When I restored my '51 International half-ton truck, I sewed
up the upholstery for the seat. People (men, mostly) ask me who did
it, and when I tell them that I did, they say "Huh! Wish I could do
that!" I've done upholstery for several boats I built as well as my
Jodel. I make other stuff from fabric: logbook bags, pouches, storage
containers for the tiedown ropes and chocks and for survival kits for
our Citabrias. Whenever I see another $5 sewing machine in a garage
sale I grab it, especially if it's better than the one I'm using.
(Same goes for old electric irons, for shrinking aircraft fabric; the
new ones aren't nearly as accurate at holding temperature.)
Sewing ain't hard. Just need to think it through, take old
stuff apart to see how it was done, and go at it. Saves money and
allows you to do more of the total job.

Dan