STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

shopaholic · Kenneth Cole

sewing vs purchasing

kenzie · Chanel

shopaholic wrote:

I love this and could make it, but then I think--it wouldn't be DVF.

No, but I think it would be cooler to be able to say, "I made this." Most people are more impressed by that than a designer label. I vote for sewing it.

Lilykind · Hermes

ITA with Nylabelle. I think sewing would be cooler. If I had the patience to finish something larger than a Barbie doll dress, I would be sewing my own clothes too. Plus it would so easy to make the outfit fit you perfectly and you could change any details that might not work with your figure. My mom sewed half the clothes in her closet in the 1970s...her stuff was just as cool as the designer stuff she had, if not more so.

The only reason I would go with getting the DVF is if you don't have the time or skill to make it yourself (which doesn't sound like a problem you've got).

luckylily · Gucci

Sew it! I think things are more special made by hand than having a designer label. Plus you can make it to flatter your body perfectly.

I don't sew as much as I used to, but I often see things and think I could make one just as easily. I knit a lot and I think the sweaters I make are just as nice as the ones found in stores. People are always super impressed when they asked where something is from and I say that I made it myself.

You must be very good. That top looks a big complicated. How did you learn? I'm actually looking to improve my sewing skills.

laken1 · Hermes

Funny you should ask - I am learning to sew so I can make my own

These are my reasons:
1. I agree with everyone else that I think it's too cool to be able to say "I made this"
2. I figure if I find a skirt / pants that fit me, I can make it in any color or fabric I desire!
3. I would prefer to have original clothes which is why I think I'm drawn to vintage
4. I really don't understand the whole designer thing - to me it reminds me of high school where everybody wants to be dressed alike, although i realize not everyone can afford designer labels (including myself). Still it feels like "look at me in my designer dress" and that turns me off. I guess I have some snotty friends that think this is uber important & it irritates me. Although it makes no sense because I don't feel this way about shoes or purses - DOH!!!!

So my vote is sew. I am jealous that I'm not further along, so far I can't wear my stuff because it looks too homeade, but I am working on it!!

Meow · Coach

I also sew and I understand your dilemma. I love Nanette Lepore, too, and her outfits are so unique, but soooo expensive. For awhile I got tired of sewing and began mostly purchasing, but I am starting to get back into sewing. It seemed for awhile there that everytime I came to work or church in a new outfit, someone asked me--"did you make it?" It was nice getting the compliments, but I also got burned out. Think about it this way--you are your own designer. I have started to develop the attitude that all clothes are "made" by someone. Also, in my town I am the only one who knows whether I am wearing a designer label or not. I am probably the only one who knows who Nanette Lepore is (not being snobby--just truthful) so it really doesn't matter if I wear her clothing or not. Also, many of the things made are home are alot higher quality that those factory made. I say sew it--I am planning on doing that more often myself.

P.S. There is another neat thing you can do. You can actually order clothing labels and have your name put on them and sew them into your clothing that you make.

-- Edited by Meow at 16:00, 2005-07-06

Renee · Kenneth Cole

I think I am going to offer a different opinion... As a rule, I think it is better to make your own - for all the reasons already posted; but if you sew a lot, you might get a little burned out. So I think that if you really like this dress and can afford it, you should go ahead and buy it. Just because you can make it does not mean that you have to completely give up the pleasure of shopping for clothes - once in a while! I say, treat yourself, and then go back to making your own stuff.

janey831 · Kate Spade

well, since i do not know how to sew, i would purchase it. however, if you are lucky enough to be skilled in that department, then i say go for it! p.s. and if you do, post it!!!

honey · Gucci

Renee wrote:

I think I am going to offer a different opinion... As a rule, I think it is better to make your own - for all the reasons already posted; but if you sew a lot, you might get a little burned out. So I think that if you really like this dress and can afford it, you should go ahead and buy it. Just because you can make it does not mean that you have to completely give up the pleasure of shopping for clothes - once in a while! I say, treat yourself, and then go back to making your own stuff.

i agree with this. i sew a bit too and am hoping to improve my sewing this fall (new machine + a dress form means good times for honey). but i still love designer clothes and like buying them when i can afford to. there are some things that i will definitely sew. like if i see a cute style and can re-create it, then i would go the sewing route. for example i love this blazer

but i don't love the price. since it's easy to recreate, i would probably sew it. but there are other things i can't recreate (too complicated, love the material) i would just buy.

rocky · Coach

I am so jealous of all you expert sewers! My reasons for justifying designer purchases is more about the quality of the fabric and the cut/tailoring of the clothes. If I could sew that well, then I would definitely make my own. I agree that you have to splurge once in a while, so maybe you can purchase those designer items where you couldn't replicate the fabric/style.

Meow · Coach

honey...oh my goodness. This blazer is on my list to recreate. If you find a pattern close enough, please share with me what it is if you don't mind. I am like you--I love this blazer but not the price. I also need to get a dress form. That would be so neat!!!

honey · Gucci

if i see something i'll definitely let you know. i plan to just freelance it, i've had pretty good luck before with it, just measuring myself and translating the measurements to the fabric. if i make that jacket, i'll probably base the measurements on a blazer i already have and then make it more fitted as i go. though honestly i can't wait to get a dress form. i used to sew a lot, but stopped b/c the process just got so frustrating without one.

lynnie · Chanel

honey wrote:

if i see something i'll definitely let you know. i plan to just freelance it, i've had pretty good luck before with it, just measuring myself and translating the measurements to the fabric. if i make that jacket, i'll probably base the measurements on a blazer i already have and then make it more fitted as i go. though honestly i can't wait to get a dress form. i used to sew a lot, but stopped b/c the process just got so frustrating without one.

Honey- or any expert sewers- where do you find good dress forms that are affordable. What should I expect to pay? I really want one!

Meow · Coach

honey wrote:

if i see something i'll definitely let you know. i plan to just freelance it, i've had pretty good luck before with it, just measuring myself and translating the measurements to the fabric. if i make that jacket, i'll probably base the measurements on a blazer i already have and then make it more fitted as i go. though honestly i can't wait to get a dress form. i used to sew a lot, but stopped b/c the process just got so frustrating without one.

How do you sew w/o a pattern? I wish I could do that. I have only been sewing about 5 years.

laken1 · Hermes

lynnie wrote:

Honey- or any expert sewers- where do you find good dress forms that are affordable. What should I expect to pay? I really want one!

shopaholic, sorry to highjack your post, but I want to know this too - I looked at mannequins & I can't believe how expensive they are!!!!

honey · Gucci

shopaholic, i was wondering if you used a dress form or had recommendations for one. lynnie & laken1 these are the forms that i've been looking at http://www.joann.com/search/search_results.jhtml;$sessionid$4XMTHNIAACB5UP4SY5LRHOR50LD3UEPO?CATID=3&keywords=dress+form&_requestid=199056 particularly the dritz small form

they're the cheapest i've found & are adjustable, which i like b/c i want to make things in multiple sizes. but the measurements are throwing me for a loop, and the reviews aren't great. the only other things i've found are like $300+ which is a lot of money.

meow, i think it has to do with how i learned to sew. i didn't start out with patterns, my mom kind of taught me the basics and i just went from there. i used to make all my doll clothes b/c i couldn't find patterns for them, and my mom refused to subsidize their clothing budgets, so i really had no choice but to wing it.

halleybird · Hermes

I say, SEW it!

...and then, sew some for us!

splash · Kenneth Cole

If you can sew it, go for it. The only thing I'd worry about is that since both satin and chiffon are such delicate fabrics, you have to sew them really precisely or they pull and pucker.

shopaholic · Kenneth Cole

lucklily, I learned to sew in a sewing class I took from 1999 - 2001.

honey, I don't have a dress form, but occassionally joann's fabrics and hancock fabrics have them on sale.

Thanks everyone for all your support.

The thing I wish I was better at is sewing pants. I have the most trouble fitting myself.

-- Edited by shopaholic at 10:11, 2005-07-13

erin · Chanel

from time to time i see dress forms in thrift shops. (that's where i got mine) it might not be your exact measurements, but i think it can help in aiding the general shape.

ps i voted sew!