Sew What’s Up Presents
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: Pudge99
Date: 09-05-2003, 12:40 PM (1 of 15)
|
I am looking for a way to make money from home and have seen several adds for making crafts at home. Has anyone tried these programs? I really need to make money and don't want to waste my time if they are a hoax. Thanks, Gina Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: dmoses
Date: 09-05-2003, 02:46 PM (2 of 15)
|
I've never tried anything like that, and don't know anyone who has, but I have seen news clips about those types of 'employment opportunities', and heard only bad things about it. In one news item I remember that the person had completed all kinds of products, but didn't get paid...they insisted that the quality of her work was not good enough. I think she had to pay for the supplies, and they were supposed to buy back the completed products from her. If you have to pay money up front, I would stay away from it. Maybe there are legitimate opportunities out there, but I would be very wary...because there are a lot of shameless schemers and scammers out there. 
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: mamahoogie
Date: 09-05-2003, 03:34 PM (3 of 15)
|
Some food for thought..... One day on the Carol Duvall show someone wrote in about doing crafts for companies like you mentioned. She said one day her and several other professional crafters joined, made all the crafts, and ...get this...they were all rejected and none of them got paid. She warned people to be careful of these scams. 
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
|
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-05-2003, 04:09 PM (4 of 15)
|
I've lived all over the U.S. and EVERYWHERE I've lived the Better Business Bureau has warned people NOT TO answer the ads for those home crafters. They are a scam....
Chrys
|
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-05-2003, 07:02 PM (5 of 15)
My ex DIL answered one of these ads and bought their paints and then painted 50 small bears and they accepted 2 and rejected the other 48... Cost her some money, that lesson did...I saw them ,. and I am a crafter .. They were all done perfectly except the first 2...She gave lots of bear figurine presents for a while..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 09-05-2003, 11:22 PM (6 of 15)
|
Thanks ladies. I figured it was to good to be true. Anybody have ideas for how I can make at least $400 a month without leaving my kids? Our finances are really tight until next year when my van will be paid off. Now my dog has to have surgery and I am sure by the time they are done with him it will be close to $1000. We are in one of those ruts right now where everytime we turn around something breaks(well ok that sounds funny when talking about the dog but you know what I mean). Does anybody know of any legitimate businesses that hire mom's at home to sew or things like that? Gina Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: lovemyfabric
Date: 09-06-2003, 09:04 AM (7 of 15)
| What about posting some ads around your area, saying that you will do alterations and hemming? You could make a little extra money. |
User: lovemyfabric
Member since: 06-06-2003 Total posts: 126 
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 09-06-2003, 12:38 PM (8 of 15)
|
Good idea, but I hate alterations. I did it in highschool at a men's suit shop. I would do it again if I absolutely had to but I really am looking for something else. What do you ladies think about buying a cottage license from a pattern company and selling things at craft fairs? I can get the license for $100 a year or lifetime for $1000. This seems reasonable to me. I would be making baby slings and breastfeeding clothes. I have seen those slings go for $50 and I have made them for less than $10. If I buy the fabric on clearance I could really make a bundle. I am just wondering how to start. I guess the first step would be to buy the license. Then make an assortment of slings and other small items. I was thinking for the clothes I would wear some myself and have pictues out of what I can make and offer those as an orderable item. Am I leaving anything out? I am going to a work at home mom fest today maybe I will join their club. Gina Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: weB2cats
Date: 09-06-2003, 04:35 PM (9 of 15)
|
First, I think joining a club is a very good idea. There's nothing like the feedback and comraderie of a group with like interests. Get some solid feedback from the presenter of the event. Let her (any everyone else in the group) know that you are open to ideas that are non-tailored oriented. Perhaps they know of people in need of your services or merchandise. Is there a magazine or trade journal or librarian that would be of help? Is there a specialty boutique in your area that would be interested in what you have to offer? For instance, my clothing line was warmly accepted at a boutique on the Oregon Coast. It fit the clientele as it's a kind of laid-back community of artists and families and merchants. Summery, casual clothing is what is worn there, whether on the beach, strolling or shopping. When all else fails, use the internet to reach out to merchants in your area (see the yellowpages.com) and go to the city that you are interested in. On the page that lists their address and phone number, check to see if there is an email address provided. Intro your merchandise with an offer to meet for a showing of your wares. That is how the Saturday Market in our city handles this. And things have to be hand-made by the person selling. Prices range from low to high (for stained glass windows and other costly materials/labor intensive items). Talk to many people. And, mention if someone referred you, as this is networking at it's simplest. I assume that you are not planning to work outside the home as you would have the additional cost of daycare. However, maybe you could work PT or take your child to work at a daycare center. I know of a few gals who have done that. They are with their children most of the time while earning a living. And they sew in any spare time they can claim. Christmas is coming up so this would be a good time to sew for children (or their dolls), using the scraps you may already have. I don't think spending money at this point is what you want to do. A small amount for supplies, but not $100. I know the fabric stores nationwide will need more staff to help for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. It's people like us that keeps their stores hopping this time of year. Good luck to you. How about an update in a week or so? Eileen |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 09-06-2003, 11:01 PM (10 of 15)
|
Thanks for the input. Unfortunately I can not afford to pay day care as I have four children, two of which are still home all day. Also my 2 1/2 year old would have to be in a special daycare that has doctors on call due to her medical condition. The WAHM fair was interesting. It was all Tupperware, Pampered Chef, etc... demonstrators. I made some contacts with people who have done craft fairs in the area and seem willing to help me get started. I will meet with them next week sometime. I will keep you updated on how things go. Gina Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: plinko
Date: 09-07-2003, 01:18 PM (11 of 15)
|
Don't do baby slings although it is very tempting. To sell them you should have insurance. They could be considered a baby care item and people will sue you if the child falls, even if it is entirely their fault. Insurance is very expensive. I looked into doing this in 1996 and no one would offer me insurance. What did turn out to be a niche was breastfeeding clothes and I sold them through word of mouth along with a little help from friends at our local hospital even though I was not able to put up any kind of advert there. I had really wanted to do breastfeeding dresses and matching slings but had to drop the sling idea. It didn't really matter because what I ended up making was nice office clothes for breastfeeding mothers who were pumping and I adapted ready to wear styles. I find Elizabeth Lee lacking in style for working women although Elizabeth Lee patterns sells a license if you use her patterns for a home business. There's markets within the niche, working vs. casual. I don't do this anymore because the maternity leave in Canada is now much longer than the time that women generally breastfeed and the market disappeared. It would be successful in the US, sad but true. I'm thinking of doing maternity bathing suits and "diaperless" swimsuits for infants to sell through the local Y. It's not for any kind of volume profit, I'll make less than 10 garments, but it's penetration into another market, the synchronized swimming costume circuit. However, if there is a big "splash with mommy" group in your town, there is another market, and infant swimwear takes minimal yardage. The diaperless part is my invention though. |
User: plinko
Member since: 08-06-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: Aimee S
Date: 09-07-2003, 02:49 PM (12 of 15)
|
would you be willing to do home dec items. If you are made up a business card and send it out to local interior designers in your area. When they contact you one of the pluses you can add is that you will have a lower cost cause you have little overheard being that you work out of home. You can specif if you just want to do pillows or kitchen decor or even just bedrooms. They will be able to get the fabrics and you will put them together. You will have to provide the notions and the time but it takes the hassle of shopping for the fabric. Also they have the ins to get cheaper fabric then you can.
The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 09-07-2003, 10:10 PM (13 of 15)
|
I don't make much home dec stuff. Just a few basic curtains for the kids rooms and in high school I liked to make pillows. I will look into this though it could be interesting. Thanks Gina Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: weB2cats
Date: 09-08-2003, 11:26 AM (14 of 15)
|
What exactly is "Home Dec" as far as sewing? Is it only curtains? Does it include bedspreads, tablecloths or furniture coverings? I've seen some ideas on Carol D's show but Ican't imagine tackling a huge project like drapes. All those yards of fabric! However, I recently moved into a new, every-wall-is-white home and could definitely use some nice drapes. There are many windows and mini blinds. I want drapes but major dept store I went into had typically bland drapes at astronomical prices! I don't suppose I'll ever find what I want at a good price. Probably looking at these 4 white walls for a while more. I love the drapery fabrics at JoAnn's. But since I've made Cafe curtains only, I wouldn't be comfortable buy expensive fabric and then not complete the project. I wonder if they have classes in this particular area. I live in Portland. Anyone teaching a class? I enjoyed making pillows, especially as gifts. They can be so original, on a small scale. They can have anything on them and made from anything you desire. Photos, kids characters, velveteen fabrics, lace, etc. And this is a keepsake item of sorts. The kids (and animals) love large floor pillows made of fleecs. They work well in front of the TV or in a den or in front of drafty doors and windows-my mom loved hers at the beach while she watched TV. |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: Aimee S
Date: 09-08-2003, 11:39 AM (15 of 15)
|
Home dec can be just draperies... But for one designer I do placemats, table runners, napkins, chilfrens bedrooms, bed spreads, draperies, canopies, I have even done fishing of the edges of fabric that is just used to cover the walls. I have done pillows for beds and couches and floor pillows. Bean bags and more. that is way my house has sheets for curtains. The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-10818.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft