Multiple Ways to Save Money on Sewing

Learning to sew was one of the best skills I ever learned, and has served me well over the years. 
Here are some tips on how to help you save money on sewing. 
1. Spread the word to family and friends that you are sewing. Remember how Amy Dacyczyn "put the word out" about her daughter wanting earrings and how she ended up with multiple pairs? 
Use that same philosophy for your sewing. Many people these days are decluttering and getting rid of things they no longer need. And many older people, who are no longer sewing, would love to give those items to someone who would love to use them. 
2. Use what you have. People who sew usually have a stash of fabric on hand for projects. Make a dent in your stash and use what you have to save money. 
3. Look for fabric and sewing supplies in all the places you shop regularly. I've seen fabric for sale at yard sales, thrift stores, eBay, Craigslist, and I've even scored free fabric once at a yardsale in the free for taking box, so be sure to check those too. 
Also, while you are busy decluttering, see if what you want to donate can be used to make other things. For example, those long flowing skirts have a lot of material that can be used in other projects. 
4. Upcycle other items for sources of fabric. My regular readers know that I sewed thrifty cloth pads for my daughter last summer using mostly scrub shirts that I upcycled. 
Use clothes you no longer wear, sheets, drapes, table covers, baby blankets, whatever you can think of to save money. 
5. Buy purses and backpacks inexpensively at yard sales and reuse the hardware on your own projects. Remember Amy Dacyczyn saving and reusing the hooks off of overalls? Purses and backpacks are a dime a dozen at yard sales. 
6. Keep all of your scraps and use them. They can be used for interfacing, stuffing, linings, pockets, facings, or even just as rags. I keep a basket of my scraps to reuse for other things. 
7. Look online for free patterns. There are thousands on them all free for the taking. 
8. Shop the sales. If there is something you need to buy, look for a sale and/or a coupon to save money. Joann Fabrics usually has coupons every week to help you save money. If you need to buy a pattern, look for them during their $1.00 pattern sale. 
9. Use your library to borrow pattern books for free as another way to save money on patterns. 
10. Save your patterns to use later. I think this one goes without saying. I always save my patterns that I know I will use again and again. 
11. Use programs like Ibotta , Ebates and Receipt Hog to earn money on products you do buy for sewing. 
12.  Save money by doing your own alterations. If you don't know how to do that, there are plenty of tutorials online and on YouTube to learn how to sew hems, make a dart, or any other alteration you need. 
13. Barter your services. Do you need something of value that someone else has and do you have something of value that they need or want? Use your sewing skills to get what you need without having to pay for the item. 
14. Shop at Wawak for supplies. Seriously, they have the best prices on sewing supplies that I've seen than any other company. 

15. If you need to buy fabric shop at places like Joann Fabrics, which frequently has terrific sales and coupons to match.  I like to use their 50% off coupon and buy one thing I need.

16. As always, be sure to check in the remnant bin for any fabric you might need. Wal-Mart even has a remnant bin these days.

What good tips do you have on sewing these days?

Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~