OT: High cost of sewing: UPDATE!

[dianasmama]

I learned to sew as a young girl, and while it seemed economical at the time, back in the '70's, in making cute little tops, etc, I quickly learned that it wasn't always to save money that I sewed, but more likely, to have something original that all my friends didn't have.

For the last ten years, I've given up sewing any garments for myself, the last thing I did make for myself was my wedding gown. I've done tons and tons of home dec type items, valances, duvets, bedskirts, etc, and of course cute things for Diana.

Here's my dilemma: TIME! When does it just become "easier" to buy what you want, especially when you find exactly what you want! Case in point, these window sheers from Pottery Barn Kids for Diana's new windows. I think they're lovely, but I just don't want to spend $60 per panel, knowing I could easily make something so simple, right?

Wrong! I have to factor in the cost of fabric, and all that ribbon trim is not cheap. Even with using 40% off coupons, I'd have to wait and use all those individually, and that could take months to accumulate all the ribbon trim that I'd need. Then the PBK sheers are also embroidered with dainty little floral motifs. Again, I know how and could do this, but do I WANT to do it all by hand? I even have a machine that could embroider, but you have to hoop/rehoop do all the thread color changes, etc....

Time is money too... [img]confused.gif[/img]

Laurie

example: I need almost 3 yards of ribbon for a single stripe on a panel. Many of the spools of ribbon that I found last night only had about 3-4 yards on them and ran around $2-3.99 per spool. On top of that...in cut yardages of ribbon, I didn't find very many cute ones either. [img]frown.gif[/img]

<font color="#051E50"><font size="1">[ March 02, 2006 09:27 AM: Message edited by: dianasmama ]</font></font>

<font color="#33CCCC"><font size="1">[ March 30, 2006 01:22 PM: Message edited by: dianasmama ]</font></font>

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ March 30, 2006 01:22 PM: Message edited by: dianasmama ]</font>

[Skittl1321]

The price of the panels seems very high- but like you said, you would most likely be unable to make them yourself for less. So the price is apparently justified.

I only sew on projects where I am getting the enjoyment of sewing for sewing, or because I can't get the finished item elsewear. I am extremely cheap in my sewing. Anything more than a spool of thread is bought with a 40% off coupon- because I drive past HL and Joanns everday, so sometimes it takes me a week of coupons to get all the supplies!

Time is money, like you said. If you want something specific and you know where to buy it- and you are reasonably sure you can't make it for less- than buy it!

If you don't want the specific thing- than try to make a substitute- if you enjoy the handwork.

[Ds9jullian]

I sew for money on the side. I do alterations for the most part along with make doll cloths to sell on ebay. I do it for my sanity mostly, and I love to work with my hands. Yes sewing clothing these days can be expensive because we can get it for less than the cost of the fabric due to cheep overseas labor.

I see it this way, if you really, really, really want the PBK sheers then just buy them, they are well worth it at that price but ask yourself . . will she still want them in a few years. Personaly I see sheers as almost pointless in any room other than a bathroom. I live in a colder climate and drapes or curtains are part of the insulation of one's home, so they need to be of a decent wait plus they really do need to keep the light out because the sun starts to rise at like 5am during parts of the year.

Ashley

[stacird]

I agree completely Laurie.
I've sewn since I was little. Even have my degree in clothing and textiles, but have given up sewing for myself and basic stuff for the kids. It's too expensive and my time is valuable too. When you can buy exactly what they want and the cost is the same, and sometimes less, it doesn't make sense to sew. When they find something that they want me to make, we do. But as they get older, that isn't happening as much.
Now I do my sewing on things for fun. Things for the house that I come up with, and now more and more doll clothes. Even the doll clothes can get pricey-you still have to have socks and shoes!

Stacird

[dianasmama]

I currently live in NE Ohio where we should have window coverings due to the cold, but since we have no neighbors or need of privacy, we don't have window coverings at all, only valances or cornices along the top. So the light coming through our windows has never bothered any of us in waking us up.

Now we're moving to a warmer climate, so the sheers are really just to soften the windows and add some color and to be pretty!

As for outgrowing them....well, yeah, she probably will. Because MOMMY is doing the room in all pinks, of course! She's my little girl and even if she does outgrow it in a 3-5 years, (almost age 6 now)I will have had the enjoyment of her pretty in pink bedroom! Of course, she loves pink now and even wanted pink tile in the bathroom, where I drew the line on that and said NO, now tile is really expensive!

I guess I was just in sticker shock over the cost of the ribbon trim! But, 15 years ago I made a Christening gown for my niece. $8 for the fabric and $96 for the lace, pearls, and ribbon trim on it! But that was a labor of love, as was the one I made Diana 5 years ago too! I never would have "bought" either of their gowns, I had so much fun making them!

Laurie

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 02, 2006 09:40 AM: Message edited by: dianasmama ]</font>

[trvnbrn]

I do NOT sew, but my mom does. I buy the materials for her to make dd doll clothes & she has made dress jumpers for dd as well. It can be very pricey. It cost over $30 to make a Pioneer dress for dd, then she just had to have lace up boots which cost another $15. She wears it a lot for dress up, but I thought it was a bit much for a Halloween costume.

DD wanted matching dresses for her & Kit. It was going to cost a small fortune, so I went through her closet & found a dress she loves & my mom made Kit a similar one. Funny thing is, Kit's dress cost $9 and dd's was only $8! [img]eek.gif[/img] [img]confused.gif[/img] It was a majorly clearanced out item [img]wink.gif[/img] I'll have to post pics when they wear them for Easter.

Unless you are going to get an extreme amount of satisfaction out of making the sheers yourself, I would just buy them. Time is a very precious commodity.

Bren [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[ponydreamer]

I hear ya, Laurie. I used to make heirloom dresses for my daughter. I absolutely loved doing it, but it was quite costly. I did it because I loved it, and she did too. I also used to sew fun clothing for both my kids, and they enjoyed helping design things, and picking out supplies. We still have most of those things packed away.

Now, I rarely sew. I've been searching for the perfect curtains for my bedroom, and DH keeps suggesting that I just make them. I have no desire. By the time I buy materials, add my time...I might as well purchase them. Luckily, I found some yesterday that are perfect.

I say buy the sheers! They're adorable! You only have one little girl, and yes...she may outgrow the sheers. But then there is always ebay for re-sell. I also have to admit, that I made a really pink room for my little girl. She kept it that way for many years. She finally did get it re-done, but pink is still her favorite color. She admits that freely. ;-) And Diana is so sweet...I think she should get what she wants! Even the pink tile...hehehe

[robin0850]

If it were me, I'd go ahead and buy the sheers--they sound fairly involved to make, and may not turn out like the ones you want--that would be disappointing, especially after spending nearly as much to buy the materials and trim, plus spending your time and effort. (And Diana is growing fast--the time to wait always seems much longer to children, too!)
When you take all that into account, it seems to make more sense to buy them. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[rafferty]

I agree with what everyone has said. In this case too, you will have a whole house of windows that will probably need something done to them, so if you can get one room done, just buying them is the way to go.

I too have a design degree, and while I really like creating new things, unless I can get what I want fabric wise, at a very good price, I am going to buy most things already made. We do have quite a few discount wholesale fabric stores in our area though, so I have been able to do several rooms inexpensivly. I also tend to like silk, so I'm pretty much a gonner $$ saving wise. I have seen fabric simular to those panels at these places. You might want to check online to see if you can maybe find something simular. It still doesn't solve your time problem though! [img]wink.gif[/img]

Shelly

[marymax]

buy the curtains....you have one little girl...go for it...you couldnt make them cheaper..
I also made christening gowns for all my grandchildren.....thirty dollars for fabric....two hundred for lace....sometimes we get appalled at the price of these fine items..but the cost of materials is outrageous....I also did a white velvet cape trimmed in Marabou for my youngest daughters wedding....cost a fortune....and like you said the difficulty in getting the materials you need.

she will love it, you will love it...and think of the money you surely will be saving