Pillow Biz

I agree it is a can of worms, but the reason I make my own (custom) pillows is to have the fabric I want, that works with my room.

I have a hard time imagining commissioning a pillow and not getting my fabric of choice. Perhaps you could offer it at an additional cost?

-Charlotte

Angi wrote:

Thanks, Sharon for the feedback.

My biggest concern with allowing them to choose from a range of fabrics is my startup costs and storage. I'm going to be working from home and I simply don't have the money or the space to offer a wide range of fabric choices upfront.

Re: Pillow Biz

Well, that's easily solved. If you only want to work with certain fabrics, get swatches of the fabrics you want to use. Most fabric retailers will give you small swatches of fabric either for free or for very little money. You need to make sure they are fabrics that you can get from your suppliers any time. In other words, fabric they can reorder from their suppliers. Then you can order the fabric as your clients need it. That means you don't order anything until you have a signed contract for a commission, and until you've been paid, up front, for the materials. I would suggest a nice photo album to store the swatches. That way you can put the swatches in there along with pictures of pillows made from those fabrics (if you've used them before.) That's something easy to share with potential clients and as well as an easy way to store the swatches.

Or you can do what I do. I go shopping with my clients and help them choose their fabrics. Then they buy the fabric. I do this for two reasons. 1. It lets my clients have whatever fabrics they want to have. (while I'm there to make sure they don't bring me fabric that's totally inappropriate)

1. I can avoid having to deal with sales tax. My state does not charge sales tax on a service. All my clients are buying from me is my know how and my labor. I do still have to deal with my own personal taxes, soc. sec., income tax, etc., but not sales tax. IMO, one less set of taxes to file is a good thing. :)

I work from home too. So I completely understand needing to keep things confined to one part of your home. I can honestly tell you though, that if you want to do custom work, you will need to do it so that your clients have say so over every aspect of color, size, shape, etc. Now, if they ask for something that you can't do, or something that won't work, you say No. But if you want to do custom work, remember it means just that.

Be sure you check out the tax laws, and other biz laws where you are. Check too that there are no restrictions that would prohibit you working from home. (for example, I can have a home based business here, as long as my neighbors don't object (they are some of my best alteration clients!) and I don't put a sign outside the house.) It's not a bad idea to find a business attorney and buy an hour of his/her time. Ask about all the local laws, etc. It's an inexpensive investment in your business. Especially if it helps you avoid pitfalls later on!!

HTH

Sharon

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. Actually, it's made me reconsider my approach. I think I'm just going to design my stuff outright and if the custom work comes my way, then so be it!