How to Start a Fabric Craft Store

Make money using your design skills when opening a fabric craft store.

Starting a fabric craft store can give you a chance to share your gifts of creating crafts and selecting fabric with the world. Widespread Internet access allows you the option of starting a fabric craft store online or in a more traditional physical retail location. Regardless of the vehicle you choose to display your design talents, starting a fabric craft store can be a source for fabrics and crafts that are in demand.

Instructions

1. Choose a name for your fabric craft store. Write down possible store names on a pad of paper. Pick a name that creates an image in the mind of potential customers and that is easy to remember. Make sure that another company is not already using your chosen name by contacting the Department of Business in your state.

2. Establish your fabric craft store on the Internet. Create a store on an established website marketplace that focuses on fabrics and crafts. Choosing a site of this nature will enable you to offer your fabric craft creation products to the online world and make money.

3. Find a location. Pick a place with enough room to store all of your fabrics and crafts. Make sure that the physical location can fit a table that you will use to cut your fabric.

4. Build an inventory. Purchase enough fabrics and crafts from your suppliers to fill your location. Decorate your store using your design talents. Consider hiring someone who is a designer if this does not fall under your area of expertise.

5. Outline your services. Create a full description of each fabric and craft that you have in your online store. Take pictures of the items and place them on your online store website. Include the prices on your site, and be sure to include the costs it would take to ship each item. Remember to factor in your expenses when determining prices so you can be sure to earn a decent profit.

6. Distinguish your store from the competition. Offer sewing classes each week for adults who love to sew, for example. Consider having a day each month where you hold a class that teaches children how to create crafts using fabric.

7. Market your services to potential clients. Let friends, family and neighbors know that you have an online store. Offer them predetermined discounts, such as getting one free yard of fabric if they refer one paying customer to your store. Let them know that you also have a physical location where they can shop.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your state's Department of Business to determine what type of license is needed for operating your business.

• Hire an attorney who is skilled in helping businesses get established and who can advise you on the proper legal structure for your company.

References

• Steps to Registering a Business Business.gov
• Etsy.com: How To Sell on Etsy