Why Sew? : Special Benefits of Sewing Your Own Clothes

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When it comes to sewing your own clothes, some of the benefits seem like a no-brainer while other benefits require some digging to find them.

I had to dig a bit to find some of the benefits because I have been sewing my own dresses and other things for most of my life.

Sewing your own clothes benefits emotional health, creative outlet and fashion choices and much more. Those with a love for sewing find it to be therapeutic and relaxing along with the benefits of creating their own wardrobe.

If you are thinking of getting into sewing, wondering if you should take the leap and give it a try…

…or if you have been sewing for awhile and feel a bit stuck, wondering really why you started in the first place, keep reading. There are many good reasons to sew your own clothes.

You Choose the Design

When you buy dresses or other clothing at a store you’re stuck with what they have. Yes, there are always several designs and different fabrics, but the variety is not nearly as big as what you have when making your own clothes.

Start looking at pattern options and they are almost endless. Walk into a fabric store and get lost in the fabric choices.

That’s only one benefit of sewing for yourself, but it’s probably the biggest. Besides that, you get to come up with a combination of pattern design and fabric that is unique to you.

You get to say, “I want to make this pattern and make it out of this fabric.” Rather than settling for a dress or other piece of clothing in a design you like but fabric you don’t. Or the other way around.

Or you may have a piece of clothing in mind that you would like, a sweater or cardigan or hoodie that would fit well in your wardrobe, but finding that piece becomes nearly impossible.

And you finally have to settle for something that doesn’t quite match what you had in mind, but will work for now.

But, when you sew your own clothes, no more frustrating shopping trips of not finding what you want.

No more “making do” with what the options are.

You get to make your own options.

You get to choose the style that works for your body type.

You get to choose the fabric and fabric type that works for you and that you love.

Outlet for Creativity

If you like to create and make things with your own hands, sewing your own dresses and other clothing is a great way to use your creativity.

There is something very satisfying to take a piece of fabric and a pattern and create something out of that that can be worn many times.

You can go out wearing something you made. And no, you don’t want it to look homemade, but just knowing you have the ability to make something you can actually wear is so awesome!

Once you are confident at sewing, you can branch out and try more difficult patterns or combine different designs to make up your own unique designs.

And create anything you want!

There are so many times I have gone shopping, been tempted to buy an item, but realized that I could actually make an item just like that at home.

So I don’t buy it, because I can make it!

Sewing your clothing gives you so much more to work with than just buying from the store.

You can control the design, the fabric and the fit plus use your creativity to dream up new things to try.

Gives You a New Focus

Sewing takes focus. You have to get into it to really make progress and crank out something worthwhile.

Too much distraction while sewing makes for more mistakes and problems. Focus is the key.

And that’s why sewing is good. Because it can take the focus off of other things that have been taking your attention. The things that make you feel frustrated or anxious.

And things you don’t have control over and wish were different.

Then sew. Focus on it. And lose yourself in the project.

pictures of pinning and sewing-focus and enjoy the process

This can give you a new perspective when you are done with the project or need to take a break from it.

For those who love to sew, sewing is relaxing and therapeutic.

There is something about putting pieces of fabric together and creating something beautiful to wear that just fills the need. Whatever the need is at the moment.

There are many times when I don’t feel so enthused about life or the things that need doing and I wish I could just lose myself in my sewing for awhile.

Sometimes I do that and other times it’s not feasible. But so many times it’s what I need to get back on track.

So if that is what you need to get yourself back in a good place, sew.

You Can Take Your Time

Cooking a meal can’t take forever. There’s a deadline. Either a deadline of hungry bellies that just can’t wait any longer or the deadline that the food will be overcooked and unedible.

But sewing isn’t that way. You can take as long as you want to sew a dress, or a shirt or skirt.

It doesn’t go bad. It doesn’t expire. It doesn’t need to be done at a certain time so that someone can survive.

There’s no deadlines when you sew your own clothes. Unless, you made the deadline because you wanted the dress for a special day.

But that’s your deadline. Not someone else’s.

clock and trying on a new dress-take your time in sewing

Ok, yes, you might need to sew for a wedding you’re going to, and you didn’t choose that deadline.

But you know what I mean.

For the most part, sewing has deadlines that you can choose.

Because in all reality you chose to make that new dress for the birthday party coming up. You don’t have to wear a new dress to the party. You chose to make one. And you will survive if you don’t get it done in time to wear it.

So. Sewing can take as long as you like. You can take your time with it. Sew when you need a break from other things. Sew when you have the least amount of distractions so that you can focus on it.

Even sew when you don’t really feel like it. And focus. Good can come out of that too.