Sewing Tips for Clothes – Money Saving Page

This Sewing Clothes Money Savings Tip page contains a number of ideas for saving money and time!

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Repurposed Sewing for Clothes

If you have some skill with a sewing machine, this is a fun way to have the clothes you want at very little cost. I like to get larger sized clothing from thrift shops and ‘repurpose’ them. You can find colors and prints that you like and cut them down or totally redesign a different item. For example, a dress becomes a cute top… It’s frugal and fun!   Wendy D. – Alamogordo, NM

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Sewing Clothes Can Cost Less

I save money on clothes by sewing my own. I can buy material at Walmart for one dollar per yard or pick it up at yard sales for even less. Then I find a pattern I like that is “universal” and easy to sew. I am not a normal size, so I would have to pay much more in the stores for clothing.

Plus I don’t usually find things in my size at thrift stores either. So this idea really does save me a lot of money. I use the left-over fabric scraps to make Barbie clothes, which I give to my nieces for their birthdays and tote bags that I use or give as gifts to others.   Patti – Newport, WA

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Get to the Point Again

I love finding new ways to save and I love to sew. Since I do alterations for a living and for myself, I know I’m considered a “Pro.” But even professionals have some frugal tips that can be used by everyone.

Trying to sew with a worn or blunt needle really slows me down. Needles don’t cost a lot of money, but being frugal, I like to make them last as long as possible. So, when my needle starts to feel a little dull after an extensive sewing session, I know it’s time to use my simple, secret trick. It’s really a quick sewing fix.

I pull out a very fine emery board or nail file and rub the tip of the needle lightly on it, rotating the needle as I move it quickly over the board. With just a few swipes, the needle is sharp again and I’m back to my sewing project. I can usually do this three or four times before I have to replace the needle.    Marie Davis – Pendleton, SC

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Sewing With A Frugal Bobbin

Big spools of white thread are usually cheaper, so I fill my bobbins with it instead of the costlier colored, matching thread. (As long as it’s not going to show on the outside of the garment.)

Also, this saves on having to change the bobbin as often. It’s a small savings in time and money, I know, but I’m frugal and efficient that way.  Jane Hopkins – Scottsdale, AZ

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Sewing Transformations with Recycled Fabrics

Goodwill and other thrift stores often have pieces of inexpensive fabric, draperies, sheets, and tablecloths that can often be transformed into something new:) You can also find patterns and notions if you just check regularly through those places. Sheri Dixon –  Scottsdale, AZ

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Sewing Deals from Estate Sales

I scour the tables at estate (not garage) sales. You can find great retro patterns & material that was purchased for a project that never happened.

Also, cut buttons off of clothes to save before throwing a damaged garment away.
Evelyn Thorne – Phoenix, AZ

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Sewing with Thrift Stores (Savers), JoAnnes and Amazon

You can get a ton of unfinished projects at garage sales too, and there are so many you can afford to be very picky! My tip right now is that I don’t get thread at garage sales, it seems to break on me, I do buy that new. I use my coupons at Jo-Ann Fabrics religiously to get bargains.

The person above is right, Savers is a haven of sheets, flannel (I use for doggie blankets and donate to a shelter), heavy drapery fabric. And one more thing, as my eyes get a little older, I splurged for a package of 48 “self threading needles” for hand sewing.

These cost about $6. They have a strange U shape at the top, but the thread slips down thru the “U” and into the actual eye of the needle without a struggle. I found them to be very helpful, especially when in a hurry to mend something. Donna Burham – Salem, MA

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Cardboard for Hem Gauges

My mom always saved the cardboard inserts that come with bias tape and other trim. She’d cut notches in them one inch or 5/8″ or whatever distance she needed for a hem gauge. Unlike the sliding plastic strips on the metal hem gauges, these notches stay put. Kathy Kuhl – Washington, D.C.

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Tools for Every Sewer

Here’s a link to 5 Common Household Items, every sewing room needs!

Diane Stavrides Sward -Springfield, VA 

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Free Sewing Tips Beginners

Pinterest and YouTube are great for craft ideas and beginner projects. I wanted to learn to make the zipper pouch, I found the info on Pinterest, then hopped to YouTube to watch the tutorial. It cost me about $2 to make this cute pouch.  Jennifer Woods Meola – Surprise, AZ

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Checkout our page on Craft & Sewing Projects for Everyone.

If you have a sewing tip that saves time or money please leave it in the comments below and we’ll review it for posting on this page.

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