In case you didn't see my Original Post I'm hosting a Give-Away for everyday this week (7 total) in celebration of my 1st Blogoversary on November 28th. Please visit the original post to see all of the dates/ details about the Give-Away's)
The only requirement is for you to 1. Be a Follower of my Blog and 2. Answer the Question posed in this blog entry.
Don't forget to spread the Word!
So here's the FOURTH Give-Away Prize:
(I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you that this is one of the best books in the Singer Sewing Library. It's such a thorough book on fit.....
(The illustrations are great and I love that you can see the fitting issue in real life and see how to correct for it on the tissue paper.)
I was actually happy to get my hands on this book some several years ago when I was first learning how to sew. So always had a copy of this in my library. In early 2007, I saw the entire Singer Sewing Library containing 30 books (I later found out that the set was missing a couple of book so it wasn't exactly the complete set--but hey it was close enough) up for auction on Ebay. Hey, I already liked the Perfect Fit book and just knew the entire library would be so helpful to me as a new sewer (at that time I had been sewing for some 3 years or so). At that time I just so happened to be expecting my "Wee-One" and was maybe a couple of months into my pregnancy. Anyhow, I spotted this set of 30 books up for auction on Ebay. I knew I just had to have it. So I stalked--- I mean followed the auction for the next 5 or so days until it ended. Man I think that was the longest 5 days of my life. All of that waiting, hoping, wishing and praying. It just so happened that it ended on Sunday at 2pm. It just so happened to be at church and I knew I didn't have time to run home and bid so I decided to bunker down at church and try and win the sewing library. Well I don't need to tell you how anxious I was by that time. Let's just say I was so anxious that I'm sure my anxiousness was causing my "Little Wee One" to have a fit herself. My strategy on bidding was to try and hold off on doing so until the last few minutes and then sneak in a bid that would hopefully trump the rest of them---something I call Phantom bidding. At the time maybe 3 or so people were bidding back and forth but hadn't driven the price up all that much. So as I planned, I slipped my bid in at the final minute or so and held my breathe and squinted my eyes. I noticed another bidder tried to outbid me but it turns out they didn't bid high enough and as the clock went from 3 seconds, to 2 seconds, down to 1. I opened my eyes to see that I Won the Auction. What a victory and oh what relief. I can't remember exactly but I think I ended up paying $110 or so. Let's just say when I did the math I ended up paying a little over $3.50 a book. WOW, that was a TOTAL steal! I've had a ton of sewing deals stemming from fabric, to 50% off sewing machines, etc. The list goes on. But I have to admit that this was my best sewing deal to date. Especially given how rare these books are and how difficult it is to get a complete set. I think I read that Caroline and KnitMachineQueen have a set. But not many people. Although the books are technically out of date and the are screaming with the 80's influence, the information in the book is so invaluable. I've used the Sewing with Activewear & Sewing with Knits book to help me sew my swimsuits. And I love the Sewing with Pants book that aided me in sewing my first pair of pants. So I'll forever be thankful for my "Best Sewing Deal".
So my question for you is.....
What has "hands down" been your BEST sewing deal?
Leave your answer to be included in the Book giveaway:)
My best sewing deal was this past fall, at a local fabric warehouse, I "dumpster dove" through a HUGE, dumpster sized bin of clearance knits, all $2/yard. These were incredible, quality knits. The only stipulation was you had to buy the yardage as is, they were remnants, but nothing was less than 2 yards, I got several pieces of nice cotton/lycra interlock in 4-6 yard pieces for a STEAL! I have enough knits to sew for my kids for years!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of books from this series and they are GREAT! I've really heard great things about this one.
ReplyDeleteAside from being gifted a vintage Singer in a table, which I don't think really counts as a sewing "deal", I think my best deal to date has been finding the Threads Connie Long Guide to Sewing Linings for only 10 bucks. It is usually over 30 on Amazon/Ebay, so I was pretty excited about it. I use it all the time.
I stalk Craig's List and garage sales all the time for sewing machines...my best recent find was a nice solid Singer for $5.00 at a rummage sale and then there was that professional rotary cutter I got this summer for $5.00. It's the fun of the bargain hunt that keeps me going!
ReplyDeleteI haven't really found very many deals when it comes to sewing. I did find two vintage sewing machines for decorating my studio for $25 (for both combined) and one even works. To me that is a deal.
ReplyDeleteMy best sewing deal has been a bundle of remnants from EmmaOneSock. For $27 I have already made 2 pairs of exercise shorts, 2 tanks, an evening bag, a child's soldier costume and I still have fabric for at least 2 skirts. This was the last bundle, a mix of greys. All the coloured bundles had sold already when I logged on, but this one must have had less visual appeal to other buyers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't come across too many great deals, but I did just purchase all the fabric for my christmas gifts at 50% off the red tag price. A recent sewing shop had a good deal recently as part of a renovation, $1 for each bag of notions you could fill to the top.
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog through Google Reader for awhile now and would love to win this super difficult to find book. As for the best sewing deal, well I haven't had much luck with any deal so far, but I must say sewing has saved me tons of money from buying clothes that don't fit me well. To me that is a great deal.
ReplyDeleteMy best sewing deal was a small, wooden, concertina-stacking box thingy in which I store all my hand needles, machine needles, scissors, chalk, and so on in different compartments. It was a very reasonable price and has increased my productivity enormously because I can always find everything straightaway now! And it's very pretty in itself.
ReplyDeleteI recently went to my first estate sale. I have never, ever imagined one person could have so much fabric, patterns, books, knitting, haberdashery, ect in one home! It was amazing and for approx $20, I picked up over 15 metres of Fabric and 5 sewing books! It was an amazing sale!
ReplyDeletei am very bad at bargains...yet to strike the best deal!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the Singer books were hard to find. I've been picking some up here and there and now have 10, I believe. My best deal so far? I'd have to say finding out about Vera Wang wool at 1.97/yard last year. Oh, yeah...that was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeaded silk chiffon for an evening dress. Was a designer label excess stock retailed $60 per meter , I got it $5 a meter!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty good at looking for sales and get nice ones a lot, like today's deal at Hancock Fabrics B, M & S patterns are on sale for $.99!
ReplyDeleteBut I have to say I've never really been scammed on a deal like the one I got memorial day weekend! I came across what I thought was a great deal on some Rayon Lycra knits (my favorite fabric!) for $2.49 - $2.99 a yard! I even blogged about how great the fabric haul was! After closer inspection and a few projects completed, I realized I got exactly what I paid for and learned a very valuable lesson...fabric weight is important when purchasing knits sight unseen! The knits were all below 5 oz!! Very thin, very cheap tee shirt knits! Not really a deal at all! Now I pay close attention to weight when ordering knits online.
This is a great book and can't believe you're giving it up! I'm praying to win this one or find one for myself! Thanks again for having this great gift give-away! I hope you're having as much fun as the rest of us!
I have a bad luck with the business, surely ... I do remember getting angry with myself for paying too much on something I find after cheaper elsewhere, but I have to blame it for being so brash, LOL
ReplyDeleteRight now...I'm finishing my Lady Grey jacket from Gertie's Sew-A-Long and hands down the fabric I am using has been my best deal. It is a black heather camel hair wool for which I paid nothing for and was in a box of fabric my father-in-law gave to me. It retails for $40 a yard.
ReplyDeleteThe Singer Sewing Library is the perfect addition to any serious sewer library. I have about 22 of them. I'd receive one about every other month some years ago. A few I sent back because I wasn't interested in them. Whoever the luck winner is will be getting a major treat. Don't enter me in the drawing...just wanted to add my two cents worth!
ReplyDeleteMy best sewing deal is hands down my sewing machine. It's a late 70's Husqvarna, a machine actually made in Sweden! I got it second hand from an specialized store. It wasn't cheap by todays standards, but a great price for a high quality machine that doesn't have a single plastic part where it matterns (and 1 year warranty!).
ReplyDeleteMy best sewing deals are a new paperback OOP copy of Susan Khalje's Bridal Couture book that I snagged for $21 (even when all the others were >$100), a vintage Singer Automatic buttonholer in near perfect condition for $8 and I also won a complete 34 book set (with master index) of the Singer Sewing Reference Library. I believe I paid $155 (including shipping). I have to say that each book is a gem, even the home dec and quilting books I thought I'd never use. I was giddy with excitement when I received them.
ReplyDeleteI found the sewing machine I grew up using at a local thrift store for $30! It included the wood cabinet and everything. It's like the machine that was an engagement present my mother received in 1979 and it's still better than the $500 Janome I bought last year.
ReplyDeletehttp://sallyannk.blogspot.com/2010/06/sears-kenmore-heaven.html
My best sewing deal was some free fabric that a lovely blogger sent me when I messed up the fabric I had. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's difficult as there have been so many. I'd say it was when I purchased the fabric for my daughter's bridesmaid dresses off the closeout rack at Vogue fabrics. Enough yardage for 5 dresses for $100 plus lining and zippers. What a deal!
ReplyDeleteNot being great at getting "deals" as I don't shop often, I was pretty pleased with a recent trip to Joann's with coupons and sales I got enough fabric to make 2 outfits for little ones, enough for a jacket for another little one - for $40.00. That includes all of the zippers, etc etc.
ReplyDeleteMy best deal was finding Sew U, Home Stretch by Wendy Mullins at Barnes and Noble for 6.95! I have yet to sew anything from it, but I plan on using it to build my spring wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, I found a piece of silk jersey fabric at Wal-mart on the $2 table. I was shocked. I had never seen any fabric of that quality on the table. I have not seen any like it since. Needless to say, I brought the entire piece of the fabric.
ReplyDeleteI think scooping up a bunch of zippers and seam binding for 10 cents each is a pretty decent deal. I also got some fabric for 50 cents a yard. I have yet to make something with it though. It will be a skirt or dress no doubt.
ReplyDeleteI've been very lucky with thrift shops for patterns and fabric--lovely wools, cottons, silks, even cashmere! My favorite shopping bargain was a lot of new Gingher scissors from e-bay--about 8 pairs for $60. The lot included several pairs of shears, embroidery and tailor's points. SCORE!
ReplyDeleteI think my best one so far (still looking for the elusive 'bargain of the century') was 4 1980s books on sewing with Knits, including the ever-exciting 'BevKnits', purchased from the Friends of the Rotorua PUblic Library for 50c each. Great books with excellent tips on serging knitwear, sewing swimwear and of course 80s style sweatshirts and lycra leggings. One includes half size patterns to scale up.
ReplyDeleteStill checking out the thrift stores hoping to stumble on a Singer sewing book!
(I own this book too, lol)
ReplyDeletePretty much every piece of fabric and every machine I own has been a great deal. You have to know, I took up sewing to cut down clothing costs. The last one was 3 meter romanit jersey for 19€. That'd be the price for 1 meter in most shops I know... Ebay is great.
ReplyDeleteMy best deal was getting a big ticket serger for my birthday from Hubby. Come to think of it, he supports just about anything I attempt - so maybe he's my best deal????
ReplyDeleteI recently bought some Vera Wang Lavender Label knit from fabric.com for about $5 a yard with an additional 30% off. I was pretty pleased with that find!
ReplyDeleteThe best deal I've gotten is the end-of-bolt sale at Joann. They have this section in the back of the store filled with "red-tag" fabrics that are steeply discounted as is, and then every other month or so those are 50% off. That's where I get most of my fabric - I can't bring myself to pay more than $2-3 a yard anymore unless the fabric is really really nice.
ReplyDeleteBest sewing deal? Hm. Well, in terms of something that I've gotten a lot of use out of, I'd say my rotary cutter. My husband urged me to buy it at Joann because it was on sale. At first I said no (didn't think I'd use it), but I finally relented. Boy, am I glad I did! I really like it and use it all the time -- thanks, DH!
ReplyDeleteMy best deal hands down was- when Joann's had some spring fabric I had been watching marked to 90% off- which means I purchased them for .99 to 1.29 per yard for gorgeous material originally priced at 9.99 to 12.99 per yard.
ReplyDeleteI think I got the same deal as Angie! That was definitely a great deal. As a result, my blue 5-yard wrap dress was completed for under $10! (Closer to $7 after the thread)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I have been given many generous sewing related gifts over the years. But the best deal I've been financially responsible for--maybe a Fabric Mart free bundle? They gave me some gorgeous silk in it that I totally fell in love with. Also the Vera Wang fabric on fabric.com last--$1.95/yd, plus 15% discount code, plus free shipping. Some of it was a bust but some was amazing quality.
ReplyDelete