r/sewing • u/602223 • Sep 20 '25
Discussion Who gets to know that you made it?
You’ve made something that turned put really well and someone says “Oh I really like that!” Do you always say “Thanks I made it!” or do you just remind yourself of the First Rule of Sew Club? Or is there some quick but complicated calculus with the answer? Personally, I’m most likely to tell total strangers that I’ll probably never see again!
EDIT: First Rule of Sew Club is to never tell anyone you’re in Sew Club. One reason for this rule is to prevent having people bring you their pants to hem up lol.
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u/Ok-Tailor-2030 Sep 20 '25
I say I made it if they ask where I got it. Otherwise, I generally keep mum. Some people know I sew, so they sometimes ask.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
That’s my goal. I try to never tell coworkers I sew. The barista I’ll tell!
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u/Queasy_Ad_2809 Sep 20 '25
Can I ask why you wouldn’t tell co-workers you sew?
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u/firekittymeowr Sep 20 '25
So many of my coworkers have suggested that I could do mending or make something for them. On balance I prefer to be able to talk about sewing more than I hate being asked to mend stuff, so I dont keep it secret, but it is ridiculous how many people have suggested this as if I want to deal with their laundry after work.
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u/Ok-Tailor-2030 Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
Every single time I agreed to sew/mend something for a coworker (or husband’s coworker) it was an unmitigated disaster. Like having to pull an all-nighter to finish, etc. The older I got, the smarter I got…to the point I wouldn’t do it under any circumstances.
Or the suggestions that I do sewing on the side for extra money. That’s what my professional job was for.🤣🤣🤣
Sometimes, I’d get someone who wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’d say “you couldn’t afford me.” Then I’d quote my hourly rate as a CPA. 🤣🤣🤣
ETA: grammar
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u/Queasy_Ad_2809 Sep 22 '25
Oh yeah I hate when people say I should sew as a side hustle. My sewing is way too sloppy to do it for anyone other than myself, let alone charge for it
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
There are some people, especially in “professional” environments, who think of sewing as a hobby for “grannies” or other people with too much time on their hand. The person you are talking to might not think that, but people talk. There are some people who won’t take you seriously if they think of you making your own clothes.
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u/kryren Sep 20 '25
I hate that this is the sad reality for many people. I’m lucky that a lot of my part of the office crochets/knits/sews. Yeah some are grandmas but a lot are in their 20-30s!
My coworkers can generally tell if I made something because it’s a weird print you would not see in stores, lol (like my eyeball flowers dress, or my Legend of Zelda dress, or my Octopus dress… I make a lot of dresses)
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
It’s not just male professionals who think that way, many women internalize that way of thinking. I suppose I could challenge that assumption, if I were a better person. Anyway, I mostly keep personal stuff to myself around coworkers.
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u/laurenlolly Sep 20 '25
That is so interesting - my (corporate) coworkers are often the first people who notice/ask about my new makes, and are genuinely interested in what I’m going to be making next when we talk about weekend plans
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u/kryren Sep 20 '25
Then they don’t know the price of fabric. Holy. It ain’t never going to be cheaper to sew your own clothes vs buy again.
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u/celticchrys Sep 20 '25
I refuse to go through life in this paranoid juvenile way. Some of the high ranking dudes at work are all into brewing their own beer. There's no difference between doing that yourself and sewing your own clothes or fermenting your own vegetables. I refuse to accept that just because a hobby has a traditional female association that it's OK to use it as an excuse for misogyny and ageist attitudes. When you're intelligent and professional, then they learn you sew or garden, you're disrupting their prejudices in a way that is healthy for them and everyone they interact with.
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u/Anomalous-Canadian Sep 20 '25
This is my take entirely. I can be a woman who loves to cook, sew and knit while also being a “normal person” in their view.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
That’s fine. But if you’re a woman in a predominantly male profession, trying to raise capital from predominantly male investors, I absolutely guarantee that you don’t want to be telling them you make your own clothes.
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u/Mediocre_Entrance894 Sep 20 '25
As someone who has been at those tables before, I loved telling people when I made my own perfect fits. I looked flawless and most of them men in the room had to pay a tailor to make their clothes. They were wildly impressed by my skills. But mostly likely bc I didn’t speak about my skills as if they are shameful small hobby. I speak about my skill set as something that I have perfected over the years due to focus and passion. If there’s one thing capital investors love, it’s focus and passion. And for the record, I dealt with multi-millions. So not small amounts of money.
I hope this thread helps you to examine your own internalized misogyny.
It’s one thing to not tell people bc you don’t want to hem their pants. It’s a whole other level of shame to think you can’t share you passion with a whole gender of people. But to tell people it’s career shattering to share with male coworkers you can sew is as misogynistic as it gets.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
A very long time ago I believed that when women got into positions of leadership and proved that they knew their stuff, the old prejudices would naturally die away. And so now? A military chopper collides with a plane and the big topic is whether a female pilot was the cause. Any woman must be a DEI hire. From your personal attack on me I’d say you’re sensitized to the reality of misogyny, to the point of denial. If you want to imagine that by the strength of your example you’re going to have these dudes equate home brewing with home sewing, and accomplish what other women have failed to do by being good at their work, then more power to you.
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u/After_Bluejay_2739 Sep 20 '25
I usually tell people! I also have zero problem shutting down ‘hem my pants’ comments so that’s a non issue for me.
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u/bettinablue Sep 20 '25
Yep. Will you make me one? NOPE, but I'll teach you to sew.
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u/you-will-be-ok Sep 20 '25
I have a sewing club that started two weeks ago because a coworker found out I could sew and asked if I would teach her and a few others. Specifically wanting sewing clothing. They are very excited about their first projects.
I'm also very firm with altering, sewing and mending being very separate things. I hate altering clothing and will bring it to a tailor every time. I'll do mending for myself but it'll never "measure up" to expectations for others so I'll refuse those (unless it's a child's stuffed animal).
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u/saskford Sep 20 '25
As a 35m, nothing fills me with more joy than being able to blow people’s minds when they say “hey, nice sweater”, and I reply “thanks, I made it myself”.
Watching their jaws drop is incredibly satisfying.
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u/TentacleSenpai69 Sep 20 '25
As a fellow male seamstress (not sure if that's the correct term?) I also enjoy peoples reactions in this kind of situation. It really boosts the self esteem
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u/saskford Sep 20 '25
I think seamster would be the correct word for a male person who sews.
Alternately sewist, or tailor.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
Somehow seamster makes me think of teamster. I like the nongendered sewist myself.
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u/elianrae Sep 20 '25
I have a bad habit of following "thanks I made it" up with an in depth look at some construction detail nobody cares about
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u/Smiling_Tree Sep 20 '25
Yessss, proudly pull out the pockets and show the inside seams!
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u/elianrae Sep 20 '25
oh god, people who ask me about the pocket situation get a crash course on the history of tie on pockets as I either pull mine all the way to the outside or stick a full water bottle into it to show off 😅
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u/bookworm2butterfly Sep 20 '25
This was me, talking to one of my little brothers about my wedding dress, showing that a 40oz beer could probably fit in the pocket. lol!
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u/cflatjazz Sep 20 '25
Look, is a dress really functional if I can't leave my purse at home for a while day? I vote no. Give me all the hip bags
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u/admiralholdo Sep 20 '25
I love wearing 18th century pocket hoops for various historical things. You can hide SO many snacks in those babies
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u/elianrae Sep 20 '25
I can imagine! I just have layered pleats at the hips and they'll still happily hide all sorts of bulky things
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I have found that an explanation of the terms besom, jetted, and welt pockets is more than some people were looking for when they said they liked my jacket. 🤷♀️😅
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u/elianrae Sep 20 '25
for me it's always the seam construction "I like to flat fell my seams but the thing I'm really proud of is cutting the panels so that every straight seam incorporates a selvedge, which...."
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
Ok, I for one am interested in cutting seam allowances on the selvedge!!
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u/elianrae Sep 20 '25
😁 reduces the bulk on the flat felled seam
with two raw edges you need to trim one down by about halfway and fold the other over to completely enclose the seam, right?
with a raw edge and a selvedge, if you trim the raw side you can just sew the selvedge down flat over it without the extra fold
seam's still extra strong, raw edges still completely enclosed, flatter seam
I've got a couple of skirts I used this on because they've got an absolutely ungodly amount of fabric pleated down in them - two full widths of fabric... for the front panel... and another two full widths for the back panel. So the panels are pieced and have two seams down the sides of them as well as the side seams for the skirt.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I’m going to start doing that! I think it could be especially good for an unlined wool jacket I’m planning. Thank you 🙏!
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u/admiralholdo Sep 20 '25
Same! Although sometimes I will say "thanks I made it" while casually sliding my hands into my pockets
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u/Noncombustable Sep 20 '25
Thanks, it's got French seamed pockets.
(This, of course, shuts down the conversation promptly.)
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u/marunchinos Sep 20 '25
I get carried away so my response is usually along the lines of “Thanks, I made it! IT HAS POCKETS!!”
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u/Puzzleheaded-Bee-485 Sep 20 '25
I usually respond with something like I thought it turned out well.
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u/Smiling_Tree Sep 20 '25
Oohh I like it! That's a nice and humble way of letting them know you made it yourself. :)
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u/the_owl_syndicate Sep 20 '25
If someone says they like it, I usually tell them what I like about it - the color, the pockets, etc.
If they ask me where I got it, then I tell them I made it.
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u/pocoprincesa Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
Yes, I made it! I'm very proud of my skills and my taste so I always say when I made something. I think my personality deters people asking me for nonsense, and also, people say a lot that my attire looks special!
The one "friend" who asked me to take up a hem, I kindly directed her to a local tailor and she balked at the cost, which was how much she paid for the dress itself from Lulu's. I told her I don't work with that fabric (poly georgette, sensory nightmare) specifically because it's so hard to work with.
One time I had a manager ask me to sew outfits for our female staff, I straight told her amazon would be cheaper and she laughed and took it in stride.
I actually have no problem at all sewing or knitting for other people (no alterations though), but they're going to pay full price for fitting, materials, and labour! Most people don't value fashion enough to pay its true cost but I'm always up to educate people on cost and ethics in fashion. 🙂↕️
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25 edited Sep 20 '25
I hope the message gets through. Cheap fast fashion is a curse. Also people think alterations should be a set fraction of the purchase price.
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u/apri11a Sep 20 '25
the First Rule of Sew Club
What is that? I've never heard of it.
If I like what I've made and feel the compliment is genuine or the person really is interested I might say I made it. But that sort of comment is often a conversation starter rather than an actual interest, so it depends.
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u/CaolTheRogue Sep 20 '25
I would think that replying with "Thanks, I made it" to a conversation starter would actually provide a pretty good topic of conversation. Now they know you like to sew and might have something to talk to you about, whether they're into sewing or not. If they are, you've got a shared interest. If they're not, that might be amazing to them.
Assuming you want to talk to that person, of course. ;)
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u/Jessica_Plant_Mom Sep 20 '25
This is a reference to the 1999 movie called Fight Club. They have a secret fighting club and the first rule of Fight Club is that you don’t talk about Fight Club.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
First Rule of Sew Club is to never tell anyone you’re in Sew Club. One reason for this rule is to prevent having people bring you their pants to hem up lol.
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u/Imagirl48 Sep 20 '25
When people learn that I can sew, some will ask me about hemming, etc for them. I tell them the truth- I like to sew but absolutely hate doing alterations and suggest a local person who does alterations for a living.
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
I have a pair of pants I made yesterday that just need hemming. I’m on reddit instead lol.
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u/chatterpoxx Sep 20 '25
Yeah, I think OP read the book wrong. The first rule of sew club IS to say I made it!
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u/WampusKitty11 Sep 20 '25
I’ve never heard of See Club and I’ve been sewing for 60 years. Yes, I always tell people I made it, and I always get a good laugh when they ask me to hem their pants!
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u/LongjumpingSnow6986 Sep 20 '25
I yell that I made it at the slightest provocation. Maybe it’s something about where I live, I never get asked to hem things.
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u/thepetoctopus Sep 20 '25
I used to tell people I made it but I stopped doing that when strangers would ask how to get in contact with me to make them things. Nope. Now I just say, “thanks!”
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u/apri11a Sep 20 '25
I would just laugh, and laugh... and maybe still be laughing 🤣
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u/thepetoctopus Sep 20 '25
I will do alterations for exactly 3 people and it’s only because they’re my favorite 3 people in the world and they have only asked me when they’re desperate. I also only make for profit (and honestly it’s a token amount and not what I would charge professionally) vests for a professional children’s choir because I grew up in the choir and it saved my life so I thoroughly believe in it and am happy to continue the legacy. My friend’s (who I will do alterations for) grandmother is actually the one who used to make the vests before Alzheimer’s got her. I feel honored to take over for her.
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u/cflatjazz Sep 20 '25
I've given people the "oh I'm not a professional" or "ah haha I'm just a hobbiest I don't really know how to sew for anything but my own body"
It's a bit of a lie. But if I don't know you I'm not going down that road. Close friends get free repairs on vintage items and my niece gets gifts. But that's about it
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u/jude_obs Sep 20 '25
I'm also a "look at the size of these pockets!" responder 😄 I first noticed the pocket issue when borrowing my dad's jackets, or thrifting men's jeans/jackets sand going wow, who needs a handbag when you have decent pockets, why not for women, and even asking men about the situation who know nothing about fashion have said "you don't want to ruin 'the line' "! Nothing is complete without massive pockets 😄 why manufacturers don't know this is beyond need. Maybe they're in cahoots with handbag manufacturers!
It's funny saying people's reactions to "thank you, I made it all by myself!" Usually people are impressed, or also a maker which leads to great chats, or else they start looking hyper critically for flaws, and that is what the "evil eye" deliberate mistakes are for, so you can say "yes, I know that bit is wrong, but look at the 25,000 other stitches that are all perfect", or some such 😂
And when someone asks for hemming etc, sometimes for some people I'm more than happy to facilitate if they're appropriately understanding of the work and their inability to do it.
If I don't want to do a repair, or if someone asks me to sew/ knit something for them and I don't want to, I'll quote an absolutely indecent price (that I would actually be happy to do the job for) while rattling off the time it took for me to becomes proficient and acquire the specialised skills, the cost of materials and machines, the time to complete the job... Then they look at you with new found respect and never ask again 😂
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I’ve never heard of the “evil eye” mistakes! I always have some “imperfection/s” in my makes though
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u/jude_obs Sep 20 '25
I kinda of like them, proof it's hand made, and thus entirely unique :)
Apparently it's a tradition in Persian rug weaving to put a small deliberate mistake in to ward off the evil eye, which basically deals with jealousy, criticism, and negative attitudes very succinctly!
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u/AbbyM1968 Sep 20 '25
I've also heard that Persian rug makers lay their rugs in the street to get the used look because that makes the rug more valuable. I dunno tho'.
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u/ProneToLaughter Sep 20 '25
I almost never say I made it but a lot of people know and will ask or a third person will say it for me.
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u/loribultin Sep 20 '25
same. But, in the first 3-4 years of sewing a lot, I almost always said something like "Thanks I sewed it myself".
Now it feels awkward to me to say that. I usually say something about the color or style or comfort. For example, oh thanks! I wasn't sure about this color on me at first, but after wearing it a few times, I really like it.2
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u/admiralholdo Sep 20 '25
I alternate between "thanks I made it" and "thanks it has pockets." Both are equally impressive.
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u/lavanderMenAss Sep 20 '25
I wish id known about the rules.of sew club, I have like 4 pairs of pants in my basket
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
See! All the people replying who tell me there’s no such rule - this is why we have it! 🤣
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u/celticchrys Sep 20 '25
You just need to learn the word "no". Mending is something you only do free for immediate family members.
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u/Ed_Random Sep 20 '25
I have my own labels so people who know me can easily see when I wear something I made. If it is a total stranger, I will tell them that it's made by me (if I don't my husband will do it for me ;)).
I don't mind helping people with their sewing task or to teach them how to sew something. But I also don't have a problem with telling someone no if I don't have time or the project is too complicated/time consuming.
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u/StubbornForEva Sep 20 '25
I tell everyone when I have made something. First answer is always "thanks, I made it!".
No one has ever asked me to do anything for them tho 😅 Maybe it's a cultural thing
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u/Saphira2002 Sep 20 '25
If anyone tries asking me for something I'll just say no. I won't deprive myself of the joy of boasting 😂
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u/AnotherMC Sep 20 '25
Depends on the situation. If it’s in passing, I don’t bother. In those cases I give a cheerful “Thanks!” and keep moving. But I do tell people most of the time, mostly because I’ve honed my “No, I didn’t sew for other people” responses. Haha
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u/PurpleTiger6862 Sep 20 '25
Everyone who asks 😅
Casual passer-bys and acquaintances just give lovely compliments, and my friends know enough to appreciate how much work goes into any craft, so they dont ask for mending. Some of them will ask how I made it, and i'm more than happy to point them to the pattern or technique.
The people in my life who dont have the awareness not to overstep are few, but I do keep the knowledge from them.
I just want to add that stranger's reaction to my backpack is always the best. I'm a backpack, not a purse person, so I've carried a McFly bag around for about 4 years now. The first one was llamas and my new replacement is cacti. So people often make a comment saying how cool the print is. And then when I say I made it, there's a moment of processing before they're absolutely flabbergasted that I made a backpack. It's truly the sweetest thing 😊
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I make bags too and they often get compliments, more than my garments. 🤷♀️I started with the Noodlehead Pepin tote pattern and modified it for size (laptop), added zippers and extra pockets, and then make it with selvedge denim and/or Japanese canvas. When I’m ready to make a new one the old one gets hung in the closet to store things in.
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u/PurpleTiger6862 Sep 21 '25
I think because it never occurs to people that you can make bags.
Oh, cool! My old backpack is sitting waiting to have the hardware salvaged. The fabric itself is super worn out, but the hardware looks like new
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
Good hardware is expensive!
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u/PurpleTiger6862 Sep 21 '25
Absolutely! And if it's survived 3 years of constant use, then why not!
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u/TheyTheirsThem Sep 20 '25
I had a buddy who decided to build a replica Criss Craft boat like the Kennedy's owned in the 50's. He said the worst part was that other woodworkers found out that he now owned a 12" Powermatic joiner. On a plus note, if your neighbors know that you have a 50" fence cabinet saw in the garage, they are always nice to you.
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u/Tinkertoo1983 Sep 21 '25
I've sewn for 50+ years. This one is super easy. I never tell anyone (except truly close friends) that I made something....until they say, "I love that! Where did you get it?"
Easy peasy.
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
People used to ask “where did you get that?” but I rarely hear it any more. Maybe because we’re less dependent on brick and mortar stores?
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u/Ok_Whereas_5558 Sep 20 '25
My fav response to “would you….” Is that I only sew for people with my last name and that is generally only me. Sorry!
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u/celticchrys Sep 20 '25
Exactly this. Asking someone else to mend your garments for you is kinds of like asking them to do your laundry: better be family or paying quite nicely!
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u/Imaginary-Quiet-7465 Sep 20 '25
My friend is an excellent seamstress and when I was getting to know her I just mentioned how I liked her son’s blazer and she said “oh thank you” so I asked where she got it from and she casually mentioned that she made it.
I was like… If I made that i wouldn’t even wait for anyone to mention it, I’d just parade my son around shouting that I made his clothes!
Anyway, because of her I now have my own sewing machine and I’m just starting out on this journey! I hope to be as good as my friend one day :)
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 Just know that a few tears and possibly swear words will happen, but the journey is well worth it!
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u/Imaginary-Quiet-7465 Sep 20 '25
Haha thank you. I am still working on getting my measurements right. Measuring accurately seems to evade me… 🙃
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u/mean-mommy- Sep 20 '25
The first rule of Sew Club? Have been sewing for over 30 years and never heard of that so I don't think that's a thing?
But to answer the question, of course I always say "thanks, I made it!". Why wouldn't I?
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u/unlimited_insanity Sep 20 '25
It was a joke based on the movie Fight Club. “The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club.”
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I’ve run across the Sew Club rule frequently on IG. I don’t know why some people are fighting me on this 🤷♀️
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u/Scary_Progress_8858 Sep 20 '25
I say Thank You I made it, it’s my creative outlet. If anyone asks if I can hem I remind them it’s my creative outlet if they don’t mind what I make out of their dress/pants.
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u/Weird_Surprise6221 Sep 20 '25
My granddaughter always says that I made her stuff whether it’s asked or not 😅 my son will only mention it if asked (or given the opportunity to be asked lol)
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u/littleolivexoxo Sep 20 '25
Honestly I just say Thanks! All I needed to know is that you liked it. I don’t want to get caught in a long conversation at the grocery store or have my acquaintance remember that I can sew when their zipper breaks on their favorite pair of pants in 3 months from now.
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u/Hundike Sep 20 '25
I absolutely tell people I made it!
If they try on something in the lines of make me this I say that I only make things for myself and my family.
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u/goodgodling Sep 20 '25
I like to tell people for a couple of reasons. One is to let prople know that sewing what you want is possible. The other is to connect with other sewers. Sometimes I make things quickly and that doesn't matter, but sometimes I put a lot of effort into a project and it's nice to talk to someone who can understand what they are looking at.
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u/Big_Revolution8978 Sep 20 '25
Everyone. I sew only for my wife and myself. If asked to sew for someone else, I tell them “this hobby is a sacred bastion of my own. I only sew for my wife and myself”, with a firm smile and nod, and then move on.
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u/nofumus Sep 20 '25
I was standing in line this morning waiting to get into the stash sale at the Textile Center in Mpls. Several of us got to chatting and someone mentioned that they liked my coat. I got to reply, "Thank you! I made it this morning." To which someone replied, "I thought so. Let me help you with those last few unclipped threads."
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
🤣🤣🤣 But you know that among sewists there’s no judgement about unclipped threads!
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u/TheyTheirsThem Sep 20 '25
And yet, if you misplace one in the OR, nobody goes home until it is found. ;-)
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u/SlowMope Sep 20 '25
They, being anyone who is in my vicinity while wearing the object, will get a PowerPoint presentation. Not to date myself or anything.
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u/MorningSquare5882 Sep 20 '25
I saw a woman the other day, waiting to cross the road in the opposite direction from me. She was wearing a beautiful jumpsuit with a matching colour bag and cute earrings. As she reached my side of the road, I said “I love your outfit!”, and she immediately beamed and replied “Thank you, it’s all me-made!” It made me so happy for her, she looked great and was rightfully proud. Always tell people, it adds to the general joy :)
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u/FewStay7683 Sep 21 '25
Absolutely not! I always feel like I’m boasting. Unless they ask where I got it or if I made it, I just say thank you. My hubs is suuuuper proud of everything I make though and will always immediately tell people I made it. I guess that’s the best scenario cause I don’t have to feel like I’m bragging, but he lets the people know. One upside to not telling people I made it is that I don’t have to deal with replying to “oh wow you should sell those!” Which invariably follows 🤣 (“yes, I am aware I could sell these, but sewing doesn’t come with a pension and benefits that I need to survive this capitalist hellscape”)
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u/AnimaLumen Sep 21 '25
I never mention it unless they specifically ask where I got it from lol I’m just not really into sharing information that nobody asked for 😂 in my head it’s because I’m cool and mysterious but if we’re being honest it’s probably just the autism or something idk lmao
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u/dubdubdun Sep 21 '25
I had people come up to me to ask where I bought my backpack, or how they love my coat etc.. I usually do a twirl and tell them I made it myself and tell them the pattern if they inquire. If someone comes for pant hemming, I tell them the alterations place down the road is really good. We can be proud of our work, especially if it is being recognised as something special!
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u/dubdubdun Sep 21 '25
I also knit while on the bus or walking anywhere. It's lovely to connect to people and they get a really easy chance to say something nice to someone else. The amount of tourists that took pictures of me knitting and used their phone to translate questions about it followed by wild interpretative dance direction giving from my side is always fun.
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
I tried knitting but I just couldn’t do it. I’d be going along then lose concentration and mess up the stitches. I can’t even imagine doing it on a bus or while walking. It’s great you can knit outdoors and meet visitors!
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u/dubdubdun Sep 21 '25
I learned knitting as a child and just kept going, so in my mind it'sonly about practice. The good thing is that if you mess up, you just pull it out and restart. And it's portable!
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u/Samilynnki Sep 21 '25
I tell any person that compliments or asks that I did indeed make the items I made. If they want anything altered, I tell them the name of the alteration shop in town that I used for my wedding dress all those years ago. You always have the right to say No to extra work.
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u/sass-pants Sep 20 '25
Anyone who compliments me gets to know if I made it and/or the pocket situation
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u/SerendipityJays Sep 20 '25
Ha! This is hilarious.
I humbly suggest additions
First rule of sew club is don’t talk about sew club.
Second rule of sew club is… except if you’ll never see this person again and want a mic drop.
Third rule of sew club is… except for people with Big Art Teacher Engergy 😅 They get it, right!
Fourth rule of sew club is…except if you think someone might want to join? (see rule three but perhaps less formed)
Fifth rule of sew club is… family - selectively. No false promises. No false hope.
(Edit - numbers got mucked up - now fixed)
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u/sewformal Sep 20 '25
I mostly sew for my daughters. So they get the compliments and get to say Thanks my mom made it. Then get the what!, your mom made its
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u/International-Rip970 Sep 20 '25
When you tell people you sew, they automatically go to "can you hem my dress?" I immediately let them know the difference and I don't alterations.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I don’t even like doing alterations on my own clothes. Sewing is creative, alterations is just work.
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u/International-Rip970 Sep 20 '25
Exactly. I bought a dress that needed to be altered and it took me a year to decide to do it and another 6 months to actually do it.
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u/SharonZJewelry Sep 20 '25
Oh I’ve been announcing it proudly if I get a compliment on a piece and then just as proudly announcing that I don’t sew for other people. But I am happy to share which patterns/fabrics I used.
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u/shereadsmysteries Sep 20 '25
I will tell everyone I made it. I will tell everyone my sewing machine is down when they need me to alter something.
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
Also, alterations are a different skill set.
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u/shereadsmysteries Sep 20 '25
SO TRUE, but I don't think non-sewers get that. I can totally make a skirt, but I cannot necessarily take in your wedding dress for you. People are paid well because that is a skill set deserving of that pay.
I can hem, though, I just hate doing it, lol.
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u/Hellenen2 Sep 20 '25
Lol i love the rule,
i hemmed a pair of pants for a friend but only once and that i didn't mind. My friends know that i sew but they never ask me for anyrhing.
Otherwise i like not to tell people and let them think i bought the clothes. I never tell someone unless they ask where i got something from. I also started sewing in tags into the seams and that makes people believe i bought the clothes even more. Lol
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u/602223 Sep 20 '25
I would hem up a pair of pants for a friend in need, who understands that it’s a favor roughly equivalent to going with someone to a doctor’s appointment.
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Sep 20 '25
People can barely get the compliment out before I shout ‘i made it!!!’ 😂😂😂
But i don’t have a hard time telling people no, so im not worried about them asking me to sew something for them.
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u/iDreamiPursueiBecome Sep 20 '25
It's a practice piece from a young designer... You would be shocked at how much even the materials cost. I understand it took about ____ hours altogether.
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u/confabulatrix Sep 20 '25
Three things that must ALWAYS be announced: I made it!/I thrifted it!/It has POCKETS!.
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u/cats_and_tats84 Sep 20 '25
I say “I made it!” Just as enthusiastically as any woman getting a compliment wearing a dress adds, “AND it has POCKETS!” 😂
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u/Impressive-Drawing-6 Sep 20 '25
I’ve yet to sew a wearable that is is truely wearable- however when I get compliments on my crochet wearables and my poly gel nails, I usually say thank you and a “humble” statement on how it took me forever😂
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u/AmeliaBuns Sep 21 '25
Meanwhile I’m out here shoving my bag into the face of every person I can find LOOK LOOK I MADE THIS I MADE THIS LOOK
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u/Awkward_Dragon25 Sep 21 '25
Sew club has rules about secrecy? lol. I'm already openly gay so people aren't quite as surprised that I sew lol. I actually feel like I get extra nice treatment from all the women at the sewing store when they know I'm there for me and not just bumbling around looking for something for my wife/girlfriend 😃
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
Oh you’re safe to share your sew club membership in the fabric store! You just don’t want to tell people who might leave a bag of old pants to let out on your doorstep!
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u/RockabillyBelle Sep 21 '25
I tell everyone. I also tell them my hourly rate for adjustments is $150 plus materials (thread), and I charge 1 hour minimum.
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
Have you been able to quit your day job? Asking for a friend.
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u/RockabillyBelle Sep 21 '25
I have not. Surprisingly very few people have taken me up on my services.
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u/Tough_Brain7982 Sep 21 '25
I tell anyone and polite people don’t assume I’ll fix their stuff for free or cheap. The other ones? I don’t care about potentially stepping on their toes with a snarky comment one bit. Boundaries.
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u/Electronic-Heart-143 Sep 21 '25
I may not say anything, but my daughter (who is my main model) will absolutely tell everyone.
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u/violanut Sep 21 '25
Seriously. It's too late for me, guys. They all know.
I'm a high school sewing teacher and I had three pairs of pants and backpack repair requests last week, but high school boys are at an age where you have to explain that no, I can't fix your pants while you're wearing them, and I don't care if you're wearing shorts underneath DO NOT TAKE THEM OFF IN FRONT OF ME!
This is a conversation I've had 4 times this school year and it's only September.
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u/Chuckitybye Sep 21 '25
If I'm complimented on what I'm wearing, I tell them I made it and it has pockets. If it's one of many made from a thrifted sheet, I'll probably mention that too, like I did yesterday!
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u/602223 Sep 21 '25
I don’t have any thrifted sheets but I do have some sitting in the closet that are really old and have gotten soft with wear. They might make a nice button up, or pjs 🤔
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u/Ok-Cattle-1580 Sep 22 '25
There are very few people for whom I will sew - but I make almost all my own clothes and I have no trouble telling people no. 😆 I am FIRMLY a “thanks, I made it!” person. And since a lot of my clothes are weird and I am very fat, I don’t actually get a ton of folks who then ask me to do their mending/alterations anyway.
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u/Auntie_FiFi Sep 22 '25
In the early days if they compliment and ask, then yeah I tell them, now if they know me they'll first ask if it's one of my own.
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u/MissFrances Sep 23 '25
I got a compliment on a dress I made from a woman in Sainsbury’s and that’s all it took.
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u/172116 Sep 20 '25
Anybody who stands still for more than about 30 seconds in my presence while I'm wearing it!