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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Margie Nance
Date: 07-02-2003, 10:50 AM (1 of 5)
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This is my first time on the forum. I have owned a drapery workroom for the past ten years and found that sewing for interior designers can be very profitable. If anyone would like information on starting that type of business I would love to help and contribute what I can on this fourm. I am also an instructor at a trade school in North Carolina that offers week long training classes for this industry. Margie Nance
Custom Home Furnishing Trade School www.CHFindustry.com |
User: Margie Nance
Member since: 07-01-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-02-2003, 03:40 PM (2 of 5)
Hi Margie Nance, welcome to Sew Whats New.  What made you get into sewing home decor? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Margie Nance
Date: 07-02-2003, 05:32 PM (3 of 5)
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Thanks for the welcome Mary. I was looking for a part time job when my husband came home one day and said one of his customers who is a designer (he was a wallpaper installer at the time) needed someone to sew draperies for her customers. I didn't know anything about the business so I researched and read everything I could get my hands on. I grew from a spare bedroom to a 3500sf workroom and my husband quit his job and worked with me in the drapery business. This was ten years ago. Since then one of the people who helped me wanted to purchase the business along with her husband so I am now working as an instructor, seminar speaker and writer for the industry. I came across your forum and thought I could offer some insight into the business for anyone who would like to do this for a living. It's a great way for people to work from home but make a very good living. There is even a national convention for people who do this. It's a great way to meet others who sew from their home. Margie Margie Nance
Custom Home Furnishing Trade School www.CHFindustry.com |
User: Margie Nance
Member since: 07-01-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-03-2003, 06:49 AM (4 of 5)
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What advice would you give to someone who is contemplating their own business in home decor?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Margie Nance
Date: 07-04-2003, 11:18 AM (5 of 5)
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With just a few tools and a spare bedroom, you can start a home based business sewing window treatments, pillows, slipcovers, etc. The first step is education. There is a school located in Swannanoa, North Carolina that is dedicated to teaching the art of window treatment fabrication along with installation, design, slipcovers and more. Their address is:www.professionaldrapery.com There are a few items you must have to get started: 1.Heavy duty straight stitch sewing machine. This will get you started but you will find that an industrial machine is what most workrooms use. Check your local newspaper under industrial equipment for a used machine. You may find a good machine for under 500.00. 2.Workroom table. The table should be padded and covered with canvas. The minimum size should be 60" wide by 96" long. This allows for most decorative fabric bolts to lay flat on the surface of the table. This will become you most efficient piece of equipment. 3.Misc tools such as scissors, rulers, pins, etc. Recommended optional equipment are a serger and blindstitch machine. Margie Margie Nance
Custom Home Furnishing Trade School www.CHFindustry.com |
User: Margie Nance
Member since: 07-01-2003 Total posts: 4 |
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