Thursday, March 26, 2009

You Can Make it at Home!

I am the daughter of a master seamstress, yet I had never sewn. That all changed Christmas of 2007 when my husband bought me my first sewing machine. My mom had to come over twice to teach me how to thread my machine, but I was determined to learn how to use it. After that, the crafty bug bit me and didn't let go.

I saw a girls purse made from 2 jeans pockets sewn together and imitated it for my first endeavor. Next, I made the purse pictured below:



It's a baby skirt lined with red watermelon seed fabric and embroidered with a watermelon on the front. I discovered that my daughter loved these purses and her friends would too. For each of the birthday parties she was invited to, I let her pick out a few dollar store items to put inside the purse and that was the gift. An expensive looking gift for just a few dollars. If I had purchased something similar from the store, it would be approximately $20. What savings!

Once people saw the purses, they started asking to buy them. Around Easter of that year, I made over $200. Not bad for a seamstress of 4 months. Making gifts at home can save so much money, make you money, and be a lot of fun.

For other make-it-at-home ideas, visit Cents to Get Debt-Free Finding Freedom Friday post.

5 comments:

  1. I have a strong desire to want to sew more than curtains--but I just don't have the patience! For the first time ever I made pajamas for my daughter for Christmas (my origial intention was to make some for all 3 kids).

    I love that purse, it is so cute, and what a perfect gift! Thank you for sharing! :)

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  2. What a clever idea! We love making gifts for each other for our birthdays and holidays.

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  3. that's awesome! My mom is a master seamstress too... she's had a nice side business over the years -- sewing creative items and selling them, and being the local one who hems and fixes clothes!

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  4. What a great idea! I'm not much of a seamstress, but I do have the desire (just not the time). I might just have to find the time after this. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. That's is sooo cute! Learning to sew is on my list of the things to do! Thanks for sharing!

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