Strategies to Save Money on 

Sewing Machines

The solution? Find good vintage sewing machines on Ebay.  These oldies but goodies predate the concept of planned obsolescence, and were actually made to last.   Thejumpsuitguy, owner of  Retro Sewing Machine’s on Ebay says “The only way to get a powerful all-metal sewing machine today short of buying a full-blown industrial machine is to...”

GO RETRO!!!

Check out thejumpsuitguy's current selection of revamped retro beauties here: http://stores.ebay.com/Retro-sewing-machines

They are clean, serviced, and come to you ready to sew for around $300!

It's also very important to know exactly how to thread your machine and make minor adjustments to the thread tension.  If you’re considering a vintage machine, I would highly recommend buying one with an owners manual, or selecting one that you can download a manual for.  Keep the owners manual very handy as you learn to sew.  It answers many questions, and covers care and maintenance.  It may also be helpful to make a line drawing ‘cheat sheet’ on a large index card that illustrates how the machine is threaded, at least until you get used to it.  I laminated my cheat sheet, and included other shortcuts on the back to jog my memory.

A word about fancy attachments and stitch options: In the 20 or so years that I’ve been sewing, I have rarely used more than these four basic accessories: straight stitch, zig zag stitch, a good zipper foot, and a button hole stitch.  Fancy stitches are nice, but certainly not essential, and you’ll find that you don’t use them very often on most projects.   So avoid fancy equipment that you'll never use...another one of my strategies for saving money

A word about Monogramming and Embroidery Machines: You can get a custom stitched monogram most places for under $10.  Adding in the cost, accessories, and learning curve of these impressive home embroidery machines, it makes more sense to out source for special projects that require embroidery.  If you're looking for strategies to save money, it just doesn’t make sense to invest in a nice embroidery machine, unless you are planning on sewing professionally.  I would recommend that a beginner invest in a great quality vintage machine.  If/when you get to a point that you can produce great quality, are earning some money, and are serious and ready to go into business, then you can upgrade to an embroidery machine.

Strategies to Save Money on 

Sewing Notions

I am defining notions as the accessories that you’ll ‘use up’ while you sew.  This includes hand sewing and machine needles, elastic, thread, ribbon, buttons, zippers, etc.  I have often found a great selection of buttons, trims and zippers in yard sales, thrift stores, and especially estate sales.  Ask!  Many times, the sewing 'junk' gets set aside with the trash at an estate sale.  

My local craft store offers sales on notions frequently, and also run percent off coupons that can be applied to sewing notions. 

Strategies to Save Money on 

Sewing Patterns

If you enjoy sewing clothing, then you’ll definitely need patterns.  I love the vintage patterns, especially for my girl’s dresses.  The patterns from the 40’s and 50’s often have some very ingenious tricks for making clothing fit for extended periods of time.  These tricks include making ¾ sleeves on little girls dresses and coats (so they are all-season, and never appear too short!), and very deep hems that can be extended.  Extended wearing time is another one of my favorite strategies to save money!  

The Thrift Store is your 'best buy' on vintage patterns, and will often have lots to choose from.  I have found heirloom patterns, vintage patterns, retro patterns, Halloween costume patterns, baby patterns, doll clothes patterns, and lots more at the Thrift Store.  And I have paid about .25 each for them!  For patterns that I plan on using in multiple sizes, I cut them out on the largest size, and when cutting out the smaller size, I just cut underneath the pattern, following the smaller size lines. 

Newer patterns can frequently be found on sale.  One of our local craft stores will have a .99 cents sale fairly often on different lines or brands of patterns. Planning ahead is another good strategy to save money, so you’ll have time to wait on a pattern sale.

Save Money on Sewing by making your own Dress Form

If you become serious about making your own clothing, then a dress form makes your life much easier.  The adjustable dress forms are quite pricey.   But you can create an exact body double, which will result in perfectly fitted clothing.  All you need to create your own dress form a sense of adventure, and a bunch of duct tape or papier-mâché, and these instructions.  If you've ever made a pregnancy belly cast, it's a similar process.  And you can always use your belly cast over your regular form for creating custom maternity clothing!  Making your own dress form will save you lots of time when it comes to tailoring your own clothing and getting the perfect fit...it's another one of those strategies to save money!

Strategies to Save Money on Sewing Tools

Sewing tools, for my purposes, are items that you won’t use up. 

Scissors
a seam ripper
measuring tape
pins and a pin cushion
bobbins
a cutting board, etc. 

I also like to have a large safety pin for pulling ribbon or elastic through casings, 
and a knitting needle for turning ties and making corners point out nicely. 

Another item that I’ve enjoyed a lot, and that's on my list of strategies to save money, is a little tool that folds fabric as you iron it to create your own custom seam binding.  

I have used both a magnetic pin cushion, and a fabric one, and both work well.  My kids do have a tendency to be drawn to the magnetic one though.  And if it drops, then the pins go flying.  It’s also harder to find a hand sewing needle on a magnetic pin cushion.  I would recommend using the magnetic cushion in the area where you cut the fabric, and a smaller stuffed pin cushion near your machine to hold a couple dozen pins and some hand sewing needles. 

I highly recommend splurging (on a 50% off sale, of course!) on a really good pair of lightweight, ergonomic sewing scissors (…and a gun safe to keep them in to prevent your son from cutting paper clips in half with them.  But I digress.)  I love my Gingher shears.  If you’re starting out sewing, then maybe you could request a sewing kit for an upcoming holiday or birthday.  If you have to bite the bullet and buy everything at once, try to find a good notions or tools sale at your local craft and sewing store.  If you know someone who used to sew but doesn’t any longer, you may be able to find a great package deal on the whole ‘kit and caboodle’, and maybe even a great teacher!  Also check local estate sales and yard sales for sewing supplies.

Strategies to Save Money on Fabrics

You can really burn money on fabrics unless you practice frugal shopping practices.  Here are my best strategies to save money on fabric!  Shop for fabrics at the thrift store or yard sales.  Large quantities of fabric can be recycled from large tablecloths, and flat sheets…even fabric shower curtains and long curtains (just be sure to check for fading). 

Bonus for thrift store fabrics: Most of these fabrics are pre-washed, so you can skip that step initially and get right to sewing!  (I just love instant gratification!)  The wide hem at the top of a flat sheet works great as an already sewn hem for a dress, skirt, or pillow case.

Ebay also offers some great deals on fabrics (my slipcover upholstery fabric was only $30 for the whole bolt!).  Do be sure that you are really aware of the specifics of the fabric if you buy online including: weight, quality, length and width, shipping cost and yardage.  Ask questions to keep from being burned  or disappointed.  Don't be afraid to buy in bulk if it's a great deal  and you really love the fabric.  You can always resell the leftovers and recoupe your cash!

Big Box stores sell flat sheets for under $5 each in an array of basic colors.  

You can also find some gorgeous designer flat sheets at discount stores like Kohls, T.J. Maxx, Big Lots, etc.  If they have sold out of the fitted matching sheets, the flats will sometimes be put on clearance, so you can get an even better deal. 

I made a gorgeous large round tablecloth out of a full sized Ralph Lauren floral sheet that I thrifted for only $3, (they retailed for over $69) and I still have lots of fabric left over for other projects! 

Here are some standard flat sheet sizes, and you can see what a bargain this is when you figure out how many yards of fabric you get!  

Twin  66"x96"

X-Long Twin 66"x102"

Double/Full 81"x96"

Queen 90"x102"

Standard King 108”x102”