Comparing the cost of making clothing to buying it ready-made is tricky.
The person asking the question sighted a certain retail store in CA known for its reasonable prices. My considerations on the subject goes like this:
1. Availability of proper size at the reasonable cost store
2. Availability of reasonably priced fabric and notions
3. Value of time spent sewing verses time spent shopping
4. Many times fabrics have been given to me by others who cannot or will not be using them.
This is particularly related to sewing items for missionaries to distribute to needy people in
other countries.
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I have fond memories of sewing for myself and the kids. I even sewed a few things for John and others. I had so much trouble with patterns about the time I quit--having to make so many adjustments and the directions not clear at all. Sometimes it was as if they were written by a foreigner. Anyway, I took to buying my clothes. I wear lots of knit tops (both summer and winter) and skirts or pants or cullottes. Probably the biggest portion of clothes I've bought, other than some nice things when Valerie worked at Stein Mart, have been catalog orders. I get some duds sometimes and it always makes me mad when I have to send it back and don't get reimbursed for the postage. Otherwise, I've done pretty well that way. The places I order from (one or another of them) send me a catalog every week. I can waste my time looking through them. Sometimes I mark something I like, and at the end of the season, it comes through on a sale page and I can "save" $5. or so. Well, tonight I am thoroughly pooped! I have done so much and I ache ALL over.
Tomorrow will be our eldest granddaughter's birthday.
Good night, Pat
Well, Mom taught me to sew, but I haven't practised very much. What I really like to work on are little projects instead of clothes. I made a new cover for our change table before I had Lael. It needs replacing again, but I sold my sewing machine at one of our garage sales this summer. I'm sad about that now, but I sure didn't know we'd have this much space when we sold it. I think my sister in law is going to let me use hers, which is portable. Mine was a Singer in a wooden cabinet.
Val, It is too bad you don't have a little sewing machine - they are even handy for mending and altering clothing when necessity arises. I thought that perhaps ;you had your Grandma F.'s old portable - I wonder who has it?
OOOh, nice topic of posts, Aunt Jean. I like to sew, but have very little free time. It's hard to do with kids buzzing around. I recently made the kids some curtains that aren't very nice... But they do have black out lining and keep in dark in there. Which was why I made them instead of buying them. The next thing I want to make is a skirt. I have the pattern and fabric. I just need the time. I have a very bad habit of trying to do things different than the pattern.. That's not good.
You're right about not being able to contain Abby. She needs to play independantly at times. I asked my engineer husband to put his brain to the task for a solution. He said it's going to take a week of spanking and it will be very sad. But then she'll stay in her area. I need to pray about that. :) Also, the way I made the photo of Bai's cake different colors is a thing called Picasa. You can put it on your computer for free. Then it loads your photos on there and gives you lots of options of things you can do to the photo.
Mom, I know what you mean about buying things and having to return them! But these days, paying for postage may be the same as the gas. I have another bad habit of buying things without trying them on!
Val, I know what you mean about your sewing machine. I have gotten a lot of use out of the one your dad fixed up for me! I've seen several machines at yard sales for pretty cheap. The portable kind is great b/c you can store it away in a closet... I am so thankful we can hem pants. I recently got Bailey a nice pair of jeans. It's always been hard to fit her in those. But hemming them makes them perfect. yeah!
Where is Mom's sewing machine? It is in our attic along with a lot of other stuff. We got in when she moved from Des Moines. John was always going to fix it up for Sarah, but soon lost his eyesight. I don't know what it needs. I have never taken it out to check it out. Maybe that is something I should do. I don't know if Sarah has time to use it, but it is definitely a "tool" that is worthwhile having in ones home.
Have a great day. Your sis, Pat
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