Comments on: How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/ How to start a clothing line or run the one you have, better. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:49:13 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Fashion Incubator» Why you should start your own sewing factory pt.2 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-39903 Fashion Incubator» Why you should start your own sewing factory pt.2 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:19:08 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-39903 [...] product development 2 Batch product development 3 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt3 addthis_pub = [...] [...] product development 2 Batch product development 3 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt3 addthis_pub = [...]

]]> By: DesignerElla http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-17843 DesignerElla Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:57:35 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-17843 It seems to me, as I've been active on Etsy quite a bit - that sellers much more often factor materials and not time, rather than time and not materials. However many work with jewelry and most of that - and a lot of other items - don't take much time compared to, say, knitting a sweater. I'm not supporting the decision, of course, to not price for our valuable time. Especially since if things sell well and fast, people then don't make worthwhile (or any?) money. I know prices are often so low but I hope it's not totally on the site. Yes I think it's majority, but it's not all of the Etsian minds. I know I don't and have never fit in with the pricing. And yes of course it sets up obstacles for those who price "true" (my word here, it may not sound nice). I am glad you wrote this that directs some underlying advice to Etsy sellers and the like. It's needed I think. I fear they're taken advantage of, it's obvious the way you put it. BTW the closing paragraph was beauty, heartwarming and something of great writing. If this means anything that comes from a naturally talented writer who went to college for it, with an eye for visuals too who loves fashion and bags wayyyy more. And now I comment on comments - I'm such a gabber. The comment against the concept: "serve everyone – as a deliberate strategy." I'm glad I read this because I occasionally worry that people will be put off by the fact that I will not design low hanging shoulder bags. I hate the look, I want to love all my looks. (This does not stand for stylish cross-body bags.) (Oh and perhaps the very scarce low hobo, don't shoot me if I turn away a BIT when I think it still looks alright. Even Manolo Blahnik, classy classy - never a platform and such [not that I know every last style], made a clear heel. Haha.) So many people absolutely detest what I love, which is a bag right under the armpit. But I have my aesthetics and even love that feel, and that sort of thing can help lead to branding, perhaps. Ah well, maybe people like I are my true customers. Besides many faved classics can't even hang off the elbow. Heh. "And, it seems like the skill improves fast once you just jump in and get started already" This is very true. We can improve vastly quickly if we try - not just do but work at improving, too. And work at finding solutions to problems. (This was mentioned in the post, no?) Long ago I thought I couldn't sew or anything, and I was even afraid that leather couldn't be found and/or would cost a bajillions of fortunes. Haha. Google helps, too. It seems to me, as I’ve been active on Etsy quite a bit – that sellers much more often factor materials and not time, rather than time and not materials. However many work with jewelry and most of that – and a lot of other items – don’t take much time compared to, say, knitting a sweater.

I’m not supporting the decision, of course, to not price for our valuable time. Especially since if things sell well and fast, people then don’t make worthwhile (or any?) money.

I know prices are often so low but I hope it’s not totally on the site. Yes I think it’s majority, but it’s not all of the Etsian minds. I know I don’t and have never fit in with the pricing. And yes of course it sets up obstacles for those who price “true” (my word here, it may not sound nice).

I am glad you wrote this that directs some underlying advice to Etsy sellers and the like. It’s needed I think. I fear they’re taken advantage of, it’s obvious the way you put it.

BTW the closing paragraph was beauty, heartwarming and something of great writing. If this means anything that comes from a naturally talented writer who went to college for it, with an eye for visuals too who loves fashion and bags wayyyy more.

And now I comment on comments – I’m such a gabber.

The comment against the concept: “serve everyone – as a deliberate strategy.” I’m glad I read this because I occasionally worry that people will be put off by the fact that I will not design low hanging shoulder bags. I hate the look, I want to love all my looks. (This does not stand for stylish cross-body bags.) (Oh and perhaps the very scarce low hobo, don’t shoot me if I turn away a BIT when I think it still looks alright. Even Manolo Blahnik, classy classy – never a platform and such [not that I know every last style], made a clear heel. Haha.)

So many people absolutely detest what I love, which is a bag right under the armpit. But I have my aesthetics and even love that feel, and that sort of thing can help lead to branding, perhaps. Ah well, maybe people like I are my true customers.

Besides many faved classics can’t even hang off the elbow. Heh.

“And, it seems like the skill improves fast once you just jump in and get started already”

This is very true. We can improve vastly quickly if we try – not just do but work at improving, too. And work at finding solutions to problems. (This was mentioned in the post, no?)

Long ago I thought I couldn’t sew or anything, and I was even afraid that leather couldn’t be found and/or would cost a bajillions of fortunes. Haha.

Google helps, too.

]]> By: How to start a homebased handmade sewing business http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-15921 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:53:00 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-15921 [...] other entries you likely missed are: How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt3 Why handmade is [...] [...] other entries you likely missed are: How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt3 Why handmade is [...]

]]> By: How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt3 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14921 How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt3 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:26:27 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14921 [...] Forum « How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 Free access to The Entrepreneur’s Guide [...] [...] Forum « How to start a homebased handmade sewing business pt2 Free access to The Entrepreneur’s Guide [...]

]]> By: Zuzana http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14911 Zuzana Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:56:03 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14911 I just wanted to say that there ARE good grading books...and good drafting books. It's just that I haven't found any others that would be better than the Rundschau Verlag in Germany. It is a company that publishes drafting magazines - on a professional level. Not easy to understand at first glance, you have to own many magazines to get some things out right - but you can skip this and buy their books - they publish books which are actually consisted of similar topics published in the magazines for the last...20 years? For example, they have a book on Jackets and Coats, a book on Trousers and Skirts and so on. They should explain you everything in the book... See their webpage: http://www.muellersohn.com/ I guess you can order the magazines with English translation. I'm not sure about the books though...but once you get the start you'll need no reading! I cannot recommend them highly enough. I wish there was another such company, so that I could compare their drafting systems... Their grading book: http://www.amazon.de/DOB-Gradierung-Schnitt-Know-how-f%C3%BCr-Industrie-Handwerk/dp/3929305194 If you have any questions, email me at zkraemerova(at)centrum(dot)cz I'm so frustrated that there is such a good company and nobody knows about it! And what more...it MIGHT seem their prices are high, but...what you get is FAR more than what you pay. I just wanted to say that there ARE good grading books…and good drafting books. It’s just that I haven’t found any others that would be better than the Rundschau Verlag in Germany. It is a company that publishes drafting magazines – on a professional level. Not easy to understand at first glance, you have to own many magazines to get some things out right – but you can skip this and buy their books – they publish books which are actually consisted of similar topics published in the magazines for the last…20 years? For example, they have a book on Jackets and Coats, a book on Trousers and Skirts and so on. They should explain you everything in the book… See their webpage:

http://www.muellersohn.com/

I guess you can order the magazines with English translation. I’m not sure about the books though…but once you get the start you’ll need no reading!
I cannot recommend them highly enough. I wish there was another such company, so that I could compare their drafting systems…

Their grading book:
http://www.amazon.de/DOB-Gradierung-Schnitt-Know-how-f%C3%BCr-Industrie-Handwerk/dp/3929305194

If you have any questions, email me at zkraemerova(at)centrum(dot)cz
I’m so frustrated that there is such a good company and nobody knows about it! And what more…it MIGHT seem their prices are high, but…what you get is FAR more than what you pay.

]]> By: Mandi http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14905 Mandi Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:34:10 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14905 Thanks for this follow up post, Kathleen. I appreciate the comment to just jump in and resolve to be a really crappy pattern maker. It shines light on my small fears, and that because I will suck at this one aspect, I shouldn't let it hold me back. Embrace my less-than abilities at this point and just move on. If it goes well, then I will figure out the rest when I need to. Sensible straight talk! Thanks for this follow up post, Kathleen. I appreciate the comment to just jump in and resolve to be a really crappy pattern maker. It shines light on my small fears, and that because I will suck at this one aspect, I shouldn’t let it hold me back. Embrace my less-than abilities at this point and just move on. If it goes well, then I will figure out the rest when I need to.

Sensible straight talk!

]]> By: kellyt http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14904 kellyt Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14904 Thank you, Kathleen, for writing on this subject. I think you are an excellent writer! I have had your book for many years and find myself rereading it. I have finally over come the fear of pattern grading just recently, and completed 5 sizes of a basic coat pattern that I in tend to use in an "art to wear" clothing business. I have one more style to go, and then I will start the next phase. Your article gave me inspiration to keep moving forward. Thank you, Kathleen, for writing on this subject. I think you are an excellent writer! I have had your book for many years and find myself rereading it. I have finally over come the fear of pattern grading just recently, and completed 5 sizes of a basic coat pattern that I in tend to use in an “art to wear” clothing business. I have one more style to go, and then I will start the next phase. Your article gave me inspiration to keep moving forward.

]]> By: Amy Mello http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14901 Amy Mello Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:18:26 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14901 I think that she should go ahead and sell what she has. As far as sizing goes, my experience selling online has been that if I don't offer a top in the customers size they will usually contact me and ask for one or one similar in their size. This leads to them getting a top made with their specific sizing and I can also offer them colors to choose from. As the business gets bigger and gains a following, she will better be able to determine what sizes sell the most and be able to change her sizes accordingly. Just my little bit of input from a "little guy". I think that she should go ahead and sell what she has. As far as sizing goes, my experience selling online has been that if I don’t offer a top in the customers size they will usually contact me and ask for one or one similar in their size. This leads to them getting a top made with their specific sizing and I can also offer them colors to choose from. As the business gets bigger and gains a following, she will better be able to determine what sizes sell the most and be able to change her sizes accordingly. Just my little bit of input from a “little guy”.

]]> By: Crystal http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14900 Crystal Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:05:06 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14900 Very good thoughts. As a perfectionist, I am so hesitant to try things I'm not immediately good at (it took me forever to sit down at a sewing machine!), so I appreciate your input about "just doing it" and who cares if you're not the best? For me, I'm learning to fight the fear of failing by just simply doing. Your book has been helpful too. Thanks again Kathleen. Very good thoughts. As a perfectionist, I am so hesitant to try things I’m not immediately good at (it took me forever to sit down at a sewing machine!), so I appreciate your input about “just doing it” and who cares if you’re not the best? For me, I’m learning to fight the fear of failing by just simply doing. Your book has been helpful too. Thanks again Kathleen.

]]> By: Kelli http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-start-a-homebased-handmade-sewing-business-pt2/comment-page-1/#comment-14898 Kelli Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:48:05 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=4301#comment-14898 "In other words, resolving to become a really crappy pattern maker could be your ticket to a comfortable livelihood you enjoy." I LOVE this! It is sometimes hard to walk the line of managing a business and all of the fear/self-doubt that comes along with "never having enough time" and "doing it right" -- but it really boils down to making a bit of money using a skill you enjoy. And, it seems like the skill improves fast once you just jump in and get started already..... Thanks for the great post! “In other words, resolving to become a really crappy pattern maker could be your ticket to a comfortable livelihood you enjoy.”

I LOVE this! It is sometimes hard to walk the line of managing a business and all of the fear/self-doubt that comes along with “never having enough time” and “doing it right” — but it really boils down to making a bit of money using a skill you enjoy. And, it seems like the skill improves fast once you just jump in and get started already….. Thanks for the great post!

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