3 Tips on Learning How to Sew VS It’s Cheaper To Buy

You may You may be thinking about taking up sewing as a hobby and wondering if it’s worth the time and money you will spend learning the craft.  Like how much will it cost to set up?  I’ll need lessons, what will I pay for those?  Why would I learn to sew when it’s often cheaper to buy? You’re thinking it could be useful just to know the basics so you can do simple repairs like fix a seam or sew on a button, maybe even take up your own hems and save the cost of going to the tailor every time!  Great thinking! I have worked in the clothing industry for decades and taught hundreds of people how to sew.  I would love to encourage you to explore this world and understand more about where your costs will come from and what the benefits will be. In this article I will answer three commonly asked questions about the cost of learning to sew vs it’s cheaper to buy.  At the end I hope you will feel confident in your decision making.   Top 3 Questions  on Learning How to Sew vs It’s Cheaper to Buy Here’s my list of the top 3 costs in learning to sew that contribute to making the decision of whether learning this skill is for you.

1. Hand sewing and using a machine 
2. Learning to sew
3. The cost of alterations

Then of course we will look at the hidden bonuses of sewing and the not-so-hidden costs of not sewing!  Or other aspects that could affect your decision… That could be the section that sways your decision.

1. Hand or machine sewing

Most of the time people think of sewing as sitting behind a sewing machine and don’t consider the option of hand sewing.  I have put this at the top of the list because depending on your limitations, hand sewing could be the answer for you.  Even if you use a sewing machine there is often an element of hand sewing required, so learning the fundamentals won’t be wasted. Let’s look at the costs and then the pros and cons.

Machine sewing

  2.  Learning to Sew The beauty of sewing is you can invest as little or as much money and time in learning to sew as suits you.  There are a lot of free tutorials online or maybe you have a friend that can start you off. Sewing courses are offered face to face or online and an average price would be AU$36 per hour.  Check out the options in the area you live or consider leaning online.  It’s important to compare what you get for the money you invest; does it include printables eg patterns and/or instructions, video tutorials, face to face time.  Is there a time restriction on completing the course, is the a money back guarantee or payment plan. Make a list of what you get for your investment as some courses may seem very well priced but there maybe limited resources or additional costs not mentioned.  Research as best you can and then don’t hesitate to ask questions to clarify any grey areas.   3.  The Cost of Alterations and Mending It takes time to learn how to do the more complicated alterations and mending and I highly recommend having a skilled tailor if you don’t sew.  An experienced tailor will give the best advice on when and how to invest in alterations and when it’s not worth it.  A tailor will also be able to assess the way a garment fits on the body and if there are ways to make the adjustments necessary. However, there are times when it costs less to pick up your needle and thread or sit down at the machine and confidently do the sewing yourself.  It also takes less time than getting yourself to the tailor to simply sew things yourself. You can’t get more basic than straight stitch but with that basic stitch you can do so much! Having a button sewn on for you will cost approximately Au $3.00.  That’s $3.00 saved by doing it in front of the tv or enjoying time to yourself outdoors with a handful of buttons to sew on.  Yes, it is therapeutic!  Find a space you love, focus your mind, relax, and sew.  Sewing on by machine is also an option, especially if there are a string of buttons needing the same colour thread. From there don’t think hems or mending zips is out of reach.  You can do this and save time and money!  Hems will cost around Au$18.00 to do a standard type lengthen or shorten and a standard zip replacement around Au$30.00. Alterations and mending are not overpriced, it’s a very worthy service for many as well as being vital to keeping garments in circulation and being worn. Let’s not Forget …The Importance of Recycling, Mending and Altering We’ve discussed the time and money saving factors, and now you need to add our planet to that list! Preventing clothes from going to landfill is what motivates me to tell you about learning sewing skills. Without realising it you are doing so much good making and mending treasures and keeping garments in circulation. Make a point of knowing your fabrics Whether you are buying readymade garments, recycled fabric to sew or new fabric, make a point of knowing what that fabric is made of.  Fabric is the starting point of doing good for the planet.  Polyesters and other man-made fabrics will not break down, they go into landfill and block rivers.  Natural fabrics will break down and from that point are better, but still cause damage. At the end of the day, we need to treasure what we own more and consume less.  Even if you are taking the smallest steps towards this and becoming more aware of how we can help the environment, that’s progress. I would love to know in the comments below what steps you are taking towards helping keeping fabric out of landfill. Find my sewing courses here.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. I would love you to join my community and help build the momentum of sewing to save and keep clothing in circulation.