Start a Sewing Business at Home

If you’re enjoy sewing then a sewing business at home might be perfect for you. Do you enjoy sewing clothes for yourself or your children?

Are friends and relatives always asking you to make sewing repairs? If so, then you have the perfect beginnings for a sewing business.

Is a Sewing Business at Home for You?

Sewing is a skill that is gaining popularity as more people want to save on clothing costs and make the clothes that they have last longer.

Many work at home moms start profitable businesses offering their sewing skills to people who lack time or the skill to make repairs or alterations on clothes.

Plus, there are several profitable sewing niches, like baby items, dolls, handbags & totes and home decor. All of which can be sold online or through local shows and shops.

Starting Your Sewing Business

Getting started with your sewing business starts with deciding what you want to do. You could specialize in one type of sewing (bridal party gowns) or you can take a wide variety of jobs. Picking at least one niche is a good start because it helps you keep down costs.

And, it helps you focus on a certain type of customer. Since it is your business, it is totally up to you how to run it. Some people specialize in children’s clothing, alterations/repairs, women’s clothing or formal wear.

Although sewing clothing can be a profitable field, some prefer offering home décor services and make curtains, slipcovers and other home accents.

Consider what kinds of sewing you are best at and what types of projects you like doing the most.

Getting Supplies in Order

Before you start advertising, get your supplies in order to be sure you have what you’ll need. If you have an older sewing machine that has “bad days” when it doesn’t work right, you might want to consider getting a new machine so you can work more efficiently.

When sewing clothes you may, also, want a serger. And some specialize in machine embroidery clothing which requires a good embroidery machine. Any supplies like these are a tax write-off. You probably already have the sewing notions that you’ll need to get started.

But, you’ll need to get specific items depending on what you want to sew.

Setting Prices

You’ll also need to decide on set prices before you begin advertising your services. If you are doing repairs, you can charge a certain price per task. If you are custom sewing clothing, you can either charge a flat fee or charge by the hour. For larger projects, like wedding dresses, charging by the hour can work out to be a better deal for both you and the client.

Or, for new items, you can decide on prices based on supply costs and labor.

Starting off Right

Start your business off on the right foot by getting a business license and/or sales tax license. You’ll want to make sure that everything is legal and that you keep accurate records of your expenses and income.

You can research what your state and are requirements are by visiting the small business organization.

There are also several tax deductions that you can take as a business owner, and you’ll have access to wholesale sewing supplies.

Keep good records of money coming in and out by using a record.

Advertising Your Business

Make some business cards to give to people you know. Also, leave them at certain places around town. For example, if you sew children’s clothing, you can arrange to have your cards available at local daycare centers.

One of the most powerful ways to advertise your business is through word of mouth. Your friends, family and acquaintances will surely send clients your way once they know you’ve hung your shingle up for business.

Start a website with a blog to market your services or products. You can start on marketplace websites like Etsy too.

There are lots of helpful resources online that teach marketing techniques specifically for handmade businesses.

You need a website and social media accounts where you can share your services and projects you’ve worked on.

Having a sewing business at home is a great way to do something that you love, help other people and make some money all at the same time.

More Home Business Ideas

There are many work at home jobs to choose from, but having a sewing business definitely offers the best deal for those who love to sew!