Sewing, or rather, learning to sew, has been a wonderful addition to my life. I no longer have to throw away items that, "if I only knew how to sew," could have otherwise been saved. Like Sage's toy stroller, for instance. It came with a seat cover and eventually, no doubt from Aspen trying to sit in it, the straps broke off. For months the kids have been playing with an empty toy stroller. That's kind of funny all on its own. But now that I have some basic sewing skills I was actually able to fix it. And now comes the hard part -- balance. How do I choose projects that won't cost more in time and money then just going to Ross and picking out a toddler dress on clearance -- then marked down 50% more?? I am not even a good enough sewer to know how long it will take me to put together a pair of pajama pants from a pattern. I think I saw a 2-pack of fleece pajama pants (super cute) from Costco which were priced at $12. So Ryan told me I better be able to make Sage's pajama pants for less than $6.
Well ... a couple of yards of pink and purple pegasus material later, plus some elastic and thread put the project costs well over $6. But Sage is so excited about her "pegasus pants" which definitely makes the project worth it. Like anything, balance will be the key to this hobby lasting.
8 comments:
Now THAT cracks me up!!!
Yeah, I can't relate! : ) LOL
Great questions. My other question is regarding the actual cost to make clothes. How is it that we can buy clothes for so little money? When you start making them yourself (or buying from people who do) you start to see the real price of clothes- granted big companies can buy their stuff wholesale, but still... I know many people who only buy Wal-Mart or Target for the price, but what is the real cost when looking at the cheap labor required to make those cheap clothes? Would it be a better thing to make things ourselves or to buy from stores/people we know have to pay real wages? Or always buy second hand stores where you aren't directly supporting those companies? Hmmm, come to think of it, have I already talked about this with you? :) Anyway, now I feel like going shopping, or going to buy fabric for clothes that I don't know how to make! lol
HAHA! I totally know what you mean Amber. I want to make all this stuff, but then I think about the cost of fabric and patterns and stuff and I realize it's probably cheaper to buy it already made... but then I think, well... who made this product and were they treated fairly and paid well?
Ryan and I have discussed this as well -- fair trade clothing. But the material usually comes from China or another slave-related country. So, then I would have to make clothes out of only organic-slave-free material ... second-hand stores are a great solution, I think. I can buy things that maybe need some fixing and taylor them to our needs.
Try to keep it as a hobby. Do it because you find it fun and you love to see the smiling face of a 3 year old wearing one of a kind pegasus pjs. If not then you are running around trying to find the best price on fabric and then making sure you can't buy the completed project for cheaper. That all just adds more to dos for your already busy life. Makes me tired to think of it! Can't wait to see pics of some projects!
I will heed your advice Melanie : )
I know what you mean!! I can totally bargain shop for clothes, but my taste in fabric is so expensive, especially for quilts. But I DID make Easter dresses for about $3 each, and you can't beat that price! Walmart's dollar fabric section, baby. Somtimes they have cute dress fabric in there!
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