Is sewing an expensive hobby? I have a machine but WOW! fabric/notions even thread seems really pricey?

Answer 1

Yes, it is. To get a good sewing machine that won't frazzle your nerves you have to atleast spend over $1.000.00 on a good one. At the price of material is isn't worth it either. I have made costumes for my 3 children and my grandchildren for over 30 years and the last costume I made cost for materials alone $120.00. They make such wonderful ones in stores now ( not the old fashioned ones made out of plastic ) and they cost 1/2 the price. As far as curtains, although you can get the exactl color of the material you want, store bought ones are cheaper.

Answer 2

Initial outlay can be a lot but most expensive things can be used forever.

I hardly ever pay more than $4.00 a yard for fabric because I sign up for coupons at Jo-Anns, and I also wait for sales and shop at mill-end stores. I do pay $3.00 a spool for guttermann thread though. It's worth it. The spools are bigger and the thread is stronger and won't cause puckering. Notions, you don't really need most of the gadgets out there. Just a seam ripper and some good long pins. You do need scizzors that aren't used for anything but fabric.

For some projects, you need a rotary cutter and mat. Can't skimp on those, but buy a sharpener to save on blades.

I have a $700.00 Pfaff but that's because I sew every day of my life. Most people can do just fine with an $80.00 Brother from Wal Mart.
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Answer 3

It's as expensive as you want it to be.

Waltz into a store with designer fabrics and head for the 100% silk brocade or tartan plaid wool or fine 100% linen and expect price-sticker shock, unless you've shopped for items made from these things, new-this-year, then it may be a frugal person's delight. Compare paying a figurative arm-and-a-leg for something to doesn't even fit to paying a small fortune for materials something that *will* fit when you're done.

Don't skimp on thread but you can plan ahead for multi-use. If you like black, black thread can be used with any mostly black fabric. Way back when I had a multitude of different items of different colors of gingham check, all sewn with white thread. You can sew a white-and-peach print with white rather than hunting for just the perfect peach. You can factor the hassle and cost of special thread into your fabric choice.

Unfortunately Wal-Mart seems to be closing down its fabric and needlework supplies in many locations. I've seen Super-Stores without fabrics and without DMC floss. Joann's, Hancock's, and many other mass-market chain stores are able to offer cotton and synthetic fabrics at more affordable prices.

If you love *shopping*, don't overlook thrift stores. Some have multiple yards of fabrics on hangers. Linen tablecloths can be made into other things. A larger prom dress or a bridesmaid's dress can provide enough material for completely different garment for a smaller person. During the Great Depression various University Extension Services distributed brochures on how to disassemble a large man's wool suit for materials for a complete suit for a smaller woman. . . . and then there are buttons to be collected and hoarded and used and re-used. Why would anyone pay $3-$5 for just one button? Because the person loves it and will use it on different things for decades. :-)

If you're not paying sticker-shock prices for materials, the most expensive thing will be your own time. It's precious, well-spent on something that fits and flatters you, wasted on anything less.

Answer 4

The price of fabric and notions have sky rocketed in the past 5 years. But the dollar tables at Wal-mart can be a real bargain. Do check the entire piece on the bolt that you want. Normally the cheap fabric is on the dollar table for a reason. I picked up some water resistant Camo fabric for my son at a $1 a yard but it had a flaw in the pattern on the one side. I had to buy extra fabric to compensate and it was still worth it. I was able to make my son snow pants for about $6 (1.5 yards shell fabric, 1 yard of liner fabric, 1 yard of batting, 1 package of elastic, and thread). He's in a weird shape right now and finding clothes that fit are next to impossible.

Do buy the good thread. Cheap thread will frustrate you faster than dull scissors. Dull scissors will make you want to quit. Cheap thread will make you want to curse and throw things. I write "Sewing" on my sewing scissors with a sharpie. That way my husband will know I will brain him if I catch him cutting carpet or paper with them. When they get dull, I cross it out and he knows they are fair game.

Discontinued fabric at Jo-Ann's can be a bargain too. I agree the coupons are worth signing up. If you are smart you will give them your email address too. That way they send you the coupons in the mail and email. They only let you use one coupon at a time at my store so you have to go out put what you bought in the car and go in and get the next item. Or drag someone with you and have them pay for your second coupon purchase. I make my 5 year old do it. He thinks it's some amazing game. Also if you don't have anything that you need but you're driving past the store and you have coupons, it's a good time to stock up on notions. 40% off thread is hard to pass up. Black and White thread is good to keep in stock as is elastic and buttons.

Even if you don't have a Jo-Ann's near you, sign up for the coupons. You can use the sale flyers at Wal-Mart. If they are running patterns at $.99 each, Wal-Mart will match the price. If it is a percentage off, they won't.

Don't get discouraged, just bargain shop!

Answer 5

i just started sewing too and was thinking the same thing, but i think it depends on what you are going to sew. i am learning to sew so i can make my own suites in store about 75$ on sale but if i make it myself i spend 40$ get exactly what i want, when i want it, no waiting and hoping its still there in my size! plus it FITS! so i think its worth it, also you get a hobby at the same time ( this is big, i use to bake a lot, so i pay for stuff and then diet stuff on top this = lots of money lol) As the other person said sign up for coupons from fabric store and if your walmart has fabric they have $1.00 fabric table use it!! its great and get thread, patterns (1$ on sale) and interfacing on sale it really helps.

Answer 6

While sewing used to be the only way to clothe yourself, than it was the only affordable way, now, with cheap labor wages and mass production, sewing has become a luxury. That said, I wouldn't trade it!!

Yes, I buy Levis at the store, I also do a lot of sewing.

When you choose to sew an item yourself, you have the satisfaction of creating something. It is a stress reliever. It is extremely satisfying. You can sew it however you want it.

No, fabric is not cheap. If you are going to sew, the first thing you should do is log onto www.joanns.com and get signed up for their emails. This will provide you with the sale flyers as well 40% off coupons. Try to shop "ahead" so to say. I know I am going to purchase a lot of flannel shirting and a lot of fleece. I watch for the sales and stock up. I have a few basic patterns that I use. You kind of learn to figure about how much yardage you need for what type of item.

Recently, flannel was 99 cents per yard (Black Friday) I bought tons of it. I also found out I am going to be a Grandma again. Didn't know if it would be a boy or girl. Receiving blankets take 1 yard of fabric. You always need several of them. I bought a bolt (10 yards) of light pink and a bolt of light blue to use as the backing for the cute prints I picked up. As soon as we know the sex, I will zip up 10 blankets with the appropriate color backing. The other bolt can be put in my fabric stash or returned if uncut. Even if I kept it and put it up, the cost would double for my project making it $2 per blanket instead of $1. If I had to purchse it when it was not on sale, it would be more than $2 per yard. Shopping the sales and shopping ahead can really help keep the costs down and the enjoyment level up!

As far as notions go, you do not need all of the stuff on the notiions wall at the store. You need a package of sewing machine needles, some sewing pins (spend the extra few cents and get the nice long ones since you will be reusing these for years), seam ripper (I like the one with a longer handle as it is easier for me to hold onto), some spare bobbins, good scissors (mark them and only use them for cutting fabric with). later on you may find yourself using a hem gauge and a rotary cutter and mat. Remember to use that 40% off coupon on your mat! I got mine on a 50% off sale. This will last you for years as well.

Thread: I can not stress this enough...do NOT buy the cheap junk thread that is everywhere! It snaps and jams your machine. It is not as strong. It is not pleasureable to sew with. Buy the Guuiterman (sp?) thread and stock up a few basic colors when it is on sale such as white, black, and navy. These colors will go well with a lot of fabrics. If you are going to put the time and effort in making something, do not use bad ingredients. That would be like buying a Mercedes and putting in some generic oil.

Oil, hmm, you will need to get a little can of sewing machine oil, too. Need to take care of your investment in your machine.

Finally, to answer your question, is it expensive? Only if you make it that way. There are certain items you need to invest in and a lot of fluff stuff for sale that you do not need. Watch your prices and sewing can be an affordable hobby for you. Also, it is hard to put a price on your pride.

Good luck with your projects and happy stitching!

Answer 7

yes it iS a bit pricey. Like you said, especially the fabric. Usually people buy it by yard and it's quite expensive. But if you really loove sewing, go ahead! Don't let money hold you back from your favourite hobbies!