I know this may be a sensitive subject but it has always been my dream to make a real living sewing. I know a few people here do it and I feel that my sewing skills & knowledge are very good (of course it is a lifelong learning process like any other career) and I also feel that my sewing machines are top quality and produce great stitches. I can of course follow any pattern and draft some easy costumes. I currently have quite a few jobs on the go in my spare time and a few more coming in that are confirmed, as well as tons of quote requests which sometimes lead to work, however I would feel extremely nervous just quitting my job to pursue this since I have a good job, kids, mortgage...a life! I think my costs would be cut in half just by not paying for daycare, gas, parking and meals not to mention suits & high heels but at the same time is there any way a person could make enough money to support themselves? I guess I am just looking for other people's stories,experiences or advice. Thanks in advance,
If you do high quality work, there is always money to be made in alterations and the occasional bespoke item. The "little old Italian tailor" may be only a NYC phenomenon, but I (being Italian) have always found one in every neighborhood that I have moved to (in the NYC area), and they *all* made a good living, bought a house, put their kids thru college etc.
My present one is over 80 - works out of a little tiny shop in Hackensack, and although he doesn't make suits or shirts anymore (he's made mine in the past, as have all of my tailors), he has a waiting list (a two-week wait) for alterations. And he's not cheap. But he does good work, and has an eye for fitting RTW clothing to the man or woman, and attracts a following that are not pleased with the "tailor" or "seamstress" that works in the dry-cleaners and turns out inexpensive, but ill-fitting alterations.
AS i don`t live in Usa , i can`t say anything , but i would like to add something i would think about . The economic athmosphere is now very Unsure , [all over the globe], thus maybe you shouldn`t leave a paying job. On the other hand in Harder times people will go back to repairing/recycling clothes and/or home made clothes .. You Should really sit down and write down Every penny of every cost you have ,,, Also check how working at home will change your Tax status .. It is true that you will save on daycare , but you will always at times be called off the sewing to help the kids or care for them ,,, I wish you that what ever you choose will be the BEST for you and bring you Hapiness ,, mirjam
Thanks, I don't live in the USA either, but I live closeby, in Canada. Things aren't as bad in my province as other places but it could get worse. I agree that right now is not a great time to leave a paying job, I am doing my research so that maybe one day I can start my own company!
I just had to laugh because one day I will be married to one of those "little old Italians" (He isn't old yet...) but I wouldn't let him touch my sewing machine!
I sew for a living but not in the same way as you are describing. I hate alterations. I now make children's clothes which I design and make, then I sell on foires and markets, mostly artisan exhibitions. I like the freedom of making what I like.
I say now as I began by making a variety of items; cushions, bags , soft toys and children's clothes and then fine tuned my production by working out what people liked best from my work, until I was making just waistcoats (vests in the US.) When I was making waistcoats I was making for children and adults, I liked making those as I it gave me access to the whole market but now they are less "a la mode" as they say here I have fine tuned again and currently make mostly dresses which has divided my potential market by 50% on the children's clothes front. I do make some bibs and unisex reversible fleece jackets, but boys are difficult to sell the idea of it's a one off design you won't find anywhere else. Somehow grandma's etc.. are more likely to buy a dress for a little girl but not a good pair of trousers and a shirt for a boy. Well that's how it is here anyway.
It is important to make sure your costs are fully covered. I had trouble at the beginning, finding the prices difficult to say without sounding apologetic. Now I have done several courses with the chambre des métiers here in France and they have instilled a better feeling of worth and therefore a pride in the value of what I make and in my skill, it is quite easy to feel a bit alone as an artisan making your own things stuck in the countryside as I am here. Being in the countryside is another reason why exhibitions,markets, salons etc.. work best for me as my customers are not really my near neighbours.
I also work alongside my husband who is a sculptor in reconstituted marble, I am the finishing department. So I don't suppose what I do counts as a full time business, but I cover all my costs and make a profit.
I hope this idea of yours something that you can build Michelle. My business has grown very slowly I've been doing it since 1994 when our little one was born, it's not always easy juggling children and production that's for sure but we usually find a way, and it's always a thrill to see something I made walk by me when I revisit a previous market. All I have to do now is cure the French of their terrible habit of buying children's clothes two sizes too big!!! That way the poor child might actually be able to wear the item straight away instead of later when it's out of season.
Good luck with your researches. Claire in Montréal. FRANCE
I have many a customer that makes their living sewing. I can also tell you from personal experience their is nothing like being self employed. You get to work 7 days a week 365 days a year, 23.5 hours a day, one must sleep you know. Cover all you own health care costs, insurance, taxes etc. When you work from home everyone knows you will be available at all hours of the day and night so that you can attend to their every need when they feel it is a good time for them. All that said, I do not believe I could ever work for someone else again. They ask far to much of you.
Well, all the best on your forthcoming marriage! And FWIW, these gents of whom I speak, who were trained in Italy do do the majority of their work by hand...
Don't forget to check the tax / legal / insurance (of the house and yourself, and any customers that come to the house) / permits status to work from home.
Ask yourself HOW you want to work - do you want the customer to come to the house? or do you want to go to them, or meet in a 3rd party place?
Also - do think about the childcare issue - you are obviously a better Mum than me with older kids, but I know that since my DD was born (and I now have DS as well - help!), I have managed very little sewing...... OK, you could work only while the kids were in school - but I think maybe your youngest DD is too small for school?
COST everything - insurance, machines, petrol, tax, maintenance, notions, phone, running round after the customer etc. etc.
Oh sorry, my words and my brain weren't co-operating with each other! I meant my husband will be old someday... I wish I were planning my wedding all over again, it was fun. But I wouldn't want to have to train another husband!
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.