Make The Basics - Tragedy That Inspires A Sewing Challenge

Make The Basics is a challenge that I am setting myself to sew the basics for my kids this upcoming summer season. Lets chat firstly though, why am I setting this challenge?

How Can I Make My Sewn Items Worth More?

When I think about a sewing budget, I also think about how I sew the item. What am I sewing to equal? Target? Myer? A boutique store? Bespoke?

Things such as fit, technique and seam finishes add value to your product.

First of all, it is best if you take the time to make design changes to make sure the pattern fits first. This automatically puts you above Kmart/Target because their clothes are designed to fit a wide range of bodies, not YOUR body or your child's body.

Then, what techniques do you employ?
Do you try new things? Do you push yourself to learn?

Or do you avoid the zipper or buttonhole you have always dreaded, in favour of something easier? Trust me, the time you take to perfect technique really adds value to what you are making.

What seam finishes do you use?  Overlocking looks much more professional than pinked seams. But even overlocking can look cheap at times... see above! :)

Upcycle! The Best Way To Save Cash For Your Stash

Continuing my post on having a small sewing budget...
 

The absolute best way to find good quality material at a bargain price, is to UPCYCLE!
 

In the online sewing community, generally everyone knows what an upcycle is. But you would be surprised how many times I get asked, "what is an upcycle?". Upcycling basically means that you take an old item of clothing, or even an old sheet, cut it up and make it into something new. Its like recycling :)
 

Here is my growing upcycle pile. I just spotted a towel which isn't meant to be in there...

Look in your local op shops/thrift stores for good quality items, the best way to do this is to check the brand label and care label. This will immediately tell you if the item is worth buying or not.

Do you have a small sewing budget?

Now that I have started my own blog, I have decided to bring home a guest post I did at Home of Homemade Treasures. Thank you Yucenur for having me! I have broken the post up into a couple of parts.

My budget for sewing is pretty small. I dream of beautiful fabric and piles of patterns. But I have to deal with the reality that my budget is small. And so is my stash!

I heard someone say once, they were "too poor to be cheap". Huh? Basically, it means that buying cheap stuff isn't always the best way to save money.