When people talk about sewing your own clothes, the argument about saving money almost always comes up. But there are other reasons, and they are probably the ones that weigh most once you have been using the machine for a while.
1. You choose everything
Fabric, colour, length, lining, fastenings. Sewing is the only way for a garment to be exactly as you imagine it, not as you find it on a hanger.
2. It fits you
Shop sizes are nobody’s size. With a pattern and your measurements, the piece adapts to your body. If you want to know how, see how to take your measurements for sewing.
3. You extend the life of what you already have
Knowing how to sew lets you fix a hem, change a zip or turn a garment you no longer wear into something else. It is the idea behind recent collaborations like Galliano with Zara: a garment is not an end point.
4. You value more what takes work
Once you have sewn a garment, you know how much goes into a well-made seam. That changes how you look at clothes and how you care for them, and it often leads to buying less and better.
5. It is easier than it looks
With small pieces you can start in one afternoon. You don’t need much space or much material, and from there, every project teaches you something new.
If you feel like taking the first step with someone beside you, take a look at the in-person workshops. And if you prefer to go it alone, start with how to start sewing from scratch.
