Help Me Find A Contract Seamstress To Make Plush Animals!

May 22, 2007 12:36 PM

Where can I find a trustworthy contract seamstress? (more inside)

I am looking to get a few oversized stuffed animals created (less than 100 pieces). I have a working pattern and can supply fabric but am at a loss as to where to find these contract seamstresses.

I've looked online but feel a bit weird sending someone who i've never met a lot of expensive fabric and then expecting something in return. The pattern is a little hard to navigate so I need to find someone who has some experience and skill. I am new to sewing and everything that I am finding online seems to be fashion or clothing related, which seems to be very different from plush animals.

I am in NYC. I wouldn't think this would be too hard to find, but its proving incredibly difficult! Please help!

posted by modernsquid to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

You will get a lot of help at Fashion Incubator, but what you really need right now is to buy Kathleen Fasanella’s book, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing.

(Sorry. I don’t know any sewing contractors in New York. But they’re out there.)
posted by kika at 12:46 PM on May 22, 2007

Try going to local alterations shops (especially if there's a particular one you frequent) and asking if A) they can do the work or B) they know someone who could.
posted by odi.et.amo at 12:56 PM on May 22, 2007

I had good luck when looking for a seamstress in my area by signing up for a free Angie's List account and reading the reviews there.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 1:11 PM on May 22, 2007

You might investigate Etsy. I'll bet some of the plush sellers are willing to take contracts.
posted by Void_Ptr at 1:39 PM on May 22, 2007

I second etsy. Also, post something in Craigslist. You're in NYC. There are tons of students there who probably want to bring in some extra income doing side work (and some of them will even have skillz). You can of course ask for a sample of their work before hiring them, and meet up with them somewhere to give them the fabric or whatever so you know they're not devious.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 6:39 AM on May 23, 2007