this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
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Asklemmy

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I’m curious, what’s an item, tool, or purchase you own that you feel has completely justified its cost over time? Could be anything from a gadget to a piece of furniture or even software. What made it worth it for you?

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[–] blimthepixie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 1 week ago (3 children)

I'm toying with the idea of getting a sewing machine.

Hand sewing bores the tits off me but I want to be able to fix/adjust/create my clothes

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Most modern sewing machines have capability to do so much more than you probably really need.

Personally, all I really need is a machine that can do straight stitches with adjustable stitch length and reversing. I have a 1950s machine that does that, and it was free to me, and there's attachments for zigzagging if I want.

If you are just patching and altering clothes, that's probably all you need, too.

[–] blimthepixie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 6 days ago

Yep, definitely.

No need to spunk loads of money on something I'll not use to its full capacity...

A second hand simple model will be sufficient.

The most exciting thing I'll end up making is probably pillowcases/cushion covers.

Or that dress from IASIP

[–] N0t_5ure@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago

I recently picked up a sewing machine at a garage sale for $40 and it has been a game changer for me and has really upped my look. All my clothes are now tailored to fit my body, and it makes a huge difference. I'm a middle-age man, but am very fit. However, most off the rack clothing is cut for the average American male physique, which means that shirts that fit me in the shoulders generally have tons of extra fabric around the mid section. Now, every short sleeve shirt I buy gets "the treatment". I take up the sleeves to mid-bicep (because showing bicep is the male equivalent to showing cleavage), take them in to hug my biceps, and then taper the shirt to the waist to show off my trim waistline and emphasize my shoulder to waist ratio. Quite honestly, it's amazing how much more attention I get based upon that one simple change.

[–] proudblond@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

lol I agree! Hand sewing is so slow. I only do it when I absolutely must.

As a kid I liked cross stitch, and I think I still might (I’m also a knitter so slow processes are fine) but I don’t enjoy the end product so I never do it.

[–] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 week ago

Cross stitch looks like fun, but I don't want any cross stitched stuff afterwards, I guess.