How to turn hobby (dressmaking) into business, and is it a good idea?
May 10, 2011 4:24 PM Subscribe
Advice on turning a hobby (dressmaking) into a business/career for a recent graduate
I'm at university in the UK at the moment, studying Maths and French. I've started thinking about what I should do after university and nothing really seems to appeal to me. The only thing I can see myself doing is taking my hobby of sewing/dress-making and making a business out of it. However, the problem is that I'm not sure whether I can make a business out of it - it strikes me that it would probably be very difficult.
I'm getting married this summer, so I wouldn't need to be able to support myself to begin with, as my husband earns just about enough to support both of us (at least before we have any children). Also, I'd like to be a stay-at-home Mum in the future (we're not planning on children for a few years) and I could see this working fairly well with the whole seamstress/dressmaker thing. The other worry is that I only really started doing this sort of thing two years ago, so I haven't got that much experience - but I am very keen.
Any advice, particularly from anyone who has been in similar situations, would be much appreciated. I'd be interested in whether people think this might be feasible, how I should proceed, where to start etc. Again - anyone with experience in doing with (not necessarily with dressmaking, but other art/crafts things and making a hobby a business) would be great.
I'm at university in the UK at the moment, studying Maths and French. I've started thinking about what I should do after university and nothing really seems to appeal to me. The only thing I can see myself doing is taking my hobby of sewing/dress-making and making a business out of it. However, the problem is that I'm not sure whether I can make a business out of it - it strikes me that it would probably be very difficult.
I'm getting married this summer, so I wouldn't need to be able to support myself to begin with, as my husband earns just about enough to support both of us (at least before we have any children). Also, I'd like to be a stay-at-home Mum in the future (we're not planning on children for a few years) and I could see this working fairly well with the whole seamstress/dressmaker thing. The other worry is that I only really started doing this sort of thing two years ago, so I haven't got that much experience - but I am very keen.
Any advice, particularly from anyone who has been in similar situations, would be much appreciated. I'd be interested in whether people think this might be feasible, how I should proceed, where to start etc. Again - anyone with experience in doing with (not necessarily with dressmaking, but other art/crafts things and making a hobby a business) would be great.
My mom was a dressmaker for about 20 years (and quit about 10 years ago. This was in the U.S.). She basically started after a high school class and did the ad-in-the-paper, word-of-mouth thing. She was, at some points, affiliated with fabric stores.
My mom was really good but she got burned out. She did some custom work when it came to designing or replicating a photo, but she mostly worked from patterns. People are very demanding and nitpicky when you make clothes for them -- more so than if they bought something off the rack. You have to schedule fittings (if you're affiliated with a fabric store or some other kind of shop, you can do those there, but otherwise, you'd have to have people come to your home or you go to theirs. Does that interest you?) She had a few nightmare situations when people stopped payments on checks -- and that was money that she needed. There were also situations where she'd make dresses for a bridal party and some people would never show up for fittings or pick up their dresses (or pay). It is a lot of dealing with people -- some of whom are stressed out and not necessarily the nicest. There are also costs in maintaining your equipment -- sewing machines break down under hard use, after all, and if you have an inexpensive one, you may quickly find it's not going to hold up (and if you get serious, invest in a serger/overlock sewing machine -- your results will be much more professional).
However, my mom liked doing alterations and still does them sometimes -- hemming pants, other kinds of tailor to pre-existing garments. Depending on your skill level, you can make quite a bit of extra money doing that kind of thing.
I am absolutely not trying to talk you out of it and I don't know what's changed in the years since my mom has stopped dressmaking (but I have to think it hasn't changed all that much). But it is hard work and I'm glad you already know that. If you just need to do it as "fun" money or a secondary income -- in other words, it's not absolutely necessary -- it's maybe worth trying.
(I'd start with offering to make a dress for a friend for free or something just to go through the whole process. And then ... Craigslist? Talk to fabric stores nearby -- especially higher-end or independent ones.)
So to answer you ultimate question: It's not impossible to make money at it. It's not a bad idea. Just know what you're getting into.
posted by darksong at 4:46 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
My mom was really good but she got burned out. She did some custom work when it came to designing or replicating a photo, but she mostly worked from patterns. People are very demanding and nitpicky when you make clothes for them -- more so than if they bought something off the rack. You have to schedule fittings (if you're affiliated with a fabric store or some other kind of shop, you can do those there, but otherwise, you'd have to have people come to your home or you go to theirs. Does that interest you?) She had a few nightmare situations when people stopped payments on checks -- and that was money that she needed. There were also situations where she'd make dresses for a bridal party and some people would never show up for fittings or pick up their dresses (or pay). It is a lot of dealing with people -- some of whom are stressed out and not necessarily the nicest. There are also costs in maintaining your equipment -- sewing machines break down under hard use, after all, and if you have an inexpensive one, you may quickly find it's not going to hold up (and if you get serious, invest in a serger/overlock sewing machine -- your results will be much more professional).
However, my mom liked doing alterations and still does them sometimes -- hemming pants, other kinds of tailor to pre-existing garments. Depending on your skill level, you can make quite a bit of extra money doing that kind of thing.
I am absolutely not trying to talk you out of it and I don't know what's changed in the years since my mom has stopped dressmaking (but I have to think it hasn't changed all that much). But it is hard work and I'm glad you already know that. If you just need to do it as "fun" money or a secondary income -- in other words, it's not absolutely necessary -- it's maybe worth trying.
(I'd start with offering to make a dress for a friend for free or something just to go through the whole process. And then ... Craigslist? Talk to fabric stores nearby -- especially higher-end or independent ones.)
So to answer you ultimate question: It's not impossible to make money at it. It's not a bad idea. Just know what you're getting into.
posted by darksong at 4:46 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Offer a 'I drive to your home' personal dress altering service. Go up market in regard to new dresses. You can't compete against mass produced chinese stuff. Target rich people, they can afford it and like the unique, bespoke angle. Think of a unique selling point. Party dresses for rich kids would work - go to the local playgroups in wealthy areas with a couple of samples - or think about doing really nice dressing for pregnant women as very few people do that and they want to look good too. Target middle aged women with money who want to keep looking good as they get older - they've got the money and again they're less targeted by high street fashion. Hit the bowling clubs or Women's Institutes.
Manufacture a story for your local (free) papers as they'll print anything if you hand it to them on a plate with a nice photo. Try to get someone at least locally famous to wear one of your dresses for that or announce a competition with the prize being a free dress for the best reason I need it in 50 words or hit the child or expectant mother angle. Get a really good photographer to photograph a really beautiful woman in the best couple of dresses you can make and use them to sell your service. Befriend the driving forces in various suitable local groups and offer them a reduction in return for some personal recommendations.
Talk it up. With a dress you're selling the sizzle as much as the steak. Get a simple website together with lots of good photos and push it. E bay is your friend. Buy good second hand industrial grade equipment but don't over invest before you start making money. Good luck.
posted by joannemullen at 4:59 PM on May 10, 2011
Manufacture a story for your local (free) papers as they'll print anything if you hand it to them on a plate with a nice photo. Try to get someone at least locally famous to wear one of your dresses for that or announce a competition with the prize being a free dress for the best reason I need it in 50 words or hit the child or expectant mother angle. Get a really good photographer to photograph a really beautiful woman in the best couple of dresses you can make and use them to sell your service. Befriend the driving forces in various suitable local groups and offer them a reduction in return for some personal recommendations.
Talk it up. With a dress you're selling the sizzle as much as the steak. Get a simple website together with lots of good photos and push it. E bay is your friend. Buy good second hand industrial grade equipment but don't over invest before you start making money. Good luck.
posted by joannemullen at 4:59 PM on May 10, 2011
Darksong makes some good points, which makes it all the more important to go upmarket. Sell conspicuous consumption, they'd rather buy a dress for three hundred and fifty quid than a hundred, charge a good rate, don't sell yourself short.
posted by joannemullen at 5:02 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by joannemullen at 5:02 PM on May 10, 2011
On the business side of things, see if there is something like the Small Business Development Center on that side of the pond. In the states, it's a program run by the Small Business Administration. They offer free classes and counseling on the mechanics of the business itself.
One of the things they preach is the need to actually write a business plan. I'm going through the process myself right now, and it's hugely helpful. Actually writing everything down has helped me clarify a lot of my thinking and discover things that I otherwise wouldn't have considered.
If you want to see some examples of business plans, check out the free ones available here. You just have to give them your email address and they'll let you download some sample plans that their software makes. They offer a bunch. There's probably one that's close to what you are looking to do that you can pull down and get an idea.
Good luck.
posted by StimulatingPixels at 5:48 PM on May 10, 2011
One of the things they preach is the need to actually write a business plan. I'm going through the process myself right now, and it's hugely helpful. Actually writing everything down has helped me clarify a lot of my thinking and discover things that I otherwise wouldn't have considered.
If you want to see some examples of business plans, check out the free ones available here. You just have to give them your email address and they'll let you download some sample plans that their software makes. They offer a bunch. There's probably one that's close to what you are looking to do that you can pull down and get an idea.
Good luck.
posted by StimulatingPixels at 5:48 PM on May 10, 2011
I think you'll be able to get the most mileage by opening a shop on etsy.com.
I sell jewelry on etsy, and it is a much better market for me than craft fairs were.
I also love to buy clothing on etsy. There are a lot of interesting and professional designers doing really innovative things, and I have been so happy with what I have bought so far.
The etsy community is full of incredibly helpful business resources - the etsy headquarters do a lot of virtual interactive presentations put on by top business people. It has been an amazing learning experience for me and I think it could be a great start for you.
posted by Pademelon at 6:24 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
I sell jewelry on etsy, and it is a much better market for me than craft fairs were.
I also love to buy clothing on etsy. There are a lot of interesting and professional designers doing really innovative things, and I have been so happy with what I have bought so far.
The etsy community is full of incredibly helpful business resources - the etsy headquarters do a lot of virtual interactive presentations put on by top business people. It has been an amazing learning experience for me and I think it could be a great start for you.
posted by Pademelon at 6:24 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Just thought of one other thing, a book titled "The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It" by Michael Gerber. This came very highly recommended by an adviser at the Small Business Development Center.
From the book description:
Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business. He walks you through the steps in the life of a business from entrepreneurial infancy, through adolescent growing pains, to the mature entrepreneurial perspective, the guiding light of all businesses that succeed. He then shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business whether or not it is a franchise. Finally, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in. your business. After you have read The E-Myth Revisited, you will truly be able to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.
Even though that has the taste of marketing/sales speak, it's pretty accurate. I got the audio book via audible.com and am very happy I did. It was the first thing that got me thinking about the business side of running a business. I come from a photo background and know a ton of photographers who would benefit from thinking about their business in the way the book describes.
(Note that the book is from 1995 and the "E" in "E-Myth" stands for "Entrepreneur" and not "Electronic" which is what I thought at first. Even though it's a bit long in the tooth, it still seems very appropriate.)
posted by StimulatingPixels at 6:47 PM on May 10, 2011
From the book description:
Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business. He walks you through the steps in the life of a business from entrepreneurial infancy, through adolescent growing pains, to the mature entrepreneurial perspective, the guiding light of all businesses that succeed. He then shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business whether or not it is a franchise. Finally, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in. your business. After you have read The E-Myth Revisited, you will truly be able to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.
Even though that has the taste of marketing/sales speak, it's pretty accurate. I got the audio book via audible.com and am very happy I did. It was the first thing that got me thinking about the business side of running a business. I come from a photo background and know a ton of photographers who would benefit from thinking about their business in the way the book describes.
(Note that the book is from 1995 and the "E" in "E-Myth" stands for "Entrepreneur" and not "Electronic" which is what I thought at first. Even though it's a bit long in the tooth, it still seems very appropriate.)
posted by StimulatingPixels at 6:47 PM on May 10, 2011
I will just add this; a few years ago I turned the hooby that I did after work and on weekends to relax into a business. The stress of trying to get a business going was added to by no longer having a relaxing hobby to distract me from my working time. I no longer operate that business, and the painful memories of that personal failure mean that I rarely engage in that hobby anymore either. So my take of whether this would be a worthwhile venture for you depends on whether this is your favorite hobby, or a casual hobby that you enjoy and are good at but could set aside at 5pm.
posted by vignettist at 8:36 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by vignettist at 8:36 PM on May 10, 2011
I have a friend who started in theatrical costume design and moved into wedding dresses and now does custom re-creation and Renaissance Faire costumes. Her work is lovely, she charges a lot of money, and even in tough times, she's got more work than she can handle. Specializing is the key. Christening dresses, children's hand-smocked dresses are also good because (1) the clothes are small, thus go fast, and (2) kids outgrow clothes at an alarming rate.
Do your research first--and if you've made things for yourself that can serve as samples, you can easily set up an Etsy shop or a blog/website to showcase your work.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:45 PM on May 10, 2011
Do your research first--and if you've made things for yourself that can serve as samples, you can easily set up an Etsy shop or a blog/website to showcase your work.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:45 PM on May 10, 2011
I have a coworker who used to make wedding dresses. She got out of the business because she wouldn't find women who wanted to pay what the dresses are worth- everyone is so budget conscious, and they would want the miles of lace and the custom pattern and the silk and they wanted to pay off-the-rack-on-clearance prices. She ended up suing two women who didn't pay for their dresses.
posted by jenlovesponies at 10:52 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by jenlovesponies at 10:52 PM on May 10, 2011
Alterations are really desired by many - promote yourself as someone who can get things to customfit. As someone with a large bust, I've given up on so many high street clothes and am slowly learning how to alter patterns - could you offer a service like this?
The other niche which I think would be popular is 'historical' costuming - there are steampunk or vintage communities where women, especially plus-size, will pay well for decently-made reproduction clothing. If you know the era and can grade up patterns well this will be a good thing to specialise in. Have a look at sites like The Fedora Lounge or Big Beautiful Barbara Brown to see the kind of thing I mean. People will pay decently for well made, quality fabric repro.
There are also things like the doll clothing markets (people who make clothes for dolls like Blythe) which might be worth looking at if you want to try Etsy gently - but do your research! As others have said, creating a business is very hard work and possibly difficult to fit around children when this happens. Something niche, if you have an eye for it, might fit you well.
Have you got a Fabricland or a similar cheap but good quality fabric place near you?
NB: Craigslist isn't a 'thing' in the UK.
posted by mippy at 6:11 AM on May 11, 2011
The other niche which I think would be popular is 'historical' costuming - there are steampunk or vintage communities where women, especially plus-size, will pay well for decently-made reproduction clothing. If you know the era and can grade up patterns well this will be a good thing to specialise in. Have a look at sites like The Fedora Lounge or Big Beautiful Barbara Brown to see the kind of thing I mean. People will pay decently for well made, quality fabric repro.
There are also things like the doll clothing markets (people who make clothes for dolls like Blythe) which might be worth looking at if you want to try Etsy gently - but do your research! As others have said, creating a business is very hard work and possibly difficult to fit around children when this happens. Something niche, if you have an eye for it, might fit you well.
Have you got a Fabricland or a similar cheap but good quality fabric place near you?
NB: Craigslist isn't a 'thing' in the UK.
posted by mippy at 6:11 AM on May 11, 2011
I would also recommend opening a store in an online marketplace, but instead of Etsy choose one like DaWanda, which is smaller and as such allows you much more visibility/chance of being featured by admin. DaWanda's Seller Portal has lots of info on how to succeed via the site.
Also, the 'Biz Ladies' series on Design*Sponge is great and might be of use.
posted by greenfelttip at 7:00 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, the 'Biz Ladies' series on Design*Sponge is great and might be of use.
posted by greenfelttip at 7:00 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by parmanparman at 4:30 PM on May 10, 2011