I am going to start sewing from my home

**Labontet** · 09-15-2007, 06:17 PM

I am going to start a sewing/alteration business from my home after the first of the new year. I am being let go from the bank I have worked for for almost 34 years (which was bought out) and have been so upset as to what I could do with myself.

One day an associate I work with asked me if I sewed and I said yes. She suggested that I do alterations. Oh boy, the "fireworks" went off in my head and I was so excited of a suggestion of something I know I could do but never thought about.

I am going to do light alterations like hemming, buttons, zippers, etc. and am also going to make childrens clothing and some of those fabric purses and home accessories. You know, the most people have been asking me if I could hem Jeans. You bet ya!

I am going to need to buy a new sewing machine and a serger. I am leaning toward an Electronic/Embroidery sewing machine. I will need to also take sewing lessons from wherever I buy the machines because I do not know how to use either one. My sewing machine is an oldie from the JC Penney catalog many, many years ago and nothing fancy at that.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I need to put in place before I jump into this venture?

**tervsforme** · 09-15-2007, 06:29 PM

I think that's fantastic! Most sewing machine dealers give lifetime free lessons with their machines. You could also think about teaching sewing! I'm looking for a sewing instructor and there aren't that many by me!

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-15-2007, 08:24 PM

I lady down the street form me does this. She converted her garage into a shop. She has a cute little sign in the window that says open and closed and she has a cute sign that hangs on her mailbox that is shaped like an old sewing machine. I think I saw a rack in the window with quilted purses on it.

**momto6** · 09-15-2007, 08:39 PM

I would LOVE to be able to sew well. I am slowly trying to teach myself. If I was you, I would look into the boutique childrens clothes business on ebay. It is getting really competitive now but if you can sew well, come up with cute original ideas and build up some clients, some outfits go for a lot of money on there. Type cbd or bcmm in the search box on ebay and it will show you some examples of some. There are lots of boutique groups on there. I have sold some hairbows on there but it is getting really competitive to sell. Good Luck!!! Amy

**PB&J** · 09-15-2007, 09:04 PM

That is great!! I sew and sell things on Ebay and really enjoy it. I used to have my handmade items in a craft mall as well, but it went out of business. That was really nice, I would just keep my little booth stocked with my stuff and they did all the selling. I would just get a check at the end of the month.

**kaykwilts** · 09-15-2007, 11:40 PM

You could try to sell some things on itsy.com

**Judi Dial** · 09-16-2007, 12:22 AM

I just bought not too long ago two small pillows (I think for a baby, but they look fine in my office) made from Pottery Barn crib bumpers. One has a star on it. The other has a crescent moon.

I have two small "leather" chairs in my office and a "normal" pillow would have overwhelmed them, not to mention me, as I'm pretty small too. I paid $6 each for them. I think they're charming!

If the kid's bedding to other stuff is an idea you want to pursue, pm me and I'll give you the woman's ebay handle. It's what she sells on ebay.

Also, as a size 10-14 woman who happens to be under 5', I can tell you that finding someone who will hem things reasonably is a real boon. I wish I still lived in FL, I could help you out and you me at the same time!

If there's a petite store nearby, ask them if you can post a card or something. It's a real pain when the only thing that fits you vertically is kids' clothes, and you can't get into them because you're too big. So, which do you get? Tight-fitting kids' clothes or baggy, ill-fitting adult clothes?

Good luck!

Judi

**Labontet** · 09-16-2007, 03:34 PM

I am right there with you Judi. I am 5'2 and 1/2 inches tall and I know very well how it is to find the right length of jeans, pants, skirts, etc. It is really frustrating to me when I go buy my jeans and the label says petite but I still have to roll up the jeans or hem them.

PB&J, I am interested in putting my items on EBay but am not sure how to set up an account and get all systems in GO. I know I would need to also be set up with Paypal to coordinate any sales.

tervsforme, I do not think that I could teach anyone how to sew. I don't think I would have the patience for it.

kaykwilts, I am going to check out itsy.com. I have never seen that site yet. Thanks.

momto6, thanks for the links to the ebay site.
AnnK, I saw someone a while back that had some children's clothes hanging in their window down here. I wonder if they were selling clothes also.

**Judi Dial** · 09-16-2007, 05:40 PM

Re the Ebay/Paypal thing, if you don't mind my saying so, if you can get a free savings acct from your (former) bank, do it tied to that account, not your primary account.

Paypal is NOT a bank, and not regulated. There have been problems. I can provide you with a link to a "gripe site" if you want it.

We don't have paypal attached to our main account, but a secondary one, along with a credit card as our backup funding. Just in case. (I'm always in favor of cheap insurance!)

I may be carrying coals to Newcastle here, so to speak, with you having been in banking for years, but it seemed worthwhile to say something anyway. If I'm telling you things you already know, my apologies.

Good luck!

Judi

**bugsmom125** · 09-16-2007, 05:52 PM

way to go i think that is a great idea, i have my grandmothers old sewing maching not sure if it even works but i'm gonna have a friend look at it and teach me the basics, my grandmother always made all of me and my sisiter's clothes when we were little and i would love to learn to sew

**Labontet** · 09-16-2007, 07:45 PM

bugsmom125, way to go. I wish that my two daughters would have learned to sew. I tried to teach them but they did not want anything to do with it. I guess it interferred with their social life.

Judi, that is a very good idea. I have a second savings account already that could be used for that. I never thought about the issues that may arise from the paypal transfers. Thanks.