Comments on: the economics of sewing, part 1 http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html The Oliver + S blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:01:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Welcome to oliver + s > the economics of sewing, part 2 http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-2#comment-967 Welcome to oliver + s > the economics of sewing, part 2 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:27:10 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-967 [...] economics of sewing, part 2 When I started this thread, I was thinking about how when I was young my mother sewed to save money, but how most people I know [...] [...] economics of sewing, part 2 When I started this thread, I was thinking about how when I was young my mother sewed to save money, but how most people I know [...]

]]> By: Trying Traditional http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-2#comment-785 Trying Traditional Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:07:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-785 Fit and form. Sure I can go down the street to a big-box store and find a dress for $10, but will it fit right (my older two maybe, but twins from Asia...not likely) and will it have "the look" I am wanting? There is a world of possibilities out there in children's clothing, patterns are just the beginning. I adore the different combinations of fabrics available and don't even get me started on trims!<br /><br />The biggest road-blocks for me right now to sewing the girls' clothes are: time, finding quality fabric for garments, and know-how. I've sewed off and on since childhood, but I still have so much to learn. Notice I did not list cost as a factor. With four girls, that dress will be handed down. A handmade piece will last all the way to the last girl, $10 big box dresses are lucky to last to girl #2. Guess I should add quality to fit and form above.<br /><br />On a side note, it can still be economical to sew your own items. With a little creativity you can come up with great fabrics, buttons, and trims at little to no cost. I started in my own closet and found a too big shirt that quickly became a dress/tunic at no cost. Worn out pieces have buttons and trim that can be re-used. Old wool sweaters can be felted and made into new garments such as your a-line skirt. Vintage sheets and pillowcases make adorable sundresses, your bubble dress would be adorable made out of these! It just takes a little bit of thinking outside of the box.<br /><br />I am by no means and accomplished seamstress, but I enjoy it. I like to create with fabric, be it dresses, skirts, quilts, or curtains. Perhaps a little bit of it is just being stubborn and wanting it done my way? Fit and form. Sure I can go down the street to a big-box store and find a dress for $10, but will it fit right (my older two maybe, but twins from Asia…not likely) and will it have “the look” I am wanting? There is a world of possibilities out there in children’s clothing, patterns are just the beginning. I adore the different combinations of fabrics available and don’t even get me started on trims!

The biggest road-blocks for me right now to sewing the girls’ clothes are: time, finding quality fabric for garments, and know-how. I’ve sewed off and on since childhood, but I still have so much to learn. Notice I did not list cost as a factor. With four girls, that dress will be handed down. A handmade piece will last all the way to the last girl, $10 big box dresses are lucky to last to girl #2. Guess I should add quality to fit and form above.

On a side note, it can still be economical to sew your own items. With a little creativity you can come up with great fabrics, buttons, and trims at little to no cost. I started in my own closet and found a too big shirt that quickly became a dress/tunic at no cost. Worn out pieces have buttons and trim that can be re-used. Old wool sweaters can be felted and made into new garments such as your a-line skirt. Vintage sheets and pillowcases make adorable sundresses, your bubble dress would be adorable made out of these! It just takes a little bit of thinking outside of the box.

I am by no means and accomplished seamstress, but I enjoy it. I like to create with fabric, be it dresses, skirts, quilts, or curtains. Perhaps a little bit of it is just being stubborn and wanting it done my way?

]]> By: AnnaBananna http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-786 AnnaBananna Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:59:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-786 Why do I sew? To collect all of the Oliver + S patterns of course!!! Why do I sew? To collect all of the Oliver + S patterns of course!!!

]]> By: lauren http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-787 lauren Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:35:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-787 I was on computer all the time before having children (I'm a graphic designer)- so I love the pins-in-your-teeth-measuring-tape-around-your-neck hands on part of sewing. And the fabric! I love being new at something and having this whole world to explore and learn. <br />Also, the chidren's clothes I covet (flora and henri) are so expensive that on some crazy level I'm saving money.<br />I'm becoming quite obsessed.... I was on computer all the time before having children (I’m a graphic designer)- so I love the pins-in-your-teeth-measuring-tape-around-your-neck hands on part of sewing. And the fabric! I love being new at something and having this whole world to explore and learn.
Also, the chidren’s clothes I covet (flora and henri) are so expensive that on some crazy level I’m saving money.
I’m becoming quite obsessed….

]]> By: emily http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-788 emily Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:40:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-788 I like the creativity and custom details. My mom sewed a lot of our clothes when we were very little, and I love looking at them now and want to use them for our kids when we have them. The particularly nice clothes can become heirlooms and connections to family members in a way store-bought clothes can't. When my mom is gone someday, we will still have this link to her creativity, love, practicality, and skill. But I'm wondering... what about fabric manufacturing - isn't it possible that there are suboptimal conditions for workers there? I've never known about that. I like the creativity and custom details. My mom sewed a lot of our clothes when we were very little, and I love looking at them now and want to use them for our kids when we have them. The particularly nice clothes can become heirlooms and connections to family members in a way store-bought clothes can’t. When my mom is gone someday, we will still have this link to her creativity, love, practicality, and skill. But I’m wondering… what about fabric manufacturing – isn’t it possible that there are suboptimal conditions for workers there? I’ve never known about that.

]]> By: nichole http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-789 nichole Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:15:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-789 Every time I am out in the children's dept. and I see the cutest girls dresses ever for like 10.00 I always think to my self why do I bother? Why am I trying to make it with my own handmade children's dresses that I sell for much more. It seems really disheartening. But then I think about the reactions I get from my dresses. There is just something amazing and awesome about handmade clothing. I don't know what it is maybe it is the originality of the design or the fact that it doesn't look so manufactured. So I try to remember that but it is hard to keep working at it when there are such cheep options out there. Every time I am out in the children’s dept. and I see the cutest girls dresses ever for like 10.00 I always think to my self why do I bother? Why am I trying to make it with my own handmade children’s dresses that I sell for much more. It seems really disheartening. But then I think about the reactions I get from my dresses. There is just something amazing and awesome about handmade clothing. I don’t know what it is maybe it is the originality of the design or the fact that it doesn’t look so manufactured. So I try to remember that but it is hard to keep working at it when there are such cheep options out there.

]]> By: indywriter http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-790 indywriter Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:31:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-790 I also agree with Gord and Alisa. I like being able to dress my daughters like little girls, not little teenagers.<br /><br />I agree with also with your reasons, but the main reason I sew is I see it as an expression of love. I could easily spend 10 minutes running into Walmart or any store and grabbing something cute. But if I have taken the time to create something handmade for you, it's because you are special to me or to my family. I am not olnly giving you a dress, I am giving you the precious gift of my time and my thoughts during the process of making it. And I don't have lots of time on my hands.<br /><br />I am also able to create a more memorable garment. I like to make complimentary outfits for my girls (sometimes they match, sometimes they are just from the same color family). This would be costly to do at one time with store bought clothes, but if I just go to my stash... And my daughters are still sweet enough to get excited when I make them something new. They even like to go to the fabric store and pick out fabric. I think they like the surprise aspect of picking out fabric, saying they want a dress, and then seeing what I come up with. I also agree with Gord and Alisa. I like being able to dress my daughters like little girls, not little teenagers.

I agree with also with your reasons, but the main reason I sew is I see it as an expression of love. I could easily spend 10 minutes running into Walmart or any store and grabbing something cute. But if I have taken the time to create something handmade for you, it’s because you are special to me or to my family. I am not olnly giving you a dress, I am giving you the precious gift of my time and my thoughts during the process of making it. And I don’t have lots of time on my hands.

I am also able to create a more memorable garment. I like to make complimentary outfits for my girls (sometimes they match, sometimes they are just from the same color family). This would be costly to do at one time with store bought clothes, but if I just go to my stash… And my daughters are still sweet enough to get excited when I make them something new. They even like to go to the fabric store and pick out fabric. I think they like the surprise aspect of picking out fabric, saying they want a dress, and then seeing what I come up with.

]]> By: Hollie http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-791 Hollie Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:58:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-791 Thanks for your thoughts Liesl. I sew for about 100 reasons, many of which have already been mentioned. I don't save any money by sewing (like our mothers did), but it feels so good to own and give away things that have been made with my own hands. They feel like they truly belong to me because to all of the thought and creation behind them. I tend to want to keep the clothes I've made because of the time (and money) I spent on them. My mom kept all of the clothes she made for my sisters and me long after our store bought items were given to charity. Maybe we hold on to them because they survived a million washings and still look good enough to hand down. Perhaps it's because creating something is so personal that it's difficult to let go. I tend to think it's because those items have such great memories attached to them, we get to revisit those memories each time we clean out the closet. Thanks for your thoughts Liesl. I sew for about 100 reasons, many of which have already been mentioned. I don’t save any money by sewing (like our mothers did), but it feels so good to own and give away things that have been made with my own hands. They feel like they truly belong to me because to all of the thought and creation behind them. I tend to want to keep the clothes I’ve made because of the time (and money) I spent on them. My mom kept all of the clothes she made for my sisters and me long after our store bought items were given to charity. Maybe we hold on to them because they survived a million washings and still look good enough to hand down. Perhaps it’s because creating something is so personal that it’s difficult to let go. I tend to think it’s because those items have such great memories attached to them, we get to revisit those memories each time we clean out the closet.

]]> By: Keri http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-792 Keri Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:16:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-792 I agree with all the comments mentioned- fit, creativity, humanity, and detail. I also have a long, skinny daughter and will enjoy dressing her appropriately in the years to come. <br /><br />I guess I didn't have anything to add- except that I love the act of giving that's involved. In an entirely tangible, practical way I can lavish the recipient of my handmade work with love, attention, and time, whether it is my daughter, husband, self, friend, or family.<br /><br />Thanks for the thoughtful post. Can't wait for future parts! I agree with all the comments mentioned- fit, creativity, humanity, and detail. I also have a long, skinny daughter and will enjoy dressing her appropriately in the years to come.

I guess I didn’t have anything to add- except that I love the act of giving that’s involved. In an entirely tangible, practical way I can lavish the recipient of my handmade work with love, attention, and time, whether it is my daughter, husband, self, friend, or family.

Thanks for the thoughtful post. Can’t wait for future parts!

]]> By: Alisa http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/economics-of-sewing-part-1.html/comment-page-1#comment-793 Alisa Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:51:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/01/the-economics-of-sewing-part-1/#comment-793 Just one more reason here. I can sew what I like my daughters to wear. As my daughter gets older and into the next size group (here in Canada that would be 7-16) I can find less and less girly clothes and more tweeny stuff. And really, a 6 going on 7 year old girl should (in my opinion) still look like a girl. And I like my girls to be dressed modestly. As time goes on this will become more and more of an issue I'm sure. Just one more reason to sew, along with the reasons you've mentioned. Just one more reason here. I can sew what I like my daughters to wear. As my daughter gets older and into the next size group (here in Canada that would be 7-16) I can find less and less girly clothes and more tweeny stuff. And really, a 6 going on 7 year old girl should (in my opinion) still look like a girl. And I like my girls to be dressed modestly. As time goes on this will become more and more of an issue I’m sure. Just one more reason to sew, along with the reasons you’ve mentioned.

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