Sewing is rewarding, but it isn’t cheap. What if I told you there are ways to sew professional-looking garments that will stand the test of time without breaking the bank or cutting corners? This post is all about sewing beautiful pieces that don’t overwhelm the budget.
General Tips:
- Upcycle clothing and decor to make it more useful for current you
- Use materials in your stash to make this more eco friendly
- Save the notions from old clothes that have no purpose anymore
- Make items that you reach for daily, like backpacks for students or a diaper bag for a parent
- Sign up for newsletters at your favorite fabric store to be alerted about upcoming sales
- Take care of your machine to avoid costly repairs by lubricating and getting annual maintenance checks
- Use your resources like online sewing classes and tools
- Keep a log or diary of your sewing budget and stick to it
- This is extra easy with Mood’s free sewing planners!
- Use fabric wisely by cutting efficiently
- Use free sewing patterns online and blog articles like this one to soak up knowledge without spending money
- Always look for money-saving opportunities like fabric bundles, sales, mystery boxes, or low-cost subscriptions that provide quality fabric at a discounted price
- Invest in a sewing machine that covers the main sewing bases
- Decide on a model then price compare to make sure you’re getting the best price
- Buy in bulk for items you know you’ll need to save money (and time) later
- Did you know: Mood offers bulk discounts on most of their items, with wholesale prices listed beneath the regular retail price on each product page!
- Keep your inventory organized so you know exactly what you have/need for a project
- Finish up projects that fell to the bayside by reinventing them or adding them to another garment you’re making
- Use fabric dye to freshen up a garment or fabric in your home instead of making something completely new
- Sign up for blogging networks- some offer project collabs where fabric is provided or discounted
- Go to sewing swaps to get rid of fabric you don’t want in exchange for the fabric you do
- Buy fabric from those that are selling their stash or overflow
Sustainable Tips:
- Select timeless patterns vs. trendy ones
- Think about versatility when selecting designs so that piece can go even further
- Repurpose pieces and fabric when possible
- Choose eco-friendly fabrics
- Keep your eyes peeled for sales or deadstock
- Repair, resale and recycle
- Only buy what you need
Sew your heart out without feeling like you’re breaking the bank by shopping smart and using the materials that you have to their fullest potential. What are some of your sew-smart money-saving hacks?
2 comments
I save money and am eco friendly by using thrifted bed sheets for mock ups and linings. I also look for dated clothes at thrift stores that I can alter to make trendy again but tailoring or adding some notions or trims. This keeps perfectly good clothing/fabrics from going into landfills.
Fantastic. <3
Can I add shop around before buying ? Living in Paris, I can find amazing 3m coupons of fabric up in Montmarte, sometimes for as little as 2.50€ ! But then come the fixings… A 40cm invisible zipper bought at a mercerie boutique, convenient as it may be, can set you back 9€ (ugh).
I'm starting to love taking the time to window shop and scope out deals. There's nothing more satisfying than after a successful hunt getting to say "oh, this garment? It only cost me __€, fully lined".