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AIBU?

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Original poster

What are your thoughts on homemade clothes?

137 replies

ClothingDilemma · 18/04/2026 19:59

My mum has recently retired and taken up sewing. She’s absolutely brilliant at it and we’ve come to an agreement that if I pick patterns, she’ll buy them (as she can reuse them) and I will buy the fabric for her to make the clothes for me.

I am really keen as it seems such a sustainable and fabulous idea. Clothes that are made to measure (so they’re more flattering) and no waste or fast fashion. It also works out to be a lot cheaper than purchasing at a high street store!

My partner, however, thinks it’s a stupid idea and I’ll just look silly.

YABU - it’s a bad idea.

YANBU - it’s a fabulous idea

OP posts:
Original poster
ClothingDilemma · 18/04/2026 20:09

Offcom · 18/04/2026 20:07

I sew and wear quite a lot of my clothes so obviously disagree with your partner in principle. However, I have made so many things that I’ve ended up wearing once before admitting to myself that I don’t really like it that I must strongly disagree that’s sewing is less wasteful. Maybe you’ll make better choices!

Oh anything that’s disliked gets picked apart and either turned into something else, or if all else fails, crappy clothes for the kids of the family 😂 she’s like a bloody wizard

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 18/04/2026 20:09

If your mum is good at sewing then there is no way you will look 'silly' wearing home made clothes that she has made to fit you.

I would say that, as someone who has made their own clothes for many decades now, it is not cheaper to make your own clothes any more. Fabric is bloody expensive! If you know somewhere to get reasonably priced fabric please share.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 18/04/2026 20:09

My thoughts depend on the ability of the seamstress
made by me - hell no!!
Made by someone who knows how to do it properly (like your mum by the sounds of it) - hell yes!!

Perfect28 · 18/04/2026 20:08

Your husband sounds shallow

newornotnew · 18/04/2026 20:07

ClothingDilemma · 18/04/2026 20:02

It’s all very normal. Cotton trousers, linen dresses, some skirts. Very much what I’d normally wear. He thinks that if someone asks where it’s from, saying “my mum made it” sounds childish.

Show quote history

This is ridiculous of him.

Offcom · 18/04/2026 20:07

I sew and wear quite a lot of my clothes so obviously disagree with your partner in principle. However, I have made so many things that I’ve ended up wearing once before admitting to myself that I don’t really like it that I must strongly disagree that’s sewing is less wasteful. Maybe you’ll make better choices!

Original poster
ClothingDilemma · 18/04/2026 20:05

WannabeMathematician · 18/04/2026 20:03

I don’t think it’s cheaper or more sustainable but they do tend to fit better. I say this as someone who makes my own clothes. I often get asked where I bought things when I where certain pieces I made myself as they actually fit my really pear shape.

I would say go for it and if your husband thinks it weird he really should start to look at the quality of the stitching on most of his clothes. He’ll probably notices it’s actually quite bad.

I think for me it is, we have a fabulous CIC that’s just opened up in town who save fabric and craft supplies from landfill, and sell them on the cheap.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 18/04/2026 20:05

It is a great idea! DM used to order clothing from catalogues, copy the pattern then make it from different fabrics, then return the items she ordered.
Patterns are so much more accessible now, what with places like Etsy etc so you can buy a digital pattern to print at home.

I have a friend who has her own handmade clothing company, so pretty much most of what she wears has been stuff she has made.

Being able to make clothing is a great skill to have. If there is some apocalypse, then you will come in handy.

I have tried, but only smaller things like arm warmers.

Oleoreoleo · 18/04/2026 20:05

Oh I’d love this. I’m completely cack handed with a sewing machine to my immense regret. I’d love to make adjustable skirts to accommodate the monthly variations, or even just nip in a few things here and there.

How about you ltb, marry me and your dm could make clothes for both of us?

WannabeMathematician · 18/04/2026 20:03

I don’t think it’s cheaper or more sustainable but they do tend to fit better. I say this as someone who makes my own clothes. I often get asked where I bought things when I where certain pieces I made myself as they actually fit my really pear shape.

I would say go for it and if your husband thinks it weird he really should start to look at the quality of the stitching on most of his clothes. He’ll probably notices it’s actually quite bad.

Original poster
ClothingDilemma · 18/04/2026 20:02

ToKittyornottoKitty · 18/04/2026 20:00

If you pick flattering stuff and it’s made to
measure why does he think it will look silly? Are you picking stuff that is more out there than you’d normally buy?

It’s all very normal. Cotton trousers, linen dresses, some skirts. Very much what I’d normally wear. He thinks that if someone asks where it’s from, saying “my mum made it” sounds childish.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 18/04/2026 20:00

If you pick flattering stuff and it’s made to
measure why does he think it will look silly? Are you picking stuff that is more out there than you’d normally buy?