With the rising cost of gas, groceries, and other goods, you might find yourself with less spending money for new clothes and accessories. If you're looking to save money on your wardrobe, sewing your own clothes is a great way to do it. Not only will you be able to create custom pieces that fit your unique style, but you'll also be able to save a lot of money in the process.
Perhaps you don't really need new clothes because the ones you have are not yet worn out. Wearing the same pants and shirts you've had for a couple of seasons can get old quickly, though, so in this case, you might want to upcycle your clothes. Fortunately, giving your clothes a quick upgrade can be very easy to do by adding embellishments. You can also use the fabric for new clothes or accessories, such as a bag, hat, or gloves. If your couch needs new pillows, perhaps you could repurpose the material from old clothes to update your living room, too.
In the same way, you can repurpose an old blanket or other materials you have lying around the house to make new clothes. For a unique look, create a patchwork fabric from different towels, blankets, old clothes, and more, and then use this fabric to sew an original dress, skirt, or coat. You might even get really creative and incorporate materials other than fabric, such as vinyl or your grandma's old doilies.
Sewing clothes can also help you cut costs for your family. Babies and toddlers are the easiest ages for homemade clothes, since they don't care about style at such young ages. Plus, sewing your baby's blankets, burp cloths, and even cloth diapers can save you tons of money. However, as your child gets older, you don't necessarily have to give up sewing for them. You might also be able to find some trendy or unique patterns for your older children or teens, especially if your child is one who has a very original style. You might even be able to convince your creative teen to help you!
Children with sensory issues often need soft fabrics without tags. However, sensory clothes from specialty stores can be quite expensive. Sewing clothes that both feel good to your child and look nice is easy to do with the right patterns, and the best part is that they can pick out the fabric and test how it feels against their skin ahead of time.
Another great option for saving money is to sew costumes and other accessories for holidays, school plays, and other performances. Halloween costumes from a retail store can cost $40 to $100 or more, depending on how popular the character is that year. Plus, the popular costumes are often sold out even a couple of months ahead of time. Sewing your own or your kids' costumes can ensure that you get the exact one you want at a reasonable price.
No matter your level of experience with sewing clothes, there are a ton of free patterns available online that can help you get started sewing your own clothes. Most sewing patterns also include free tutorials, and many also provide free information on improving your sewing skills.