Comments on: the economics of sewing, part 2 http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html The Oliver + S blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:01:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: White Flower Girl Dresses http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-4607 White Flower Girl Dresses Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:46:48 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-4607 I love the yellow butterfly dress, it is adorable. Thanks for the post and all the great information!! I love the yellow butterfly dress, it is adorable. Thanks for the post and all the great information!!

]]> By: Missy http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-2925 Missy Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:37:52 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-2925 I enjoyed looking at your picture with all of you wearing the same red dress. I enjoyed looking at your picture with all of you wearing the same red dress.

]]> By: andrea http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-772 andrea Thu, 07 May 2009 12:39:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-772 good advice...and a lovely product good advice…and a lovely product

]]> By: Trying Traditional http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-773 Trying Traditional Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:33:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-773 Let's see, right now I have:<br /><br />a purse that seems to curse me (don't we all have a project every now and then that we love, but hate!) <br /><br />spring/summer dresses for my girls and a couple as gifts for a friend. <br /><br />and a couple thrifty upcycled projects from old sweaters.<br /><br />Sewing can be thrifty with or without used fabrics. Even if I spend more on a dress, for example, by the time I buy fabric and notions, in the end I have a bargain. That handmade, quality dress will last through all four of my girls unlike a less expensive store alternative. Let’s see, right now I have:

a purse that seems to curse me (don’t we all have a project every now and then that we love, but hate!)

spring/summer dresses for my girls and a couple as gifts for a friend.

and a couple thrifty upcycled projects from old sweaters.

Sewing can be thrifty with or without used fabrics. Even if I spend more on a dress, for example, by the time I buy fabric and notions, in the end I have a bargain. That handmade, quality dress will last through all four of my girls unlike a less expensive store alternative.

]]> By: ringadal http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-774 ringadal Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:19:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-774 I started sewing for my son because like my husband, he is tall and thin and finding pants long enough mean that they are waaaay too big. Now that he is 8, the problem remains, but he is not interested in having me sew his clothes. As for my daughter, I desperately needed a dress for a special occasion, and went to the standard places where you find inexpensive clothing. I was appalled at what they had 2 year olds wearing. Why would I want my daughter to wear clothing much more revealing than what I wore when I was at my sexiest? I finally broke down and went to the cute, expensive store in town and bought a lovely, age-appropriate cute corduroy (how do you spell that word?) dress in pink with alphabet blocks on it. I had taken sewing in high school (hated it) and returned to it between college and grad school because I was home and had nothing better to do. I took some tailoring classes. Well, I looked at that dress and thought, I could do that for a lot less than $40. So, that started it. I have to admit, the first few dresses I made were not so beautiful. The seams were crooked, the button holes not so neat, but I kept at it. Now three years later, my daughter loves to go shopping for her new "wardrobe" at the fabric store. She gets to pick out the fabrics, and ribbons, and cute buttons. No one can tell the difference between my clothes and the high end store clothing because after three years, my sewing skills really improved. Meanwhile, I started sewing for myself. I got tired of wanted skirts that cost $300-400 but settling for things that cost much less, but had little style or worse, never finding things that fit, too tight in the hips, too loose in the waist, too short, too young, too old,.... Now I am often stopped in the grocery store by women asking about my cool skirts, or my stylish dress. They ogle my daughters cute dresses and jackets (she refuses to wear pants). <br /><br />It is fun! Now, I often try interesting things with my daughters clothes that I would like to try for myself. It is faster and cheaper to try them on her. IF they work out, then I can make them for myself. If you haven't seen these books, check these out Nakamichi Tomoko's Pattern Magic books. Sooo Cooool! These are Japanese pattern books that I found in a Japanese bookstore in SFO. Written in Japanese, I can't read the directions, but the graphics and photos are pretty self explanatory. <br /><br />http://www.yesasia.com/us/pattern-magic/1004092111-0-0-0-en/info.html<br /><br />I am making a really cool dress for my daughter from this book, if it works out, then I will try it on myself.<br /><br />Often, I have fabric left from my sewing projects, and then I use the leftovers to sew something for her. She still remembers the grey lace dress I sewed from leftovers that I had for a fitted short laceover silk dress for me!<br /><br />I love the Sunday brunch pattern, making the jacket was a breeze. I hate setting in sleeves, somehow it was easy with your pattern, and it was one of my most professional outcomes. Thanks. Susan I started sewing for my son because like my husband, he is tall and thin and finding pants long enough mean that they are waaaay too big. Now that he is 8, the problem remains, but he is not interested in having me sew his clothes. As for my daughter, I desperately needed a dress for a special occasion, and went to the standard places where you find inexpensive clothing. I was appalled at what they had 2 year olds wearing. Why would I want my daughter to wear clothing much more revealing than what I wore when I was at my sexiest? I finally broke down and went to the cute, expensive store in town and bought a lovely, age-appropriate cute corduroy (how do you spell that word?) dress in pink with alphabet blocks on it. I had taken sewing in high school (hated it) and returned to it between college and grad school because I was home and had nothing better to do. I took some tailoring classes. Well, I looked at that dress and thought, I could do that for a lot less than $40. So, that started it. I have to admit, the first few dresses I made were not so beautiful. The seams were crooked, the button holes not so neat, but I kept at it. Now three years later, my daughter loves to go shopping for her new “wardrobe” at the fabric store. She gets to pick out the fabrics, and ribbons, and cute buttons. No one can tell the difference between my clothes and the high end store clothing because after three years, my sewing skills really improved. Meanwhile, I started sewing for myself. I got tired of wanted skirts that cost $300-400 but settling for things that cost much less, but had little style or worse, never finding things that fit, too tight in the hips, too loose in the waist, too short, too young, too old,…. Now I am often stopped in the grocery store by women asking about my cool skirts, or my stylish dress. They ogle my daughters cute dresses and jackets (she refuses to wear pants).

It is fun! Now, I often try interesting things with my daughters clothes that I would like to try for myself. It is faster and cheaper to try them on her. IF they work out, then I can make them for myself. If you haven’t seen these books, check these out Nakamichi Tomoko’s Pattern Magic books. Sooo Cooool! These are Japanese pattern books that I found in a Japanese bookstore in SFO. Written in Japanese, I can’t read the directions, but the graphics and photos are pretty self explanatory.

http://www.yesasia.com/us/pattern-magic/1004092111-0-0-0-en/info.html

I am making a really cool dress for my daughter from this book, if it works out, then I will try it on myself.

Often, I have fabric left from my sewing projects, and then I use the leftovers to sew something for her. She still remembers the grey lace dress I sewed from leftovers that I had for a fitted short laceover silk dress for me!

I love the Sunday brunch pattern, making the jacket was a breeze. I hate setting in sleeves, somehow it was easy with your pattern, and it was one of my most professional outcomes. Thanks. Susan

]]> By: PinkLizzy http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-775 PinkLizzy Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:42:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-775 Gorgeous post and so very true.<br /><br />Tonight I'm going to cut out a handbag pattern that I've been drooling over for months.<br />I'm making it for my sister. I think that goes under the "Sewing for Love" heading. Gorgeous post and so very true.

Tonight I’m going to cut out a handbag pattern that I’ve been drooling over for months.
I’m making it for my sister. I think that goes under the “Sewing for Love” heading.

]]> By: Tara http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-776 Tara Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:18:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-776 For me it's a win-win. I enjoy buying the fabrics and my daughter gets something out of it. For me it’s a win-win. I enjoy buying the fabrics and my daughter gets something out of it.

]]> By: Tammie http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-777 Tammie Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:48:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-777 i havent heard the phrase "hoochie mama" in years. love it! i havent heard the phrase “hoochie mama” in years. love it!

]]> By: april @ faraboverubies http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-778 april @ faraboverubies Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:48:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-778 Your "love" reason is so true. When I begin a project for one certain person, I intend for it to be given to THAT person. If I do not finish in time for the birthday, wedding, or baby shower, I still give it to the intended recipient when it is finished even if it is late b/c I made it FOR THEM. It is like cheating if you give it to someone else! Your “love” reason is so true. When I begin a project for one certain person, I intend for it to be given to THAT person. If I do not finish in time for the birthday, wedding, or baby shower, I still give it to the intended recipient when it is finished even if it is late b/c I made it FOR THEM. It is like cheating if you give it to someone else!

]]> By: The Good Report http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/economics-of-sewing-part-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-779 The Good Report Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:35:00 +0000 http://oliverands.com/blog/2009/02/the-economics-of-sewing-part-2/#comment-779 great thoughts. Just realized some reasons why I sew that I hadn't ever put into words. And oh how I love that "you made that" jaw-drop. :)<br /><br />Tonight I'm finishing a dress for a lucky three year old great thoughts. Just realized some reasons why I sew that I hadn’t ever put into words. And oh how I love that “you made that” jaw-drop. :)

Tonight I’m finishing a dress for a lucky three year old

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