Thursday, January 29, 2009
Since when did it become more expensive to sew clothes than it is to buy them in a store?!
Materials for Snuggle Bug's pajamas.
I'm pretty new at the art of sewing. In fact, I've started to take a sewing class on Thursday nights. As part of my class, I purchased materials for a pajama project. I'm going to sew Snuggle Bug a pair of fleece pajamas because he loves, loves, loves the softness of fleece!
So, yesterday I set out to buy the materials, from Joann's, that my pattern instructed. Here's what it cost:
- 1 yard of blizzard fleece (for the bottoms & a bit extra for the interfacing of the shirt)- regularly priced at $9.99 per yard, on sale for $5.99 per yard.
- 1 yard of blue anti-pill fleece (for the top)- regularly priced at $8.99 per yard, on sale for $5.39 per yard.
- 1 yard of non-roll polyester elastic for the waistband- $1.59.
- 250M Guiterman blue thread (to match the bottoms)- regularly priced at $3.59, 40% sale price of $2.15.
My grand total, after state and county tax- $16.35!
$16.35 and that doesn't include my pattern (thankfully I got that for $1 on sale) or my time! For the price I spent on my materials yesterday, I could almost purchase a pair of fleece pajamas at The Children's Place. In fact, I think I got the kids each a pair of pajamas just before Christmas on sale for less than that! And The Children's Place makes quality pajamas, so I'm not talking Wal-Mart here.
So tell me, what happened to sewing to save money? Even though I purchased everything on sale, I don't think I saved any money? Is there a cheaper place to purchase fabrics than at Joann's? Is purchasing fabric online any cheaper or does the shipping kill you?
Labels: sewing, shopping, Snuggle Bug
11 Comments:
This is so true! Because of the prices, I only sew things that I think are "cute/one of a kind" for my daughter. It is just not worth it to sew most of their wardrobe. I love sewing, but when you factor in the time, sometimes it's not worth it.
I find inexpensive fabric at Walmart (but many don't carry it anymore) or at Hobby Lobby (when they go on sale 30-50% off). When I want a unique fabric or higher quality, I head to Hancock Fabrics.
After you learn more about sewing and how much the buttons and notions (especially for girls) cost, you will see store-bought clothes and say "I couldn't MAKE that for that price."
Hope this helps :) Tanya
It's the act of doing it yourself, remember? :)
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com
I don't think you can sew cheaper these days,due to all the bargain prices on clothes,super centers,clearance prices,thrift stores,sales.The deals are just go good out their.But,the joy of sewing something is far greater.But $ wise,no I don't think unless you can find someone who gives you fabrics they no longer want,or find them at yard sales cheaper.But enjoy your progect.Sewing is fun.I am still learning.
I sewed my own clothes when I was in high school because it was so much cheaper to sew, I could have more clothes if I made them myself.
Those days are history. If you sew now, for economical reasons, then you have to be crazy diligent about using coupons and taking advantage of sales.
I remember when patterns, any kind of patterns, were $2 or $3. The fact that patterns cost almost #20 now says it all.
So of course I started an on line sewing business. LOL
I remind myself constantly that the value is the fact that I made it myself - handmade is hard to put a price tag on. But sewing is not cheap!
Oh, I hear ya. Sewing is becoming a dying art because of the cost of materials. That, and the cheap labor available overseas...
I don't sew much but I do keep my eye out for material at yard sales, Walmart on sale and Hobby Lobby sales. Also at yard sales you can sometimes find jars of buttons which I use for a variety of crafty things. I was not very crafty in '08 but '09 is looking up.
But, it is nice to make some things yourself. I also altered things between my girls and boys.
Have fun, enjoy making something for snuggle bug...Save the left over material... It might be a nice part of a pillow, little stuffed animal or quilt.
Hugs!
I don't sew, but the Walmart on my end of town (Cortaro Road and I-10) still sells fabric. I got some really cheap when I did a project with my daughter's Brownie troop (we didn't sew with it, used it as sashes on straw hats). HTH!
You have to be fast at sewing, too. Which I am not.
We still joke about the $200 dog bed. Not wanting to pay $30 for a bag of cedar chips, I set-out to make my own. But the basket cost $25! And then when we calculated my professional salary per hour I worked on it, well, some things are just better bought. chkl.
Barbara
You are so right. Fabric is ridiculously expensive.
I have to echo the comment about scavenging at thrift stores. I've found some amazing pieces of brand new yardage or even curtains and tablecloths that I cut down for just a couple of dollars. (Just look over for possible rips or stains, first!)
I would think you would need to totally luck out with a sale on fabric to make it cheaper.
However, I think you could still save money sewing for your home. Pillows, curtains and things like that are high priced, and then if you need them custom cut, they are crazy expensive.
I buy my patterns (and stock up) when Hancock or Hobby Lobby put them for $.99. As far as fabric goes, start looking now for winter fabrics and stock up for next winter. I buy end of season and have leftovers for next season.
Hobby Lobby's 40% coupon comes in handy too.
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