This is a good thread. Lots of great stuff mentioned already. I would just like to add a couple of things. First, it's a really great feeling to pull a good piece of gear out of your pack and being able to say "I made it myself." The other thing is, for those of us in family situations, raising kids, paying mortgages and trying to balance the delicate financial ying and yang of marital bliss, I can honestly say that it's been a much easier sell to my spouse to get that additional piece of gear that I may want, when I can get the materials for a fraction of the cost of pre-made and make it myself. It rains a lot here in Portland, and I can usually find a rainy day to stay in and sew a piece of gear.