<<When I used to do alterations as a business I had so many people bringing me expensive new clothing that they wore once and it fell apart.  I did a lot of repair and reinforcing.  I prefer used clothing that has already done anything it may do --shrinking, ripping, etc.    No surprises later.>>

I hear that.  I have a linen skirt that I bought from Ann Taylor Loft, and while it's a lovely skirt, and cut in a weird sort of way, partially on the bias (this wastes a ton of fabric), that makes it swing and flow like a dream, after the first time I wore it, the seams all stressed--you know, where you can see the actual thread because the seam is gaping.  They serged the seam, but the stitch setting they used was too long, thus why it pulled apart.  I still need to put it through my machine and correct it.

But, gosh, clothes I make don't do that!  I put a tight, fine serge on all of my edges, then sew the pieces together on a regular machine with a fine stitch.  I have learned that I need to triple-stitch the crotch of pants, but of my dresses, none has ever come apart on me, no matter what fabric or how tightly they are fitted. 

Home-made clothing is easier to repair and alter, I think, than commercial stuff, which is why I feel like I can get more wear out of stuff I make than stuff I buy.

I'm a linen-fiend because here in TN the humidity can be just unbearable.  Linen is (at least was before they came out with tencel and bamboo--not sure about them) the most absorbant of all the natural materials.  So when it sucks the sweat off of you, that not only helps cool you down faster, but it also dissipates sweat so well that you don't often have dark, sweaty spots on your clothing.  My husband wears a quilted linen coat (w/ 100% cotton batting) under his armor when he fights, and he never looks anywhere near as sweaty in it as the other fighters do.  In fact, I can't recall seeing that he's ever sweated through it, whereas most guys peel off a shirt that looks like they took a bath in it.  He has a shirt made of cotton duck that he also can wear to fight in, and he's actually stood there, looking between it and the quilted coat trying to decide which one was cooler; despite the bulk, the coat is actually more breathable because the cotton duck is very tightly woven.  He does visibly sweat a lot in it.     

I never buy fabric full price either.  It is not more expensive to sew if you are careful in what you buy.  I was in Kohls last week and found a Vera Wang t shirt that I wanted and of course it was over $40.  Black tshirt with a taffeta ruffle on bottom.  So I went to Joanne's and bought the black material( in a thicker cloth too, which I need for full figure) and 2 strips of taffeta for about $12.  So I will have a Vera Wang copy when I finish.

when my dd was little and times were really hard, I made almost everything she wore.  Since I sewed for people for extra money, I usually had scraps too that I could create some cute outfits for her.

Sewing your own clothes has  so many benefits.  How many times have you bought a special dress to wear and got to the place and someone else has on the same dress?  Never happens if you design your own.  Not to mention the buttons, zippers and seams you have to repair on ready made clothing you paid a fortune for.

Now I will get off my soapbox and start working on my Easter dress. I only have the pattern cut out.  I saw a picture of a dress in Women's Day article and found 2 patterns to put together a very similar style, again, only about $15 in material(since Joann's gives a discount if you buy the last on the bolt).

Patti:

start working on my Easter dress

Sounds like you have some speed sewing ahead of you!  Edey

I like to sew but am limited to handsewing, (have a machine, but live in a small place and don't have room to keep it up.  would take to long to have to set it up and take it down)  But I have been making fabric giftbags out of old worn out jeans, BDU's and other worn out clothes.  I like to go to the fabric store and buy remnants at cheap prices to make fabric giftbags.  Once a year I will buy a bolt of Muslin, with a coupon, so I can line my bags.

         Zig

You could also use recycled sheets as lining fabric.

My new project is crocheting rag rugs.  I am still trying to perfect it so that it lays flat, but I am getting closer to what I want.  It's a good way to recycle sheets.  I use colorful material that I got on the dollar a yard table at the fabric store I go to.  Small imperfections don't show when I crochet.  I hope to put them out for sale at the Ozark Folk Center where I work in the Craft Village Dress Shop as soon as I get the technique perfected.  Gail Lewis   Pasthymesfashions.webs.com

Nice picture gailewsw, also go to the thriftshop tp get material its cheap I think about a dollar or less, Im to busy wearing out my blue jeans until thread bear then they will be cut up for rags or a rug for third times the charm I never have time to dress nice or not usally need to weed next thing dig a fence post to tracter driving helping dad out on the farm and the washington tuxedo is beat up levis from the thrift shop and what ever shirt I can get for 2.99 and under and a bandana keep the gray hair hidden underneath dye it blond again in two days...

I like to make the oldfashioned potholders using old socks.  I have a square loom I bought at the craftstore and make loops out of the socks by cutting them width wise.  It not only saves me money on buying loops, but I also keep old ratty socks out of the landfil.

        Zig

 I had one of those looms when I was a teen.  I thought they were fun to use. I didn't think about using socks for the loops, that would have been a good use for holey socks. 

Once the stretchy loops ran out for that loom there wasn't anything else to to with it, or so I thought at the time. Too bad I hadn't kept it.  Edey

You can also use t-shirts to make loops.  I saw the tutorial on utube and I make a few potholders that way.  You have to double up the loops to make nice thick ones, but they are just as good as the loop ones.

        Zig

 I knew this before, but had forgotten--this thread reminded me:  Old jeans make great potholders.  Especially for those of us who are wicked clumsy, spill things, and need a lot of potholders because we can't remember where we put them down or they're in the wash after getting coated in spaghetti sauce.