Being a seamstress at home is an ancient form of craftsmanship that can bring economic benefits to those with the necessary skills and business acumen. Although not all of them have what it takes to become a stylist or to devote themselves to haute couture, there are many simpler sewing jobs, such as repairs and modifications, which can be easily done from home, guaranteeing a large amount of work. If you are thinking of starting a tailoring business at home, make sure you have the necessary material and equipment and the right workplace to get your project off the ground. You will also need to consider how you intend to find new customers and whether you prefer to run your business over the internet or through a department store or dry cleaner in your area.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the New Tailoring Business
Step 1. Develop the necessary skills
Before starting your business venture, it is essential that you know how to use the sewing machine.
- Start with small, simple projects that equip you with basic skills. Making curtains or sofa cushions is not very complex and will allow you to learn basic techniques, such as sewing a straight seam.
- Get templates for more complex projects. After learning the basic techniques, it can be useful for your business projects to learn how to arrange darts or create flounces. When buying models, always keep in mind the modern trends and choose those of the hottest garments.
- Go in search of tips and techniques. On the internet you can find a lot of patterns, tips and useful tips provided by successful home seamstresses.
Step 2. Get all the necessary materials
It will depend on the type of work you will be doing, however a simple sewing machine and maybe even a cut and sew machine should suffice, in case you want to make clothes. In addition to the sewing machine you will need:
- A pair of good quality scissors and a pair of serrated scissors. You will need sturdy and sharp scissors, able to cut the fabric evenly and which, once the thread is lost, can be sharpened in an artisan workshop.
- A tape measure and a ruler. There is a rule that sewing has in common with carpentry: always measure twice before cutting. The ruler will help you to cut flat fabrics, while the tape measure is useful for taking measurements on the person.
- A sturdy iron. All cotton fabrics should be washed before starting sewing so that they retain their shape after future washes. After washing them, you need to iron them to remove any wrinkles. In addition, the iron can be useful for ironing the seams before pinning them.
- Pins and a seam ripper. The pins are needed to make sure that the layers of fabric and any padding stay in place while sewing. The seam ripper is useful in case you make a crooked seam or the thread becomes tangled while sewing. With this tool you can gently remove the thread from the fabric and then sew it back.
- Spools and thread. It's best to get plenty of spools for when you start new projects but will still have some thread on those used in previous jobs. You will also need thread of different textures - for clothes, upholstery or jeans - and also different base colors.
Step 3. Prepare the work room
Especially if customers are expected to arrive to try on ready-made clothes, it is better to have a separate room from the rest of the house. Here are other things to consider when designing the work room:
- A full length mirror. If you plan to modify or make clothes, get a mirror to use when trying on the clothes.
- A system for organizing the necessary tools, patterns and fabrics. It doesn't necessarily mean buying specific furniture, but setting up a practical system using containers, bookcases or lockers you already own.
- A sewing table. If your sewing machine doesn't already come with a table, invest some money to buy an adjustable one that's right for you.
- An adjustable chair. Office chairs may be suitable for the purpose. The goal is to have a chair that provides back support while sewing and that is comfortable enough to sit for several hours.
Part 2 of 3: Managing a Tailoring Business in Your Own Home
Step 1. Don't quit your current job
Be patient and wait for the right opportunity before leaving your job. Starting your business will incur upfront costs in terms of materials and equipment. It may also take some time before you can get a steady clientele or get a decent amount of work through a laundry or department store.
Usually starting a new business involves a greater amount of work than 40 hours per week. In this case, it will be better if you keep your main job while trying to organize the tailoring business in your free time. Remember that at first you should proceed gradually, especially if you are still learning to sew
Step 2. Find customers
Consider the area you are in and the type of tailoring services already available or those that would be needed. Also think about the type of work you would like to do.
- For repairs and modifications, dry cleaners and department stores could be an excellent choice, in addition to thrift shops, for professional collaboration.
- If you are more interested in tailor-made clothing, you may need to work for an elegant clothing store or help a seamstress who has already started her own business and has extra work.
- If you decide to specialize outside of basic tailoring, for example in making children's clothes or creating fashionable aprons, try to find boutiques that offer this type of customer service, such as a children's clothing store or a gourmet market.
- Place an ad in the local newspaper to advertise the type of tailoring service you offer. It is a great way to capture the attention of seamstresses who have overwork, department stores that need an alteration specialist or sewing shops looking for someone to create samples of the models in the shop. You can also go directly to these shops and ask if they need a seamstress.
Step 3. Create an online store
You can take advantage of a service started like Etsy or eBay, or buy your web space and create your virtual showcase.
- The advantage of an online store is that it does not have a geographical limitation regarding the customers.
- You can also decide what kind of work you want to do, rather than letting the client send you the project.
Step 4. Spend several hours a day on your project
If your children are at school between 8 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, make it your "office hours" in which you can complete projects and be reachable by customers.
You may have to work late in the evening or on the weekend, but having a daily schedule ensures productivity and the ability to earn new commissions
Step 5. Adopt a rate card
If it is hourly work for an external supplier, agree on a production schedule. If you are paid based on the items delivered, establish how long standard projects take, such as hemming trousers or widening the seams, and set a flat rate. Also decide what your hourly price is for custom projects.
- Be sure to include the cost of materials in the price as well.
- Be sure to inform customers in advance of the cost by providing a detailed quote before starting work.
- If it is an ongoing employment relationship, sign or draw up a contract. You can find several models of self-employment contracts online, including choosing one to adapt to the specific needs of your business and your client.
Part 3 of 3: Growing Your Tailoring Business
Step 1. Make flyers and brochures
Advertising is key to growing your business and can also help spread the word from satisfied customers who will have your flyer to give to their friends.
- Start with something simple. Use free downloadable software, design a flyer, and take it to a copy shop for printing. Alternatively, choose a service like Vistaprint to make a brochure that contains your contact details and a description of the type of tailoring service you offer.
- In case you decide to provide different services, consider creating a customized flyer for each type of customer: for example, one designed for a children's clothing store will be different than one for a department store or a wedding dress boutique..
- Consider creating a mailing list in case you open an online store. Your customers can then choose to receive updates when new products or services are available.
Step 2. Make promotions
Make discount coupons for clients who regularly provide you with work. Here are some ideas:
- Promotions on the purchase of large quantities: offer a free item upon reaching a certain number of purchases.
- A loyalty card. Printing business cards with stickers along the edge: every time the customer orders a modification or repair, stamp the sticker. After a certain number of stamps, offer the customer a free service or a discount.
- Make discounts on shipping. In the case of an online store, if customers place more than one order, offer combined shipping.
- Give freebies. Pack a series of small gadgets - easily made with waste materials - to include as a gift in the order: your customers will feel appreciated.
Step 3. Make a portfolio
Often when customers request a particular type of service or item, they want to see a collection of completed projects. Not only that: many times they may point you to a previous project and ask you if it is possible to make it in a different size, color or fabric.
- Make sure you take pictures of the most elaborate, innovative, weird, or particularly successful projects. They can also be useful as photos for your flyers.
- Even if you don't have an online store, consider keeping a web page and making your portfolio available on the internet.
Step 4. Expand your market
If you've only done repairs and modifications until now, consider making wedding dresses. If you've been successful in making baby clothes, start offering some maternity items or accessories for new mothers.
- Develop areas of your business that are doing well, or start offering a service you think you can deliver. Practicing with items to give to friends or family is a great way to evaluate how to expand the range of services.
- Be careful if there are seamstresses near you offering the same type of services as you. Consider advertising or even taking orders in a larger area.
Step 5. Associate with another professional
Establishing a working relationship with another established seamstress can bring several advantages, in case you are expanding your business. Here are some of them:
- If the other seamstress specializes in a different type of work than yours, you can share customers according to their needs and you will be able to increase loyalty to your shop.
- If you both specialize in the same field, you can increase your work volume. This is especially important in the case of a collaboration with a department store or a wedding dress boutique.
- Teach your job to someone else and let them handle the more technical jobs, keeping the tasks that require more skill and experience for you.
