The Ultimate Guide to Frugal Sewing: Save Money while Crafting

[@ActivistAustralian]

I'd like to add that free items can be gifted through local 'Buy Nothing' groups. I recently put a call out for denim and received about 6 pairs of no longer wearable jeans to refashion. I was also gifted some doillies and a beautiful, though stained, white Indian style flowing dress that I'm going to try tea dyeing. Thanks for your channel Amy, it's great. I'm in WA, love Melbourne. ❤️

[@amyofmelbourne]

@@ActivistAustralian fantastic suggestion, absolutely yes! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@SkipperJane]

For mock-up fabric, I always check thrift stores for cotton/flannel sheets. There’s a thrift by me that sells sheets for $1 each. So much cheaper than muslin and I’ll reuse the pieces for increasingly smaller designs until sometimes I turn them into paper piecing hexagons. Sometimes you also get lucky and find pretty patterned sheets that can be used for final projects.

[@amyofmelbourne]

I love using vintage sheets! It's all about knowing your fabrics. $1 for sheets is such a bargain!!!

[@catie5939]

I've hand sewn so much of my wardrobe. I learned on the machine, but hand sewing is so peaceful and the strength of the stitches is wild. Way stronger than the machine. I work about 75% on my machine now, and do all my finishing work by hand but during the pandemic, I was sewing 100% by hand. I'm not very particular or perfectionistic, it's utilitarian for me but also fun and such a cozy hobby. All of that to say: you're right! If you want to start sewing with just a simple needle and thread, it's absolutely doable and fun. A bit like knitting, but maybe 50% faster. It's takes more time than by machine, but you have more control and it's more precise. Simple dresses like the Hinterland (Sew Liberated) only take about a week or so for me to hand sew from start to finish. I've probably made about 10 of them by hand, plus several skirts and many other things. I've been so surprised by how quick it gets. More people should get into sewing this way, is so wildly accessible! 💜

[@amyofmelbourne]

You are so right! Most crafters are happy to spend a year on a knitted jumper but don't consider that timeline for a hand stitched shirt. I LOVE that you are hand sewing garments. 💕💕💕

[@gemineyyy]

Great ideas! I from Ireland I know for a fact that our libraries are so below/ less advanced than Australian libraries! You can barely reserve books no mind reserving a craft room or a sewing machine 😂 and KZbin is a great resource for anyone crafting too!!

[@amyofmelbourne]

That must be really frustrating, I know that it's a massive privilege to have the libraries and community spaces that we do. Thank goodness for KZbin

[@flyingpigfarm1]

Preach! I feel like I was born sewing, knitting, and crocheting - Pennsylvania Dutch farm born and raised - with spinning and making soap thrown in. As an adult, I had a sewing machine that I made good use of. Now that I’m older, I gave away my machine and went back to my childhood - 100% by hand. I make clothes and quilts, and I take whatever I’m working on with me wherever I go. Yes, it seems like it would take longer - but, factor in that whenever I’m not engaged in something that is actively using my hands - like on the phone at work- I’m sewing. I get my projects done in roughly the same amount of time it would take me doing it only on a machine, where it might take me a week from cutting to sewing as I had to wrangle free time to sit down at the machine to sew. Now, if I’m idle, I’m sewing by hand, and it still takes me a week from cutting to completion - it just more hours sewing and much less hassle finding the time!

[@amyofmelbourne]

@@flyingpigfarm1 I love that so much! I think the same thing about hand sewing, it's portable so much easier to stop and start. Thanks so much for watching, I am so impressed that you now sew entirely by hand, what a joy!

[@flyingpigfarm1]

@@amyofmelbourne right now I’m working on my Style Arc pattern haul - which I only found by watching you! Back in the day finding plus size patterns by the major USA manufacturers was about impossible - I got used to drafting my own patterns wayyy too young. I had NO IDEA that such a pattern manufacturer as this was even a thing! I’m on my second blouse of 7 - by hand, of course - and I CANNOT get over this absolutely perfect fit!!! Even the darts over my frightfully ample bosom fit just right! Thanks you SO MUCH for your delightfully informative chanel and your wide range of crafting skills - it’s so much fun to find myself reflected in your knowledge and humor (tho you are wwwwaaaaayyyyy younger than I!)! We Omni-Crafters are becoming a rare breed! From drop-spindle spinning to whipping out a quick set of stays, you do it ALL with wit and class! Kudos!

[@amyofmelbourne]

@@flyingpigfarm1 OMG you have absolutely made my day, thanks for sharing that with me, genuinely means the world ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@beccssmith6285]

I'm so so glad I stumbled on your channel. Your tips are great. The library and Repair cafe are in my Council area and so I'll definitely be making an effort to visit soon. The last time I visited a library was in the 90's, just a few sewing books and Burda pattern magazines. My tip is cotton doona covers and sheets are great. ATM I'm making bags for the winters doonas, and new garment bags to replace the purchased bags that are now falling apart. For somebody new to sewing it would be a great way to to practice and try zips etc. Now to upcycle my thrifted linen clothes. I do recognise you from The Guardian article too ✔✔✔ Thanks

[@amyofmelbourne]

Yay!!! The amount currently being invested in libraries etc is so good! Far cry from the neglect of the 90s! That is a great idea to make upcycled bags, well done! Thanks for watching!!!

[@nannybannany]

I just discovered your channel! Yay! -- I have been sewing for just 14 months now but a makerspace is where I took an Intro to Sewing class! The instructor does home decor and utlity sewing so I'm really hoping they find someone who is willing to teach apparel classes as well. Their little textiles space is great but I'm so scared to sew knit/stretchy fabrics and really want a live person to help me. But I loved the class I took! Also I was just given an older model serger which yes I had to bring to the local quilt shop to repair and clean but besides that cost it was free! Amazing!

[@amyofmelbourne]

That is so brilliant! Sewing stretch is actually easier than you might think! Particularly if you have a serger! I started seeing stretch with a class so I definitely understand wanting someone there to guide you. Sew and Tell have a great intro to stretch online class if that's an option for you.

[@Jane-cr9bp]

Great tips Amy! Thank you 💜

[@amyofmelbourne]

Glad it was helpful!

[@that-sew-jaz]

I love this video

[@amyofmelbourne]

Thanks for watching!

[@AmyLudvik]

Thanks!

[@utefeather9356]

Good ideas. Thanks😊

[@amyofmelbourne]

You’re welcome 😊 thanks for watching

[@amiehamilton1840]

This was such a great video, thanks so much Amy. I really needed a reminder to head to my library and see what they have since i started sewing. Community spaces and resources to share skills are so important. Even just throwing a crafternoon with people ypu know to share skills or communally tackle a bigger project are so valuable. Capitalism ruins everything! Lets take crafting back and make it radically diy, communal and grassroots xx

[@amyofmelbourne]

OMG yes!!!!!!!! I love this so much! 😍😍😍

[@AmyLudvik]

❤❤❤