Making your own clothing is so much more expensive than buying cheap stuff and I hate that!!!

We have such a problem with fast fashion and things being made cheap and wearable for one season before it either is out of style or worn out. It's ridiculous and it causes so much garbage. I am learning to make my own, but even a simple pattern costs a ridiculous amount. It's just a packet of paper, cheap and thin, but a pattern for a pair of pants costs around $18!!! It can cost $20-30 for the fabric ON SALE DAY, plus buttons and zippers. In the end, I'm spending at least $50 and lots of time, but at least I know what quality it will be. I just hate that what was an economical way to get cool clothes is now more expensive than just buying them.