https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:27:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2592233 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:42:19 +0000 caterw 2592233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: @avivoca: That's why I sew- basics I feel like I can get way cheaper than it would cost me to sew them, but really cute dresses I can save $$ instead of shipping at Hanna Anderssen or Mini Boden or something like that. </p> <p>Also second @bluestriped bee: check with a local Buy Nothing group on Facebook- I haven't ever gotten clothes from them but people are constantly trying to give away huge bags of children's clothing in my city. Also, we have a big fabric bin circulating through the group where you can add unwanted fabric or take what you need for projects. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2592051 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 12:31:50 +0000 Silva 2592051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: I haven't run into too many problems yet, if I stick to basic things like leggings and t-shirts (long and short sleeved). Where I live they get used in just about every season. Old Navy runs small, if you aren't familiar with them yet. But I've generally found kids clothing to be fairly forgiving in terms of size- my daughter definitely wore some high-water leggings to daycare this spring while I waited for a good sale on the next size up. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2592023 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 12:07:31 +0000 HappyBaker 2592023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: Those are adorable!</p> <p>@caterw: Great idea about the hem so it can be let out.</p> <p>I guess I will just sew as a hobby rather than thinking it's saving us money....but try to get cheap / free fabric to keep myself in check! I should start stocking up when Carters / Old Navy have their sales I just hate guessing at the sizes / potentially wasting the money if it doesn't end up working out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591962 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:00:21 +0000 avivoca 2591962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: Yes, absolutely! I love the look of special dresses from The Proper Peony, but I am not about to shell out $60+ on something that will get so little use. So I make clothes in a similar style for my girl using patterns I love and add the special touches myself and it ends up being cheaper.</p> <p>ETA: Here's what I'm modeling next year's Easter outfits after for my girls. Probably different colors, but I have a dress pattern that is almost identical and Oliver&amp;S has a bubble pattern that I've had my eye on. </p> [attach=2564/16/oavonu.337x600.image.png] [attach=2564/16/oavonv.337x600.image.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591948 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:45:16 +0000 kiddosc 2591948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't imagine it would save much money, cute fabric is so expensive. I stock up when sites like carters or old navy have their mega sales, or buy things like jeans on super clearance in future sizes from Target. Most stuff I buy second hand at the just between friends sales in the area or in lots from local Facebook buy sell pages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591944 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:40:48 +0000 JerricaBenton 2591944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sew because I like it (when I have time which is never lol) and because I love giving lo something I made myself but it honestly ends up costing me significantly more $ plus of course the time it takes. I've always made dresses or more keepsake type things though. If you're really going for function, I think you could do it on the cheap - finding fabric store coupons and shopping sales. Church sales around me often have cheap fabric tables. And if you're using simple patterns you can bang out quickly - it might be worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591941 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:37:07 +0000 BSB 2591941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, what about asking for hand-me downs? I'm sure friends and family have some. </p> <p>Also, join your local Buy Nothing group on facebook. My local group has a round robin of kids clothes that gets circled around. It's great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591936 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:33:26 +0000 Silva 2591936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing that has saved me significant money is sewing wool diaper covers from goodwill sweaters. Otherwise, sewing is an expensive hobby for me!<br /> Used clothing stores (or even something like ThredUp if you dont have a good one nearby), or buying ahead from end of season clearance has been the best way to get cheap clothes. Old Navy holds up well (at least for a season) and has nice basics that I can get for a few bucks a piece if I buy at the right time. Definitely can't sew anything for less than that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591917 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:10:26 +0000 BSB 2591917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: What about consignment sales that have seasonal events? Like JBF (Just between friends). I've been to a couple and they save me so much money for my twins. Since they are small, I like to stick to about $3 per clothing. Way cheaper if you shop at consigment sales. Also, JBF usually has a 50% off sale on the last day. I've gotten pieces for $1.50.</p> <p>I see you are in MA. Check out this site. <a href="http://consignmentmommies.com/new-england-ct-nh-ma-me-ri-vt_675/seasonal-sales/" rel="nofollow">http://consignmentmommies.com/new-england-ct-nh-ma-me-ri-vt_675/seasonal-sales/</a></p> <p><a href="https://jbfsale.com/findAnEvent.jsp" rel="nofollow">https://jbfsale.com/findAnEvent.jsp</a></p> <p>I don't sew but the time it would take to sew would not be worth it for me... espeicially, if I can buy something for under $3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591905 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:01:43 +0000 caterw 2591905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have made a few things (with a TON of help from my mom), and have had pretty good success with things holding up- definitely reinforce your seams though!</p> <p>I make simple jumpers, bloomers, and skirts with cotton fabric- using knit fabrics is a lot harder because they stretch and the pieces sew wrinkly. I just buy DD some tights, leggings, and tshirts when I find a good sale someplace and have her wear the homemade things over top. </p> <p>I cut the dresses/ skirts really long and double fold the hem so I can just untuck it to add extra length since DD is tall. I love finding free patterns on Pinterest! I recommend looking for things that close with elastic, buttons, or ties to start. Zipper installation can be tricky.</p> <p>For fabric, I like Hobby Lobby (and they ALWAYS have a coupon!) or fabric.com. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591895 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:54:40 +0000 catlady 2591895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you are trying to recreate the look of a specific expensive item, it might be worth it. For normal play clothes and PJs though, it's so easy to find cheap or even free kids clothes. My MIL and SIL sew (and knit and crochet) things for my LO and I know it costs them more than to just buy, but they do it because they enjoy it, so it's "worth it".</p> <p>I'm on a couple local facebook groups (one is called Buy Nothing and is for anyone in the community, and one is for specifically for buying/selling kids stuff), and people are always giving away kids clothes in large lots. Just thought I'd throw that out there if you have exhausted the usual consignment/sales options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591890 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:52:59 +0000 HappyBaker 2591890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all! I think you're right. I wish we had better second hand stores around here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591881 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:48:13 +0000 sapphire 2591881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really don't think it saves money. I buy second hand to save money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591871 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:41:45 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2591871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've found it to be more expensive.</p> <p>DD1's Halloween costume last year took me probably ten hours working and shopping time. I spent $45 on materials. She was a witch. I could have purchased a costume for $15. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591856 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:34:42 +0000 MaryM 2591856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would make sure it's something you REALLY enjoy doing before trying to do it to save money. </p> <p>I think it *could* be possible if you only buy fabric on sale, but it could easily become a hobby that costs more than shopping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591747 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 08:03:21 +0000 ShootingStar 2591747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there's any way it could be cheaper unless you have access to wholesale fabrics. Plus there's a cost to your time too. So many stores sell things so inexpensively, plus there's always kids consignment too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591741 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:55:14 +0000 avivoca 2591741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do sew clothes for H, but it really doesn't save me money. I like expensive patterns (Oliver and S) and it's hard to find quality fabric at JoAnn when you don't have time to dig through it all. So I mostly make special occasion outfits. </p> <p>@HappyBaker: Oliver and S has a great free shorts pattern that I really like. You could start with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591729 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:43:13 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2591729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have considered it, but we buy almost everything for the kids second hand for $2-4 per item and fabric/other materials are expensive....Im pretty sure we would end up with much lower quality clothing (because I am a beginner at best) for about the same price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591728 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:41:26 +0000 Cole 2591728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep thinking along the same lines as you but seeing projects haven't seemed to save me money yet! I think having access to inexpensive garment fabric would really help. Here the only place that sells garment fabric sells designer fabrics (think Dolce and Gabana extras) which is really awesome to look through but not so great for a novice sewer looking to make play clothes! Joanns fabrics are so hit or miss with quality that I hate to spend my time making something that won't wash well. On top of that, I'm drawn to expensive patterns like olive and s or made by rae so when you start with a $15 pattern you need to make a bunch of items from it to come out ahead. </p> <p>All that being said, I think it's possible you'd just really need to be aware of your costs. Free online patterns and remnants would be a good way to help keep costs down, or even upcycling old clothes. Skirts are simple and you could knock out a bunch pretty quickly if you can get cheap tops. I would probably try to get shirts first and choose fabric to match. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591727 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:39:23 +0000 HappyBaker 2591727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Good point! It'd be such a waste to spend all that time and have them fall apart even quicker! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591720 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:31:57 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2591720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont sew, but we do have a friend that has sewn us a few pieces. I have noted that these pieces really dont hold up well. Kids pull at the clothes while playing and the seams seem to pull out easily. Double reinforce as much as you can (like at the top of the shoulders, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sewing-your-kids-clothes-to-save-money#post-2591717 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:20:39 +0000 HappyBaker 2591717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it's because I never buy myself new clothes, but lately I feel like the amount we spend on kids clothes is crazy considering how hard on their clothes they are and how quickly they grow. </p> <p> I'm considering starting to sew some clothes for them but wondering if this actually will save me money in the long run. I mostly want to make PJ pants and simple play dresses or skirts for DD. </p> <p>Does anyone else sew to save money? Or do you do it because you just like to sew? I keep seeing all these super cute fabrics but those add up quick and sort of defeat the point! </p> <p>Any tips or favorite patterns would be great! </p>