University Daily Kansan, February 23, 1983
Fashion through the Ages
Costly designer clothes can be copied at home
By KIMBERLY ANDRE
Staff Reporter
Women can duplicate designer clothes by sewing them at home for about one-sixth the price, the manager of a local fabric shop said last week.
Brenda Kappelman, manager of Sarah's Fabrics, 925 Massachusetts St., sews all of her own clothes.
"Most of my clothes are like uniforms because I finish them to a T," she said. "Seams don't ravel or anything."
For example, she said, even an experienced seamstress can save a lot by making silk ties for $3 to $4 each,
"A lot of things you'll buy in the store, the lingerie are finished, they'll fray.
And women who make all their own clothes are not uncommon, she said.
By making most of her own clothes, she said, a woman "could easily save one-half to two-thirds what she would pay for the same items retail."
A BIG AREA for seamstresses is designer patterns and fabrics, which are becoming increasingly popular, Kappeelman said.
"A woman can often duplicate a $300 outfit she has seen in a store with the same design partner and fabric for her own clothing, and because she can tailor it herself, it fits better."
She said patterns were available for everything from lingerie and handbags to coats.
Marge Booher, home economics teacher at Lawrence High School, said, "If you are really a good seamstress and you work time, you can sew your dress shoes."
rather than spending the $10 to $15 retail price.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OFTEN
don't have time to make their own
warriors, Kappelman so else to sew,
or do simple patterns themselves.
"They usually try to go with something quick," she said, "so they can make it up by next weekend for someone's party."
"We go with them to the pattern books and help them pick out things — fabrics and patterns that will be easier to work with." Kappelman said.
Some customers come in looking for a pattern but are not sure what they can handle.
Sarah's also offers classes for beginners and advanced classes in areas such as tailoring.
BUT SHE SAID that if cultivated, the ability to sew could be invaluable to anvone.
"It is worth the time to acquire the skill," she said. "It's an advantage both economically and aesthetically.
Boother said interest in her high school classes had declined in the past few years, probably because of the increasing price of fabrics.
"There is a measure of pride and accomplishment that goes along with it."
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