How to Use Sewing Skills to Make Money
If you've made a hobby out of sewing, think about converting your sewing skills into a cash generator. Whether you rent a space or work from home, sewing is a practical, sought-after craft with many opportunities to expand your business.
Instructions
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Open a mending and alterations service. Many people lack the skill or time necessary to repair clothing, install zippers, sew buttons or hem seams. Start by marketing your skills to neighbors and those in your community, and let word of mouth take over. Do not set your hourly rate at less than $10, as you need to make a reasonable amount of money after taking the costs of machine maintenance and sewing notions into consideration.
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Start a sewing instruction business. If you're new to teaching, buy a copy of "The Business of Teaching Sewing," by Marci Miller and Pati Palmer, from Amazon.com (see Resources below). In an age where sewing classes are fading from the school environment, this book helps you harness your sewing skills to start and successfully market a profitable skill-teaching business to adults and youth.
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Download a free informative brochure from KidsCanSew.com if you are interested in sharing your skills with children (see Resources below). If you like the Kids Can Sew curriculum preview, you can order student workbooks, patterns and curriculum plans online to get your teaching business started.
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Market your sewing skills to dry cleaners in your area. While dry cleaning services regularly receive calls and requests for simple clothing repairs or alterations, many of them do not want to hire a full-time seamstress. Visit the dry cleaners in your area and distribute your business card and an informational brochure on your project skills. They may decide to use you to complete their repair work on a contract basis.
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Open a custom bridal business by creating dresses and other formal clothing for customers. While many women have a vision of what their gown should look like, they may find it difficult to locate the perfect style. Make money by sewing wedding and formal gowns for those searching for a custom design and personal touch.
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Manufacture home decor items like curtains, drapes, pillows and comforters. There are unlimited ways to make money with this type of business, whether you're creating products for your friends and neighbors or you're creating custom designed tapestries for interior designers and homebuilders. Contact a wholesale fabric company to get enough fabric samples for a customer portfolio. Many companies will offer the samples for free if you intend to use them regularly to purchase your fabrics.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the United States Small Business Administration website to find suggestions about creating a business plan, structuring and marketing your business, pricing your services and more (see Resources below).
Resources
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Comments
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can you realy make money by sewing for others?
