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Tip Store: Crafts & Hobbies: Dressmaking
Storing Sewing Patterns
Are you a home sewer? Have you despaired at replacing pattern pieces into the paper envelope they came in? Well so did I and I often had mangled pattern pieces and/or torn envelopes until I decided to place each pattern into a large resealable plastic bag. Coles have boxes of 20 snap seal bags, 27x35cm, for less than $3 (15cents each). The pattern pieces have less folds so less wear and tear and the pattern envelope with the illustration goes in front so easily visible.
Contributed by Carol Woolcock, January 2019
Contributed by Carol Woolcock, January 2019
Free Full-Size Up-to-Date Sewing Patterns
I have just discovered Burda Style magazine, full of beautiful clothes photographs! AND it comes with many free patterns in a full range of sizes which you just copy from the master sheet. The really outstanding SUPER cheapskate part of this is . . . you can borrow it FREE from your local library! I'm in Yarra Plenty library (Vic), and the magazines all have the pattern master sheet in the back, so I've copied the patterns that I want onto ordinary greaseproof paper (sticky taped together for width) to sew my own clothes. The photos are inspiring, you can see what the pattern really looks like and it's simply fantastic. If your library doesn't have it then ask the librarian to get it from another library or to subscribe to it. Suggest a year's trial then drum up other borrowers so the library keeps subscribing.
Contributed by Vanessa Reynolds
Contributed by Vanessa Reynolds
Tidy Up Loose Ends
Always have loose ends of sewing threats getting entangled in your sewing container? I have the solution: use sticky tape to tape over the loose ends, or use the rubber bands from the loom, or any other rubber bands. It keeps all the loose ends together and no more tangling with other threads.
Contributed by Anita Kaskens, 7th December 2017
Contributed by Anita Kaskens, 7th December 2017
Manuals!
Approximate $ Savings: $50
I was given an old sewing machine. Being a complete novice at sewing I knew I needed a manual. As the machine is about 40 years old it had to be purchased off an online site, the company no longer supplied them, but they were expensive. So I Googled. I found examples of the manual shown on eBay as pages were displayed for potential buyers - cut and paste into a word document. I found instructions on how to thread the machine and fill the bobbin on a 'how to site' and then I found the cleaning instructions on another 'how to site'. The manual on parts was on yet another site. Trouble shooting tips on yet another 'how to site'. I cut and pasted everything. I now have a manual on this sewing machine for the time I have taken to cut and paste. I could print it out or leave it on the computer for my use. Before spending that $50 for the manual check out the online help sites for instructions. It could save you quite a bit of money.
Contributed by Linda Stapleton, 31st March 2012
Editors Note: Before you cut and paste make sure that the information you are taking is yours to take. Copying without purchase, whether it is a page of text or an image, is theft and apart from being dishonest, it comes with hefty penalties if you are convicted. In saying that there are literally thousands of websites offering free information that you are able to download and print for your personal use, Cheapskates being one of them. Cath
I was given an old sewing machine. Being a complete novice at sewing I knew I needed a manual. As the machine is about 40 years old it had to be purchased off an online site, the company no longer supplied them, but they were expensive. So I Googled. I found examples of the manual shown on eBay as pages were displayed for potential buyers - cut and paste into a word document. I found instructions on how to thread the machine and fill the bobbin on a 'how to site' and then I found the cleaning instructions on another 'how to site'. The manual on parts was on yet another site. Trouble shooting tips on yet another 'how to site'. I cut and pasted everything. I now have a manual on this sewing machine for the time I have taken to cut and paste. I could print it out or leave it on the computer for my use. Before spending that $50 for the manual check out the online help sites for instructions. It could save you quite a bit of money.
Contributed by Linda Stapleton, 31st March 2012
Editors Note: Before you cut and paste make sure that the information you are taking is yours to take. Copying without purchase, whether it is a page of text or an image, is theft and apart from being dishonest, it comes with hefty penalties if you are convicted. In saying that there are literally thousands of websites offering free information that you are able to download and print for your personal use, Cheapskates being one of them. Cath
Recycled Fabric Clothing for Children
Approximate $ Savings: $4 - $28 per metre
I love to make clothes for my little girl and my friend's children but purchasing brand new fabric for each project can be quite expensive so I started looking through local op-shops and markets for second hand adult clothes in nice fabrics and prints. Most of these items can be purchased for about $1 - $5 and you end up with a few metres (depending on size/type of clothing) of usable fabric! By unpicking/cutting out seams you can make things like cute little shorts, longer trousers or pretty skirts for your child. If you find you don't have enough fabric you can always sew together different materials for a "patchwork" effect! Some clothing items have nice details like lace or buttons which can be removed and reused on the new "little person's" item. Best of all you know that the fabric won't shrink or fade beyond it's current state! Also to dress up little girl's plain shirts/singlets you can use sections of doileys (found at op-shop for 20c each). Cut out around edge and stitch to make pretty sleeve caps or sew an entire doiley to the back or front of a plain singlet top for a whimsical look. Not only are you doing your bit for the environment by recycling you will save a lot of money on fabric and haberdashery for these smaller projects!
-Contributed by Bydie Maro, 12th March 2011
I love to make clothes for my little girl and my friend's children but purchasing brand new fabric for each project can be quite expensive so I started looking through local op-shops and markets for second hand adult clothes in nice fabrics and prints. Most of these items can be purchased for about $1 - $5 and you end up with a few metres (depending on size/type of clothing) of usable fabric! By unpicking/cutting out seams you can make things like cute little shorts, longer trousers or pretty skirts for your child. If you find you don't have enough fabric you can always sew together different materials for a "patchwork" effect! Some clothing items have nice details like lace or buttons which can be removed and reused on the new "little person's" item. Best of all you know that the fabric won't shrink or fade beyond it's current state! Also to dress up little girl's plain shirts/singlets you can use sections of doileys (found at op-shop for 20c each). Cut out around edge and stitch to make pretty sleeve caps or sew an entire doiley to the back or front of a plain singlet top for a whimsical look. Not only are you doing your bit for the environment by recycling you will save a lot of money on fabric and haberdashery for these smaller projects!
-Contributed by Bydie Maro, 12th March 2011
Permanent Patterns
I do a lot of sewing and make a lot of crafts and as a result I have a lot of money sitting in patterns. As I tend to choose a basic pattern and adapt it to suit whatever I'm making, I like to trace my patterns onto cardboard (if it's a craft pattern) or lightweight interfacing (for dressmaking) for longevity. As most of my craft patterns are for small items empty cereal boxes do the job perfectly. Just slit the sides and open them out flat then draw the pattern onto the inside. Cut them out, label the pieces and they are easy to work with and long lasting. For dressmaking patterns, tracing off the tissue paper pattern onto interfacing keeps the original intact for future use. This is particularly useful for the multi-size patterns. The interfacing makes cutting the pattern off the fabric a breeze as it stays put when it's laid out, helping with cutting accuracy.
- Contributed by Cath Armstrong
- Contributed by Cath Armstrong
Alternative to Tailors Chalk
An almost free alternative to tailors chalk is use the slivers of left over soap. It makes a good clear line on the fabric and you can brush it of or wash it out easily.
-Contributed by Marion Holt, 14th December 2009
-Contributed by Marion Holt, 14th December 2009
Filing Spare Buttons Keeps the Button Box Tidy
Approximate $ Savings: $1.00 - $100.00
When your old shirt or other clothing item finally wears out, and you are about to cut it up for rag rugs (of course!), carefully snip those buttons off, and with a needle and thread, just tack them to an old birthday card or similar. Not only can you easily choose the size and colour of button you need for your next project, but you can see at a glance whether you have enough of that particular button for the job, without spending ages sorting through the button box. Now you can 'file' your buttons according to size, or colour or whatever in a filing box (that's an old shoe box). When the kids are bored, you can set them to sorting out the buttons already mixed up in the button box, and tacking them to cards, too.
- Contributed by Wendy, Macgregor, 1st October 2009
When your old shirt or other clothing item finally wears out, and you are about to cut it up for rag rugs (of course!), carefully snip those buttons off, and with a needle and thread, just tack them to an old birthday card or similar. Not only can you easily choose the size and colour of button you need for your next project, but you can see at a glance whether you have enough of that particular button for the job, without spending ages sorting through the button box. Now you can 'file' your buttons according to size, or colour or whatever in a filing box (that's an old shoe box). When the kids are bored, you can set them to sorting out the buttons already mixed up in the button box, and tacking them to cards, too.
- Contributed by Wendy, Macgregor, 1st October 2009
Keeping Odd Buttons
When I have clothes that I will use for rags, I always cut off the buttons and keep you never know when you are going to lose a button off something and never find the same button. When this happens I go to my button box and find one. If you want to refresh the look of an outfit this is good also. If you have too many the kids are happy to use them for their craft projects.
-Contributed by Domenica, Silvan, 16th June 2009
-Contributed by Domenica, Silvan, 16th June 2009
Start a Button Jar
Approximate $ Savings: $5
Cut the buttons off old business shirts, polo shirts and pants before you use them as rags. Keep them for use when you sew new items of clothing or to replace missing or broken buttons. This works especially well for quality business shirts as the buttons are usually the first thing to go and they are usually the same few styles of button. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to button the long sleeves of business shirts to the buttons running down the centre (to keep the sleeves getting tangled in wash) try putting them in wash bags (for a load containing a lot of long sleeved shirts) as this keeps from having to sort thru a mass of tangled sleeves.
- Contributed by Yun Si, Willoughby, 24th March2009
Cut the buttons off old business shirts, polo shirts and pants before you use them as rags. Keep them for use when you sew new items of clothing or to replace missing or broken buttons. This works especially well for quality business shirts as the buttons are usually the first thing to go and they are usually the same few styles of button. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to button the long sleeves of business shirts to the buttons running down the centre (to keep the sleeves getting tangled in wash) try putting them in wash bags (for a load containing a lot of long sleeved shirts) as this keeps from having to sort thru a mass of tangled sleeves.
- Contributed by Yun Si, Willoughby, 24th March2009
Back to Basics - Sew Your Own Sheets
Approximate $ Savings: $30
I bought fabric on special for one dollar a metre and 10 metres (for just ten dollars) is enough for fitted and flat sheet and pillow cases . The savings with sewing is endless: tablecloths, placemats, towels, curtains etc are all straight sewing and very , very easy. The trick is to keep a look out for cheap strong fabric on sale.
- Contributed by Nicolina, Gladesville, 13th March 2009
I bought fabric on special for one dollar a metre and 10 metres (for just ten dollars) is enough for fitted and flat sheet and pillow cases . The savings with sewing is endless: tablecloths, placemats, towels, curtains etc are all straight sewing and very , very easy. The trick is to keep a look out for cheap strong fabric on sale.
- Contributed by Nicolina, Gladesville, 13th March 2009
Modern Take on a Needleworker's Chatelaine
This is a great hint for sewers who have a sewing room or craft table permanently set up. Use a mug tree (yes one of those horrid old fashioned wooden things from the '70s) to hang your scissors, tape measures etc on. If you can find one of the older wooden ones with the knobbly end it stops things slipping off quite so easily. The more modern ones have either turned up ends or a rubber stopper type of thing on the end. You can often find them in op shops but they are also available in most department and homewares type shops too.
- Contributed by Penny Pinchin' Mum, Port Kennedy, 3rd August 2008
- Contributed by Penny Pinchin' Mum, Port Kennedy, 3rd August 2008
Basic is Best
I would recommend a basic Janome sewing machine for anyone looking to buy a new or used machine. My mother gave me one for my 21st birthday. I am now 44 and the machine is still going strong and I use it a lot.
- Contributed by Katrina, Glebe, 12th July 2008
- Contributed by Katrina, Glebe, 12th July 2008
Budget Priced Basic Gives Good Service
I bought a basic model Brother machine from Kmart for $188 and I love it. It's just perfect for the small mending jobs and basic sewing (hemming etc) that I do. My local sewing shop has lessons and I booked in and did a couple to get to know the machine and learn the new ways of doing things (it's a long time since I did sewing at school). Now I wouldn't be without it. If you are just looking for a simple to use machine that does plain sewing then stick to the basic models. The more bells and whistles and computers the machine has the more expensive it will be. And the harder it will be to use too.
- Contributed by Sandra, Ringwood, 27th June 2008
- Contributed by Sandra, Ringwood, 27th June 2008
Save a Lot of Money with a Sewing Machine
A sewing machine will save you a lot of money. If you are not an avid sewer it's probably best to not get a new one, there are good second hand options: in the paper, Salvation Army op shops etc. Look for a basic machine that you can get to know and get used to it. I am a sewer and sometimes I buy flat sheets at garage sales and make them fitted, you can make your own pillow cases too, very easy, just see how your old ones have been done. With a sewing machine you can do a lot of recycling, your big t-shirts can be altered to your size or kids size. Sometimes I buy fabric from op shops for $1 or $2 that can be made into nice tops, etc. I suggest you go to the library and borrow a book about sewing, that's the way I am learning, and practice every lesson in those books. A sewing machine will pay for itself very quickly, and you will have a lot of fun.
- Contributed by Elizabeth, Berkeley, 25th June 2008
- Contributed by Elizabeth, Berkeley, 25th June 2008
A Basic Machine for Basic Sewing
Brother sewing machines are plain and simple to use. I am a non-sewer and have hemmed pants etc with this machine. Very straight forward. I purchased mine from Spotlight mail order. I believe they lay-by. Look out for when they are on sale. Tax cheque/family tax benefit lump sum will pay for it. I paid around $200 but you may be able to buy on eBay/Oztion for less. Try asking a sewing centre if they have any older models for sale or if they know someone who is upgrading their machine. Place a want to buy on community/school notice boards, hope this helps.
-Contributed by Jody, Mittagong, 25th June 2008
-Contributed by Jody, Mittagong, 25th June 2008
Cheaper Materials in Ready Made
Approximate $ Savings: up to $9.95 a metre
I grew up in a home where homemade clothes were the norm, and I've tried to carry this on with my own family. However, this is no longer much of a cost saver. I recently went searching for fleecy material, and was shocked to find the leading fabric retailers selling polar fleece at prices between $9 - $15 per metre, which is around the lower end range to buy fully made clothes in department stores. Recently Coles have had polar fleece blankets, measuring around 1.2m square for only $5. I was able to get 2 tops out of this for my 4 year old daughter. I adjusted an old pattern to make it look like the fashionable tunic tops, and topped it off with embroidered butterflies on the sleeves. Very professional looking for only $2.50!! And to top it off, my little girl thinks I'm wonderful :) Go Lo also have a range of polar fleece in their catalogue this week, also around the $5 mark.
- Contributed by Pamela, Happy Valley, 16th May 2007
I grew up in a home where homemade clothes were the norm, and I've tried to carry this on with my own family. However, this is no longer much of a cost saver. I recently went searching for fleecy material, and was shocked to find the leading fabric retailers selling polar fleece at prices between $9 - $15 per metre, which is around the lower end range to buy fully made clothes in department stores. Recently Coles have had polar fleece blankets, measuring around 1.2m square for only $5. I was able to get 2 tops out of this for my 4 year old daughter. I adjusted an old pattern to make it look like the fashionable tunic tops, and topped it off with embroidered butterflies on the sleeves. Very professional looking for only $2.50!! And to top it off, my little girl thinks I'm wonderful :) Go Lo also have a range of polar fleece in their catalogue this week, also around the $5 mark.
- Contributed by Pamela, Happy Valley, 16th May 2007
Cheapest Fabric Around
For fabric try John St Cabramatta, worth your while. Heaps of shops and variety and the cheapest around. Contributed by Rima, Wetherill Park, February 16th 2007
Free Patterns
Found this web site for those who like to sew but baulk at the price of patterns www.fmfcorp.com/familyspot/sewing.html
- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, August 9th 2006
- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, August 9th 2006
Free Patterns
I have found it hard to find good material since Johnstons closed down in this state. I have found a good web site for those looking for free information and patterns for their sewing, www.sewingnews@sewing.org I have gotten a few really nice patterns to make for my self like a 3 tiered skirt and a T shirt that can be made into a dress or shirt. \
- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, September 7th 2006
- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, September 7th 2006
Cabramatta for Fabrics
I love Cabramatta for fabrics. There are at least a dozen shops to choose from and they all have bargains. My mum in law comes down from Queensland twice a year to buy up big. All types of fabric are available and you can barter with staff. You can spend a whole day just browsing and then go in for the kill at the end of the day. There are also plenty of cheap clothing and giftware shops; you will need a whole day and it will be worth the trip.
- Contributed by Jo, Lalor Park, September 7th 2006
- Contributed by Jo, Lalor Park, September 7th 2006
Pitt Trading for Fabric
There is a great shop in Ramsgate on Rocky Point Road called Pitt Trading. They have a great range of fabrics and haberdashery, buttons and bits.
- Contributed by Susan, Arncliffe, September 7th 2006
- Contributed by Susan, Arncliffe, September 7th 2006
eBay
Lots of people sell beautiful fabrics on eBay - vintage and new, and you can get them very cheap sometimes.
- Contributed by Larissa, Brighton-Le Sands, September 7th 2006
- Contributed by Larissa, Brighton-Le Sands, September 7th 2006
Spotlight
Spotlight is a great store. If it is not near you, you can shop online at www.spotlight.com.au They carry a huge range of dress, craft, upholstery and curtain materials at very reasonable prices.
- Contributed by Ingrid, Albany, September 6th 2006
- Contributed by Ingrid, Albany, September 6th 2006
The Best Place Under the Sun
The best place I know for every type of fabric under the sun is to come shopping in Cabramatta, there are heaps of fabric shops with fabrics selling for less than 1/4 price you find in major fabric stores. I paid less than $300 for the materials for my wedding including my wedding dress, 3 bridesmaids and 3 flower girls' dresses. My girlfriend is a real seamstress and she travels from Canberra to do all her fabric shopping here.
- Contributed by September 6th 2006
- Contributed by September 6th 2006