Very few people would ever admit to doing it, but we have all thrown away a shirt because it was missing a button. My mother had a big basket full of sewing stuff, and as poor kids we were always in need of mending. I recall once sewing a pair of sneakers so that I could get a few more miles out of them. To this day it is one of the skills I rely on regularly that has saved me a fortune in clothes. Maybe I got teased for having a patched up butt or knees, but I would have got teased anyway.
A good sewing kit is cheap, and it usually comes with everything you could possibly need. The one I have now came from a vending machine in a hotel lobby. I paid 75¢ for it. The hardest part is threading the needle, which can be frustrating, but practice makes perfect.
For the very advanced, a good sewing machine isn't hard to find, and usually worth having around. Creative or skilled people can come up with all sorts of ideas for old clothes and fabrics. How absurd to go shopping to find a one of a kind garment, when you could make one so easily. If you think people are going to tease you, don't worry, they'll tease you anyway.
