@toxi I "only" do sewing lately but it surely applies here in some way as well.
I do very much enjoy the thought process of making something. Learning how things are done, gaining new skills even only following a pattern. It does teach you about construction and stuff as well so making changes so something fits you better is easier. I guess I am lucky its a hobby not as tainted by AI. AI Patterns do exist but still can be avoided.
I love the sharing of knowledge in the craft. Mostly out in the open. If you have some sewing problem there is a video or blog to solve it made by a human.
Also yeah stuff takes time. You will invitably waste some fabric here and there because things just do not work as you thought. But thats what a mock-up is for. To learn and improve upon for the proper garment out of the expensive fabric.
Atleast thats how my journey with making some plushies for the first time went. Lovely videos on how to learn how to turn a 2D-Drawing into a 3D-Plushie and what to look out for. Chance is someone else made the mistake and I can learn from them and do it better the first time than having to learn all myself.
Do I take ages for what I do? Yeah. But I am also very proud that I can point at something and say I made this myself. Code or Fabric does not matter