I was at the store looking at fabric yesterday and saw an "easy" pattern for scrubs. I'm not much of a sewer but it looked like something I could do fairly well. Has anyone else made these to supplement their income?

Pauline NC

-- Pauline (tworoosters_farm@altavista.com), March 02, 2001

Answers

Scrubs aren't hard to make. Unfortunately material is very high. Uniform companies can buy in bulk and get their costs down to where they can make a profit. The cheap material at wal-mart(cheap being about $2 per yard) is nearly see through and not real comfortable to wear. I've been a 'professional'(got no clue what else you'd call it lol) seamstress for at least 9 years now. The only items I can make anything on are high dollar specialty items(even then I barely make anything per hour). I've done custom drapes and home furnishings, bridal/formal, and speacialty sewing for a boutique. I'd recommend if you want to try this do research and find out what kind of discount you can get if you buy fabric by the bolt(preferably from a wholesaler). I'd first make 2 sets of scrubs and see how folks react to them(would really help if you have some friends that are nurses). Also find out what they sell for locally and then sit down and crunch numbers after you have made 2 sets of them. How long did it take you? How much material did you use? Don't go by what they put on the back of the pattern....I can usually get by with a good bit less..my tightwad tendencies I suppose. I love to sew and that is one reason I have done this off and on through the years. Many times you could put a lot less effort into something else for a better return.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), March 02, 2001.

Pauline,

You might get some business customizing. My husband buys scrubs from a catalog, but then pays a lady in town to sew custom pockets on all the legs. It might not be steady income, but sometimes every little bit helps.

-- Mona in OK (jascamp@ipa.net), March 02, 2001.

My apologies for throwing an extra question in here... AMANDA in MO: My DW owns a NECCHI sewing machine. I suppose it depends what you're sewing, but I was hoping you'd give me your opinion on what YOU feel to be the best brand of machine, these days??? I'm not trying to put you on the spot, or anything, it's just when you hear that somebody knows a little something, it's always neat to get a little more info. Pretty please???

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), March 02, 2001.

There is a lady here in NE Alabama who makes the BEST scrubs around and sells them to virtually all of the nurses, nurse aides, vet techs, etc in our area. She charges $20/set, $25 if the set also includes a matching little "squeegie" thing for pony tails...I would say that she does quite well with four hospitals and a bunch of nursing homes, AND the home care agencies..she advertises by both word of mouth and in the tiny papers that all the neighborhoods put out...I heard that she started out by asking permission to have a scrub fashion show at the nursing homes....good idea! God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), March 02, 2001.

Action Dude, I'm rather glad you asked that question. In my experience you are totally wasting your money on really expensive machines. I have a Pfaff(sp?) serger and a kenmore machine....these are the two that I use the most. I also have an antique singer machine(granny gave it to me and I sewed on it when I was a teen), and a few other machines that I picked up cheap that I just haven't gotten around to doing a 'tune up' on. The industrial machines usually run a bit faster than I am comfortable with. Usually more goes wrong with them that I can't fix too. I've found that I can buy special attachments such as a blind hem foot that make my basic machines very versatile. In the kitchen I hate gadgets...my kitchen is very basic....but my sewing room is a whole other story! I have all kinds of gadgets, attachments and odds and ends. I've also picked up a trick or two over the years that enable me to turn out a garment or article that looks professional instead of 'homemade'. If you know how to properly use your machine you don't need one of the fancy one....after all if you don't use them properly your finish article won't look any better.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), March 02, 2001.

Thanks for the input.

We were behind a lady in Wal-Mart this evening. She had some fabric in her cart and I asked what she was making. what do you know, SCRUBS! (for herself) She told me there was a good market for them around here. Especially the larger sizes that cost quite a bit more in the catalogs. She suggested making up business cards and handing them out at the hospital and nursing homes.

First though, I think I'll do that; make a couple of sets and see if they sell. I'm not looking to make a lot of money. Just a little extra toward riding lessons and hay.

Lesley, you said the lady there makes the BEST scrubs. Wonder what she does that makes them so special? The matching hair scrunchy's a nice touch. Hmmm, maybe I could knit matching socks too!!

Amanda, would you be willing to share some of those tips on how to get rid of that "home made" look? That's one reason I don't do a lot of sewing.

Thanks for the suggestions. You guys are great!

Pauline NC.

-- Pauline (tworoosters_farm@altavista.com), March 02, 2001.

Hi, Pauline.

There is a lady here in town that will make the scrub top or pant for you for $5.00 each, but you supply the material. It takes her about 30 min. for pants, 45 min for tops. She keeps very busy. I make my own scrubs for considerably less than what I would pay a retailer to make them. Good luck! Gina NM

-- Gina NM (inhock@pvtnetworks.net), March 02, 2001.

Hi Gina,

Yes, I hadn't realized just how expensive they are in the catalogs. The lady I talked to tonight said she saves over $20 by making her own.

In all the years I worked in hospitals (11) I never wore scrubs!

Pauline

-- pauline (tworoosters_farm@altavista.com), March 02, 2001.

Pauline, the reason many nurses around here say this gal makes "the best' is that she makes colorful prints in the large sizes..so often, for the 'full figured" women, the catalog scrubs look like something grandma would wear...she also sells sets of scrubs where you can mix and match them, yet they are different patterns...Good luck...

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), March 03, 2001.

I made these when I worked for the Vet .Wait for Joannes to have there .99 cent sale and buy the patterns .I like "sweatshirt cuffs " on the pants and on long sleave shirts .They are not hard to make.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), March 03, 2001.

I totally agree that most of the clothing for larger sizes(be it scrubs or other stuff) look like granny clothes. Since I am not a puny woman I face this problem.....that is one reason I make a lot of my clothes. I like the idea of clients supplying the material and charging a flat rate to make the garments....that ought to take care of a lot of the problems associated with sewing for the public. Targeting larger women is an excellent thought. Pauline I wish I could share some of my techniques with ya'll but it is one of those things that you just have to show someone. I'll do my best to answer specific questions though. The best thing a person can do to make their clothing more professional looking is to get a serger. A serger finishes the seams of a garment so they don't ravel out when you wash them. I know we have all worn homemade garments that the seams haven't been finished on and they are horrid. If you don't already have a serger I suggest playing around with it a good deal before you do any garments on it. First thing I did on my serger was a broom stick skirt that involved at least 5 yrds of fabric. A serger cuts fabric as it sews....I got the skirt doubled up underneath and didn't realise it. I cut a 12 inch hole through the middle of the skirt.....made me absolutely sick! Of course now I have been using one for several years and that doesn't happen. Oh another thing....when doing stitching that will show..such as around the neck....a double row of stitching often looks better than a single. You can buy a double needle fairly reasonably and it makes a neater looking garment. Little things like that make a big difference.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), March 03, 2001.

Hi Pauline, make a set and give it to someone in the medical field, telling her for every 10 sets she sells for you, you will give her another one for free. Here the going price is 15$ for each. With your own material it is 7$ each. You really can't make them in sets as everyone wears a different size top from a bottom, and most wear printed tops and solid bottoms. You really have to make them reversable, by frenching the seam. Buy yourself a pair of scrubs to look closely at them, and around here everyone wants the cuffed pants that have the stretchy polyester material on them. Most hospitals have purple day, green day, blue day etc. Find out what folks want. Most of my sewing is for folks with figure problems, rather it is too big, too tall or to short. I fold mine and sell them in ziplock (cheapo off brand) baggies, with the size on the baggie. Excellent information on buying your material in bolts, and most stores can order you reversable material. Draw strings for waists are much better than committing your pants to a certain size, leaving them unhemmed and hemming at the sale with a measurement of inseam is also a 2$ extra. I have toyed with the idea of setting up a booth every 1st saturaday in my town, but you would have to make it every time to keep repeat customers.

Action Dude, I also have a Necchi, it is an old late 70's metal model, and yes if you do have a commmercial machine, it will cut your sewing time in half. I use it for all my straight sewing, especially the trians on wedding dresses. I also have a Singer, (I actually prefer it for most of my detailed sewing) which I use for everyday sewing, and also my kids use it. I also have a Husky Lock serger, it was way back when a knock off brand for Huskavarna (which not only make motors but highend machines). I am very fortunate to have access to my mother in laws commercial tayloring machines, which includes a full size serger and hemmer. I make considerably more money altering clothes than making them from the get go.

Give it a go! You can never tell what kind of home businesses will take off, even contacting your local schools, if you sew, you can not believe the work you can get altering uniforms, prom dresses, jeans! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 03, 2001.

If you get really into this, another item that sold really well to the nurses at the clinic I used to work at, was a jacket to go over their scrubs, made from a sweatshirt type fabric, or possibly from sweatshirts, but there were pockets sewn on the front, and each had a different "medical" design embroidered by machine on them, either a syringe, stethescope, etc. They loved them! They were pretty reasonable, too, I think about 25.00 each. Definitely put cuffs on the long sleeves. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), March 03, 2001.

Amanda, the way you make do with what’s on hand, reminds me of my dad. A carpenter by trade, he probably could have used some fancier tools now and then, but I remember him cutting mitered curves when I needed fitted panels for my boat. He said that over the years, he couldn’t always afford a fancy tool, but instead learned to make do with the tools that he had. (He made those fancy S-shaped miters with an ordinary 7 1/2” skil saw!) ........... My sweetie doesn’t use her sewing machine, that often, but once in awhile, she’ll clear us out of her kitchen table space, and just stay up all night sewing. The next morning, there are two beautiful dresses, for mother and daughter. I’m always amazed. She’s got a gift, but we only get to see it once in awhile. Chuckle. Thanks for the tip on the serger, she's been asking about one.

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), March 03, 2001.

I am responding to the question about that "homemade look". I have been sewing for 45 years now, and I think it paying attention to detail that makes the difference. I also think that the iron is a sewers best friend. Pressing seams, touching up this and that makes a gament neat and tidy. A serger is wonderful to finish raw edges. I do that with almost all my projects. This is off the subject, but I took all my cleaning rags and serged the edges(over a long length of time) and it really cut down on lint and threads in my laundry. They last much longer too.

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), March 04, 2001.

Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions! I didn't expect to hear from so many people.

I got the pattern and some fabric so I'll give it a go. Wish I had a serger! I can see where that would make a big difference. Something else to save up for.

Also picked up a bag of barettes. Figured I would make matching barettes too.

The other thing that has me pulling my hair out is setting in sleeves! I just finished making a dress to wear to church. One of those sleeves I had to re-do 3 times!! Is there an easy way? I sewed the running stitches that you are supposed to be able to pull on and "ease" the sleeve in. There was no ease about it. Just too much fabric. I ended up taking a larger bite in the seem of the sleeve under the arm so that the opening was a little narrower. Can't imagine ever being able to turn out a top in 45 minutes like that one lady!

Action Dude, maybe your wife doesn't sew very often because of having to use the kitchen table. It's the same here. My hubby's the type that can work on something then put everything away at the end of the day. I can't do that. If I clean it all up before the job's finished my enthusiasm bottoms out and then the job never gets done. I also find it easier to work after everyone else is in bed.

Anyway, I'm determined to get good at this. I saw a bunch of other great patterns I want to make.

Pauline NC

-- Pauline (tworoosters_farm@altavista.com), March 05, 2001.

Pauline find a pattern with ragland sleeves rather than set ins. Actually I don't even see a pattern with set in sleeves in my Simplicity book!

To sew the basting threads for set in sleeves, set your top tension which on my machine is set near 5, as high as it will go, this pulls the tension tight while the bottom tension is normal this allows the material to pucker. Don't back stitch, and also set your stitch length knob to the longest stitches your machine will let you have, also with the least stitches per inch. Then you just pull the gathered thread, or loosen the gathers to fit the sleeve perfectly. Sew just a stitch width away from this row of basting threads when you sew the sleeve in (don't forget to set your tensions and stitch lengths back) and then just pull out the basting threads.

Ragland sleeves are part of the neck/shoulder of the pattern so their is no sleeve to set in! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001.

Hey Pauline!!

You might try posting notices in apostolic or pentecost churches in your area also. I make my own whites because I prefer to wear dresses; and all the scrub dresses in catalogs are too fancy or too ugly! I use a basic pullover jumper pattern that I wear over a white T or turtleneck (with a slip). After being asked for about the 5th time "When is your baby due?" (answer: 1984!); I made the next one longer in the bodice by about 4 inches and added ties at the side that tie in the back for a bit more shaping. Hey - there's another idea - maternity scrubs!! The prim looking jumper with a voluminious skirt (with BIG! pockets) seems to appeal to my patients - but not to the "fanny patters" - (Sigh - has every male on earth seen one of "those" nurse movies?!) Our hospital requires that certain jobs wear certain colors - RN/white, CNA/eggplant, Housekeeping/rose, Support/green - I have taken extra large pants and revamped them into skirts several times for our girls that can't find skirts in the "right" color.

For the whites, I just use Wal-Mart poly-cotton at $2.97 a yard - it does fine. You might also try holiday motifs - our hospital will let us wear holiday tops only on the holidays, but they are popular. A lot of our nurses also wear scrub pants, t-shirt and then a vest - no set in sleeves. They are ususally hip length with large pockets and an elastic piece in the back for shaping. They all seem to have buttons, but I don't ever recall seeing anyone wear theirs buttoned. Do you have a couple of scrub catalogs that you can look through for ideas? If not, drop me an e-mail and I'll be happy to send a few your way.

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), March 06, 2001.

Vicky,

Thanks for the tips on the tension. I'll try that next time.

YES! I took out that pattern yesterday and you're right,no sleeves to set in!! I was elated. With that little hurdle gone I think I can get on a roll with these things. Kind of wish I'd got that simplicity pattern. It had the top, pants, skirt, hat and lab coat. This just has pants and top, but only cost $1.99. The other was $13.00!

Polly love, I haven't forgotten you. I get kind of manic as soon as the daffodils come up! Want to do SO many things and there aren't enough hours in the day. (and only 3 months before the temps get up to 100F! After that I'm toast.

I took a look at some of the "scrubs" web sites. Some great fabrics.

I did notice that there was nothing particularly directed at the African American population. Seems the majority of our hospital staff are African American. So I thought I might make some in an ethnic print specificly for them. Guess I need to research each facility's color protocol. I would like to see your catalog though. Especially the maternity styles. I didn't see any on the sites I visited.

Well, I have this one all cut out and ready to go so better get on with it.

You're all wonderful!

Pauline,NC

-- Pauline (tworoosters_farm@altavista.com), March 06, 2001.

Pauline, what a wonderful idea to do the ethnic patterns. I'm sure they will be a hit. I imagine baby patterns for maternity wards might be popular as well. Another source for customers might be doctor's offices.

Action Dude, please try to find a way that your DW can have her machine set up to easily use. It will make all the difference in the world as to feeling motivated or not. I have been sewing since I was a seven year old and that adds up to forty years (LOL) and whenever I didn't have a space where I could leave things set up, I did a lot less sewing. Even a closet where the doors can just be pulled closed around the machine and the material can be left out on the machine, is better than having to bring everything out. I currently do quilting as well as sewing and have the third bedroom converted into a sewing/quilting room. I have a portable Singer machine that I just toss the handmade cover I made for it over it when I am done for the day. It sets on an old kitchen table and because it is lightweight when I want to use the kitchen table to pay bills or draw quilt patterns, I just plop the machine on the floor beside the table. It has such good lighting over the table that hubby used it this year to go over all of his seed catalogues and place his orders. Perhaps if you set it up as an area you both can use like we did, you will be able to find a nook to put it in. Besides, think of it this way, your wife will be saving money by making clothes and other items around the house. Since you say that she does a great job, I suspect that she truly loves sewing and just feels guilty to ask for her own space. Why not surprise her by suggesting she set one up with your help. Let her design it though since it is important where the lights are and where the ironing board goes, etc. to make it most convenient.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), March 08, 2001.

Colleen, Sounds good, we'll see what can be done.

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), March 08, 2001.

Another hint for set in sleeves: sew gathering threads above and below the seam line - at 1/2" and at 3/4". Then pull up both together and sew right between the two of them. You get a lot fewer tucks that way.

-- Deborah (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), March 09, 2001.

Set - in Sleeves. On Sew Perfect (TV) I watched a Viking Sewing Machine Rep. show how to set in sleeves with no puckers. When you do the two lines of gathers, use a regular stitch length. To ease, hold your index finger tightly on the fabric behind the presser foot, and/or tighten the upper tension. The resulting gathers are much smaller and smoother making a perfect looking sleeve. I just made three lab coats for my niece this way. The sleeves are founded an smooth. I also put a little loop of cord inside the left pocket for the wearer to hook her key ring onto. Does anyone know of an easy way to do the lapped vee-neck on scrubs?

-- Linda Nelson (maplewood @ wwest .net), July 31, 2001.