The other day I was talking with my neighbor, and she asked me if I had made the outfit I was wearing (jeans and a Jalie shirt). As we were talking she asked me if I made everything in my wardrobe, and it got me thinking. I love making most of my clothes. But there are some things I have no interest in sewing myself. Here's my list:
Jeans
Bras
Panties
Swimsuits
Pretty much anything else is on my "Sure, I'll sew that" list. I've been fortunate that I can find jeans that fit me really well in styles I like, at all price levels. I also am totally hooked (pardon the pun) on Lise Charmel, Perlina and Chantal Thomas. They all fit me well, and they do the job better than anything I could make. For swimsuits, Michael Kors and several other brands work really well for me.
How about you? Are there any items or types of clothing that you have no interest in sewing?
Happy sewing - whatever you like!
1 day ago
36 comments:
I agree, such limited sewing time, a girl has to have priorities....so unless Chantal goes out of business, there are no bras in my sewing future, nor jeans, nor panties, nor sleepwear either.
I love the idea of sewing a winter coat, but since I live in Alabama, my coat days are about 10 per year...and the classics in my closet get little use as it is. But I will watch with interest to see what others do. ML
Definitely not panties. Why bother?
I have considered making bras, but gave up wearing them in favor of camibras. It seemed the patterns I found included underwire, which I do NOT need or want.
Jeans - probably not because I can get talls in a 30" inseam. I need a long rise but am not otherwise tall.
Swimsuits? I made a bikini back in 1975 or 76. It was plaid (!) and it is the only bra that ever fit me comfortably. A maillot type? Maybe - it seems talls are special orders these days and I bet I could find something fun at Spandex House! :))
I'll do the jeans, but the undergarments and swimwear are not happening. I haven't thought of sleepwear. I'm sure I could make a lovely silk robe for a LOT less than I could purchase one.
Plain knit tops..that is, something with a plain vee or jewel neck. That for me is a big 'why bother'.
Ditto everything on your list. Plus I'm not confident enough of my skills yet to make a tailored white blouse.
I haven't made any jeans, but I'd like to - just to say I made them. I've also made myself some panties and they turned out rather well (I was copying a RTW pair that they discontinued). I used just scraps I was tossing so they were essentially free. I also made a swim suit last summer too and found it fun and super easy. I'm game for just about anything and if I decide it's not worth it (like possibly jeans and probably bras for the style I wear) then I'll just buy it.
I'm the opposite, I won't make jeans. Of course, none of them fit me right anyway, so my wardrobe surprisingly consists of one pair.
Undergarments..eh. I'm into the DD-E territory and finding a 36 (natural, not fake)is nearly impossible with good support and fit, and corsets are about the same way. Panties...well they HAVE to match. Swimsuits are about the same problem, I either expose too much skin, or I make my own.
I'll never do jeans for the same as reason as you Ann - but I love reading about the jean's sewing projects of others, like Erica's, which were killer btw!
And I never make basic black or white T-shirts because it doesn't natter if I get them from Sak's, Land's End, H&M, Wal-Mart, or Costco. I don't even try them on; they always fit me because I'm a perfect B cup.
I've not made jeans...yet. I've got two or three patterns I want to try; I can only get a so-so fit in RTW jeans and I would really like a pair to FIT. But so far I'm settling for so-so.
Swimsuits are far too cheap and easy to sew to spend $90 on RTW, IMHO. If I spent a lot of time in one, I might feel differently, but the only time I wear one is when we're visiting my inlaws in July; a $12 Kwik Sew suit is plenty good enough for their backyard pool.
I've made panties and would do so again if I could find the yummy fabrics and stretch laces that are available in RTW.
But as long as I can buy a bra that fits...I'm not fiddlin' with that! ;)
The only thing I want to TRY is jeans....one day lol, the rest I totally agree with you on! LOL
I don't do jeans or bras, but I'm willing to sew panties (it's a great way to use up knit scraps)and I love sewing swimwear. The one thing (aside from mending) that I really dislike sewing is LARGE home decor items (things like bedspreads, duvet covers. etc. are definitely out!).
Pretty much the same as you except I am going to give jeans a whirl since I still haven't found the perfect ones. I also wouldn't bother with home dec sewing. I have made curtains before but out here in HK it's cheaper to get them made and lets face it sewing curtains and whatnot is at best boring!
tee-shirts and bras. I'd take a stab at swimwear -- I go through a suit every other month.
I'm borderline on the t-shirts and agree with everything else on your list. Just have to add that I hate any type of alterations! One of my favorite lines is, "If the zipper on my skirt breaks I make a new skirt". Replace a zipper?...yuk!
Well I agree that I would not sew bras, panties and swimsuits. I have tried to sew a swimsuit a couple times, but was never happy with the results. I have never sewn jeans, but would be willing to give them a try someday. Another item I will not sew is exercise clothes. Leggings and leotards are much easier to buy and I feel that the fabric selection is better in rtw.
Ever since VS changed their Signature Cotton underwear, making them with flimsy elastic, I've wanted to make my own. It's a matter of motivation. I don't do bulky home dec items either. I'd love to make a swimsuit but can't find fabric I like. I won't bother with bras since I can buy those off the rack easily. I don't do basic t-shirts or tank tops cuz I can buy those at the Gap. Jeans- not fun to make IMO.
For garment sewing, I'm basically the same as you. The only reason why I do sew jeans is for the fit challenge really. I got an HP pattern recently to try out a new pair. Jeans patterns are hit or miss for me, and I want to try out that HP crotch curve on a pair of jeans.
I'd never sew something I tried in RTW that I liked the style, fabric and fit. I'd rather spend my sewing time on a less acessible item. I also don't like to sew anything I'd use for field work (except long undies) because they wear out too quickly. Not a good return on the sewing time spent.
No wait! I know... I would never, ever sew a gore tex jacket.
Hmm, I've made jeans. I've done swimsuits for my daughters but managed to find one for myself that covered the right bits up and looked okay and that'll do for the few times I expose the public to my pasty white limbs, lol. I've been debating the bras but if I can actually find one that fitted well I wouldn't bother. Um, I have no aims to make myself ballgowns etc - but then I'd never get the chance to wear one so that doesn't really count does it, lol? Otherwise I'm up for considering most things. Time is usually my decider.
My do not sew list includes bras and panties (too much body here - not a job for an ameteur), swimsuits (although I have made one in the past) and coats (although I would like to try).
I'm with Cidell on the bathing suits - I too go through like a pack of "Five" hot cinnamon gum, wish reminds me to cut another one about now. I've made panties, and I'd do it again to use scraps. I might try a pair of jeans, but nothing too complicated. A coat? maybe.
No bras, panties, jeans for me. No desire to sew any of those items.
My need for a swimsuit is limited to being out in the backyard with the grandkids and I did just buy a KS swimsuit pattern that I will whip up.
Mermie
I agree with the jeans, bras, basic tees, and panties, but I definitely want to give swim wear a shot. I have such a hard time finding swimsuits that fit, flatter, and don't make me look like I have the chest of a 12 year old boy. Plus, as was mentioned above, I know I could whip a nice one up for much less than what most RTW goes for in stores.
Over the years, I've sewn everything on your "never" list, but I have to admit that all of them are low priority items now that kids are grown (swimsuits), I can't sew seamless bras, I don't CARE whether DD has a lifetime supply of her favorite thong panties, and I can't make denim look like RTW jeans unless I invest in a commercial dryer and a truckload of pumice rock. No thanks.
Ann, pretty much the same list as you. Definitely no underwear, the thought just doesn't appeal to me.
I could see making jeans-style pants, but not just regular jeans. I can buy them to fit so what's the point? I feel the same way about plain tee shirts. I can get plain cotton tees that fit at a good price point, so I'd rather spend my time on something else.
I'm not a big fan of purse making because I'm very particular about what kind of handbag I carry. Tote bags are another story.
Underwear and swimsuits, no. Jeans are on my list, but I can find some that fit reasonably well, so not so imperative. Night gowns, maybe, but again, if I can find them reasonably, why make them when there are way more exciting things to sew.
Sigrid has just about prompted me to try my hand at bras, ... but not yet.
I'm about to give it a go with jeans because those that I could buy no longer work for me. And I'm about to also give it a go with swimsuits because I'm going to be needing more of them, and the last time I shopped for one it was too traumatic. Hurts that I'm long and few designers (including Kors) design for anyone over 5'6".
Those were all on my list of not-interested in, never going to make, 5 yrs ago. I guess, never-say-never.
I have or will sew everything on that list. The panties are the thing I'm least interested in, but my OCD self and husband like matching bra and panty sets. Swimsuits would be third lowest on the list. I definitely have an interest in jeans and bras. I can not find RTW at my price point that fit me just right for jeans or bras, with a one exception for bras. So, like everything else, either I suck it up and comprise for whatever is the closest fitting or make it myself. The bras are on the list for things to do this fall.
I'd like to try jeans even though my "Sevens" fit me well. Panties, I'd also like to try since they cost so much and I tend to stockpile them. Bra, no way. I need all the help VS can give me to get me to a "B" and I'm not interested in figuring it out myself.
I don't really have a desire to make workout clothes or swimsuits, but these could be items I'd try in the future.
Wow, Summerset, I'd like to see you and your husband in your matching bra and panty sets.
Oh. My bad. I guess you mean he likes them on you.
It was a wonderful little mental movie of the two of you getting dressed: "Are we wearing the tiger stripes today? Oh, you want to wear blue? Okay, that means I can match or contrast..."
Thanks, I needed that.
Seeing that I'm just starting sewing again after a break for about 8 or so years, and I don't know how to use a serger, and I'm not really comfortable sewing anything other that woven cottons... well, the list of "no-sew" is pretty long for me, but I hope to shrink it slowly. I'm pretty sure that I could happliy spend my whole life without ever trying to sew a bra, though. Currently, I make a lot of pajama pants, tote bags, and home dec stuff. I actually really enjoy sewing home dec. And PJ pants because they are very forgiving. :)
I don't think I'll ever sew bras and panties as well. The jury is still out on the swimwear, though.
I don't sew plain basic T-shirts and as long as I can get them from H&M for almost no money, I won't even bother. I am willing to try the jeans. As for sleepwear, I have sewn it and will again.
Hmmm....
Despite all the excitement on various internet sewing lists about sewing bras and/or panties.....no...never will I sew my own. I just have zero interest. The same with Quilts, and handbags/purses. Others make pretty quilts and handbags...just not my thing.
I sew countless pairs of jeans for my nieces (age 7 and 9)...cuz they are tiny and have lonnnng legs. I have sewn jeans for myself...but only when shopping for a pair that fit right them became more bother than stitching them...or when I need a very custom fit for medical/post surgical reasons.
Let's see. Jeans - no, well- maybe. Yes. Maybe. Bras - nope, no interest. These little girls fit really well in "off the shelf's". Swimsuits - I have one on the boards right now, just because I have a design in my head. Panties- Sure. I have sewn a lot of things just ONCE though- like gloves, ski pants. Oh, another thing I will never sew- shoes. Nope I have no desire to sew shoes.
I'm late getting in on this (so many blogs; so little time) but wanted to write anyway. I mostly agree with your list, Ann, except for the panties. I have some I love that are no longer available. Also, being a plus-size, I can't find t-shirts that fit, since RTW makers seem to think our shoulders grow wider along with everything else. Because of that and the panties, I just bought my first serger.
Sherry in Little Rock
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