not truly OT, but wouldn't mind some feedback

OK, I know we have discussed me doing my sewing as a business and Kate has been immensely helpful in giving me contract ideas, etc. However, it appears that it is time to get serious. DH mentioned a few days ago that if I'm going to continue to stay at home until our youngest goes to school full-time (in 2 more years) that I need to do "something" to contribute to the family income and he *REALLY* wants me to use my sewing skills to do it (how's that for a lovely compliment!). Anyway, I have gotten some work by pure luck (recovering cushions for a couch and chair, hemming and mending work, etc.) and have done some so-called "contract" work with the PTA of the elementary school. What I was thinking about was checking with some of the local businesses in the village (Stuarts Draft) and seeing if they would be interested in purchasing some of the garden flags. I will also be trying to get in touch with the heads of the PTAs of both the middle school and high school regarding the flags and hopefully talking to the owner of my LQS to see if she would be willing/ interested in carrying some. Second part of the plan is to try and find out who I need to talk to at the high school with regards to getting my info to the students about formals, etc. Today it dawned on me that I could talk to one of the other elementary schools that feeds into the SD middle school and see if they would be interested in garden flags as well (of course, this means finding out their mascot, etc.).

I have talked with a friend who has a small side business making totes out of placemats (lovely creations, and if she hadn't told me they were simple placemat totes, I never would have known!) and she said that she has her business license, and paid the fees, but that she never really makes it to the limit that the state has before we have to pay taxes on the income. She does have to charge sales tax, though, which is something that I can read up on without too much of a headache. SHe said basically that it is a minimal amount to pay for the license and that, once you have the license, you can participate in the craft shows and trade fairs which is where she brings in most of her money.

So....I guess I just want feedback on if you all think this is a feasible way to get started on bringing in some extra money. I'm still a bit shocked that DH hit me with this out of the blue, but given the last month - Niece staying with us, legal matters regarding the house, trying to squeeze in some FAMILY vacation time, etc. - things are a little strained and hectic. And DD has hit a MAJOR growth spurt, which means new clothing and shoes for her before school starts up again (she wore a size 7.5 shoe at the beginning of June and has jumped all the way to a size 9 now!!! SHe is also wearing some size 4 clothing already when she was last wearing size 3T and most of them were too long!!! But at least my preemie girl is catching up to everyone else!).

Larisa, tired and frustrated and would rather earn extra money with sewing than with working part-time nights doing retail

Reply to
larisavann
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Reply to
IMS

OK, I'm blushing now. Hadn't even thought of teaching quilting because of the disastrous attempt with niece (though more and more I've been thinking about researching the possibility of renting space and having a place where people could pay by the hour to sit and sew with their own machines or rent machines by the hour.....can you tell I'm missing my quiet sewing space?/). I think I'll give this a look- see as well.....might start with talking to the teachers at the high school....they may actually have some students who would like to be able to work on things outside of the classroom but need guidance.....that might work....will also talk to Kathy (owner of my LQS) to see if she has any suggestions about places - she's also the one who wants me to purchase her business when she retires .

Thanks Irene!

Reply to
larisavann

larissa--

don't be surprised if the high school doesn't even offer a traditional home ec course...our's does not.

but, i do think the idea of sewing lessons might be a good thing--lots of people would love to learn, and have no place to go.. me, for example. i'm a decent quilter, BUT, terrified about sewing clothing. I'd LOVE To have someone to take lessons from...and, here's a tip, make it cheaper than tswlth, and i bet you might do ok.

the other question that would loom over me would be...how much is DH looking for you to contribute? he may or may not be realistic in this. at any rate, i think it opens the door for lots of good conversations.

betsey

Reply to
betsey

Is there a non chain Pet Store anywhere near you? You might consider making stuff for dogs & cats and selling them in the pet store

-- and there are even patterns for these things, too. Folks pay BIG bucks for this stuff. Now, you wouldn't be able to sell it to the pet store for as much as the customers are willing to pay but then the pet store *might* be willing to take the stuff on consignment and take a percentage of the selling price. It's worth looking into as long as there is a pet store nearby. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

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Reply to
Tia Mary

Larisa,

I think you need to consider what *you* want to do! And what sort of income you need, and, how much time you have available, how much time you want to put in. Child care versus practicability of working from home WITH small child underfoot (Mummy, mummy I want........ Mummy, mummy, I've just cut up the customers £100/m fabric!)

Having gone back to work (part time instead of full time) in January after taking 12 months maternity leave, this and a number of other issues have been occupying me also (such as, if I spend 2 hours an evening doing housework, when do I fit in the sewing, sleeping, leisure activities?).

Realistically, if you want to sew to earn you keep, then go for it, you do a lot of sewing, and you've done a lot of sewing for other people and charity's / schools. But it is going to take a while to build up the business, and hence income. And you're going to have to get tough on yourself and your customers - no taking on "charity" work, impossible to do things, impossible deadlines etc. etc.

Listen to Sharon and Kate about contracts, insurance, legalities, taxes, licenses, using you home as your place of work. Work out your pricing - how much does it take to heat your home, run the light bulb, run the sewing machine, food, snacks, drinks, keeping the place looking nice for customers (do you want customers to the house?).

Getting any work done with a small child around is difficult I've discovered, so factor that in. Most of us choose to be stay at home mums or part time mums for good reasons, so you may not want to put your DD in nursery, but on the other hand, we all deserve some child free time! It gives us sanity and a break, so we're ready for YET more sleeplessness / tantrums / whatever.

Consider your skill set, look at which of your skills will earn you the most money, if your enjoy it sufficiently, that's the option to go for!

(For example, I considered a change of career (due to being made redundant and motherhood) to teaching / sewing / librarian, but I'm a well qualified experienced engineer - and that brings in the most money, and I still enjoy it - so I'm still working as an engineer (having managed to get a new job luckily).

HTH Sarah

P.S. I think you were a saint with your DN - ask your DB/DS/DBIL/DSIL for some money towards her upkeep for the month

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Larisa, I found many teachers themselves would love learning basic sewing skills. Every year that I taught school, I'd post a note on the bulletin board that I was available 2 afternoons weekly to teach and I always had more than enough people sign up. All brought their own machines and materials and as their knowledge increased, it became more individualized with many working at different skill levels on various projects. So much fun for me, too. Of course, I used my own classroom after the students left, but I'm certain one or more should be able to use theirs. Just a suggestion. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

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