Last summer I did a post on my personal blog entitled S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Dollars – Quit Buying Patterns, and since it was posted it has continued to be the top post visited there.
As the economy continues to crumble, we have to be creative in thinking of ways to save money. One of the best ways I’ve found to save money for myself as well as customers I sew for is to change the style of the patterns already in use rather than buy new patterns just to get a different neck style, or different types of sleeves, etc.
By using ONE basic pattern that you know fits well, you can make more clothes than would ever fit in your closet by just learning how to change the neckline into different styles, or how to change the basic sleeve into 10 different styles, or how to make collars to add to the basic pattern.
If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, don’t go out and try to find nice looking maternity patterns – once again, simply use the patterns you have in your sewing room and convert them into maternity styles.
By doing pattern makeovers on the patterns you already own, you will be able to save probably one hundred or more dollars over the course of a year. After all, the more you save by not buying patterns, the more money you’ll have to buy fabric!