What a great discussion.
For my personal wardrobe, I like to experiment. :) I will play with different fabrics and different designs and see where it goes. T-shirts I won't make. Those come from Wal-Mart much cheaper than I could make them. If I can go get it for $5 or less, I'm going to buy it. Other than that, the sky is the limit. I agree with Val & Kate, I will use inexpensive fabric (not Cheap fabric, there's a huge difference between the two!) And I will use that fabric wherever it seems to work best. The last suit I made myself was from $3/phoenix yard wool blend from fabric.com. But I treated it the same way I would have $30/yard fabric. ;) On the other hand, I have a tremendous stash of really gorgeous, high end fabrics too. Those I have to keep a while and let the ideas percolate. Plus that gives me more time to pet and fondle the fabric I'm hording. lol I like to sew trendy things, but I don't use my really fancy fabrics for them as a rule. I save those for things that I know are going to be wardrobe staples for a long while.
Now for clients, I never know what's coming through the door. The only thing I normally turn down is upholstery. I have a good pal who has an upholstery shop, so I cheerfully hand them her phone number. I love doing fancy stuff for clients. That's almost always a fun time. Although, if they seem like they are going to be PITA's, I will turn them down too. My upholsterer pal often says, "If I don't like someone, I just can't sew for them." And I know what she means. I've also gotten to the point that I can cheerfully turn down those who ask the impossible. (like the guy that called for his fiancé to ask me if I could make her a wedding dress in the 2
1/2 weeks before the wedding. I may have been able to get it done, but I doubt they could have afforded what I would have charged to do that one!!!)
So I guess that makes me an "E." When I look at my fabric stash, I often feel like a 6 year old who has just been given a brand new 64 count box of crayola crayons and a ream of white paper. The possibilities are endless and varied. :)
Sharon