Cheap Thrills or Cheap Bills?

Oct 1, 2015 | Fashion, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique | 0 comments

Expensive Looking Wardrobe on the Cheap

Cheap Thrills or Cheap Bills? Buying less expensive fabric can be a costly mistake if close attention is not paid to the fiber contents. Inexpensive fabric can be found everywhere if you are willing enough to spend the time.  I’ve been known to spend hours at Hancock Fabrics sifting through the bolts on their tables of spot the dot sale fabrics.  I have a rule for myself at those tables, it must be at least 50% off.  I usually go for the under $3 fabrics.

 I completely love a tonal outfit in linen.  It was one of my first loves in textiles, 30 years ago.  It’s an easy sewing fabric and looks fabulously expensive. I love the fact that this fabric is natural as well.  The fabric comes from the flax plant fibers. This is quite possibly the coolest fabric around. The clothing created from this fabric doesn’t have the fake feel of  synthetic fabric.  Linen gets better with age, it softens up nicely with wear.

  •  Faux Suede

As a child I remember my first touch of this fabric and my grandmother’s quick response. Obviously she had high regard for this fabric’s price and quality. Once known as ultra suede, now known as vegan because it’s difficult to tell the difference between the faux and real. There is an incredibly informative post about sewing with faux suede here.

The benefits of cotton are quite similar to those of linen due to the natural fibers.  Cotton breathes and feels better than synthetic counterparts.  It’s low maintenance, doesn’t pill, and retains it’s shape. The  best fabric for leggings or stretch knit is a cotton spandex blend.

  • Rayon

Rayon looks more expensive but pills and shows wear and tear quickly.  But, in a pinch, and if good diligent care is taken, this is a great inexpensive substitute.

  •  Acrylic

I love working with this because the results look close to RTW (ready to wear) end products. Looks expensive, but looses shape easily, handle with care.

  • Polyester

I hate the feeling of this fabric regardless of how expensive it looks. But, to each his/her own.

What do you think?

 

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