image via the always lovely mrs. frenchI will get confessions out of the way first…
I bought some non-essential* items this week, specifically three patterns (one for me and two for the girlies). My mother-in-law loaned me her sewing machine, so I thought I’d chip away at one of my new year’s resolutions and try to learn to sew some simple summer frocks. Cheating on the spending hiatus aside (do you see how I’m redirecting here, trying to distract you?), I’m a little nervous about the whole sewing endeavor, as i haven't gotten off to the best of starts -- when I returned home from the fabric store, I realized that the pattern I bought for me was size 18W, which is well…not my size.
There are sizes?? Clearly I’m clueless...sad.
*I also purchased a book of Martin Puryear’s work for Bryan for valentines day + sweet pink heart shaped boxes of chocolate from Ikea for the girls + their teachers, but I consider these essential, especially the teacher gifts...those amazing ladies deserve a smidge more than our wonky construction paper valentines given that they care for (i.e. put up with) my girlies all week.
Otherwise the week was so busy with valentines’ festivities (all construction paper and doilies and glue sticks and class parties + a Friday evening dinner with buddies featuring pink heart shaped pancakes), that there wasn’t any time to step foot in a store (besides the grocery), which really is the secret to a successful week for me…just avoid the stores. A no-brainer, right??
How did the rest of you non-spenders do?
25 comments:
ooh, I can't wait to see what you make.
I bought two pairs of jeans on Saturday, but I'm not counting them since they were purchased with the Christmas money I got from my mom which was specifically designated for clothing.
lets sign up for that sewing class later! I am excited!
I am with you that teacher gifts are, in fact, essential spending. I understand why the point could be argued but little is sweeter than a valentine from an unexpected source. Good for you.
My only purchase (and it's on my list of cheats) was a couple of thrifted wool sweaters for felting. I'm out of town for the long weekend, and visited my home town thrift stores where wool is abundant (hello Sun Valley, Idaho.) It's just not so easy to find in the farm community I live in now....
Other than that, going strong. Though I'm thinking I'm going to have to step foot in Target soon, and that is going to make things difficult...
I can't wait to see how your sewing projects turn out!
My mom made a large portion of my clothes growing up and even as a child I always loved that and hope that she and I can do that when we have kids. Sewing is a wonderful skill that you'll keep with you for your whole life, like playing the piano and cooking. I would consider that an essential!
I got a deep tissue massage on Saturday morning and it was worth every non-essential dollar. ;) ...erinn
I totally excuse you for the patterns, how economically aware is sewing your own clothes? Now if you can only sort out the sizes. Hee hee. Well done! I'm doing great, spent some non-essential moolah on hosting a little cocktail party but in the name of friendship & socialising it was so essential! I'm posting my updates every Monday too. x
Don't patterns fall under the "supplies" category and therefore don't count? I think I am the worst cheater in this shopping hiatus.
please post what you make... would love to see.
I think buying patterns is okay, since you are saving money buy learning to sew and make items.
I wish I could sew .... maybe I should put that on my list of things to learn, but it is intimidating for me.
once you get the hang of it sewing is so much fun. i too am about to go buy some fabric:( i decided to make most of my daughters spring and summer clothes and it gets warm fast in alabama. in the end i will be saving tons of money though if i can keep out of the little girl sections that is.
I will not allow sewing patterns to be placed in the nonessential category. So, once you get your proper size, sew away and you and your girls will wear those frocks to death!
I have managed to keep away from the stores and emails that tempt me so, but i sure would enjoy a fix!
Quick tip about patterns - the sizing sometimes doesn't don't follow the clothing sizes you wear, so pay more attention to the actual body measurements rather than the size. I found this out the hard way when I made a shirt in my normal size, and it was so small it wouldn't fit over my head!
(My advice is my way of avoiding talking about how I did on the no-spend this week. We all have our ways of redirecting!)
that's good advise about the pattern...i'll go a size up. thanks!
Joslyn,
My daughter Lucy made a darling jumper for her daughter with the help from a lady in Dallas who gives sewing lessons.(Preston Hollow area) She met Lucy at the fabric shop and helped her pick out supplies, thread, ric rack, buttons etc. At any rate, Lucy got enough info from her first couple sewing lessons to fly solo now. More jumpers and girlie shorts in the works.
I just started sewing too. It's rather overwhelming. Practice makes perfect I guess. I can't wait to see what you make :)
Oh, a Martin Puryear book? So super thoughtful. Essential even....
Yes, definitely follow the measurements on back of the pattern as the sizes are always pretty confusing...
A good pattern can be kept for years & remade in a number of different iterations so it's on the essential list ;-)
I'm trying to figure out if the $$ French lace I'm looking at for a dress I want to make counts as essential...the dress is for a wedding that's in July so technically I could wait until April 11 to buy but I want it NOW!
I went to Anthro this weekend & tried things on and walked out empty-handed...! But I really want the Joe's Jeans I tried on... Willpower, willpower, willpower!
marybeth -- would you be willing to e-mail me the lady's name in dallas joslynt@gmail.com. i'd love to see if she'd give me a lesson!
Well at least if you learn to sew you will need to buy less clothes? My spending hiatus is going well, though I did have to buy the boyfriend a Valentines gift and I have spent a few dollars on dark chocolate lately (I consider it essential to my wellbeing. Antioxidants ya know). Other than that, I have bought very little. Much like you are learning to make clothes, I am trying to make beauty products with things I have at home and I'll be reviewing my first DIY mask tomorrow. The rest of my update in on the blog- good to hear everyone else is doing so well.
~Amanda
http://onehappypanda.blogspot.com
I keep falling off the wagon. Every single week:(
Hello! found your blog and thought it was just well.. "Lovely!" and started following! I decided I am going to join in on your Shopping Hiatus as well! Wish me luck!
you're right being busy (and not going to stores) is the key. even taking a kid to the grocery store means i come home with non-essential snacks. we did well this past week. and i agree with someone above - sewing expenses should be considered essential since they'll lead to clothes so you can buy less non-essential ones in the future! btw, i did sewing in 4-H as a kid. good luck, i always ended up sewing things inside out.
I must agree that patterns should not count. Making/modifying clothes is one of the most anti-consumerist things we can do.
I must say that this spending freeze is way harder than I ever anticipated. I never really realized how much a part of my week it is, to wander into a store or estate sale & pick up a little of this & a little of that. I do great during the week, but come the weekend, oh boy! Trouble.
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