Machine sewing isn't that much more expensive, and it's a VAST improvement over hand sewing unless you've got plenty of time, and lots of boredom.

PLEASE BUY THE ODD SIZES FROM THE THRIFT STORES AND NOT THE SIZES I WEAR THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

You can also use a sewing machine whilst watching TV.

Also, the fabric IS the expensive part because you start going “oh that’s a pretty fabric” and end up with a pile of fabric. Then you buy another sewing machine

I hand-sewed some goat legs for halloween last year with basically zero sewing knowledge, it was genuinely such a blast to figure stuff out :D Took like 2 weeks worth of evenings while watching a show but 10/10 would do again.

spoiler

do not use these scissors for anything else

1. Buy scissors for sewing
2. My family uses then for everything but sewing
3. Someone loses them
4. Repeat from step 1

When you have clothes that you want to keep and they get holes in them, just sew up the holes ya dingus! For your health!

I was taught how to hand sew in school for an art project and it has been so useful. As a teenager I was intentionally getting damaged clothes at the thrift store for extra cheap and sewing them back up myself.

I need to re-do the patches on my jacket that I applied with fabric glue and want to just sew them on, but IDK how to do the ones that are over the breast pockets because I can't get my hand fully inside to stitch it up. I don't want to stitch the pocket itself shut.

Edit: Curved needles. Curved. Needles! 😊 Gonna need to see if I can get one at Micheal's since my little repair kit doesn't have one.

Don't forget to pick up a tin of cookies at the dollar store when you get your kit. You get snacks and a place to store your sewing supplies that is needle-poke-proof.

Just be careful with the thread and needles you're not using/watching if you have a cat.

I have made two plushies this way and I feel an extra connection to them. I look at them and think "aww cute" but also "I did that!"

https://edunham.net/2016/04/11/plushie_rustacean_pattern.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9bjNCo3dk4

I hate sewing, but it has saved me thousands of dollars over my lifetime and I am convinced that everyone should know how to do it unless they really don't care about money.

If you ride a bicycle and keep getting holes in your ass, I recommend patching with webbing. Think seatbelt material.

You can buy a roll of it from Johanns. They sell it for weaving the seats of outdoor chairs.

knitting too. Knit patches on sweaters / cardigan are silly easy to do and can often look pretty badass.

also careful. these hobbies are cheap but cozy yet ADDICTING. 😂

I've thought about learning to sew by hand for just this reason - to make minor repairs and save some money and create less waste. Does anyone have recommendations for a kit or which items to buy to get started?

I personally would hyphenate "stupid cheap" in this context, I thought you didn't like hand sewing at first.

Anyone know some good offers for nice (nerdy) patches? There are nice embroidered patches on Etsy, but at 7 USD per patch they're a bit expensive for everyday repairing (let alone extensive projects like a GNU/Linux-themed biker's vest).

The crotch on a couple of my pants are held together with a backstitch.

Well, if it's stupid I think I'll refrain. /s

And if you're a fan of puzzles, try wearing gloves and then hand sewing your hands together