pretty great finds. Some Joann's stores have better clearance sections than other. If you check their flyers online you will find that about once a month they offer an additional 50% of of their clearance prices. I've gotten a  yard of fabric for as little as 1.50 per yard.

As for patterns, they can be very expensive. That computer program sounds really awesome! I buy all of my patterns from Joann's, but only when they are on sale for .99. That brings the cost down quite a bit. Of course, there are tons of great resources online for free patterns. One of my favorites is sew4home.com. That sight has all kinds of sewing tutorials and all kinds of goodies that you can make for the home. All the tutorials are step by step with nice color photographs so they are easy to follow even for a beginner.

Good Luck!

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2012, 06:58:57 AM »
I think the most frugal way to sew is by upcycling used/thrift store clothes. I like to buy too large shirts, jackets, etc. and alter them to fit me or take them apart and use the fabric to make something completely new. It's far less expensive than buying new fabric, and it extends the utility of perfectly usable fabric. Things I will always make myself and never buy again: skirts, men's boxers (for my husband), curtains/napkins/pillowcases, and quilts.

As a beginner, I would take it slowly (work up to the harder stuff), and I think it's worth it to invest in a class or investigate free online tutorials. No project is too difficult if you are patient.

Worsted Skeins

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2012, 07:22:21 AM »
I think the most frugal way to sew is by upcycling used/thrift store clothes. I like to buy too large shirts, jackets, etc. and alter them to fit me or take them apart and use the fabric to make something completely new. It's far less expensive than buying new fabric, and it extends the utility of perfectly usable fabric. Things I will always make myself and never buy again: skirts, men's boxers (for my husband), curtains/napkins/pillowcases, and quilts.


Gotta ask:  what pattern do you use for men's boxers?

Part of the problem when discussing sewing is that a lot of people do not know what a well made garment is anymore!  I would rather have a few pieces with longevity than much of the disposable clothing that is sold in the marketplace. 

jdoolin

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2012, 08:30:46 AM »
If anyone here has the time and inclination, I think a general How To Get Started in Tayloring and Sewing would be a terrific idea, especially from a Mustachian point of view, with these excellent tips on finding fabric, what sorts of equipment to look for, etc.

Like the previous poster said, I wear clothes every day and don't know what *really* makes a well made garment.

Welmoed

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2012, 08:46:40 AM »

Gotta ask:  what pattern do you use for men's boxers?


Many of my sewing friends who make boxers swear by the First Choice Boxers pattern:
http://www.sewthankful.com/FirstChoiceBoxerShorts%20Pattern.html

--Welmoed

James

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2012, 09:00:21 AM »
We have home-made napkins which started life as home-made baby wipes...   I don't tell visitors that use them though.  :)

I would love to take the time to sew my own shirts and various other things, but right now I don't have the time to invest.  It's one of the things I can put on my list for when I'm FI, simply because I think I'd enjoy it.  Right now I'm looking for a good tailor to take in a suit, it would be very handy and self fulfilling to be able to do that myself.

Worsted Skeins

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2012, 09:19:14 AM »

Gotta ask:  what pattern do you use for men's boxers?


Many of my sewing friends who make boxers swear by the First Choice Boxers pattern:
http://www.sewthankful.com/FirstChoiceBoxerShorts%20Pattern.html

--Welmoed

Thank you for the link. Looks like I have a new project. 

igthebold

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2012, 10:25:16 AM »
Wonderful feedback—thanks, everybody. So far, on my project list are napkins and some alterations: taking in shirts and hemming pants. Also, hopefully, taking in the waist of some jeans.

Question about alterations: I'd like to hem some jeans, but my brand new 1955 Singer 201 doesn't have a free arm. Is there a special technique I can use to do the hemming anyway? I'm guessing something like flattening out the part of the leg I'm sewing and taking it slow?

I'd love to learn to make clothes, but like James, it's likely to be a long-term proposition. It seems a lot like cooking: the more you practice, the more feasible it is to get value out of making your own X. As such, it would be handy to turn sewing into one of my hobbies. But I need to find a hobby to replace. :P

wiferkhart

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #16 on: July 31, 2012, 10:54:43 AM »
Things I will always make myself and never buy again: skirts, men's boxers (for my husband), curtains/napkins/pillowcases, and quilts.


I second the quilts - I use scrap fabric from various other projects/worn out clothes to make quilts to hang in drafty areas of our house as well as for on beds.  Machine quilting is fairly easy and quick (compared to handquilting!)

SoftwareGoddess

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #17 on: July 31, 2012, 10:59:01 AM »
Question about alterations: I'd like to hem some jeans, but my brand new 1955 Singer 201 doesn't have a free arm. Is there a special technique I can use to do the hemming anyway? I'm guessing something like flattening out the part of the leg I'm sewing and taking it slow?

Usually you want sew a visible hem like this one on the outside of the clothing, so that the visible side turns out looking the best. So: turn the jeans leg inside-out. Slip the hem-edge under the sewing machine's presser foot, sewing on the inside of the tube formed by the pant leg. Rotate the jeans as needed while you sew.

I have a free-arm machine, but I find this technique much easier than using the free arm.

  Cheryl

velocistar237

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #18 on: July 31, 2012, 12:53:31 PM »
I'd like to hem some jeans,

Note that the hems on most jeans have a particular look, and a new hem would have a different look. You can alternatively shorten the leg just above the hem. If you do it right, the stitches won't be noticeable. There are lots of videos of this technique online.

fidgiegirl

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #19 on: July 31, 2012, 09:25:08 PM »
I have dinked around with the sewing machine for a number of years, making simple stuff - drawstring bags, napkins, feminine napkins, hems, etc.  I enjoy designing my own things like a storage bag for my hatchback when misc loose stuff like shopping bags/doggy poo bags was rolling all over back there, or dog beds using zippers I picked up at garage sales.  I have become more sophisticated over the years and more precise.  I can put in zippers now, do a blind hem, install snaps, fix tent zippers (no sewing, actually, 99% of the time!), sew on patches, do piping, and am now learning to use a serger my mom lends me.  Looking forward to that to zip out some nicely edged terry rags for the kitchen.  We've been using pieces of t-shirts for years but it will be nice to have something more absorbent and not so ratty looking.  We have plenty of borderline old bath towels to fill this need.

I'm also going to make a cute cute clothespin bag!  DH has a jacket that needs patching and there is always mending to do.

I really enjoy the feeling of making something useful.  Curtains are high on our list of sewing to-dos as well.

You all have me intrigued about tailoring, as well.  My women's body style does not lend itself to button-up shirts off the rack, but maybe I could make some from men's shirts.  Thanks for the idea!

igthebold

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #20 on: August 01, 2012, 06:56:19 AM »
First success last night: added a working button hole on my blue blazer lapel. Now I can show up to things with a carnation in my lapel and a smug expression on my face (and get punched.. ;).

Note that the hems on most jeans have a particular look, and a new hem would have a different look. You can alternatively shorten the leg just above the hem. If you do it right, the stitches won't be noticeable. There are lots of videos of this technique online.

Duly noted. The technique looks pretty reasonable. I have a friend who's trying to get rid of a serger, too, which would make finishing the edges of the removed material more straightforward. Still haven't figured out how to get my zigzag attachment to finish edges consistently. Of course, I may just do it by hand.

Some day I want to make this: http://aboutgoodness.com/mens-flat-cap-gatsby-hat-pattern-diy-tutorial/

igthebold

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #21 on: August 03, 2012, 09:57:03 AM »
Update for anybody interested: I've converted some khakis into shorts, and my wife made the cut off legs into lunch bags for our kids.. After my son ran around the house with one on his head as a hat for a while.

Also, I've hemmed my jeans. Feels good to be able to customize things. I'm feeling more like sewing should be considered a basic life skill.

mugwump

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #22 on: August 04, 2012, 11:08:29 AM »
HaHa! It is a basic life skill.  When I was growing up in the 60's, all the women learned to sew.  It's almost as important as cooking. When is stopped being "women's work", all of a sudden no-one knew how to do it.  Sort of like fixing houses for men, I guess. Now we're all trying to live inside our computers.

Bakari

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #23 on: August 04, 2012, 11:25:21 AM »
HaHa! It is a basic life skill.  When I was growing up in the 60's, all the women learned to sew.  It's almost as important as cooking. When is stopped being "women's work", all of a sudden no-one knew how to do it.  Sort of like fixing houses for men, I guess. Now we're all trying to live inside our computers.

We all got issued a simple needle and thread sewing kit at bootcamp, and everyone was expected to fix any buttons that popped off or hems that came loose from crawling around on the beach in our uniforms - its not real sewing like yall are talking about, just saying, at least basic repair is still a life skill

jwystup

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #24 on: August 04, 2012, 11:49:46 AM »
I've been sewing since I was old enough to use scissors. My mom has a very nice machine that she got as a wedding present. I'd love to invest some money in a nice one (one like that would probably be about $1000 or so). I currently have my grandma's old cheapo machine that doesn't work to great.

I would agree with the other posters, things that you think would be easier generally are. The less seams and layers, the easier. I would never do jeans - you'll never get the same look and the fabric is tough to sew through (you'd need super strong needles & special thread). Afaik, you can't get the same 'wash' and I think they'll always look sort of mom-jeans-ish. Also, I've repaired enough zippers to know that the crotch and zipper area is very complex in most jeans.

I sewed the majority of my formal dresses in high school and think dresses are usually pretty easy, if I ever wore dresses I'd probably make some. I always make my own curtains, but for the most part I'm just doing repairs.

Now I want  nice new machine :(

cosmie

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #25 on: August 04, 2012, 06:14:57 PM »
If anyone here has the time and inclination, I think a general How To Get Started in Tayloring and Sewing would be a terrific idea, especially from a Mustachian point of view, with these excellent tips on finding fabric, what sorts of equipment to look for, etc.
I second this!

Or at least, does anyone know of any good resources (websites, books, etc) for learning the basics to get started?

Also, could anyone recommend a machine? My wife has been trying to get into sewing recently, but the machine her mother gave her seems to be broken. (it's an el-cheapo Walmart machine from 7+ years ago). She's taking a class soon to learn in person, but it'd be awesome to point her in the right direction.

Welmoed

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #26 on: August 05, 2012, 09:51:03 AM »
Cosmie,
One of the best all-around "how to sew" books is the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. You can easily find it in libraries and used book stores.
As for a machine, I would strongly discourage buying any new machine. Really! They are mostly plastic and not designed for a long life. For a really good bargain, keep your eye out on Craigslist and your local thrift stores. Any machine older than about 25 years can be repaired very easily by a decent tech. The thing to remember is that ANY used machine will NOT have a warranty; any sewing machine warranty I've seen is valid ONLY for the FIRST owner. That said, most new machine warranties are pretty decent -- up to 25 years for Viking.
For most sewing needs you want a machine that has a minimum of these basic features:
  • Straight stitch
    Zig zag stitch
    Reverse (for sewing backwards)
    Buttonholes (either programmable [1 step] or manual [4 step])
    Needle position setting (ability to sew with needle to left of center or right of center; ideally with increments in between)
    Free arm (allows you to sew around cuffs and such)
Some nicer features to have:
  • Automatic needle up-down setting (automatically stops with the needle in the highest position (to prevent snarls) or lowest (to allow pivoting).
    Knee-operated presser foot lift (I think this might only be on Bernina machines; lets you lift the presser foot with your knee rather than using a hand to operate the lever)

Hope this helps!
--Welmoed

carolinakaren

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #27 on: August 06, 2012, 02:48:00 PM »
Congratulations on hemming your shorts.  I like the idea your wife had for the cut-off leg parts!

 I have pets at my house, so I like to have removeable covers for decorative throw pillows.  They can cost $10-$30 in stores, so I make my own on a simple sewing machine.  I want to say the type or style might be called "envelope".  It's similar to the way a pillow sham covers the pillow on your bed.  I've made several pillow covers like this and it's very easy....no need for zippers or buttons and I can wash them anytime they get dirty.

redeyedtreefr0g

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #28 on: August 07, 2012, 07:46:14 PM »
I requested a brand new sewing machine for a holiday, and my mom (how is it that she always has that kind of money right when I ask for the truly expensive things that I will use forever??) bought me one. She also bought me my bicycle. <3

My machine is electronic, with a TON of fancy stitches and basic monogramming, which I love. When my dog had serious allergies, his overalls got his name and my phone number on them. My new clothes have "Made by Froggy" somewhere on the hem instead of having tags. The machine is  Brother and was advertised as a Project Runway top pick or something. As sewing machiens go, it was the super-cheapo Walmart model, but still over a hundred dollars. It came with preser feet, extra needles, and more importantly- a user manual.

I've learned to do blind hems, french seams (no raw edge- its enclosed), and other things. I LOVE the needle threader, and the top-load plastic bobbin. It is so easy to see how much thread is left through the clear window that I usually don't sew too far without realizing that my thread has run out, because I knew it was getting low, and just being able to drop in the new full bobbin is a life-saver! My old machine involved about a billion parts that had to be held just so and then finagled into place to install the bobbin. THEN you had to pray there wasn't a thread jam, because the tension was never right. My new machine has ZERO of those problems. Plus my new machine is VERY lightweight. I used to take it to work when I was stuck there all day so that I could sew in a deep windowsill. My old machine required two hands to pick up and it was a chore.

I also shop for fabric at JoAnn, or now Hancock here locally. They accept JoAnn coupons, so I see no real difference. I always wait until there is a big sale, and go with a "#% off total purchase" coupon to get even better savings off the discounted items. I have not bought a pattern for over $0.99 because I too wait for those sales.

I have one much-used book to show me all kinds of tips and tricks, plus stuff I've never heard of trying to do, and that book is Simply The Best Sewing Book. As you might guess, it is written by the Simplicity pattern company, and I think my version is now outdated. It goes into detail about pattern sizing, how to measure, how to attach sleeves and zippers and all kinds of other things. I routinely open it up and flip to particular sections to remind myself how to do something. It was that book that told me to try using pattern tissue or paper as a stabilizer to keep the feed dogs (those metal feet that move your fabric) from eating my sheer lightweight fabric and causing a jam, and to use nice pretty french seams for sheer see-though fabric.

I taught myself how to sew, pretty much, after an adult showed me how to press the pedal to make the machine go. I've made my own clothes by following the directions in patterns. I started with doll clothes and very primitive clothing designs.

I admit my first pair of pants is absolutely AMAZING. I only wish that the material I had been given was actually pre-washed as we thought it was. They shrank a little :( I used the Amazing Fit pattern from Simplicity, and it tells you exactly how to put in that complicated zipper fly that all pants have, my pockets are fantastic, and those might be the most comfortable pants I own now. I plan on adding a fake cuff to regain the length, and maybe let out the waist a bit to compensate for shrinkage. My next pair will not have such a high waist either. (Your waist is the narrowest part of your torso, usually much higher than your belly button. If you aren't sure exactly where that is on a straighter shape, bend sideways- the crease that forms is usually at your waistline. Pants nowadays usually ride a bit lower, and I think they are more comfortable slightly below the belly-button.)

I can tell you that denim is completely sewable, even on new finicky machines, if you are careful when doing the thick sections. I usually stop pressing the pedal and carefully turn the wheel by hand to be sure the needle gets through everything alright without being deflected by the thickness. Jeans can look professionally made too: you can buy proper jean-buttons, and even the little rivets for pocket joints and such if you want, but those tend to be the most expensive parts. Frankly, I'm more likely to have jeans with brightly-threaded stitching, and proclaim in my bright monogramming "MADE BY FROGGY" on the hem or waist so everybody knows they were handmade jeans!

Cook for Good

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #29 on: August 13, 2012, 04:12:10 PM »
Great thread.

Make personalized things that you will use a lot or are for a memorable event. I made my first wedding dress from muslin and lace using a Vogue pattern for the blouse (yes, the most expensive part) and winging it for the skirt. It was gorgeous and fit within my $100 budget for the whole event. I've also made insulated Roman shades that looked very modern, were a snap, and cut the heating bills. I love sewing for costume parties, because it's fun and don't have to be sturdy or even washable.

Buy fitted bras, if you wear them! My attempt was a flop (or perhaps more accurately a flop flop). I agree with all the points above on buying at thrift stores or just cheap tees. I drove by a fabric printer the other day that was selling imprints-gone-wrong for $1 each.

velocistar237

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #30 on: August 14, 2012, 08:32:45 AM »
I can tell you that denim is completely sewable

In my sewing class yesterday, our instructor gave us a little tip for sewing jeans. For the thick sections, use a hammer to pound the area flat before you sew. Be sure to do it on a clean block of wood or something else solid that you don't mind denting and that won't get the jeans dirty. Apparently, wherever they do alterations, be it at Men's Wearhouse or Nordstroms, they will have a hammer just for this purpose.

fidgiegirl

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #31 on: August 14, 2012, 06:19:10 PM »
Enjoying this thread!  In fact, I should go do a little sewing right now!  I have some mending projects, a new doggy bed cover for doggy #2, and a new set of monthly pads.

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #32 on: August 19, 2012, 04:25:46 PM »
I sew a lot - my clothes,my children's clothes, business shirts for my husband, things for the house, and regard purchasing clothing I could make as outsourcing. It is far less costly to make your own clothes than purchasing custom fitted, high quality clothing, but more $ per item (not per wear) than buying low quality (and for me, ill fitting) clothes  made in China from a discount shop. Mending is much less costly than purchasing new clothing. Items that  in my experience are nearly always less expensive to make than buy per item include althletic gear, technical clothes, swimwear and clothes for babies and toddlers,, curtains, cushion covers. Finding the right fabric can be tricky. Cheap fabric does not often make a good garment.

Quote
Or at least, does anyone know of any good resources (websites, books, etc) for learning the basics to get started?

A good site for  sewing information is Stitcher's Guild  where there is also good information on planning a minimal wardrobe, and sewing machines, which I see are other questions raised in this topic.

There are a lot of good sewing books  to be found in second hand shops, anything that says "Complete Guide to Sewing" and dated prior to 1975 will have all the basic information you need to construct a garment. I have The Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing and  McCall's Sewing in Colour, both purchased for under $3, which are both good basic texts.

A jacket is not a good first project, but there is no reason you cannot learn to sew well enough to make yourself a high quality and low cost jacket within about a year of starting to sew clothing. There are hundreds of blogs showing how people begin to sew for themselves and develop skills to make great clothes within about this time frame.
This site is not at all frugal, but pattern review has an active forum with a lot of beginners asking common questions, with generally well informed answers.
I hope this helps.


igthebold

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #33 on: August 20, 2012, 08:00:32 AM »
I've been running with the thrift-store-items-as-material idea for a bit.

Saturday night I finished making a tie for my son. I was frustrated with the lack of available self-tie ties for boys, so I made one.

Took apart an old tie of mine he had picked out, removed the lining, shortened the pieces to be a shorter length. Then instead of adding the lining back, smaller, I folded the edges of the material into the middle, then pressed. Folded it in one more time, pressed, then sewed the two halves together like a tie is normally constructed. It came out to the 2.5" width I was aiming for, and looks quite good.

In other words, there's a lot of possibility out there that is way cheaper than retail, and will get you what you actually want, even when it's not available. Having fun so far. :)

nolajo

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #34 on: August 20, 2012, 07:27:48 PM »
I too have found the most bang for my buck in upcycling clothes from thrift stores - most of the non-quilting fabric at JoAnn's is crap (they're really more of a craft store) and Hancock's is only a little better. Outside of major cities, it's hard to find good quality fabric retail. I would also recommend poking around your local library's craft/sewing section. Recently I picked up two books Subversive Seamster and Born Again Vintage that have a number of ideas for repurposing things in innovative ways and I know  there are plenty more out there. A lot of bloggers have gotten book deals and your library may have some of it. Your only problem there is that there is a real bias towards women's clothing, but they may still help get the creative juices flowing.

igthebold

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #35 on: August 20, 2012, 07:38:35 PM »
Thanks for the resources. Our local library doesn't have them, but I'll see if they're available used.

Your only problem there is that there is a real bias towards women's clothing, but they may still help get the creative juices flowing.

I've noticed this. There is not one book in our local library that contains men's clothing tips. Even the "tailoring" section of the Singer Step-by-Step book is men's style tailoring geared toward women's clothes. YouTube has been very helpful for me on this front.

I do agree about the creative juices, though. Knowing generally what I can do opens the tree of possibilities quite a bit, so at the moment it's a matter of prioritizing which project to do, not finding projects to do.

kudy

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #36 on: August 25, 2012, 11:46:29 AM »
(The phrase you used comes from the title of this book.)

Checked out the book from the library and have been reading it... makes me realize how lazy I am when it comes to cooking from scratch, but contains cool knowledge, recipes, and inspiration.  She also suggested a great source for buying bread yeast in bulk, instead of the tiny expensive jars from the grocery store.

N

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Re: Make the napkins.. er.. buy the jacket?
« Reply #37 on: September 25, 2012, 01:28:55 AM »
I often use fabric from the thrift store to make other stuff.
Fabric=tablecloths, sheets, pillowcases, sometimes actual pieces of fabric :) curtains, etc. I make my own cloth grocery bags (and bags for friends as gifts) and clothes for my kids.

I find it more difficult to sew adult clothes from scratch, but I like to alter and repurpose, too. I have made dozens of pant for my kids from pillowcases and tshirts that i got at the thrift. lots of tutorials online for those types of things.

definitely make my own placemats, napkins (also good as gifts).

 

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