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monikah 
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Location: Wellington
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 Topic: is it worth knitting / sewing
Posted: 11 July 2010 at 7:14pm |
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kids clothes? for the price of wool and stuff now i know alot of stuff can end up being more expensive than just buying it off a rack?
i dont know how to sew or knit but i think im gonna try figure it out but dont know if it is worth it. i wont learn to sew til i go overseas as there is no point getting a machine i cant take but the knitting would be quite cool to get into.
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Bobbie
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 7:39pm |
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I think it is worth knitting. It isn't cost effective but hand knitted stuff is so nice. My daughter's are lucky to have a knitty nana and we always get comments when we're out about their gorgeous handknitted cardigans/hats
Also it's a lovely hobby I've found because you can see the results so quickly.
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Caro07
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 7:47pm |
For some things yes, for others no 
I don't generally make any basic items for my boys (like t-shirts, vests etc) as they are so cheap to buy but do make more 'specialist' garments. I made DS1 a pair of waterproof trousers that probably would have cost me $15-$20 to buy. The material only cost me $4.
I have also made sleepsacks as I felt they were quite expensive to buy, but very easy (and cheap) to make.
I have started to recycle some of our old clothes too. Old jeans are made into jeans for them, so effectively free
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Caroline, SAHM to 2 boys, S (4 years old) and J (2 years old) 
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monikah
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 8:02pm |
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wiked. i have heaps of old clothes i dont wear so can reuse all the material. i wonder if i can find anyone with a sewing machine to borrow. that would be handy. lol
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 8:10pm |
 Caro07 wrote:
For some things yes, for others no
I don't generally make any basic items for my boys (like t-shirts, vests etc) as they are so cheap to buy but do make more 'specialist' garments. I made DS1 a pair of waterproof trousers that probably would have cost me $15-$20 to buy. The material only cost me $4.
I have also made sleepsacks as I felt they were quite expensive to buy, but very easy (and cheap) to make. |
I am the same, have made quite a few things for the boys but only when it was cheaper (e.g.merino sleep sack) or I couldn't find what I was after (e.g.towelling bathrobes)
I enjoy it when I get a chance to do things, it is really my only hobby. It can also be useful skill for other things, I made roman blinds and curtains for our old house and it was heaps cheaper than having them made (if you don't count my time). I plan to eventually make roman blinds for this house as well
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_SMS_
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 8:12pm |
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I think sewing is quite expensive. With cheap places like TnT now its just not worth the material. The only reason i sew is because i am bored at home & for unique clothing for Taylah. Although im making alot of baby gear for next time lol.
Knitting is definitely worth it, i tried a few weeks ago but i dont have the patience. $2 shop seels wool, warehouse is always have buy 2 get 1 free deals.
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Daizy
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 9:13pm |
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It really depends how much you can get the material for.
I got a whole bunch of fabric for only a couple of dollars a metre at spotlight on special and have been able to make a couple of skirts and dresses each metre.
I love it when I have the time, and I love being able to create something unique.
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kiwi2
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 9:16pm |
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I can't knit but love knitted clothes. I went to the market in Tokoroa whilst visiting family and got a brand new knitted pink poncho and hat made of the fuzzy wool like chenneil (sp?) for $12. So not worth buying the wool for me and then yelling and swearing at it when it goes wrong.
So if you're not crafty then maybe hunting around craft markets where some people sell just to suplement their income and hobby you can get some bargains. This goes for sewn clothes too.
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fire_engine
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 9:19pm |
Yup, I agree that it depends on the material and time. In Auckland, we have a really good merino outlet store, so I can make Dan merino longsleeve Ts for $2.50 (takes about an hour), made a double thickness merino sleeping bag for $15 and am about to make a double layered merino hoodie for $25. Trousers, unless I had a good easy pattern, I wouldn't bother cos I can get those on sale cheaply. Anything too fiddly and I can't be bothered.
Knitting, if you factor in time, no not really worth it. That said, it can be really hard to find pure wool jerseys etc that don't break the bank. I've got a pattern and will get some wool (about $30) and ask MIL to knit a jersey for next winter. I sometimes enjoy knitting but at the moment feel like I've got more than enough on my plate, so don't plan to do any in advance of the baby arriving. And there are a few SAHMs who have set up businesses like this one who will knit to order.
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Lexidore
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 10:39pm |
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Sorry to threadjack Mon but
Fliss where in Auckland is the merino outlet store... may have to send Dad on a mission!
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emz
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Posted: 11 July 2010 at 10:57pm |
My mum knits for the kids, but only buys the nice wool so it's a lot more expensive that other clothes, but always cheaper than what you would pay in the shops for the same quality. Plus she is an amazing knitter. My grandma and family friends also knit for us.
With sewing, it does depend. For girls, skirts, dresses are easy, and shorts and pants (basic elastic waistband ones) are cheap. When you start needing zips, buttons and taking time to do lots of fiddly stuff, that's where it's easier and cheaper to buy.
I'm going to start sewing some clothes for Ava, and some waterproof clothes for the kids for next year as it's so much cheaper than what other places charge, to make it yourself. Plus I make my own clothes sometimes so I don't find it too difficult, just smaller 
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Nutella
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 12:27am |
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Yip depends on what you want to make...with knitting, if you buy actual wool not the polyester stuff then it is expensive but soooo much nicer with 100% wool and perhaps would be hard to find the same quality of goods for cheaper in the shops?? Plus of course so much more individual.
Sewing can be worth it if you have good patterns that you can alter and can get cheap material esp stuff like merino that costs an arm and a leg. I think it is probably a good thing for boys coz the clothes for boys are so average if you ask me...at least compared to the cuteness of girls clothes...
Oh and doing things that cost quite a bit but you look at it and think...gee that doesn't look hard, for example those head rest things you use in the car, have seen them for like $20-30 and how hard would that be to make!!!
But you really do have to enjoy doing it else you will probably spend the money and then quit when it gets too hard lol!!! Esp with knitting!!!
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HuntersMama
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 8:11am |
It may not work out cheaper but handmade clothes are so lovely, and I love making DS things. I have gotten heaps of fabric given to me so making things like bandana bibs works out free or if I buy the fabric about $2.
I love knitting and do it while im watching TV or when DS is asleep. You can get wool pretty cheap, but it does take awhile.
Id love to know where the merino outlet store is too
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fire_engine
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 9:33am |
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Bex, in Auckland it's Designer Textiles (Lovegrove Place, Otara, open Tues-Sat). In the Wellington/Levin area, you have Levana - 36-38 Cambridge Street, South Levin, 06 3660820 Mon- Fri: 8am-4pm Sat: 9am-1pm
*enable, enable*
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Lexidore
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 9:40am |
Thanks heaps Fliss  May have to go for a mish to Levin at some stage soon
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Nutella
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 9:41am |
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Lol...oh yeah and the enjoyment factor...it is soooooo satisfying when you finish something especially when your non sewing/knitting friends admire the articles and think you are so clever ;-)
Spotlight often has the pure wool on special, so it is worth stocking up when they do but you have to make sure you get the balls from the same batch (else colours might be different).
That merino shop sounds too exciting for words.....waaaa wish I lived in NZ.
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hcsmum
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 11:20am |
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by the time you add in your time, thread costs, needles etc etc making your own clothing by sewing isn't really worth it. But for the craft, the satisfaction of making something, and making something unique it is worth it.
Knitting, I have just started and I'm in the beginning stages of making a Milo Vest. So $6 for the pattern and I was cheap and got the 100% Australian Wool from TWH. which cost me $5 for 100gms. So $11 plus my time, isn't too bad. Especially when new I'm looking at paying upwards of $25 for one.
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 12:56pm |
Bex Levana is great for material.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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Nutella
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 1:02pm |
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That milo vest is adorable...i brought the pattern the other day but have to do other UFOs before I can even consider starting it lol..
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fire_engine
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Posted: 12 July 2010 at 2:30pm |
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I love the Milo - definitely on my list to do. I also have just bought the wee rascals hoody pattern (see my link above) that I'll get MIL to make.
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Mum to two wee boys
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is it worth knitting / sewing
Oct 11
