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Can you actually save money by sewing your own clothes? Not always.
In fact, sewing can sometimes be just as costly as buying from a store—if you’re not careful. But just like you can learn how to be a savvy shopper, you can learn how to be budget-conscious about your sewing to create a handmade wardrobe without overspending.
By the way, if you want to compare the costs of sewing versus shopping, we crunched the numbers comparing ready-to-wear clothing price tags and sewing costs in this article: Is it Cheaper to Sew Your Own Clothes? A look at the cost of materials, time, and ethics of home-sewn and ready-to-wear clothing.
So, what is the secret to sewing on a budget? It’s a mix of smart fabric choices, strategic pattern selection, and a little creativity with your tools and notions.
Budget-friendly Fabric Shopping
One of the easiest ways to save money on your sewing projects is to shop for fabric deals.
While your sewing machine and tools are a fixed cost until it’s time to upgrade, you will continually be buying fabric. So it’s one of the most impactful places in your budget to be conscious of costs.
How to Shop for Discount Fabrics
When you are looking for a good deal on fabric, try using some of the tricks you’d use when you’re shopping the sales racks for clothes.
Here are some additional options for finding affordable fabric:
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Remnant bins: Many fabric stores offer remnants at a discount. These smaller pieces of fabric can be perfect for smaller projects like tops or accessories. -
Repurpose household linens: Sometimes, fabric is closer than you think! Old curtains, bedsheets, or tablecloths can be repurposed into new garments. These large, often high-quality fabric pieces can provide ample material for dresses, skirts, pants, and loungewear. Repurposing household textiles is both budget-friendly and sustainable. -
Thrift stores: Don't overlook thrift stores for fabric yardage. Look for household linens, too, like gently used curtains, tablecloths with decorative lace trims, or bedsheets that can be repurposed for sewing. -
Online fabric deals: Sign up for newsletters from your favorite fabric stores. Many offer exclusive online sales and discounts. And if you’re a Seamwork member, you can save up to 20% at some of our favorite fabric shops all around the world. -
Deadstock fabric: Many fabric retailers sell deadstock fabric—leftover fabric from designers and manufacturers. Deadstock fabric is often discounted and sometimes there’s only one bolt in the whole world, so you’re likely to get something unique. -
Bulk buying: When you find fabric you love, consider buying an entire bolt. Many fabric stores offer discounts if you purchase larger quantities, and you can use this fabric for multiple projects down the line. This is especially helpful for muslin or plain cotton you can use as muslin. -
Seasonal sales: Keep an eye out for big fabric sales during holidays or at the end of a season. Many clever shoppers will shop out-of-season throughout the year to get the best deals. -
Trade Supplies with Other Sewists: Sewing meet-ups, forums, or social media groups can be great places to trade supplies with fellow sewists. There’s even a Fabric & Pattern Exchange Forum on the Seamwork Community! You might have fabric or patterns you no longer want, and others may have tools or materials that you can use. Trading is a great way to refresh your sewing collection without spending money. -
Stick to a Color Palette: Choosing a specific color palette for your wardrobe ensures that all of your pieces can be mixed and matched. Neutrals like black, white, gray, and beige are great for a versatile wardrobe, but don’t be afraid to include a few pops of color that complement the rest of your clothing. Finding your own color palette is something you’ll learn a lot about if you take our Design Your Wardrobe course.
Maximize Your Fabric Stash
You know what they say, the most affordable fabric is the stuff you already have. Sewing from your stash is a great way to save money.
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Stash-busting projects: Look for patterns that use small amounts of fabric. Here’s an article with 20 easy Seamwork projects that are ideal for using up your fabric stash. -
Mix and match fabrics: Combine fabrics from your stash to create a color-blocked garment or use contrasting fabrics for collars, cuffs, or pockets. This is a fun and affordable way to add personality to your makes. Here’s an article with 15 Quick Scrap-busting Projects You Can Sew in a Weekend.
Clever Cutting Saves Money on Fabric
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Plan your layout before cutting: Before you start cutting, lay out all your pattern pieces on the fabric without pinning them down. Experiment with different layouts to see which arrangement uses the least fabric. Some patterns come with recommended layouts, but you may find a more efficient configuration by rotating pieces or flipping them to conserve space. -
Cut on a single layer of fabric: Instead of folding the fabric in half and cutting two layers at once, cut your pattern pieces on a single layer. This method allows you to arrange the pieces more precisely and reduces the chance of fabric waste. It’s especially useful for irregularly shaped or large pattern pieces. -
Use old sheets for testing: Instead of using expensive fabric for testing the fit of a pattern, consider using old bedsheets as muslin.
Budget-friendly Sewing Patterns
Patterns are another area where you can save some room in your sewing budget.
There are a few obvious ways to save money on patterns:
- Download free patterns (like the FREE Seamwork patterns you can find here)
- Check out library books and trace the patterns
- Buy magazines that include patterns
- Find vintage patterns at thrift stores and second-hand shops
But there are also ways to be smarter about the patterns you do spend your money on.
Look for Versatile Sewing Patterns
Look for patterns that can be easily customized or altered to create multiple garments. For example, a simple shift dress pattern can be modified to make a top, a tunic, or even a sleeveless version. If you focus on buying versatile patterns, you can create several different pieces from just one design.
(From left to right): The Ryan T-shirt has two mix-and-match necklines, sleeve lengths, and an optional pocket. The Aaronica dress has two options for lengths and it’s easy to hack into a tank top. Luxsy has options with sleeves and without. The Wallis dress and romper has mix-and-match options, and it’s easy to add a waistband to make shorts or a skirt.
Choose patterns with multiple views. Look for patterns that include multiple design variations within one package. These may include different sleeve lengths, necklines, or skirt styles. For example, a pattern for a dress might include both a sleeveless and long-sleeve option, or a shirt pattern may offer various collar or hemline styles. These built-in variations make it easy to sew several different garments from the same pattern.
Shop Free Seamwork Member Bonus Patterns. Every month, one of the new Seamwork patterns comes with a free bonus variation exclusively for members. With a few extra pattern pieces, you can get an entirely new garment out of one pattern!
Some of our favorites include (from left to right):
- The Greer dress has a bonus skirt that’s an everyday staple.
- The Sage top has a short-sleeved version that really changes the look of the whole pattern.
- The Kirby shorts come with a member bonus that transforms them into wide-legged pants.
- The Kit blouse bonus pattern is a dress with extended waist ties.
- The Aims bonus pattern totally changes the look of the blouse, with a gathered ruffle collar.
Look for patterns with modular or mix-and-match components. Patterns that offer modular components, such as detachable collars, cuffs, or belts, can add versatility to your sewing projects. These pieces can be swapped or mixed and matched, allowing you to customize the garment for different looks. For example, a simple shift dress could be transformed with the addition of a detachable bow or belt, giving you multiple styling options.
Search for Hackable Patterns. Patterns that are easily “hackable” or modifiable offer even more versatility. These are designs that you can alter to fit your needs without too much effort. For instance, you might shorten a dress pattern to make it into a top, or add tiers to a skirt to create a ruffled version. Many sewing communities, like Seamwork, even offer tutorials or guides for hacking their patterns, which can help inspire you to customize your garments.
The Kristin top is very hackable. Here is a pattern hack that converts it from a wrap top to a square neck tank top.
Look for Patterns with Multiple Fabric Options. A versatile pattern should work well with a variety of fabric types. Patterns that can be sewn in both knits and wovens, for instance, give you more options for creating garments that suit different seasons or occasions. A dress pattern that looks good in cotton for summer can also work in a heavier fabric like wool for winter, making it useful year-round.
Budget-friendly Sewing Tools and Notions
Your sewing machine is probably one of the most expensive things you’ll buy. And the secret is that stretching your budget as far as it can go when you pick out a machine can actually save you money over time.
If you need some help finding a sewing machine, we have few detailed resources:
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The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Sewing Machine: Everything you need to consider when buying a sewing machine. -
10 Tips for Buying a Sewing Machine That Fits Your Budget: Buying your first machine or upgrading to a new one can be overwhelming. Here’s how to find the perfect machine.
How to Find Affordable Tools and Notions
While your machine is the big-ticket item and you’re always going to be buying fabric and patterns, sewing tools can also add up.
Here’s how to save on tools and notions.
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Buy used: Check out second-hand stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace for gently used sewing machines, scissors, and other tools. -
Multipurpose tools: Skip most of the specialty tools. Instead, invest in a good pair of fabric scissors, a seam ripper, and a measuring tape. These tools will last a long time and can be used for nearly any project. -
DIY sewing tools: Make your own pressing tools, tailor’s hams, and pincushions with scraps from your stash. -
DIY Notions: Notions like buttons, zippers, and trim can add to the cost of your sewing project. Consider making your own fabric-covered buttons, using fabric ties instead of zippers, or sewing your own bias tape from scrap fabric. It’s a creative way to add unique touches to your garments without spending extra on store-bought notions. -
Extend the Life of Your Tools: Caring for your sewing tools is essential for making them last longer, which ultimately saves money. Regularly oil and clean your sewing machine, sharpen your scissors, and store your tools properly. This helps avoid the need to replace expensive items prematurely. -
Buy in Bulk: When it comes to items like thread, zippers, buttons, and elastic, buying in bulk can lead to significant savings. Wholesale fabric shops and online retailers like Wawak or Amazon often offer bulk packages of notions for less than what you’d pay in smaller quantities.
If you want to get specific, we have plenty of recommendations for the tools you really need. Here are Sewing Tools Under $10 That Will Change Your Life.
Did you know you can also shop for sewing tools and notions at the hardware store? Here are 10 Budget-Friendly Sewing Tools From the Hardware Store.
More Affordable Sewing Tips
There really is no end to the budget-saving hacks you can find when you sew your own clothing. If you want to read even more creative ideas, here’s an article: 25 Tips for Sewing on a Budget—Clever, thoughtful ways to save money and make the most of your sewing budget.
There’s also one more thing you can do to help keep your sewing affordable—set an actual budget and stick to it! Here’s an article that walks you through how to set up a sewing budget: How to Set Up a Sewing Budget.
Do you have any money-saving tips to share for someone who is new to sewing? What’s the best deal you’ve ever found? Comment and share!
