Halloween already?

[Mule]

I don't know....I'm pretty slow so I might not even make minimum wage!

[bridesmom]

I often wonder if there is real money to be made especially for the time involved. I'd think mass producing anything would be too boring in the long run. Though my friend wanted little knit caps for newborns for her photography business, I made 3, in a few hours, and the Etsy store was charging $25 each plus shipping, which is crazy expensive. It may have taken 2 hours from start to finish for a cap and I can get at least 4 out of a small ball of yarn.

[keljo60]

About 25 years ago my then boss asked me to make an alligator costume for her son for Halloween. I don't remember what I charged her, but I thought it was a lot at the time! She didn't bat an eye. I told her what to buy and she bought all the supplies and I did the sewing. It was the kind with the huge stuffed snout and tail and had feet included. Pretty detailed. He wore it for a few years and won a few costume contests with it! They were disappointed when he finally outgrew it. I have a picture of my older dd wearing it after I finished it.

One costume that our older dd wore a few times was the "housewife" costume! She wore her robe and gown her slippers and dad's tube socks, then we put white make-up on her face and pink foam rollers in her hair! She was a hit! The old men at the mall said it was the scariest costume they had ever seen! Another time she wore her dad's old jeans and flannel shirt and work boots, then did her face as a zombie, strapped on a tool belt and a few harmless tools and went as a dead carpenter! That one went over really well and basically free except for the face paint!

[Mule]

Even if I could complete things faster I wouldn't want to do it as a business. I'd be taking something I really enjoy and turning it into work! It's not the same when you have to produce things on a deadline, and to someone elses specifications. People used to tell me I should open a restaurant because I loved to cook and spent so much time doing it (so different from now!) but I never even considered it. Producing large quantities of multiple dishes on a strict timeline is NOT the same as puttering around your own kitchen when you're in the mood! I imagine it would be a similar thing with sewing as a business.

[MartySews2]

I tried custom sewing as a business before my disability kicked in. I had more bridal business than I could do & often turned away jobs. I always allowed a 6 wk deadline for myself & never took on more than 2 projects at one time. When I charged clients, I charged by the pattern piece. It was easier to give an estimate that way. I also charged a consultation fee & a shopping fee. I required 1/3 down payment. Another 1/3 at the fitting & the final payment at pick-up. If not paid after 30 days, I would send a letter demanding payment & telling the client that I would donate the outfit if payment were not received. Only had to do that once. However, I didn't enjoy it as I felt pressured which didn't help my health. It did challenge me to improve my sewing skills & to work more efficiently. I did start a sewing ministry at my church in which I do alterations for church members in exchange for a donation to the church. That has challenged me to learn to do alterations. I tell the members it may take several months to get things done as I am NOT a professional & work slowly as my health permits. I still get lots of orders for things but have decided to charge church members except the payments are made payable to the church ... not me. I find that I love teaching sewing from basic beginners to couture techniques. It is so much fun & not work at all. I now am starting a class called "Skill Builders" on Saturday from 2-5pm. We will meet weekly for $35@month payable to the church ($25@month for church members). Will let y'all know how it goes.
Marty

[Mule]

That sounds like a great idea! I'm sure people will love having another option for lessons. And the price is SO reasonable! I wish we had more than one option around here, although at least the one we have is very good....

[MartySews2]

Beth, until I started the alterations sewing ministry, I had never done any alterations at all except maybe a hem. I bought a couple of books & studied & learn as I go along. I keep telling myself that it is only fabric & I can't mangle the garment anymore than what it already is. All garments regardless of the fabric are put together basically the same way. This is what I teach my students. It's getting the fit correct & adding details that make the garment special. I spend several wks on fit alone in my lessons. I have a large collection of sewing books & DVDs to help get the point across. Size is a number while fit is essential if you want a good garment. Making a basic sloper (or block) that fits correctly is the basis of all garments. To do that, you have to have a good set of measurements & re-measure yourself every season as your body changes. That's one of the things that I love about the guild, there is someone that I can call upon to take good measurements for me. The next thing is to understand what exactly is a good fit ... Can your arms move easily in all directions w/o pulling? Is the sleeve cap, the correct height? Can you breathe easily at the waistline? Is there gaping at the breast? Do you have wrinkles at the back waist? Does your skirt ride up in the back or the front? Is your hem even all the way around? I could go on & on but this is a starting point. My best go to fitting book is "Fit for Real People" by the Palmer-Pletsch group. They also have a book for jackets & pants too. Once you understand fit, get a good set of measurements, & have a basic sloper to which all pattern are compared, sewing is so easy because your garment will fit great & hide any imperfections one might have or presume to have.
Marty