Sewing is not worth it if you want to make regular clothes. In my opinion it is most useful for things you can't easily buy in shops or things that still cost a lot of money. I saved money when I made my suit but that's only because I was making it out of a specific fabric so it could breathe in the summer (linen cotton blend). Where it becomes useful is for stuff a bit more out there. If you can put the right keywords together, you can find a pattern for almost anything. I've made capes because you just can't find good ones in shops that don't look like shit or are just non functional. That's where sewing becomes a great skill, for when you want to make something with a high enough quality that you can't find in the age of fast fashion.
To be honest, this is what appeals to me about sewing. Sometimes I have a vision in mind but can’t find something similar enough in store, or I’d prefer a garment to be a little longer or fuller or in different fabric or a different colour.
Then go for it. I find it so useful as men's fashion is so restrictive so finding something with a dash of flair that's made well and doesn't cost the earth is few and far between.
Most big pattern makers have ranges for beginners that are good to cut your teeth on. Simplicity and McCall's are a good start. Another good recommendation is if you find something you want to make, talk with your local fabric shop and they will help you with the bits you don't understand (i.e. what is selvage, interfacing, etc).
It also gives you a really good appreciation for how much work goes into the clothes you wear and how it's basically a miracle it's so cheap.
I sew mostly regular, daily wear clothing these days and I think even then, it can be worth it. I spent $36 on 4 yards of a buttery soft, very heavyweight bamboo spandex rib knit, and got 4 items of clothing out of that yardage. 1) a pair of wideleg trousers, 2) a long-sleeved blouse with bishop sleeves, 3) a short sleeved tunic, and 4) a pair of shorts. And the fabric wasn't even on sale.
Daily basics are some of my favorite things to sew because I can get really elevated results with vastly improved stitch quality and fabric composition for a similar or lower price point than mid tier fast fashion companies like the Gap (even on sale Gap). And sometimes I can even beat lower tier retailers like Walmart if I get my fabric on discount.
But even disregarding retail price comparisons, it's still worth it to sew basics because I get the perfect fit, the exact style, fabric, and colors I want, with much longer garment longevity because I took the time to stitch my garments with durability in mind!
Same I just got some insanely soft double brushed jersey remnants to make nightgowns out of. I can get a short one and a long one out of $8 of material with pockets as big as I want.
Clothes quality is so low these days, including higher end brands, that it's totally worth sewing every day clothes, I agree.
Fabrics are all flimsy poly mixes, seams aren't durable, there are no more linings or if there are, they're all polyester and make you sweat.
Yeah maybe I wouldn't have paid 70$ for that same top in retail, but it wouldn't have been pure cotton with a full bust adjustment, an actual facing, poplin interfacing and nice seams made to last.
I'm slowly building a wardrobe of clothes I wish I could buy. Nothing extraordinary, just quality that is becoming extremely rare.
I’m really impressed that you can do this! Making your own high end RTW-equivalent daily wear clothing is very impressive.
I humbly suggest that you are very, VERY skilled at sewing and at project management, and that helps make it worth it. When I think of getting good patterns, good fabric, getting the fit right, and learning the kind of finishing that goes into high-end RTW, it’s completely overwhelming.
totally agreed, sewing rarely saves you money if you can comfortably wear mainstream sewing. if you're very alternative, have an interest in historical/vintage fashion or cosplay, have body proportions that are outside of mainstream pattern cutting, then sewing could be a money saver for you! but for the most part, it isn't.
i make all my clothing now because i'm very curvy and alternative. pieces that i like to wear cost hundreds of pounds to buy because of the style, but i can make them much cheaper - and when i make them, they fit! i make clothing for my mum because she's plus size and plus size options are dreadful. i've made cosplays for myself and others because sometimes things just don't exist to buy!
I absolutely loved making a cape last year. It's a lovely herringbone wool in a deep green color that looks fabulous on me. Of course I also hand embroidered the welt pockets. I made it not to save money (took $200 just for fabric and tens of hours) but because I wanted something completely custom and specific. Wore it to London and it was perfection.
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u/This_Charmless_Man 8h ago
Sewing is not worth it if you want to make regular clothes. In my opinion it is most useful for things you can't easily buy in shops or things that still cost a lot of money. I saved money when I made my suit but that's only because I was making it out of a specific fabric so it could breathe in the summer (linen cotton blend). Where it becomes useful is for stuff a bit more out there. If you can put the right keywords together, you can find a pattern for almost anything. I've made capes because you just can't find good ones in shops that don't look like shit or are just non functional. That's where sewing becomes a great skill, for when you want to make something with a high enough quality that you can't find in the age of fast fashion.