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You are here: Home / Editorials / Why I Won’t Be Buying Clothes in 2017

Why I Won’t Be Buying Clothes in 2017

January 27, 2017 by Jennifer Moore Leave a Comment

That’s right – if I want a new shirt, dress, or scarf, I will be sewing it myself instead of heading to the mall.

New Year’s resolutions aren’t something I normally participate in, but I feel compelled to take control over my wardrobe in 2017.

I have decided not to purchase any clothing for this entire year.

A huge benefit to learning the classic skill of sewing is being able to make my own custom tailored pieces in the fabrics of my choice. This is amazingly freeing. No worrying about finding styles I like in the right fabric and fit.

Am I an expert seamstress? No.

My garment sewing is probably at an advanced beginner level. I’m only about a year-and-a-half in and believe me, I’ve got a LOT of room for improvement. There have been countless mistakes, ill-fitting finished products, and wonky seams. Hey, it happens!

I’m extremely proud to be part of the slow fashion movement. On a daily basis, I discover more and more small companies paving the way for high quality, ethically made, environmentally responsible items.

I was thrilled to see ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ putting a spotlight on the consequences of fast fashion.

The best way to keep yourself accountable is to make your goals public and transparent. So that’s what I’m doing here and now.

2017 SEWING GOAL: I will not purchase any articles of clothing for the entire year

Of course, I’ll still wear all of the articles of clothing in my closet – both manufactured and handmade since I already own them. While taking inventory, I was shocked to discover I’ve made at least TWENTY-TWO garments (much higher than I expected).

What about socks and underwear? I’m not 100% what I’ll do about those. There is a trend of sewists making their own lingerie, and I’d like to try it this year for sure. I’ve already checked out some free tutorials on YouTube, and I think I can handle that. Right now, I’m not in dire need of either socks or underwear so I could definitely get away with not buying or making any. Because I live in the South, I don’t wear socks very often. Most of the time, I wear flip-flops from Sam’s Club and keep some pumps in my car to switch into in the parking lot at work.

I am not going to attempt to knit socks, and if I fail miserably at sewing underwear – that is something that I would allow myself to purchase. We’ll see how that goes…

At this point, I don’t have any concrete plans for exactly what I will be sewing for myself. There are about a dozen unopened sewing patterns, and I have quite a few favorite staples (Toaster Sweater, Scout Tee, Linden Sweatshirt) that can easily be brought back for new versions.

Here are some items I’ve got on my list to make:

Sew House Seven Tea House Top and Dress http://sewhouse7.com/products/the-tea-house-top-and-dress

Butterick Patterns B5826 Misses’/Women’s Top, Size B5 (8-10-12-14-16) http://amzn.to/2e1rdUg

Butterick B6382 Misses’ Open-Front Jackets with Patch Pockets
https://butterick.mccall.com/b6382

VOGUE PATTERNS: V1517 MISSES’ COLLARLESS SEAMED JACKET AND PULL-ON PANTS
https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1517

Not sure if it’s just me, but as I get older the less I like shopping at retail stores. When I was in high school, I loved to go down to the mall every weekend and peruse in The Limited, Banana Republic, American Eagle, and Abercrombie & Fitch. As a young adult living in El Paso, my main haunt became Dillard’s and then online shopping went mainstream and that was it. I ordered a pair of Chestnut Ugg boots that I still have and wear to this day.

Making my own handmade wardrobe is certainly not cheaper than purchasing mass-produced clothing. It will be significantly more expensive and extremely time-consuming. However, it is a lot more affordable than couture pieces from major designers.

I’m really excited to challenge myself and improve my sewing techniques. All of this will be documented right here and on Sewing Report’s YouTube channel (subscribe here).

Join in on Instagram with #sewingreportsquad!

Learning to sew or interested? Don’t worry! I’ve got plans in the works to make videos showing you how to use the EverSewn Sparrow 25. They will be very beginner friendly, so if you’ve even touched a sewing machine before – these will be aimed at you.

GREAT BEGINNER SEWING MACHINES!
EverSewn – Sparrow 25 -197 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
http://amzn.to/2gh8iDh
EverSewn – Sparrow 20 – 80 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
http://amzn.to/2ghflvW
EverSewn – Sparrow 15 – 32 Stitch Mechanical Sewing Machine
http://amzn.to/2fJaYWm
EverSewn Ultimate Sewing Starter Kit
http://amzn.to/2gGMaPN

Thank you to EverSewn for providing Sewing Report the Sparrow 25 used in this video!

Brother 1034D Serger – http://amzn.to/1FNpsxo

Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch – http://amzn.to/2iLoOdc (maybe someday?)

Janome MemoryCraft 7700 Sewing Machine – http://amzn.to/2jjApkk

Comprehensive sewing resource guide: https://www.sewingreport.com/resources/

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links for several different programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Editorials, Handmade Wardrobe Tagged With: dressmaking, eversewn sparrow 25, everyday clothes, fabric, fast fashion, handmade wardrobe, jennifer moore, make your own clothes, makers movement, making my own clothes, memade, memade wardrobe, minimalist living, minimalist wardrobe, not buying clothes for a year, seamstress, sew, sew clothes, sew your own clothes, sewcialists, sewing, sewing a wardrobe, sewing clothes, sewing machines for beginners, sewing makes, sewing report, sewing vlogger, slow fashion, slow fashion movement

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