DIY or Die?

Starting from a completed garment can sometimes be harder than making something from scratch. When I transform a garment into something else, it usually involves a lot of extra prep work. So while I may save myself the trouble of doing a hem, I spend about the same amount of time, if not more, taking out stitches, ironing stuff flat, and figuring out how to make everything work. Click the Read More! link to see my tips on when to DIY, when to buy, and when to make it from scratch.

When to DIY:

When in the store, you see something that you'd love if it had a minor alteration such as humming, changing the buttons, adding a patch, etc.

When it would be perfect with different sleeves, a lower neckline, etc.

When you see the potential and plan on bringing it out.

When something is huge and thus has enough fabric for what you want to turn it into.

When your feelings for the fabric cause you to question your mental health and sexual identity.

When you can utilize a part of the garment to avoid a step that you hate/suck at.


When to buy:

T-shirts are usually cheaper to buy than to sew them. In addition, regular sewing machine stitching doesn't stretch as well as serger stitching--what they use on professional garments-- so your shirt is more likely to break, unless you have a serger.

Ditto certain basics and stuff.

It usually doesn't make sense to make anything you can find cheaply in stores, unless it's a quality or fit issue. Usually then it's worth it to buy and diy, unless the fabric is unbearable.

Circle skirts are hard to hem, since the hem curves. Buy them the right length or get a professional to hem it unless you've got the skill. Gathered or a-line skirts are much more straight forward.


When to Make it from Scratch:

If you want an entirely diffrent garment, it's pretty much always easier to make it from scratch. However, if what you want is that tee with different sleeves, DIY is your friend.

Remember, sewing is really straightforward, and not some complicated mystery art hanging out with rocket science on a ledge somewhere overlooking the ocean of For-Mysteriously-Born-Talented-People-Only. Though certain fabrics, garments, and effects may require a bit of Houdini's touch, there's usually books and internet resources on the subject.

Avoid satin. Satin is evil, and unforgiving. If you're lost of what fabics to use, bother the workers at your fabric shop for some good fabrics for your skill level and project.

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Ivy Frozen