Save money and sew something even better
My most recent project isn’t exotic, but I’m proud of it nonetheless. Recently my husband rejoined a gym, and wanted new sweatpants. Instead of buying the Lands’ End pants you see pictured here for US$29.50 plus shipping, I made sweatpants. I purchased navy 100% cotton sweatshirt knit fabric at Pacific Fabrics for about US$16.00. I used Simplicity 9505, my trusty pajama/comfy pants pattern.
Imagine the kudos you’d get for making pants for almost every adult in your family. Imagine the “She’s so creative!” And no catalog shipping costs!
I should note that Simplicity 9505 is for wovens, and for women’s woven pants. Neither seems to matter. Just copy the largest size you’ll ever need before you begin, and you could only need to buy one pattern. Most sewers acknowledge that sewing doesn’t necessarily save them money. On the other hand, there’s no need to spend money (plus shipping!) for basics such as sleepwear and activewear. These are items that don’t need to be fitted — unless you’re like some of the yoga moms I’ve seen on the playground! We need sleepwear and activewear to be comfortable and non-binding. Sewing pants is one project in which you can save money, succeed at sewing and get kudos too!
Not as well photographed but well made!
