For generations women sewed for their families to save money. Sewing clothes and linens and even dolls was really the only option for many families at a time when ready-made consumer goods were expensive and not readily available in many locations.
But over the last few decades things have radically changed, haven’t they? Clothing and linens and toys can now be bought really cheaply and really easily. Too cheaply and too easily many people would argue, but nonetheless the reality is sewing in many cases is no longer the more economical option.
DIY Duck Rattle Kits to sew as baby gifts are brand new in my shop.
Fabric yardage can be expensive, plus the price of thread, notions, and then the cost of a pattern, not to mention the time invested. Clearly those of us in the handmade community recognize all the wonderful aspects of sewing our own things: the feeling of satisfaction that comes when a project is completed, the ability to customize items so that they are exactly the way we want them, the pride in owning or giving something unique that we poured our hearts into.
While all of these things are terrific and are in a large part why I continue to sew every day, I do wonder if in this day and age sewing can save money. Of course, being a stuffed animal pattern designer, I am most curious about whether sewing your own toys in particular can be an economical choice.
Josephine makes a great model. She loves this rattle.
I’m going to take a baby gift as an example because we all need to give baby gifts and we often end up buying mass-produced stuffed animals to fill this need. Stuffed animals are soft and cute and babies don’t have any yet (as opposed to older kids who are often already swimming in stuffed animals!) so they tend to be a popular baby gift.
When my third daughter, Josephine, was born the first gift to arrive on our doorstep came from my sister’s husband’s parents. It was a purple bunny lovey (a little blankie with a head). In the haze of those first few weeks with a newborn I remember thinking it was really cute and soft and perfect for a baby because it was small and safe for her to have in the crib, which is where I put it.
Josephine at 11 months, fast asleep with Mr. Purples.
Now that Josephine is 18 months, “Mr. Purples” has become her security object. He comes with us everywhere and she sleeps with him at every nap and at bedtime.
About how much did Mr. Purples cost? I happen to know that he is available on Amazon because I just bought a back-up in case the real Mr. Purples ever goes missing (don’t tell!).
Here he is in ivory (Purple is sold out right now. Mabye I got the last one?) for $11.95. My guess is that he wasn’t bought on Amazon, but was instead purchased in a baby boutique of some kind and was probably closer to $15, but either way it’s safe to say that he costs between $12 and $15.
Inspired by Mr. Purples, I created these two sewing patterns for baby lovies:
Each pattern costs $6.50 and gives you a choice of four lovey designs. Let’s say you want to make a lovey that is comparable to Mr. Purples so you buy the set with the bunny.
You’ll need less than 1/4 yard of purple fleece for the body and head, a scrap of quilting cotton to line the ears, some embroidery floss for the features, and some fiberfill stuffing (machine washable is key here!). Total cost of materials? In an average big box fabric store I would say about $4, although you may already have some of these materials in your stash.
Josephine at 18 months with my bear Lovey Dovey. Mr. Purples is just out of view!
Lovies are quick and easy to sew. I’d say it might take 1.5 hours to make this bunny tops. So, for $10.50 plush 1.5 hours of your time you have a handmade lovey and some leftover materials plus a pattern that you can use to over and over again and that gives you options to make other kinds of animal lovies.
So the answer is yes, you’ve saved money. Not a lot of money, granted, but you have saved real money by making something yourself. And if you were to cut up a fleece blanket or a pair of worn out pajamas that you already had and make lovies from that you would save even more.
Outtakes from the Baby Bear and Blankie Set photoshoot.
I would say that when it comes to baby gifts, if you enjoy sewing at all, it does pay to make a handmade softie. And of course you’ll feel great giving something you made with your own two hands, that is unique and made with love. Whether you buy my lovey pattern, or use someone else’s pattern, or draft your own, I think it is safe to say that making your own softie is indeed an economically sound choice to for a baby gift.
What do you think? Does sewing save money in today’s economy?
Obviously, the time and energy that you put into making a toy makes it more precious. I think it is worth it.
But do you know what I like about making baby toys in particular? I can choose the materials and make sure they’re made in America (sorry overseas friends, it’s not that we don’t like your products). There are so few products that are made in America I feel that it adds to the preciousness factor. And since the babies I make toys for are “made in America”, I think it’s appropriate 🙂
I wish it did for me. I find that the cost of the fabric and notions in this country (Ireland) prohibative. We really lack crafting shops here; I assume it’s the lack of competition makes everything so expensive, and the selection of fabrics is dire. I buy used baby clothes in charity shops for very little (like, 5 items for €1) and cut them up, as the things I make are usually teeny. I also buy curtains and sheets for the larger items I make. When I’m on holidays in other countries I always end up buying a few meters of different fabrics to bring home as the choice is so much better and everything is cheaper. I can spend hours in these shops when travelling! Amy
for me i find that is definitely more economical to make not only baby toys but all of my presents. i make jewelry, puppets and stuffed animals, Coptic bound journals as well. i like the freedom i have to mix and match materials as i choose.
i’m lucky in that im getting better at making my own patterns as well so i save the money there too 🙂 If i can start making money instead of simply saving it 😉
for me, it is a nice thing for babies and maybe it can save money but I like not only in sewing toys.
I’ve always gotten the most compliments for the gifts that are hand made. I can hardly wait until I have grand children so I can begin hand crafting wonderful things for them.
Thanks for all the information you provide.
What a great post!
I think that if sewing is part of your lifestyle, then the cost savings continue to grow. In your example, if you choose to make a 2nd lovey, you no longer have to buy the pattern (because you already bought it for the 1st one), and so the cost declines. You probably bought a spool of thread for the first one, but didn’t use the whole thing…
So, I think that the start-up costs exist, but the cost declines over time (especially if you pick up fabrics at sales to tuck into your stash), and I also think of crafts as entertainment. It’s an hour that I spent doing something I enjoy- and not spending money watching a movie!
For me I find I spend more than if I went to a store but it means more to me and I find I would want my children to keep it longer than store bought toys. I still have 5 bunnies my grandmother made me as a child that I’ve been able to give my daughter. I just love that!
The heirloom quality of a handmade toy is really a wonderful thing. We have a crocheted panda that was a baby gift to my husband 40 years ago!
This is a great point, Stacey. There is economy of scale in sewing. The more you sew, the more you save because you have a stash to use!
Sure, Joyce! Happy sewing!
Awesome, Jenny! I’m working on some puppets now, too.
It sounds like reusing clothing is the best option for you, Amy! So interesting to hear about the lack of fabric shops and resources in Ireland. Thanks for your comment!
A good point, Caren. When you make things yourself you get to control the kinds of materials used.
I haven’t figured out the cost of handmade toys, but a few years ago I made about 30 fleece “neck gaiters” for charity, and they ended up costing 62 cents each in materials. They were very similar to what you’d see in stores (except mine were reversible). But then I’ve had other projects (quilts, etc) that if I start adding up all the little costs such as batting, backing fabric etc., I’m depressed about how much I’ve spent!
I love the idea of using old jammies to make a snuggy! What could be more … snuggly 😀
I do agree that at times toys are purchased cheaper than handmade however, You were able to look up the price of Mr. Purples to see its value and how much was spent… a handmade item is priceless… It’s something that’s always saved! Even buying handmade to me is priceless as soon as it’s purchased! By the way I just stumbled upon your blog and I’m in love with your patterns!
I Posted a link to this on my blog I hope you do not mind 😀
Thanks, Janna!