Is it really Thursday? I mean that seriously. If it wasn’t for the fact the trash man came today, I wouldn’t have realized what day of the week it was – I have completely lost track of time. While this is great in the fact that it’s that much closer to the weekend, it also means that I haven’t accomplished as much as what I had hoped…. including rounding up links for today’s post.
So, since I don’t have my usual Linky Thursday up and running (stay tuned for it tomorrow, instead), I thought I would have an ‘open discussion’ today. I’ve been having a great conversation with a reader about sewing for profit and realized that I have made a conscious choice not to do much of it – mainly because I use sewing as a creative outlet and as relaxation. However, I know many of you make a nice living (or at least support your hobby) buy sewing for others, carrying items in online stores, etc.. So here comes the question(s). Do you sew for profit? If not why and if you do, do you devote all of your sewing to it or do you find time to sew for yourself\family\etc.?
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A couple of years ago, when I thought I was going to retire early, I had big plans for an etsy shop. Then, business picked up, I couldn’t justify closing down for early retirement, and CPSIA came along. Now, I seriously doubt I will ever sew for profit.
Instead, I sew for pleasure and give my projects to the friends and family who see them as “handmade” instead of “homemade”.
I can do for profit – but often don’t.
I do sew for my family, myself, and for a few close friends.
And I might be convinced to do some alterations/mending for others – if I like them enough to do so.
Hmmm…while I would love to have the dedication/motivation to sew for a profit, I don’t. I’ve kind of put my name out there for things like fixing buttons, hemming jeans, repairing zippers, and little things like that, but as for alterations (on say, bridal gowns) or custom sewing projects–I don’t have the time. I’m not sure that I have the skill for some of that stuff either, so I would tell them to find someone else. I think the main thing is knowing yourself and your unique capabilities (or lack thereof) and acting accordingly.
I do sew for profit. My business consists of window treatments, slipcovers, alterations, custom dressmaking, tailoring and teaching. I live in a smallish town and doing things for other people has helped me develop some skills I may not have acquired. Some of the time, I’m not that busy and I make time to sew for myself, family and community service sewing. I’m an addict!
Yeah, I have to agree with some of the previous comments – I have tried the Etsy thing but seem to prefer sewing for my family and friends. Also, it’s hard to justify sewing for an Etsy shop when I’m so strapped for extra time!
I have sewn/smocked for profit in the past, and I still have people asking me to smock items all the time. I just don’t because:
1.) I want to sew/smock for fun.
2.) When you add up your time it is not like you are making that much.
3.) People are usually more demanding than you expect them to be.
4.) It takes away all of the creativity and fun.
5.) You are put on someone elses time table and not your own.
6.) Again it just doesn’t pay because people don’t want to pay you what it is worth. I have heard the comment, “I could get it cheaper at the store.” My thought was “Why didn’t you go buy it from the store? Oh yeah because they didn’t have what you wanted.”
I would rather make something for myself, family or a few close friends as gifts or not sew at all then to sew for someone for profit. Acception being if my friends or family wanted to pay me.
Sewing is my way of relaxing and being creative. I hope I would never have to spoil that by making it a vocation. While I am sure it works great for others, I know that it would not work for me.
I no longer sew for profit. When my kids were young I worked full time and designed and sold Barbie clothes on the side. As a single mom receiving no child support payments it was a great part time income. Later I did alterations only to discover I hated doing them. Later still I very, very briefly did home decor (window treatments, etc.) but discovered that as much as I love sewing I love it much more when it’s my creative outlet and not my career.
I saw as a creative outlet. A few years back, I decided to make a profit on another hobby of mine. It worked well but burned me out and I have yet to return to that hobby.
I know that I can’t sew fast enough to sew for profit. It would mean buying current designer fabrics, the good interfacing, etc. and while I have the time since I’m not working, I don’t have the cash since I’m not working. It’s doubtful I could open an Etsy shop and successfully work through my stash. People tell me I should sell my stuff. Once I explain that a medium sized tote bag has around $30 worth of materials, plus my time, and that I’d have to sell a bag for around $60 they are less interested.
That said, I have some ideas for patterns and I would like to sell them but I am worried about the insurance side of it. A basic business liability policy is in the $500 range. I don’t have $1000 to shell out for incorporation and insurance. I’ve tried to find advice about this but people seem a bit unwilling to share. If anyone has any insight, prior experience or anything in this area I would greatly appreciate it!
I would definitely like to have a job that somehow involves encouraging others to sew. Selling machines, teaching (eventually), fabric store or maybe something a little more unique and creative. That would be ideal!
While I do have an Etsy shop, I haven’t put anything in it for over a year. I was really into bags and purses so I’d make a few and would give them as gifts. But soon, people wanted custom ones and they’d offer to pay, so I set up with Etsy. And I even sold a few to random buyers. It was encouraging, but hard to keep up with.
And now, what little time I do have (7 month old at home) I prefer to keep things simple and sew for my family.
Hi Stacy,
I do sew for profit, but don’t do much in way of solicitation because the work finds me. I already have a full time job, so money is not the issue for me. I do more embroidery than actual construction, but people have brought ideas to me to make things and I have designed around their specifications. The way I find time for my projects is by saying no to projects that will be big time sucks or don’t interest me.
Hi Stacy,
I don’t sew for profit, but I have loads of ideas of things I would like to make to sell when I get back home to my sewing machine. My husband says that if I sew for profit then I wouldn’t enjoy it anymore, and he is probably right, but I think (when I get back to having a house) that I will make a few things and see how they sell and go from there…
Arabella
I have been sewing for profit for over 30 years. I haven’t had my own business or do i have any desire to. I have worked in small shops that do clothing alterations or I have been on premises tailor for men’s stores. I have also done a bit of sewing of crafty things for a woman who sold her art wholesale. The last job mentioned was very unprofitable but it made me extra money when my kids were small and I could stay home with them.
I would say that sewing for a living takes the fun out of it in some ways and you have to give up your hobby some. However I have been able to sew for fun and keep work at work. It is a different kind of sewing that I do for work. For work it is only alterations on clothing. At home I sew for fun and mostly like sewing cloths for myself.
After all these years of doing alterations I am trying to figure out how to make money at sewing in other ways such as teaching. I haven’t come up with a good plan yet.
Hi, Yes, I sew for profit. I am a single, child-free woman who supports herself. I admit it has been difficult getting my business up to the income I desire. I opened in 2006, not expecting the economy to SINK shortly afterward.
I do alterations and custom work. The alteration side keeps me busy. Custom sewing isn’t ‘cheap’. I charge $20 an hour for labor. I cannot compete with bridal and bridesmaid gowns made in China, pricewise. Mine start at $200 (labor only) and go up from there.
I still LOVE to sew. I LIVE to sew. Yes, it’s difficult sometimes to work on my business and take care of my home and property.My studio is located in my home. I have a ‘significant other’ I want to spend time with also, along with keeping up with a few friends/family members.
I wouldn’t change a THING in my life. Busy and happy and HOPEFULLY, earning MORE income SOON