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| Save Money by Sewing |
Save money by sewing was a philosophy embraced by homemakers as I was growing up. A person could get a reasonably priced sewing machine, or a used one, possibly from a relative who no longer needed it. Fabric was inexpensive. Clothes could be made at home for much less than it would cost to purchase them at a store .I know about this because my mother made most of my clothes. I rarely had a store bought outfit, or coat.
Today, with the price of sewing machines and fabric, sewing at home tends to be more costly than buying items at the store. However, it can be possible to save money on certain things if you make them yourself. For example, children's clothing and Halloween costumes can be sewn cheaply. Items for the home, including slipcovers and pillows, curtains, bedspreads and table clothes can be constructed. Handmade gifts or crafts for a craft show, are other things that can be made to save money. To be able to make sewing pay off, you look for good deals on the supplies you need.
Starting with a sewing machine, you could find a used one reasonably priced. Most machines made in the past fifty or more years have all the features needed to sew effectively, and efficiently. You just may have to do some things by hand that new machines do automatically, like thread the machine, or thread the needle. Don't pay for a lot of fancy equipment that you won't need for basic sewing. When you buy a used sewing machine, make sure it has a manual or that one can be downloaded online.
There are some fairly inexpensive new sewing machines on the market today. They are good for the beginning seamstress, and have built-in features that were not available on the older machines. One is the Brother XL2600i, a basic machine for the beginner, and for general sewing projects.
Click Here For More Information About The Brother XL2600i.
In addition to a sewing machine you will need some basic tools. These can be purchased new, on sale, or even better, used. Quality sewing equipment can sometimes be found in thrift stores, or at a yard or estate sale. You may be able to get everything all together in a package deal.
Sewing notions, such as ribbon, zippers, buttons and trim can be also be found used. My mother always recycled buttons and kept them in a jar. These were fun to play with and to use for craft projects. She reused zippers if they were in good shape. When it comes to thread, it is best to use good quality. The five-for-a-dollar spools of thread are probably not a good buy. The thread may not hold up as long as the garment.
Sewing patterns are available both new and used. They can be purchased online, at thrift stores, yard sales, or estate sales. There are also many free patterns on the Internet. Retail stores usually have them reasonably priced, and frequently they are on sale.
Finding fabric free, or at a reasonable price, can be a challenge. A good place to start is at your favorite retail sewing store, in the discounted and/or remnant section. Watch the store flyers for coupons and advertised bargains. You may also find fabric online.
Many people are repurposing material. They scour thrift stores and yard/estate sales for articles that can be used for sewing. Sheets, both new and used, and especially 100% cotton, are popular to make things for decorating. I personally look for used apparel that contains large pieces of denim to make small children's clothing and craft items.
Hopefully, some of these tips will be helpful if you consider sewing at home. Check out the Brother XL2600i as a reasonably priced, general purpose sewing machine. Considering today's economy, you may want to start to save money by sewing.
Here is a video to watch about a little project for baby.
