fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2354 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2354 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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02.

[Kodomo no Jikan]

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03.

[figure skating/Brian Joubert]

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04.

[Stargate: Atlantis/ Sesame Street]

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[K project]

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[Teen Wolf]

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[Married...With Children]

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08.

[Homestuck]

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09.

[One Piece]

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[Game of Thrones]

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[Pokémon Black & White]

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[Phantom of the Opera 2004]

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[Iron Man 3]

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[Neverwinter Nights 2]

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15.

[Almost Human/Total Recall 2077]

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[Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer]

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[Fire Emblem: Awakening]

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[A Bag of Hammers]

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[Without a Trace]

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20.

[Big Bang Theory]

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21.

[The Three Investigators]

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[Team Fortress 2]

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 043 secrets from Secret Submission Post #336.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 1 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ], [ 1 - personal attack ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At this point, I'm mostly just adding on to what other people said, but yeah. Sewing your own anything is not cheap, not unless you limit your fabric choices to old sheets from thrift stores, although if you're good with dye--not RIT, get the concentrated powdered stuff from someplace like dharmatrading.com-- it can be an option provided the sheets are cotton--just make sure to read and follow instructions. I've gone off on rants on this subject before, but sewing your own clothes as a way to save money works out kind of like growing your own food--unless you already have all the supplies and you're really insanely good at it, it's cheaper to buy.

That said, some pointers:

An all-metal sewing machine is your friend. Check craigslist, thrift shops, and ask around--$40.00 isn't likely, but less than $100.00 is doable if you hunt--just make sure it works or only needs minor repairs before you buy it. It'd be a lot of money for you, but it'll outlive you--I saw a hundred-plus year old foot-treadle machine at a thrift store the other day, and it still worked fine. Sometimes the manuals are available online, but depending on the brand this isn't a certainty. If the seller knows how, ask them to show you how to thread it and wind the bobbin.

Since they were last made in the 70's, many of the ones that show up for sale are truly hideous colors. I've got an army green Kenmore (the old Sears brand, which were actually contracted out to more than one company in more than one country), a black White, and a pastel pink Singer. The Kenmore is built like a tank, the White like a fortress, and the Singer, which has some plastic parts, is the flimsiest of the three because of the plastic. If it comes with a variety of feet, that's a bonus; you can usually buy adaptors and feet if it doesn't. If you want to be able to do a variety of stitches, many old machines come with a box of cams--specialized gears that you drop in the machine to change the stitch. Sewing knits or stretchy fabric, like most t-shirts are made of, requires that the machine have a knit or zig-zag stitch, or the thread will rip out the first time the fabric stretches.

Buying and altering or Frankensteining thrift store clothes will mostly be cheaper than buying new fabric, even if you live somewhere with fantastic flea-markets or a fabric district or both. Things like paint, dye, and various types of trim, from lace to sequins, go a long way towards revitalizing thrift-store stuff too.

Maybe ask around and borrow someone's machine? Lots of people have one sitting around that they don't use much, or inherited one they don't know how to use, or are like me and have multiples. Then if you like it you can hunt around for another one. Have fun and good luck!

This.

Fabric, even if you look at the sales fabric, tends to be more expensive than ready made stuff so unless you're looking for something pretty specific or are making something you'd need custom made, you won't really be saving any cash. I grew up knowing how to sew [my mother is a master doll-artist] and even if you are ridiculously good at it, it doesn't really save you any money.

Also, hot glue guns are your friends. They don't always provide permanent fixes but they can really help if you're Frankenstein something and/or realize something needs a quick fix not long before heading out.

Also, for cheap sewing machines, it could be worth it to check around and see if you have a local sewing machine repair store. They aren't common anymore, but they've been known to offer refurbed/machines they've repaired that the owner no longer wanted for relatively cheap.

Wow, you answered things I hadn't even thought of! And for that, I thank you. I think knowing how to use a machine and learning basic things like stitches and patterns can be very useful, so knowing what to look for is very helpful. What I meant when I said about saving money, I was more thinking like seeing something at a store that I like, but making it my own or coming up with my own ideas without having to hunt for or order it from somewhere. I know it's more work, but I think it could be fun to look for fabrics and thread at thrift stores and such. Once I have the machine and black/white/brown/grey thread, I think I'll start getting my money's worth as well as the chance to say that I made it all on my own! In fact, I asked my Mom about machines today, and she said she actually has one that just needs a little repair, so that is a huge help. Anyway, sorry to ramble. I just get so excited about new projects and learning new things on my own. Thanks again for your great advice! :)

DA

Just to put this out there - machines can cost a *lot* to repair, and unless you've got a local repair shop you may end up having to send it off to get it repaired.

Also, re: seeing stuff in a store: chances are, unless it's particularly expensive/in a particularly pricey store, chances are it's going to cost more to make. Most clothing companies buy fabric in bulk, so they get it for far cheaper than you, as an individual can and that's before you even get to dyes, trims and other supplies that you can use. If you go the thrift store route, then chances are you're going to end up altering clothes more than making them...and that's really not the same thing, which I mean in that it doesn't involve quite the same aspects of sewing. [For example, patterns aren't really a thing with altering] Those can be frustrating and time consuming to learn.

Please don't think I'm trying to be mean - I've just seen a lot of people do what you're talking about with about the same attitude then quit after sinking a lot of money into it because they didn't realize how hard it is.

[ SECRET POST #2354 ]

Re: Sewing Machines

Re: Sewing Machines

Re: Sewing Machines

Re: Sewing Machines