It was an early fall day when I saw the faded ’90s jean shorts. Set on a mannequin, they were paired with a white, short-sleeved sweater, giving the whole look a light, cozy feel. Considering the fact that the store was second-hand, I went in, convinced I had just found my next bargain. I was met with a hefty price tag. The horror was real: I held in my hands $35 previously worn shorts.
Now I know not every one of these stores are overpriced, but if you’re tired of sifting through bargain bins and hunting for deals, making your own clothes can be a fun and economical alternative. As someone who has knitted, crocheted, and sewed for most of their life, I know firsthand the satisfaction of crafting your own apparel.
What makes knitting so lovely to wear is its flexibility. If you’ve ever wondered if a tightly woven item was crochet or knit, give it a little pull. If the item is stretchy, it’s most likely knit. This craft is great for fingered gloves, scarves, sweaters and more. I would recommend wooden needles for beginners. While plastic is cheaper, yarn can sound unpleasant sliding off of it and, with metal, one is always prone to slipping. Moreover, you can’t beat the soft, cozy clack of wooden needles.
Stiff and versatile, crochet is great for jackets and purses. This craft offers a plethora of opportunities, including, but not limited to, loose hobo bags, trendy jackets, and toques perfect for the upcoming chilly weather. You can also crochet yarn loosely to get more flexibility. As someone who went from knitting to crochet, I would argue that crochet is far simpler to learn. With just one hook and some yarn, the possibilities are endless. One can easily learn by watching videos on YouTube on their own, but there are local crochet clubs and classes offered at yarn stores around the city.
A sewing machine offers a great return on investment, with most available under $250. Fabric can be found in any local craft store or charity shop and purchased at a moderate price. Since sewing with a machine can be a bit more of a process to learn, a short sewing class is a great way for beginners to get started. However, it all depends on the learner—a few YouTube clips may be just what you need. This is especially true for hand sewing and mending rips and tears in clothes.
Upcycling clothes goes hand in hand with the above-mentioned crafts. It can take many forms, from unravelling a torn sweater for yarn to crafting a pair of denim jeans into a top. Something that I personally love is the sentimental value that comes along with this one. You may have a piece of clothing that you’ve cherished forever, but it’s past its mere fixing days. Try using the material on a jacket or a bag to keep the memories alive.
Crafts like these come with many benefits: customization, something that no clothing store offers its customers, is one. And, since knitting and crochet rely heavily on muscle memory, one can do them with ease while visiting with friends, watching TV, or even on the bus. More uses for the art form include cosplay, Halloween, and mending items you already own.
I arrived home that day shortless. And while I did dwell on the shorts for a brief mourning period, it felt good to know that if I wanted to make them myself, I could. When you’re young, saving money, busy in school, and uncertain about your future, it’s a truly amazing feeling to be able to recreate items you cannot afford, fit to your body, built to last.